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Basic airline loyalty program members don't usually get great benefits. Virgin Atlantic is changing that by offering flyers priority economy boarding just for being a Flying Club member. Here are new Virgin Atlantic boarding groups and what that means for travelers.
Virgin Atlantic Adds Advanced Boarding for Flying Club Members
Priority boarding is typically a benefit reserved for elite status members, co-branded credit card holders, or travelers who pay for the benefit. Base-level airline loyalty program members usually get few benefits, if any. Benefits only start at the first elite tier status (United Silver, AA Gold, etc). Normally, the only benefits for new members are the ability to earn and spend miles/points and access to member portals (to earn and spend points).
Virgin Atlantic has now added a new benefit for Flying Club Red members (entry-level members). As of March 14, 2024, Flying Club Red members get “Advanced Economy Boarding.” That means they will board before Economy Classic and Economy Light passengers. Perhaps that's not a big deal, but it's certainly better than nothing. The change also gives new members a taste of the benefits available at higher elite statuses.
New Virgin Atlantic Boarding Groups
The new boarding groups for Virgin Atlantic flights is as follows:
| Preboard | Passengers requiring special assistance or traveling with children. |
|---|---|
| Group 1 | Virgin Atlantic Upper Class; Flying Club Gold passengers |
| Group 2 | Virgin Atlantic Premium; Flying Club Silver passengers |
| Group 3 | SkyTeam Elite Plus status members (and elites members of other select airlines) |
| Group 4 | Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight; SkyTeam Elite status members (and elites members of other select airlines) |
| Group 5 | Flying Club Red members |
| Group 6-10 | Other Virgin Atlantic economy passengers |
Our Take
This is an interesting move for Virgin Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Red members now get to board ahead of the crowd, allowing them to get to their seats just a little faster and giving them earlier access to the overhead bins. It's nice to see basic airline loyalty program members getting a benefit when they usually get nothing beyond the ability to earn and spend points.
Are you a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club member? What do you think about the Advanced Economy Boarding benefit for Red members?
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