Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Virgin Atlantic, in collaboration with Kenya Airways, announces the initiation of a groundbreaking codeshare partnership, marking a significant milestone in global aviation connectivity. This alliance, effective immediately, ushers in a new era of travel options for passengers looking to explore Nairobi and the broader reaches of East Africa with unparalleled ease.
Launching today, the partnership’s inaugural phase enables Virgin Atlantic customers to seamlessly book flights to Nairobi via Kenya Airways’ route from Heathrow, further enriching the travel experience with expanded access to the African continent. Conversely, Kenya Airways passengers will soon enjoy convenient connections at London Heathrow to several of Virgin Atlantic’s coveted Caribbean gems, including Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Kenya Airways, an esteemed African carrier and SkyTeam alliance member alongside Virgin Atlantic, extends reciprocal SkyPriority privileges to elite members of both airlines. This collaboration ensures premium services at both London Heathrow and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, encompassing priority check-in, baggage handling, and boarding processes.
The synergy between the two SkyTeam members amplifies the benefits for Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club participants, who have been enjoying accelerated Virgin Points and Tier Points accumulation and redemption on Kenya Airways’ network since March 2023. Additionally, luxury safari holidays booked through Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Virgin Limited Edition further the scope for earning Virgin Points.
Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the seamless travel experience and enriched loyalty benefits it brings to customers. Virgin Atlantic’s exclusive codeshare on the Heathrow to Nairobi route promises enhanced choice and flexibility for its clientele.
Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways’ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the partnership’s role in augmenting travel convenience and access to key global destinations through their unified strengths.
Furthermore, the ease of travel between the UK and Kenya is set to improve dramatically. Starting January this year, international travelers, including those from the UK, can opt for an online authorization in lieu of a traditional visa for entry into Kenya, streamlining the journey process.
Both airlines share a commitment to sustainability, with Virgin Atlantic introducing next-generation aircraft to its fleet and leading efforts in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) utilization. Kenya Airways stands as a pioneer in Africa for operating one of the most eco-friendly commercial long-haul flights, underscoring the environmental consciousness at the core of this partnership.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
