Virgin Atlantic announces new routes to Saudi Arabia & Ghana

The most stylish airline in the sky, Virgin Atlantic^* has announced that it will commence flights from London Heathrow to Riyadh^* in Saudi Arabia^* and Accra^*, Ghana^* in 2025.

Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350 © <a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/51449655273/' target='new window o108265' rel='nofollow'>Alan Wilson</a> - Flickr <a href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/' target='new window l108265' rel='nofollow'>CC BY-SA 2.0</a> — Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350 © Alan Wilson - Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Daily flights to Riyadh will begin on 30 March 2025, while daily flights to Accra will start on 1 May 2025, the first since the airline stopped the route in 2013.

Both routes will be available to book from 12 September 2024.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: "Riyadh and Accra join Toronto as new routes for summer flying in 2025 and we see huge opportunities to connect friends, relatives and businesses with our new services.

"We're also delighted to build on our codeshare with SkyTeam partner Saudia, further strengthening connectivity in the region, and beyond, and bringing new benefits to our loyal customers.

"We look forward to launching these new routes in 2025, introducing the iconic, inclusive Virgin Atlantic brand, award-winning experience and our amazing people to new customers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ghana and Toronto."

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Virgin Atlantic to suspend Turks & Caicos & Bahamas flights in 2025

Virgin Atlantic has just announced that it will suspend flights to The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.

Following a review of the airline's network, the final flight to Turks & Caicos will depart on 21 February 2025, while the final flight to The Bahamas will depart on 23 February 2025.

The airline will, however, increase capacity to a number of popular winter sun destinations for 2024/2025. Antigua^* will gain four more flights per week, the route to Barbados^* will operate 10 times per week and flights to Cape Town^* will be extended by an extra month until the end of April 2025.

Virgin Atlantic restarts Manchester to Las Vegas route

Virgin Atlantic has resumed its route from Manchester^* to Las Vegas^* after pausing flights due to the pandemic.

The route operates three times per week in addition to the three other routes from Manchester to the USA: Orlando^*, New York^* and Atlanta^*.

Senior Vice President at Virgin Atlantic Holidays, Dom Kennedy, said: "We're thrilled to be re-introducing our Manchester to Las Vegas service.

"This route is the only US West Coast flight available from the northwest and perfectly complements our existing flying from Manchester."

Virgin Atlantic to increase Jamaica flights from March 2024

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will increase flights to Jamaica^* from 31 March 2024.

The non-stop service, which already operates year-round, five times per week from London Heathrow^* to Montego Bay^*, will increase to seven times per week from spring.

Virgin Atlantic to increase USA flights from summer 2024

Virgin Atlantic has announced it will increase the frequency of flights from London Heathrow^* to New York and Boston from summer 2024.

The airline will offer an extra flight to New York^* (JKF) taking the total to seven per day. In addition to this, the carrier will run a second daily flight to Boston.

These additional flights follow the extra flights to Miami twice daily as well as a summer service to Las Vegas^* from Manchester^*.

Juha Jarvinen, the airline's Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We're excited to announce additional flying to our heartland in the USA for summer 2024.

"By utilising our brand new A350 and A339 aircraft, our passengers can travel in style with Virgin Atlantic, as we commit to operating the routes that our customers love to fly.

"With Boston and New York JFK being key business and leisure travel routes, customers can rely on Virgin Atlantic to connect them to these popular destinations as we offer more opportunities to travel with our expanded offering."

Virgin Atlantic to start flights to Sao Paulo & Bangalore in 2024

has announced that it will launch its long-anticipated route to Sao Paulo^* in Brazil^* and a new service to Bangalore in India^*.

Virgin Atlantic first announced its intention to fly to Sao Paulo in spring 2019 but the pandemic put a stop to that. However, on 13 May 2024, the route will finally commence from London Heathrow.

In addition, the airline will start its third route to India with flights to Banglore kicking off in summer 2024.

Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic's Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Flying to Sao Paulo represents so much more than just a new route. It's the gateway to South America and signifies exciting new growth for Virgin Atlantic.

"After our plans to launch a route to Sao Paulo were scuppered by the pandemic, we're so excited to be able to finally provide our customers with an opportunity to explore a fantastic new continent that is buzzing with adventure."

Virgin Atlantic to recommence two routes from the UK

Virgin Atlantic has revealed plans to restart flights to Dubai and Las Vegas in the coming months.

First up, the airline will restart flights between London Heathrow^* and Dubai for winter 2023. This route will operate four times per week from 28 October 2023. Seats go on sale on 7 June.

Then there's the service between Manchester^* and Las Vegas^*, which will take to the skies once again in summer 2024.

Neither route has operated since 2019.

Virgin Atlantic to resume Shanghai flights from May 2023

Virgin Atlantic will restart flights to Shanghai^* in China^* from 1 May 2023.

The route will operate daily from London Heathrow aboard a Boeing 787-9 and mark the airline's return to the country following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: "The return of our Shanghai services has been a long-time coming and I'm delighted it's finally a reality.

"Shanghai is the final route to return following the global pandemic, restoring our flying programme to full capacity."

Virgin Atlantic reveals new routes to Maldives & Turks & Caicos

Virgin Atlantic has said that it will be launching two new routes to the Maldives and the Caribbean enclave of the Turks & Caicos in 2023.

The winter-only route to the Maldives will operate three times per week from London Heathrow and commence on 22 October 2023. These will go on sale from 30 November 2022.

This will be followed by a new year-round service to Turks & Caicos, which will operate twice weekly from London Heathrow as of 15 November 2023. These will go on sale from 11 January 2023.

Virgin Atlantic to offer daily flights to Austin, Texas from April 2023

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is to increase the number of flights it offers to Austin^*, Texas from London Heathrow from April 2023.

Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to Austin^* took off on 25 May 2022 and will, for the time being, operate four times per week aboard a 787 Dreamliner.

However, owing to what it calls huge demand, it has already decided to increase this to daily flights as of April 2023.

What's more, it's hoped that Virgin Atlantic will resume its Asia-Pacific routes from 1 September 2022.

Virgin Atlantic's new Edinburgh to Orlando route to begin this week

The coolest airline in the skies, Virgin Atlantic^*, is preparing for the launch of its brand new route from Edinburgh^* to Orlando^* this week.

The new twice-weekly seasonal route, which starts on Wednesday 30 March 2022, will whisk travellers from the Scottish capital to Florida's leading theme park destination in around nine hours aboard an Airbus A330 aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic's Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, said: "We couldn't be happier to launch our second route from our new home in Scotland, following the launch of our direct service to Barbados last year.

"Orlando is the theme park capital of the world and the heartland of Virgin Atlantic's leisure programme."

Virgin Atlantic to restore all of its routes to the USA

Good news for Virgin Atlantic^* fans; the red-tails of the airline will soon be winging their way back and forth across the Atlantic just as they were prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The news that it plans to restart flights to Seattle^* (from London Heathrow five times weekly from 2 March) and Washington DC^* (also from London Heathrow five times per week from 5 March) have been widely welcomed and completes the restoration of its pre-pandemic schedule of flights to the USA.

What's more, Virgin is increasing capacity on its routes to New York^*, San Francisco^*, Los Angeles^*, Orlando^* and Atlanta^*, as well as launching its brand new flight to Austin^*, Texas from 25 May.

In a statement, the airline praised "renewed customer confidence and a strong uptick in bookings, which are up 50% year on year" for the increased capacity.

Juha Jarvinen, Virgin's Chief Commercial Officer, added: "Following the relaxation of travel restrictions, we've seen demand increase to many of our global destinations, but particularly to our heartland in the USA. Our customers can't wait to return."

"We're simply not Virgin without the Atlantic and our growing transatlantic portfolio demonstrates why we're the airline of choice to the USA."

Virgin Atlantic to restart Tobago flights from 29 January 2022

In exciting news for Caribbean lovers, Virgin Atlantic^* has announced that it will recommence its route to the glorious island of Tobago^* from 29 January 2022.

The route, which was paused in 2020, will operate twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays from London Heathrow aboard an Airbus 330-300.

Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, Juha Jarvinen, said: "We are thrilled to be able to restart our much-loved services between London Heathrow and Tobago.

"With delicious food, amazing music and stunning views, we know our customers will love exploring this unique island destination."

Virgin Atlantic announces new route to Austin, Texas

After hinting about an exciting new UK to US route, Virgin Atlantic^* has revealed that Austin^* will join its portfolio of destinations from late spring 2022.

The new route will operate four times per week aboard its 787 Dreamliner between London Heathrow and the Texas state capital^* from 25 May 2022.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: "We are incredibly excited to launch this new service to Austin, Texas. With an impressive food, arts and music scene, we know it's a destination our customers will love to explore.

"The US has been our heartland for more than 37 years since our first flight to New York City in 1984. Since US borders opened to UK travellers on 8 November, it feels extra special to be launching new flying, especially to the fantastic city of Austin.

"There are so many synergies between Virgin Atlantic and the city of Austin. We love their philosophy and desire to celebrate local brands, businesses and communities and we cannot wait to welcome customers, both existing and new onboard, flying them safely to explore this fabulously quirky city."

Virgin Atlantic resumes US flights from 8 November 2021

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is gearing up to resume flights to the US, beginning with routes from the UK to Orlando^*, New York^* and Las Vegas^*.

London Heathrow will host daily Orlando^* and Las Vegas^* flights, while Manchester will see the resumption of daily Orlando and New York^* routes, all taking off on 8 November.

Virgin Atlantic Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, said: "Our customers are ready to begin their US adventures, whether it's to enjoy the magic of Orlando or to party the night away in Las Vegas, therefore it's only right that we offer them the opportunity to fly as soon as we can.

"I'm delighted that our Orlando and Las Vegas services will begin on 8 November, the same day transatlantic travel reopens. We can't wait to transport customers to our favourite destinations in the US safely once more."

If you're considering booking, remember that Virgin Atlantic offers unlimited free date and flight changes for new bookings, while rebooking has been extended for all customers until 30 April 2023.

Virgin Atlantic resumes flights to South Africa

The red tails of Virgin Atlantic^*'s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are gearing up to resume their travels from the UK to South Africa^* following the pandemic.

From the 17 December 2021, the airline with fly three times per week from London Heathrow to the much-loved cosmopolitan city by the sea of Cape Town^*.

In addition, Virgin Atlantic has increased capacity on its London Heathrow to Johannesburg^* route, upping the service from three times per week to daily.

Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer, Juha Jarvinen, said: "We know there's pent up customer demand for travel to South Africa so I'm thrilled we can offer our customers more services to both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

"We're expecting a high proportion of leisure travellers on these routes, taking advantage of the winter sun, the safaris and the world-famous wine region."

New winter routes for 2021/2022

Virgin Atlantic is set to launch numerous new winter sun routes to the Caribbean, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, from the UK for 2021/2022.

Firstly, new Virgin Atlantic^* flights will connect London Heathrow with St Vincent and the Grenadines^* from 13 October 2021 and, subsequently, Barbados from 19 November 2021.

In addition, new flights will link Manchester and Montego Bay in Jamaica^*. These flights, which will operate three times per week, kick off on 6 November 2021.

Finally, Virgin Atlantic's first-ever international route from Scotland's capital is set to depart on 5 December 2021. The twice-weekly flight will go from Edinburgh to Barbados^* and be the country's only direct route to the Caribbean.

This will be followed by new flights to Orlando^* in Florida, USA from Edinburgh in April 2022.

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