Virgin Atlantic to codeshare with Air Jamaica

Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines, is to launch its codeshare with Air Jamaica from Sunday 18th November. The codeshare follows the introduction of Virgin Atlantic flights between London Gatwick and the capital Kingston at the end of October, and the launch of services last year between Gatwick and Montego Bay.

Air Jamaica will place its code on Virgin Atlantic flights operating to and from Kingston, as well as Montego Bay. In turn, Virgin Atlantic will add its VS code to internal, connecting Air Jamaica flights between Montego Bay and Kingston. This means travellers will be able to choose from four direct services a week to the island, more than any other carrier, as well as take advantage of the internal connections between Jamaica's two key cities. The codeshare will also apply to Virgin Atlantic's flights between Miami and London Heathrow.

The new codeshare agreement adds to the existing cooperation between Air Jamaica and Virgin Atlantic which includes links between the two carriers’ frequent flyer schemes, 7th Heaven and Flying Club.

Virgin Atlantic will operate a minimum of four services a week between the UK and Jamaica in 2008 and is exploring the possibility of adding more flights.

Steve Ridgway, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, commented:

“With this codeshare, we will bring Virgin Atlantic’s legendary onboard service to all Jamaicans. We already have a big commitment to the Caribbean and have a strong relationship with the local people and the tourist industry, which will benefit enormously from our expansion.

“We would like to thank the Jamaican Prime Minister and his team for their support of this agreement, which will deliver significant benefits to the island and Air Jamaica.

“We intend to offer a comprehensive network of connections between our three UK airports – Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester - and Jamaica via our US and Caribbean gateways, and in future we will look to build up connecting traffic via Jamaica to other points in the Caribbean region."

Willy Boulter, Commercial Director, Virgin Atlantic, added:

"We are very happy that the codeshare has been signed and look forward to working with the Chairman of Air Jamaica and the management team to broaden and deepen our cooperation in the months to come."

For further information visit Virginatlantic.com.