Virgin Atlantic to join global airline alliance, says Branson
Sir Richard Branson has revealed that Virgin Atlantic will join one of the global airline alliances within a matter of months, in a major about-turn for the entrepreneur who has consistently branded such groups as anti-competitive.
The Virgin Atlantic founder, who made the surprise disclosure as he announced plans for more new routes to India, as he launches a new London-Mumbai route this weekend, has consistently shunned the three major alliances which define the industry.
It is thought that Virgin is likely to join the Star Alliance, whose members include Lufthansa, South African Airways and Air Canada.
Virgin already has code share agreements – where two or more airlines share the same flight – with Star member and fellow transatlantic carrier United Continental.
Singapore Airlines, which owns the 49pc of Virgin Atlantic, is also a Star member.
It would be almost inconceivable that Virgin would join the One World Alliance, of which main rival British Airways (BA) is a key member.
