Virgin Atlantic Announce Benefits for Frequent Flyers With V Australia and Virgin Blue

SOUTH NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the world's leading long haul airlines has today announced that Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold and Silver Cardmembers will now be able to receive additional benefits when flying on V Australia and Virgin Blue.

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The airlines' frequent flyer programs first joined forces in July last year when they launched an agreement which allowed Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club Members and V Australia's Velocity Members to earn Velocity Points or Flying Club Miles on both V Australia and Virgin Atlantic flights.  

In addition to earning miles and tier points, this new agreement will allow Virgin Atlantic's Gold and Silver Cardmembers to receive various benefits including priority check-in, priority baggage and Lounge access for Gold Cardmembers when traveling with V Australia and Virgin Blue.

Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive, Steve Ridgway, said, "We are very pleased that our passengers will now be able to receive further benefits when traveling with our sister airlines in Australia.  Through this arrangement we are able to further reward those who prefer to fly with and remain loyal to Virgin branded airlines."

Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, "Like Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Blue Airlines Group offers a unique flying experience and we're pleased to now offer Gold and Silver Flying Club Members the same first-class service-style, innovative amenities and stylish experience when they travel with V Australia or Virgin Blue."

As a Flying Club member, a passenger traveling even on the lowest economy fare will earn Flying Club miles, which can then be spent on a host of wonderful rewards.  Passengers can also earn miles with our Flying Club partners, which include other airlines, hotels, restaurants and a range of companies worldwide.

For further information please log onto www.virginatlantic.com.

Virgin Atlantic:

Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the world's leading long-haul airlines, was founded in 1984, and currently has 38 aircraft in its fleet. Virgin Atlantic offers service from 10 U.S. cities to London and onto a range of long-haul destinations worldwide.  From its main base in London Heathrow and Gatwick, Virgin Atlantic services destinations as far apart as Las Vegas, Tokyo, Delhi, Boston and Shanghai. Sir Richard Branson is the President of Virgin Atlantic; Steve Ridgway is the Chief Executive.  Even with Virgin Atlantic's continued growth, the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation, ensuring flying Virgin Atlantic is always an event.

About V Australia and Virgin Blue:

V Australia is a three-class boutique style airline offering the acclaimed service for which the Virgin Blue Airlines Group is renowned and a unique Australian style. On board the airline's brand new 361-seat 777-300ER aircraft, configuration includes Business Class cabin with 33 fully lie-flat beds, Premium Economy with 40 International Club seats and 288 International Economy seats. All cabins offer the Red, state-of-the-art personal seat back entertainment, seat-to-seat 'chat' or competition connectivity. The airline also has two in-flight bars, mood lighting including twilight and sunset, bathrooms with piped music including a "ladies only" bathroom and other touches of Australiana from salt and pepper shakers to hidden wallpaper murals.

V Australia is a part of the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines. The Australian-based airline group also includes Virgin Blue, second largest carrier in Australia www.virginblue.com.au, and short haul international airlines Pacific Blue www.flypacificblue.com and Polynesian Blue. Together they operate a fleet comprising of 83 modern Boeing 737-NG's, Boeing 777 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 28 Australian and 17 international destinations in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.

SOURCE Virgin Atlantic Airways