Virgin Atlantic expands codeshare agreement with Singapore Airlines

Virgin Atlantic is expanding its Codeshare Agreement with Singapore Airlines (SIA) enabling passengers to enjoy direct travel between Singapore and Orlando via Manchester from 1 February 2004. The agreement allows SIA to sell seats on Virgin's five times a week service between Manchester and Orlando. Virgin Atlantic already code shares with SIA on its daily Singapore-Manchester service.

Willy Boulter, Virgin Atlantic's Commercial Director commented:

"We are delighted about this new codeshare agreement with Singapore Airlines. The codeshare offers passengers one of the quickest routes between Singapore and Orlando together with fantastic value and excellent standards of service throughout the journey.

"Orlando is the second most popular route on the Virgin Atlantic network and its unrivalled range of theme parks and visitor attractions is a magnet for tourists every year."

Mr Tan Chik Quee, SIA's Senior Vice-President (Marketing) commented:

"This expansion of our codesharing cooperation represents our ever growing relationship with Virgin Atlantic. Our customers now have a very convenient travel option between Singapore and Orlando."

Each week, SIA offers five non-stop flights on the Singapore-Manchester route using B777-200ER (extended range) aircraft, and two one-stop services via Zurich using B747-400s. All flights depart Singapore at 2355hrs and arrive in Manchester early the next morning, allowing a comfortable connection to Virgin Atlantic's Manchester-Orlando service, which departs at 1025hrs.

The return flights also offer convenient connections. Virgin Atlantic's service departs from Orlando at 1830 and arrives in Manchester at 0725 the next morning. This leaves adequate time for customers to connect with SIA's Manchester-Singapore flights, which depart at 0945 (for one-stop services) and 1000 (for non-stop).

The new codesharing agreement is the latest in a series of commercial arrangements between the two airlines that include a reciprocal frequent flier relationship, a joint lounge agreement and round-the-world fares.