Virgin Atlantic to codeshare with Air China

Virgin Atlantic has agreed a new reciprocal codeshare deal with Air China (CA) to enable its passengers to enjoy codeshare connections between the services of the two carriers.

Effective on flights from 1 July 2006, the agreement with Air China means that Virgin Atlantic passengers will be able to purchase flights between London Heathrow and Beijing, complimenting Virgin Atlantic’s daily flights into Shanghai. Air China will codeshare on Virgin Atlantic’s daily services between London Heathrow and Shanghai. Tickets will be on sale from 15 April 2006.

In addition to the codeshare agreement a frequent flyer miles deal will be in place, which means that Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members will earn miles when they travel with Air China. Air China’s Companion frequent flyers will also earn miles when they fly on Virgin Atlantic’s services.

Chris Humphrey, Country Manager of China at Virgin Atlantic said, “This codeshare deal is the ideal compliment to our daily services between Shanghai and London. Also, by linking the frequent flyer programmes of both airlines, we will be able to provide our passengers with even more benefits and choice.”

Virgin Atlantic currently flies daily between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong Airport. The VS250 departs Heathrow at 14.30 arriving into Shanghai at 08.45 the following day. The return flight VS251 departs Shanghai at 10.55 arriving into Heathrow at 16.15 the same day.

From 16 April 2006, Air China’s service between Beijing and London Heathrow will be increased from five to seven each week. Flight CA937 departs Beijing Capital International Airport at 1405 arriving into London Heathrow at 0055 the following day (except the Monday flight which departs at 1310 and arrives at 2355). The return flight CA938 departs London Heathrow at 0200 and arrives into Beijing at 1155.

Currently Air China operates services 242 destinations (including 53 domestic routes, 181 overseas routes and 8 regional routes) and flies to 111 cities in 23 countries. The fleet includes 42 Boeing 747s, 767s, 777s and Airbus 340.

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