Virgin Atlantic and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have joined forces to launch a new codeshare agreement, thereby unlocking new routes and destinations for passengers.
On October 4, 2024, SkyTeam carriers Virgin Atlantic and SAS announced how the new codeshare agreement will benefit their customers in the future.
Virgin Atlantic highlighted that passengers traveling to London-Heathrow Airport (LHW) and Manchester Airport (MAN) with the British carrier will now be able to “purchase seamless onward connections” to Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stavanger and Bergen with SAS.
Meanwhile, SAS passengers flying into Heathrow will be able to access Virgin Atlantic’s network by travelling on to the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, with destinations that include Barbados, Jamaica, the Maldives, Cape Town and Johannesburg (subject to government approval).
SAS completed its formal enrolment into SkyTeam on September 1, 2024, and will enter into the new codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic, the only UK team member, on October 7, 2024.
Juha Jarvinen, CCO at Virgin Atlantic, said: “We’re delighted to launch a codeshare with our SkyTeam partners at SAS, enhancing our connectivity and offering greater customer benefits to our frequent flyers, who will be able to achieve rewards faster. As a fellow APEX five-star airline, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with SAS as we continue to broaden our global network.”
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members will unlock instant earning and redeeming opportunities when travelling with SAS. Likewise, SAS EuroBonus members will be able to earn and redeem their points across Virgin Atlantic services.
Paul Verhagen, CCO of SAS, said: “We are very pleased to launch this new codeshare partnership with Virgin Atlantic, expanding SAS’s global reach and offering our customers even more travel options to new and exciting destinations such as Barbados, Jamaica, and Antigua, with additional destinations to be introduced later. This collaboration provides EuroBonus members with expanded opportunities to earn and redeem points across Virgin Atlantic’s extensive network, strengthening the value of our loyalty program.”
Verhagen added: “We look forward to building a long-lasting and successful partnership with our SkyTeam partner, benefitting travellers on both sides.”
Additionally, SAS EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members, as well as Virgin Atlantic’s Gold Flying Club members, will now be able to take advantage of SkyPriority services at Heathrow, with benefits including priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding.
Similarly, Virgin Atlantic’s Gold and Silver Flying Club members will be entitled to take advantage of SkyPriority services and SAS lounges at Stockholm Arlanda, Copenhagen and Oslo airports.