VS Joining SkyTeam?

Forgive me as I may have an A-Level in Mathematics but I'm currently calculating 2 + 2 = 9.

Virgin & KLM seem to be flirting on Twitter today.





Seems a tad full on just for Valentine fun. Possible imminent announcement regarding SkyTeam?

Or expanding the JV?

Interesting stuff, but I'm in the park of harmless twitter-fun myself!

Edit: Just had a look at their twitter history and there's a post shortly after saying that it's just Valentines love.

Having looked through some other tweets, my guess is now joining Skyteam

Well it would make sense - I'm surprised they didn't join SkyTeam as soon as DL bought its stake.

Perhaps they've been waiting for the migration over to the DL booking engine (and presumably other shared IT) which would make joined up SkyTeam bookings a lot easier? Can you imagine trying to book an Aeroflot flight on the current VS system??!!

Part of me is excited by this POSSIBLE change because I'm SkyTeam Elite +

The rest of me is dreading this as I worry they will simply turn what is now an award-winning and class-leading Clubhouse into another instantly forgettable BA Galleries type of lounge to cater for the additional demand required to cope with status passengers. Once they've done that there will be little to distinguish VS from the bland legacy carries. *sob*

Hmm, I'd personally hate any move to join SkyTeam. For the exact reason that stuart mentioned - the CH is already under strain owing to the DL DMs&PMs , there doesn't need to be any more status holders finding their way in.

I quite like VS's solo non-aligned status personally. I don't want to see any VS planes repainted in SkyTeam livery either.

I'm still in the camp of hoping this is all just conjecture and a big conclusion to draw from very little.

Makes me question even more whether the planned closure of the LHR CH in phases later this year is to allow them to jam more seats in.

[mitchja]

Would this has much on an impact on the Clubhouse though when most of the other SkyTeam airlines are in T4?

Interesting.

Of course it really does not matter much what customers think in today's cut and thrust airline industry, any decision will be based purely on whether such a move is potentially profitable.

Preservation of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse as the best lounge in LHR has been flagged up, and I would agree, it is an exemplary feature of the airline. But although this may be a primary consideration for customers, for the company as a whole, maybe less of a deciding factor when considering such an affiliation?

And if VS join Skyteam which are based in T4, may a terminal move soon follow?

Would this has much on an impact on the Clubhouse though when most of the other SkyTeam airlines are in T4?

Only in as much as anyone whose SkyTeam status entitles them to lounge access would be able to use the CH if they fly VS in economy or PE.

At the moment they'd presumably fly DL (or AF from Paris or KLM from Amsterdam) on TATL routes but some may well switch to VS were they to start getting CH access and full SkyTeam Elite benefits.

But as Maximus points out, VS moving to T4 would surely be a logical move if it does happen. Which opens up a whole new can of worms.

Am not sold on the idea of VS joining Sky Team. There is a lot more to it than just being part owned by DL and sharing booking systems. Do KL/AF share the DL system for example?

Airlines have to apply and the other members might not want VS to be a full member as it could have consequences for them - they could loose paying passengers to VS and they won't like that.

Being in OW is not the same as the current Joint Business Venture that DL and VS have

Remember that IAG bought EI and they still aren't members of OW. Though that might be complicated with the EI history with OW int hat they were members but withdrew.