The move will see the carrier become SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.
Customers will benefit from an enhanced experience across 1,000 global destinations in more than 170 countries and will be able to book every SkyTeam member flight on a single ticket.
Flying Club members, meanwhile, will have more opportunities to earn Virgin Points and Tier Points across all member airlines.
Members will be able to redeem the points on partners such as Delta and Air France-KLM, Aeromexico, Air Europa, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines and XiamenAir.
Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders will be recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, whilst the airline’s Gold Card members have become Elite Plus.
SkyTeam Elite Plus, first and business class customers have access to SkyPriority services including priority check in, baggage handling and boarding.
Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said: "SkyTeam shares a customer first ethos that mirrors our own and our entry into the alliance today marks an important milestone in achieving our vision to become the most-loved travel company.
"We want to reward those who choose to fly with Virgin Atlantic and our Flying Club members deserve the very best loyalty proposition."
Codeshare agreements are already in place with Aeromexico and Middle East Airlines, in addition to existing codeshares with Air France-KLM and Delta, with options for more codeshares to follow later this year.
