SkyTeam alliance partners Virgin Atlantic and China Eastern Airlines have signed a new codeshare agreement, opening up new destinations for passengers connecting through London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

The first phase of the partnership will enable Virgin Atlantic customers to connect via PVG to several destinations in mainland China, namely Changsha, Chengdu, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Xi’an.

Subject to government approval, China Eastern passengers will also be able to connect via LHR to points in the Caribbean and Africa, including Jamaica, Nassau, Lagos, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Virgin Chief Commercial Officer Juha Jarvinen says the codeshare will “serve continued demand for travel to the region and strengthens our commitment to China and East Asia.” The airline resumed flights to Shanghai in May 2023 after suspending service during the pandemic.

According to data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser, Virgin flies daily between LHR and PVG using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, while China Eastern offers a double-daily service onboard 777-300ERs. The Chinese carrier also serves London Gatwick Airport from PVG, operating daily with Airbus A330-200s.

China Eastern has a 56.5% capacity share between London and Shanghai, while Virgin has 16% of the market. Air China has a 14.1% share and British Airways has 13.4%.

Virgin and China Eastern became SkyTeam partners in March 2023 when the UK-based carrier officially joined the alliance, building on the success of its existing transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, all long-established SkyTeam members.