Virgin Atlantic Joining SkyTeam Alliance In 2023

I am still surprised to see it finally happen.

Virgin Atlantic joining SkyTeam alliance

The SkyTeam alliance will be joined by Virgin Atlantic early in the new century. Virgin Atlantic will be SkyTeam's only UK based airline.

Delta Air Lines has an ownership stake in Virgin Atlantic, as well as a joint venture with Air France-KLM and Delta. Skyteam members include Aeromexico, China Eastern, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines, etc.

What are the consequences of Virgin Atlantic joining Sky Team?

• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold and Silver members will receive reciprocal elite recognition when flying with other SkyTeam member airlines; Gold members will get SkyTeam Elite Plus status, while Silver members will get SkyTeam Elite status
• Other SkyTeam member airline elite members will receive reciprocal elite recognition when flying with Virgin Atlantic; in fairness, some members (like Delta) already offered reciprocal elite perks on Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members will be able to earn and redeem points for travel on all SkyTeam member airlines
• Members of other SkyTeam loyalty programs will be able to earn and redeem points for travel on Virgin Atlantic
• We may see more codeshare agreements put in place with other SkyTeam member airlines, though that remains to be seen

The CEO of Virgin Atlantic describes this development.

“At Virgin Atlantic we strive to create thoughtful experiences that feel different for our customers and SkyTeam shares that customer first ethos. 2022 marks the year Virgin Atlantic gets back to its best for our customers and people and joining SkyTeam is an important milestone. Our membership will allow us to enhance established relationships with our valued partners at Delta and Air France-KLM, as well as opening up opportunities to collaborate with new airlines. It will enable a seamless customer experience, with an expanded network and maximised loyalty benefits.”

Sky Team CEO Kristin Colvile describes this development.

“As a member of SkyTeam, Virgin Atlantic will benefit from increased opportunities to expand its global network through partnerships and synergies: customers will have more ways to earn and burn miles while enjoying the service for which Virgin Atlantic is renowned. Virgin Atlantic shares SkyTeam’s values, caring for our customers, our employees, and the world in which they live, and we are excited to have them as part of the SkyTeam family.”

My take on Virgin Atlantic joining SkyTeam

Virgin Atlantic is in a joint venture with SkyTeam airlines, which makes it seem like it would be a good fit.

The airline hasn't joined SkyTeam yet. Delta is anti-alliance today. The airline thinks bilateral agreements are more valuable than alliances. Delta exerts a lot of influence over the airlines it owns. I am curious if LATAM joins SkyTeam since it didn't seem like Delta was in favor of it.

The ability to earn and redeem points is always great for frequent flyers. This is an area where Skyteam is worse than oneworld and Star Alliance.

• SkyTeam member airlines aren’t as good as oneworld and Star Alliance member airlines at making reciprocal award seats available
• SkyTeam isn’t actually great about integrating members; for example, ITA Airways is now technically in SkyTeam, but take a look at the reciprocal SkyTeam perks offered, plus the (lack of) ability to redeem points on ITA
• SkyTeam Elite Plus recognition isn’t as good as Star Alliance Gold or oneworld Emerald recognition in terms of lounge access; for example, foreign SkyTeam Elite Plus members don’t get lounge access when traveling domestically in the United States

What does this development mean for the value of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club? Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has some great sweet spot redemptions, including on Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, and Delta. It is hoped that the sweet spot redemptions will not be eliminated in favor of a streamlined chart.

Bottom line

The SkyTeam alliance will have Virgin Atlantic as a member. This is great news for frequent flyers, as it will allow them to earn and redeem points in a variety of ways. I want to know what this means for the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points.

What do you think about Virgin Atlantic joining Sky Team?