Virgin Atlantic launches online...

Airline expects 2023 business travel market to return to pre-pandemic levels

Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a new web platform for business travel agents, as it expects the corporate market to bounce back to pre-Covid levels in 2023.

Called Virgin Atlantic for Business, the new web platform will be available this month, and from autumn it will incorporate a self-service portal to provide tailored traveller information to support customers.

It was unveiled by chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen and interim global sales vice-president Rach Wilton to an audience of more than 400 agents and partners at the airline’s Insights conference on 2 March 2023.

It was developed following 18 months of research, including feedback gathered from agents and customers.

The airline said it continues to see a rebound in corporate travel, which reached 81% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and is continuing strongly in 2023.

Wilton said: “Virgin Atlantic for Business underscores our commitment to being the best business travel partner in the industry, as corporate travel returns to 2019 levels this year.

“In line with our vision to become the most loved travel company, we’re launching the foundations of a best-in-class proposition that responds to the needs of agents, travel managers and their customers, with a truly personalised and bespoke experience at every touchpoint.

“Listening to the feedback of our trade partners, who have provided unwavering support over recent years, we’re excited to offer a product which will help the new generation of business traveller fly on their own terms, ensuring business with Virgin Atlantic is always personal.”

Details of how agents and travel managers can access Virgin Atlantic for Business will be published on the airline’s Partner Hub soon.