Kenya Airways, Virgin Atlantic Partner in Codeshare Deal

Kenya Airways (KQ) and Virgin Atlantic have signed a codeshare agreement in a strategic move to bolster their presence in domestic, African, and international markets.

This collaborative effort grants Virgin Atlantic the ability to place its code on KQ's London flights. This, in turn, provides Virgin Atlantic passengers with seamless access to KQ's vast network of destinations throughout Africa and beyond. A codeshare agreement is a cooperative arrangement between airlines that allows them to offer seats on each other's flights, effectively expanding their reach. Both airlines will advertise and schedule these flights under their own branding and flight numbers.

KQ's Chief Commercial and Customer Office Julius Thairu emphasizes that this partnership is designed to elevate the travel experience for customers. This will be achieved by offering a wider range of choices, increased convenience, and effortless connections to key global destinations. This agreement comes at a crucial time for KQ, following the global challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic inflicted significant losses on the airline industry, with some companies even being forced to cease operations entirely.

KQ was not immune to these difficulties, experiencing its steepest financial loss in six months during the period ending in June of last year. The Sh21.7 billion loss stemmed primarily from substantial foreign exchange losses and a growing debt burden both of which have hindered KQ's recovery efforts. The codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic is a positive step forward for KQ, allowing them to leverage Virgin Atlantic's strengths and expand their network, ultimately contributing to a more stable financial future.

The initial phase of the exciting codeshare agreement between Kenya Airways and Virgin Atlantic has commenced. This collaboration offers immediate benefits to Virgin Atlantic customers, who can now conveniently book flights on Kenya Airways' direct service from London Heathrow to Nairobi. This direct route opens the door for further exploration throughout East Africa. The partnership extends mutuality to Kenya Airways passengers. Soon, they will be able to seamlessly connect through London Heathrow to Caribbean destinations served by Virgin Atlantic. These alluring destinations include Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Frequent flyers on both airlines can celebrate this alliance, as both Kenya Airways and Virgin Atlantic are proud members of the SkyTeam alliance. This membership unlocks a range of exclusive benefits for members of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club and Kenya Airways' Asante Rewards Platinum and Gold tiers. These benefits include expedited services at key airports, such as priority check-in, baggage handling, and boarding, ensuring a noticeably smoother travel experience at London Heathrow and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Furthermore, SkyTeam membership offers additional advantages for Flying Club members who are actively pursuing their reward goals. Since March 2023, these members have been able to earn valuable Virgin Points and Tier Points while also having the option to redeem Virgin Points on qualifying flights operated by Kenya Airways. Flying Club members can further accelerate their points accumulation by booking luxurious safari holidays through Virgin Atlantic Holidays or Virgin Limited Edition.