LONDON- Virgin Atlantic (VS) has announced the resumption of flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Israel in September.
Starting September 5, the airline will operate a daily flight in each direction between Heathrow and Tel Aviv (TLV) using Airbus A330 aircraft.
Virgin Atlantic to Restart Israel Flights
Many airlines suspended flights to Israel in October last year due to the conflict with Hamas. Wizz Air resumed operations in Israel in March, followed by British Airways in April.
However, easyJet has extended its suspension of flights to Israel until at least late October.
In addition, Virgin Atlantic announced a new codeshare partnership with Israel’s El Al, designed to facilitate easier travel for customers of both airlines.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented:
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this month, we know that giving our customers more choice and award-winning service in the skies is what fuels our success, alongside working with the best partners. We’re delighted to launch codeshares with our SkyTeam partners at SAS and Saudia today, enhancing our connectivity and offering greater customer benefits to our frequent flyers, who will be able to achieve rewards faster.
“Our return to Tel Aviv on 5 September will be welcome news for customers who have enjoyed our service since 2019, and this time round it’ll be strengthened by our new codeshare partnership with EL AL.”
Under the agreement, customers of both airlines will be able to fly on the Tel Aviv-London Heathrow route using flights operated by either El Al or Virgin, with a shared flight code. El Al’s code will be added to Virgin’s flights, and Virgin’s code will be added to El Al’s flights.
Virgin, 49% owned by Delta Air Lines (DL), is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Recently, El Al has also signed codeshare deals with Delta, Scandinavian Airlines, and Air France.
Flight Schedule
| Partner Airline | Launch Date/ on sale date | Routes |
| EL AL | Virgin Atlantic code on El Al – 10 JuneEl Al code on Virgin Atlantic – 5 September when TLV operations resume | London Heathrow – Tel Aviv and vice versa |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | September – once SAS formally joins SkyTeam | Coming soon |
| Saudia | Now live | LHR – JED/RUH from US POS MAN – JED from US POS |
Member of SkyTeam
Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the alliance’s first and only UK member airline. VS is excited to welcome SkyTeam’s newest member, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, a fellow APEX five-star airline, into the SkyTeam Global Alliance.
Virgin Atlantic and SAS Scandinavian Airlines are working towards new commercial partnerships to provide the best access to and from key Scandinavian hubs. This collaboration will offer new destinations, improved connectivity, and a seamless, elevated travel experience for all customers.
Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members will have instant earning and redeeming opportunities once SAS formally joins SkyTeam on September 1, 2024, and SAS EuroBonus members will be able to earn and redeem points on Virgin Atlantic.
Additionally, a new codeshare with SkyTeam member Saudia has been launched, enhancing connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Virgin Atlantic destinations.
The first phase of the agreement, now live, allows Virgin Atlantic customers traveling from the US to purchase seamless onward connections through London Heathrow and Manchester onto Saudia’s services to Jeddah and Riyadh.
Opportunities to earn and redeem Virgin Points and Tier Points have been available since March 2023, with online redemptions launched last month. Saudia’s AlFursan members can also earn and redeem points on Virgin Atlantic flights.
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The post Virgin Atlantic Codeshare with EL AL and Restarting Flights to Israel appeared first on Aviation A2Z.