Virgin Atlantic 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.”
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