Virgin Atlantic

Skytrax rating: 3 stars

Operations

Globally

35 destinations
Various code-share and partnership agreements

South Africa

Ex Johannesburg daily
Ex Cape Town 3 times per week from October to March (seasonal)
Code-share agreement with South African Airways

General

Virgin Atlantic (VA) is a British-based airline which is 49% owned by Singapore Airlines. The other 51% is in the hands of the Virgin Group, which is the business of the famous tycoon Sir Richard Branson. VA started operating in the early 1980s. At present it has a relatively small fleet of fewer than 80 planes, and unlike other large international airlines VA offers no short-haul flights. Its shortest route is from London to Accra (Ghana). VA is the 8th largest airline in the UK. VA has not enjoyed financial prosperity in recent times and there is talk of a deal for the airline and its important airport slots at Heathrow Airport in London.

VA’s frequent flyer program is known simply as the “Flying Club”. VA offers three seating classes in its flights – Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class. The airport lounges for VA Upper Class passengers are known as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses. However, the new Airbus A330-300 planes do not have the Upper Class section.

Branson announced in 2006 that the airline planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the weight of the planes and also their fuel consumption. VA has also been involved in an experiment using biofuel, although the plane did not fly solely on the biofuel.

Virgin Atlantic plane at high altitude.

VA does not belong to one of the three international airline alliances but has code-share and other agreements with certain airlines. VA’s code-share agreements are with the following airlines: