Virgin Atlantic has announced a codeshare agreement with China Eastern to enable it to sell more cities in China.

The new codeshare will allow Virgin passengers to connect to flights to six Chinese destinations via Shanghai, flying on a single ticket. Options include Chengdu, Changsha, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Xi’an, site of the famed Terracotta Warriors.

China Eastern customers will also be able to fly via Heathrow to Caribbean and African destinations, subject to government approval.

Both airlines are members of the SkyTeam alliance and since November, both have been co-located at Shanghai Pudong Terminal One.

Virgin Atlantic Chief Commercial Officer Juha Jarvinen said: “Our new codeshare with China Eastern, a fellow SkyTeam partner, will serve continued demand for travel to the region and strengthens our commitment to China and East Asia.  We know these agreements bring plenty of benefits to our customers, from increased network scope to China and beyond, to reciprocal loyalty rewards for our Flying Club members.”