Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) has announced it will join Skyteam in early 2023, building on its existing transatlantic joint business agreement with fellow alliance members Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Virgin Atlantic will become the alliance's first and only member airline in the United Kingdom.

"Our membership will allow us to enhance established relationships with our valued partners at Delta and Air France-KLM, as well as opening up opportunities to collaborate with new airlines. It will enable a seamless customer experience, with an expanded network and maximised loyalty benefits," Chief Executive Shai Weiss said.

Virgin Atlantic is owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group (51%) and Delta Air Lines (49%). Virgin Group was in talks to sell the majority of its stake to Air France-KLM, but the plan was ditched in 2019. Notwithstanding the lack of equity investment, Virgin Atlantic still retains close commercial ties with the Franco-Dutch holding. The carrier was reportedly considering going public, although these plans never materialised.

The four JBA partners, as well well as Aeroméxico and China Southern Airlines, are co-located at London Heathrow's Terminal 3. On top of the JBA members and Aeroméxico, Virgin Atlantic also has a code-share agreement with another Sky Team member carrier, MEA - Middle East Airlines. It also has interline agreements in place with all Sky Team members.

Virgin Atlantic's largest domestic rival, British Airways, is a member of Oneworld. Star Alliance does not have a member carrier in the United Kingdom.