Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam Alliance’s first UK member airline

VIRGIN Atlantic has joined SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, at a signing ceremony in London. The move means Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.

Virgin Atlantic’s entry into the alliance builds upon the success of its transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, each already long-established SkyTeam members. Virgin Atlantic is co-located at London Heathrow’s Terminal Three, alongside Delta and existing SkyTeam members Aeromexico and China Eastern, providing customers with smooth airside transits and the most convenient connection times possible.

“SkyTeam shares a customer first ethos that mirrors our own and our entry into the alliance today marks an important milestone in achieving our vision to become the most-loved travel company,” Shai Weiss, CEO Virgin Atlantic, said.

“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic into SkyTeam, taking an already close relationship to new

Animal Airfare opens state-of-the-art facility at London Heathrow

AFTER over a year of executing their brand-new facility, Animal Aircare has officially opened their state-of-the-art facility at one of the world’s busiest international airports, London Heathrow. Having over 25 years of experience specialising in the care of pets travelling by air, the organisation prides itself on having rapid and efficient turnaround times, from receiving animals off the aircraft to completing health checks with the utmost care; aiming to reunite owners with their pets as soon as possible.

From the domestic house cat travelling on a family holiday to reptiles making their way to a new conservation, their experienced team will handle and take care of animals that come through their doors, 24/7, 365 days a year.

The brand-new facility is equipped with temperaturecontrolled environments, alongside 48 spacious kennels and 22 catteries as well as isolation rooms for birds and reptiles, providing a safe and secure space for all animals whether they’re travelling inbound or in transit.

Their experienced welfare officers will provide 24-hour care keeping owners and agents informed of the animals’ well-being throughout this period with photos and regular communication.

The Animal Aircare team understand that having a pet travel by air can be a daunting experience which is why they will liaise with customers as much as possible.

“Working alongside local agents, couriers and government agencies has been a very positive experience and we are extremely excited to be able to offer a welfare-driven, customerfocused holding facility at Heathrow. We look forward to caring for an array of species in our purpose-built state-of-the-art facility in 2023,” Jake Holliday, Animal Aircare Heathrow Manager, said.

heights and elevating our customer offering,” Patrick Roux, SkyTeam CEO and Managing Director, added.

Codeshare agreements are already in place with Aeromexico and Middle East Airlines, in addition to existing codeshares with Air France-KLM and Delta, with options for more codeshares to follow later this year. Interline agreements with all SkyTeam members are already in place, providing one touch point for all customers, creating a seamless journey on one ticket.

Virgin Atlantic flies to 12 destinations throughout the USA in partnership with Delta and Air FranceKLM including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. Last year the airline launched services to two new US destinations, Austin and Tampa. Virgin Atlantic also operates an extensive Caribbean portfolio including Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, The Bahamas and from November, Turks and Caicos. Virgin Atlantic also operates services to China, India, Israel, Nigeria and South Africa. A new service to the Maldives will begin from October.