Virgin Atlantic has signed brand new codeshare partnerships with EL AL, Saudia and SAS Scandinavian Airlines, all set to launch later this year.
The new codeshare partnership with EL AL Israel Airlines will offer more connections between the UK, US and Israel. The two airlines will place codes on their respective London Heathrow and Tel Aviv – which Virgin Atlantic plans to resume – from 5 September 2024. The arrangement allowing customers greater flexibility, frequencies with up to four daily flights, and choice when selecting travel between the UK and Israel.
The partnership will offer reciprocal earn and redemption opportunities, as well as premium customer recognition and tier benefits for frequent flyers, including Flying Club and EL AL’s Matmid program. Virgin Atlantic customers will be able to travel on EL AL’s services from Tel Aviv to Heathrow and connect onwards to the US, to reach 11 US destinations on 23 daily flights.
In March 2023, Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam as the alliance’s first and only UK member airline. SkyTeam has since welcomed SAS Scandinavian Airlines into its global alliance. Virgin Atlantic and SAS Scandinavian Airlines are working towards new commercial partnerships with the best access to and from Scandinavian key hubs. This collaboration will offer new destinations, enhanced connectivity, and a more seamless, elevated customer journey for all travellers in the very near future. Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members will receive instant earning and redeeming opportunities once SAS formally joins SkyTeam on 1 September 2024 and SAS EuroBonus members will be able to earn and redeem their points on Virgin Atlantic.
Further, a new codeshare with SkyTeam member Saudia has launched in a move that will provide connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Virgin Atlantic destinations.
The first phase of the agreement, which is now live, means Virgin Atlantic customers travelling on flights from the US can purchase seamless onward connections through London Heathrow and Manchester, onto Saudia’s services to Jeddah and Riyadh. Opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points, alongside Virgin Points redemptions, have been in place since March 2023, with online redemptions launched last month. Saudia’s AlFursan members can earn and redeem their points on Virgin Atlantic flights.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said: “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this month, we know that giving our customers more choice and award-winning service in the skies is what fuels our success, alongside working with the best partners.
“We’re delighted to launch codeshares with our SkyTeam partners at SAS and Saudia today, enhancing our connectivity and offering greater customer benefits to our frequent flyers, who will be able to achieve rewards faster.”
“Our return to Tel Aviv on 5 September will be welcome news for customers who have enjoyed our service since 2019, and this time round it’ll be strengthened by our new codeshare partnership with EL AL,” Jarvinen added.
