Virgin Atlantic and China Eastern Enhance Connectivity with New Codeshare Partnership

Virgin Atlantic and China Eastern Airlines have unveiled a new codeshare agreement, marking a significant step forward in enhancing air travel connections between the UK and East Asia. This partnership not only broadens the horizon for passengers traveling to and from China but also strengthens the ties between two major players in the global aviation sector.

Under this groundbreaking partnership, travelers flying from Heathrow to Shanghai via Virgin Atlantic can now enjoy seamless connections to six additional destinations within China, including key cities like Chengdu, Changsha, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Xi’an. The integration of these services on a single ticket heralds a new era of convenience and efficiency for passengers, with tickets already available for purchase.

Furthermore, this collaboration extends beyond mere flight connections. Subject to government approval, China Eastern's customers will soon be able to connect through Heathrow to various Caribbean and African destinations such as Jamaica, Nassau, Lagos, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. This expansion is a testament to the strategic vision of both airlines, aiming to create a more interconnected and accessible world.

Virgin Atlantic, a recent member of the SkyTeam alliance, and China Eastern, a long-standing member, have leveraged their partnership to offer enhanced services. Since November, their co-location at Shanghai Pudong Terminal One has facilitated a smoother travel experience for passengers, including priority services for Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and China Eastern Miles members.

The codeshare agreement also accelerates the journey towards rewards for Flying Club members, offering Virgin Points and Tier Points accumulation on every flight operated by China Eastern. Plans to enable the spending of Virgin Points on China Eastern flights are also in the pipeline, promising even greater flexibility for frequent flyers.

Virgin Atlantic's resumption of its Shanghai service in May 2023 was a significant milestone, reiterating the importance of China as a key trading partner for the UK. Shanghai, being China's largest city and a global financial hub, remains a critical destination for both passenger and cargo services.

Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic's Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the strategic importance of East Asia and the benefits that the new codeshare with China Eastern brings to customers. This partnership not only meets the growing demand for travel to the region but also reinforces the airlines' commitment to providing an expansive and rewarding travel network.

This partnership between Virgin Atlantic and China Eastern Airlines represents a pivotal development in international air travel, promising enhanced connectivity, greater convenience, and reciprocal benefits for passengers of both airlines.