SkyTeam partners Virgin Atlantic and China Airlines have today launched a new codeshare agreement to strengthen business and leisure ties in China.
Virgin Atlantic customers are now able to connect from the airline’s Heathrow to Shanghai service (which relaunched in May after restrictions were lifted) to other destinations in China on one ticket, including Chengdu, Changsha, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Xi’an. (Read our feature on Shanghai here)
Subject to government approval, China Eastern customers will also soon be able to connect via Heathrow onto Caribbean and African destinations, including Jamaica, Nassau, Lagos, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented: “Our new codeshare with China Eastern, a fellow SkyTeam partner, will serve continued demand for travel to the region and strengthens our commitment to China and East Asia.
“We know these agreements bring plenty of benefits to our customers, from increased network scope to China and beyond, to reciprocal loyalty rewards for our Flying Club members.”
Since November, the two airlines have been co-located at Shanghai Pudong Terminal One, where Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold and Silver members and China Eastern Miles members can take advantage of SkyPriority services, including priority check in, boarding and extra baggage.
The expanded codeshare also allows Flying Club members to reach their rewards faster, with opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points on every codeshare flight with China Eastern. The option to spend Virgin Points is expected to follow shortly.
