Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways have struck a codeshare partnership agreement aimed at providing greater access to Nairobi.

The first phase of the agreement, which comes into action on March 19, allows customers booking through Virgin Atlantic to purchase flights on Kenya Airways’ Heathrow to Nairobi service.

Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen said: “We’re committed to enhancing connectivity and as the only UK airline to codeshare on the Heathrow to Nairobi route, we’ll be providing more choice and flexibility for customers booking with Virgin Atlantic.”

Under the agreement between the two SkyTeam alliance members, Kenya Airways customers will soon have the opportunity to connect via Heathrow to a number of Virgin Atlantic’s Caribbean destinations, including Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Virgin Atlantic’s Gold and Silver Flying Club members will be able to use SkyPriority services at both Heathrow and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding. Members of Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards club will also be able to draw on the priority services at both airports if they are in the ‘platinum’ or ‘gold’ tiers of the scheme.

Jarvinen said he was delighted about the partnership with Kenya Airways, adding: “As a fellow member of the SkyTeam alliance, we know our customers will enjoy a seamless travel experience, with more opportunities to earn and spend their miles with increased benefits for our SkyPriority members.”

Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer at Kenya Airways, said: “We are excited to embark on this transformative partnership with Virgin Atlantic.

“By leveraging our complementary strengths and networks, we aim to enrich the travel experience for our valued customers, offering them greater choice, convenience and connectivity to key destinations in the world.”

Since January, Kenya has been a visa-free country for visitors. An online authorisation to travel is required instead.