Virgin Atlantic to Join Skyteam Alliance
Sep 27, 22, 6:31 am
#1
Original Poster
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Virgin Atlantic to Join Skyteam Alliance
British long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic announced that it would join the SkyTeam alliance. The airline announced the news at a press event held in London this morning. Delta Air Lines and KLM, both close partners of Virgin Atlantic, are also members of the alliance, making it a natural fit.
https://simpleflying.com/virgin-atlantic-join-skyteam-alliance/
https://uswallpost.com/travel/breaking-virgin-atlantic-to-join-the-skyteam-alliance/
https://simpleflying.com/virgin-atlantic-join-skyteam-alliance/
https://uswallpost.com/travel/breaking-virgin-atlantic-to-join-the-skyteam-alliance/
Last edited by RobertS975; Sep 27, 22 at 6:50 am
Sep 27, 22, 7:14 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
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I feel sorry for Virgin-Skyteam is by a long shot the weakest and worst alliance but it makes sense for them given the existing partnerships.
I do prefer their product over Deltas on everything except DLs A350.
I do prefer their product over Deltas on everything except DLs A350.
Last edited by DLATL777; Sep 27, 22 at 9:05 am
Sep 27, 22, 8:10 am
#4
Join Date: May 2021
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Originally Posted by DLATL777
I feel sorry for Virgin-Skyteam is by a long shot the weakest and worst alliance but it makes sense for them given the existing partnerships.
Jokes aside, Skyteam have a lot to improve but, it's a step forward with VS joining.
Sep 27, 22, 8:21 am
#5
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Virgin Atlantic is a quality addition. For us DeltaManiacs, not that much will change in my view as DL and VS already have JV and codeshares on most (? all) US routes to LHR.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
Sep 27, 22, 12:54 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2018
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Posts: 179
Skyteam's DL/AF/KL presence in Western Europe is already pretty darned strong, I guess adding VS is just more of a good thing. I don't think it's going to change the game too much.
Now, SkyTeam please get someone else in the Middle East and SE Asia, instead of KE and KL doing all the heavy lifting...
Now, SkyTeam please get someone else in the Middle East and SE Asia, instead of KE and KL doing all the heavy lifting...
Last edited by wooootles; Sep 27, 22 at 12:59 pm
Sep 27, 22, 1:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Posts: 589
Originally Posted by wooootles
Skyteam's DL/AF/KL presence in Western Europe is already pretty darned strong, I guess adding VS is just more of a good thing. I don't think it's going to change the game too much.
Now, SkyTeam please get someone else in the Middle East and SE Asia, instead of KE and KL doing all the heavy lifting...
Now, SkyTeam please get someone else in the Middle East and SE Asia, instead of KE and KL doing all the heavy lifting...
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
There's decent coverage in both of those regions.
There's nothing in Australasia or South America, and KQ can't cover all of Africa by itself.
VS doesn't really offer much to SkyTeam as a whole. There's no short haul network, and the bulk of their flying is to the US and Caribbean. None of their Africa/Asia flying is to another SkyTeam hub. This just doesn't make sense unless more news is coming. They already had the JV with DL/AF/KL. What could this move over VS?
Sep 27, 22, 1:58 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2021
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Ex-skywards Platnium
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Originally Posted by Weekend Away
MEA and Saudia in the Middle East, and Saudia flies a lot of long haul routes.
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
There's decent coverage in both of those regions.
There's nothing in Australasia or South America, and KQ can't cover all of Africa by itself.
VS doesn't really offer much to SkyTeam as a whole. There's no short haul network, and the bulk of their flying is to the US and Caribbean. None of their Africa/Asia flying is to another SkyTeam hub. This just doesn't make sense unless more news is coming. They already had the JV with DL/AF/KL. What could this move over VS?
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
There's decent coverage in both of those regions.
There's nothing in Australasia or South America, and KQ can't cover all of Africa by itself.
VS doesn't really offer much to SkyTeam as a whole. There's no short haul network, and the bulk of their flying is to the US and Caribbean. None of their Africa/Asia flying is to another SkyTeam hub. This just doesn't make sense unless more news is coming. They already had the JV with DL/AF/KL. What could this move over VS?
If KQ absorbs SAA, then coverage of Africa becomes a lot stronger to be fair.
Sep 27, 22, 2:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 179
Originally Posted by Weekend Away
MEA and Saudia in the Middle East, and Saudia flies a lot of long haul routes.
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
I will agree that VS addition is not much of a game changer at the moment, as I have said. It just ties up some technicalities that we may encounter as DL flyers (as mentioned, codeshare vs SkyTeam MQM/MQD earnings for one)
Sep 27, 22, 4:10 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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Originally Posted by RobertS975
Virgin Atlantic is a quality addition. For us DeltaManiacs, not that much will change in my view as DL and VS already have JV and codeshares on most (? all) US routes to LHR.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
Originally Posted by Weekend Away
MEA and Saudia in the Middle East, and Saudia flies a lot of long haul routes.
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
There's decent coverage in both of those regions.
There's nothing in Australasia or South America, and KQ can't cover all of Africa by itself.
VS doesn't really offer much to SkyTeam as a whole. There's no short haul network, and the bulk of their flying is to the US and Caribbean. None of their Africa/Asia flying is to another SkyTeam hub. This just doesn't make sense unless more news is coming. They already had the JV with DL/AF/KL. What could this move over VS?
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
There's decent coverage in both of those regions.
There's nothing in Australasia or South America, and KQ can't cover all of Africa by itself.
VS doesn't really offer much to SkyTeam as a whole. There's no short haul network, and the bulk of their flying is to the US and Caribbean. None of their Africa/Asia flying is to another SkyTeam hub. This just doesn't make sense unless more news is coming. They already had the JV with DL/AF/KL. What could this move over VS?
Oceania is the big hole in ST coverage.
Sep 27, 22, 6:37 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Originally Posted by motytrah
One would assume they are losing the ability to book award on NH. Bummer.
Sep 28, 22, 4:18 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Originally Posted by DLATL777
I feel sorry for Virgin-Skyteam is by a long shot the weakest and worst alliance but it makes sense for them given the existing partnerships.
I do prefer their product over Deltas on everything except DLs A350.
I do prefer their product over Deltas on everything except DLs A350.
You know DL owns 49% of VS right? Nothing to feel sorry about, the only reason VS is in business through the pandemic is because of DL. They would have no alliance to choose from if not, because they would be Virgin Australia in receivership (right after I bought amazing business seats on them to Sydney!)
Sep 28, 22, 4:19 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Originally Posted by RobertS975
Virgin Atlantic is a quality addition. For us DeltaManiacs, not that much will change in my view as DL and VS already have JV and codeshares on most (? all) US routes to LHR.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
Sep 28, 22, 7:06 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
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Originally Posted by doublea
you know dl owns 49% of vs right? Nothing to feel sorry about, the only reason vs is in business through the pandemic is because of dl. They would have no alliance to choose from if not, because they would be virgin australia in receivership (right after i bought amazing business seats on them to sydney!)
Originally Posted by dlatl777
i feel sorry for virgin-skyteam is by a long shot the weakest and worst alliance but it makes sense for them given the existing partnerships.
