Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways to launch partnership
Codeshare between the two SkyTeam carriers launches today.
Flying Club loyalty members have full earn and redemption opportunities in Kenya Airways network
Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways are pleased to announce a new codeshare partnership agreement, providing greater access to Nairobi and beyond into East Africa.
The first phase of the agreement, which launches today, will allow customers booking through Virgin Atlantic to directly purchase flights on Kenya Airways’ Heathrow to Nairobi service.
In turn, Kenya Airways customers will soon have the opportunity to connect via London Heathrow onto a number of Virgin Atlantic’s luxurious Caribbean destinations, including Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Kenya Airways is one of the leading airlines in Africa and a fellow member of the SkyTeam alliance. Virgin Atlantic’s Gold and Silver Flying Club members, alongside Kenya Airways Asante Rewards Platinum and Gold members can take advantage of SkyPriority services at London Heathrow and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including priority check in, baggage handling and boarding.
Both airline’s membership of SkyTeam has also allowed Flying Club members to reach their rewards faster. Opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points, alongside Virgin Points redemptions, have been in place since March 2023.
Additionally, Flying Club members can take advantage of earning Virgin Points by booking luxury safari holidays through both Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Virgin Limited Edition.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented,
“We’re delighted to launch our partnership with Kenya Airways. As a fellow member of the SkyTeam alliance, we know our customers will enjoy a seamless travel experience, with more opportunities to earn and spend their miles with increased benefits for our SkyPriority members.
“We’re committed to enhancing connectivity and as the only UK airline to codeshare on the Heathrow to Nairobi route, we’ll be providing more choice and flexibility for customers booking with Virgin Atlantic.”
Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer of Kenya Airways, commented;
“We are excited to embark on this transformative partnership with Virgin Atlantic. By leveraging our complementary strengths and networks, we aim to enrich the travel experience for our valued customers, offering them greater choice, convenience and connectivity to key destinations in the world.”
Access to Kenya from the UK is now more accessible than ever before. From January this year, visitors from outside of Africa, including the United Kingdom, will only require an online authorisation to travel to Kenya, instead of a full visa.
As fellow members of the SkyTeam alliance, Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways also have a shared ethos on sustainability. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2027. In November 2023, Virgin Atlantic led an industry consortium to deliver the first 100% SAF flight across the transatlantic demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. In May 2023, Kenya Airways also became the first African airline to fly possibly the most sustainable commercial long-haul flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam.
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For further information please contact the Virgin Atlantic press office on +441293 747373 or email press.office@fly.virgin.com
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the seventh year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.
Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies and has reduced its absolute carbon emissions by 35% over the last decade. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2027. In November 2023, Virgin Atlantic led an industry consortium to deliver the first 100% SAF flight across the transatlantic. Demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.
For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.