Virgin and Flybe make code-share deal to feed more passengers for US and Caribbean leisure routes

Virgin Atlantic has signed an accord with Flybe, aimed at feeding passengers from smaller European cities onto its flights to the US and Caribbean.  From April 2nd passengers can book tickets to travel from one of 18 UK or European airports, and connect onto a Virgin Atlantic flight at Manchester, Glasgow or Gatwick. The deal will encourage people travelling to and from 14 Flybe destinations to use Virgin’s Manchester-based flights. It will also provide through ticketing between 4 cities and its Glasgow flights. Newquay will link with operations at Gatwick. Virgin Atlantic will also introduce routes from Manchester to San Francisco and Boston in summer 2017, with San Francisco getting its first-direct flights from Manchester. Flight frequencies to Barbados will increase. The Flybe agreement comes after Ryanair said Virgin is among airlines with which it is discussing possible feeder services. spokesman said: “We look forward to offering easy connections to some of our most popular destinations including the US cities of Orlando and Las Vegas.”  A Manchester spokesman said these new long haul destinations would “prove popular with leisure travellers.  Virgin and Flybe deal will mean more passengers from regional airports can connect onto a Virgin flights at Manchester, Glasgow or Gatwick.
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Virgin Atlantic Unveils Flybe Code-Share Deal, and adds US routes

By Benjamin D Katz (Bloomberg)

March 30, 2016

The Accord will help feed Manchester, Glasgow, and Gatwick bases.  Virgin boosts links to San Francisco, Boston

Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. signed an accord with regional carrier Flybe Group Plc aimed at feeding passengers from smaller European cities onto its flights to the U.S. and Caribbean.

The code-share deal will encourage people traveling to and from 14 Flybe destinations to use Virgin’s Manchester-based services and provide through ticketing between four cities and its Glasgow flights. Newquay in Cornwall will link with operations at Gatwick.

Virgin Atlantic will also introduce routes from Manchester to San Francisco and Boston next summer, with San Francisco getting its first-direct flights from Manchester, the Crawley-based company said in a statement. Frequencies on an existing service to Barbados will increase.

The Flybe agreement comes after Ryanair Holdings Plc listed Virgin among carriers with which it was discussing possible feeder services.

Passengers on Flybe code-share flights will be able to check themselves and their bags through to their final destination at the point of departure. Flybe has been looking for a new partner since 2014, when it quit an unprofitable venture that had fed Finnair Oyj’s network.

Virgin Atlantic, which is 49% owned by Delta Air Lines Inc., almost doubled pre-tax profit to £22.5 million in 2015. Its biggest base remains Heathrow, where the Little Red unit founded to help boost passenger numbers from Scotland and Manchester was closed down last year.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-30/virgin-atlantic-unveils-flybe-code-share-deal-adds-u-s-routes

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Virgin Atlantic has announced a codeshare agreement with regional carrier Flybe.

30.3.2016 (Buying Business Travel)

From April 2 passengers can book tickets to travel from one of 18 UK or European airports, and connect onto a Virgin Atlantic flight at Manchester, Glasgow or Gatwick airports.

Virgin Atlantic’s EVP of commercial Erik Varwijk said the partnership offers opportunities to reach customers looking to travel long-haul from key cities throughout UK and Europe.

“We look forward to offering easy connections to some of our most popular destinations including the US cities of Orlando and Las Vegas,” said Varwijk.

Virgin is also introducing Manchester airport’s first ever direct flights to San Francisco and brand new service to Boston.

The services will start in summer 2017.

Manchester airport managing director Ken O’Toole said: “Securing the first ever direct flight between Manchester and San Francisco is a significant moment for a number of reasons.

“Firstly, it gives the 22m passengers living within two hours of Manchester Airport yet another great long haul destination to choose from and it is sure to prove popular with leisure travellers.

“Secondly, it will deliver a deliver a real boost to the North’s economy by providing a direct link to the world’s leading location for tech and biomedical start-ups, which is now home to some of the biggest brands on the planet, like Google, Twitter and Uber.”

http://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/3025504-virgin-atlantic-signs-flybe-codeshare-deal

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