We are delighted to announce a new codeshare agreement with SAS Scandinavian Airlines, which will strengthen vital business and leisure connections to and from key Scandinavian hubs.
The codeshare partnership, which launches next week, means our customers travelling on flights from the US and Canada can purchase seamless onward connections through London Heathrow and Manchester, onto SAS’s services to Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stavanger and Bergen. SAS customers will also have the opportunity to connect via Heathrow on to our Caribbean, African, Middle East and South Asian destinations, including Barbados, Jamaica, the Maldives, Cape Town and Johannesburg, subject to government approval..
Our Winter menu is now onboard and customers can enjoy our new mouth watering cuisine combining seasonaility and comfort with premium ingredients.
Travel has to be accessible and inclusive for everyone, and we’re on a mission to break down the barriers that stand in the way of customers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Proudly we are the first airline who can offer a British Sign Language member of crew on fights. All customers need to do is request this service 12 weeks before they jet off and our Special Assistance team will be in touch.
Customers can experience ultimate pre-flight relaxation at our London Heathrow Clubhouse with soothing essential oil roller balls from Aromatherapy Associates and rejuvenating arm and hand massages from expert therapists. To enhance their calm, they’ll also be offered a small card to guide them through breathwork exercises for peak relaxation. Plus, for fitness enthusiasts, we’ve teamed up with Peloton to bring them a revitalizing Yoga Retreat, making their journey even more refreshing.
We’re thrilled to announce our new Clubhouse at LAX is due to open in early 2025.
From the bar’s transitioning sunset hues to the Hollywood glam touches, it promises to offer the perfect preflight retreat for every type of traveller.
Enjoy personal table service, local flavours, and signature cocktails in an inclusive and luxurious setting, with cozy spaces for relaxation and focus to set you up for the flight ahead.
Notable new additions for our LA Clubhouse include The Royal Box, an exclusive area for VIPs (Virgin Important people), and The Wiggle Room – a private space for a preflight workout, guided meditation, or even a silent disco for one! Stay tuned for more details on this exciting new LA hotspot.
From next spring, we’ll be saying ahlan to Riyadh, the glittering capital and main financial hub of Saudi. Offering a blend of authentic Arabian tradition against an impressive backdrop of ultra-modern design and architecture, this city is attracting more and more visitors every year for both business and leisure – with plenty to see and do beyond the upscale, air-conned oasis of your meeting room. Daily direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Riyadh (RUH) take off 30th March 2025 on our A330neo aircraft.
Flights are available to book from 12th September 2024
From 1st May 2025, we’re saying ‘aane’ to Accra, the bustling commercial capital of Ghana. As the second largest economy in Western Africa, Accra is a hotbed for networking as well as being an emerging player in the financial, IT and energy sectors. But Accra’s allure is far from all business, with a world of colour, flavour and culture awaiting beyond the meeting room. Daily direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kotoka International Airport (ACC) take off 1st May 2025 on our 787 Dreamliner aircraft,.
Flights are available to book from 12th September 2024.
We are excited to share the news that from September, Yann Stirton will expand his role as the Country Manager of West Africa. He currently looks after Nigeria, however, he will now oversee Ghana as we prepare to fly there from Summer 2025 onwards. In addition, we are thrilled to welcome Justin Bell as our new Country Manager for the Middle East, overseeing Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Justin is no stranger to our international operations as he previously led our efforts in Nigeria and supported our operations in Israel. He moves into the role from September, as we prepare for our flights to Riyadh from March 2025.
We’re pleased to be launching a brand-new route between London Heathrow (LHR) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) for 2025. Offering something for everyone, business-seekers, game-day supporters and coffee-lovers alike, our daily flights take off from 30th March 2025 on our A330 and A330neo aircraft. Iconic onboard social space, wireless charging, and stylish design touches make the 7 hour 50 minute journey even smoother.
From 2027 we will start taking orders of seven new Airbus A330-900s as we continue to fly one of the youngest and cleanest fleets across the sky. This will take us to 19 A330neos, designed to be 13% more fuel and carbon-efficient. By 2028 we will have a mixture of 45 next-generation aircraft with an average age of just 6.4 years all offering efficiency, comfort, connectivity, and those special touches we are known for.
Join our VP of Sales, Luke Goggin, and Amy Stirling, who leads our New Business team, as they delve into Virgin Atlantic's exciting proposition for business travelers in this exclusive video. Discover the six pillars that define our commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for your corporate customers.
After more than a year of radical collaboration with our consortium partners, Flight 100 flew from London Heathrow to JFK on 28 November 2023 - the world’s first commercial aircraft operating across the Atlantic on 100% SAF. Demonstrating that together we can achieve more than we can alone.
The flight did not require any engine, airframe, or fuel infrastructure changes, proving that 100% SAF is operationally achievable today, with equivalent safety standards to all our other flights. You can read the full executive summary of the results from this momentous flight by clicking the link below.
Flight 100 summary of results here
If your customers book a flight by 25 July to New York, Orlando or Los Angeles to fly in 2024, they will see their Flying Club balance sore, with Double Points.
Terms apply. Applicable to revennue bookings made by Flying Club members between 18th July 2024 and 25th July 2024. All cabins except Economy light are applicable in this offer. Selected routes are included in this offer (EDI-MCO, JFK-LHR, JFK-MAN, LAX-LHR, LHR-JFK, LHR-LAX, LHR-MCO, MAN-JFK, MAN-MCO, MCO-EDI, MCO-LHR, MCO-MAN). Offer is subject to availability. Taxes, fees, and charges apply.
On 10 June 2024, EL AL will join us to offer up to four daily flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv aswell as reciprocal earn and redemption opportunities for frequent flyers. This partnership complements our daily service between Heathrow and Tel Aviv which will resume on 5 September 2024.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines are the newest airline to join SkyTeam, which will open up new destinations, enhanced connectivity, and a more seamless, elevated customer journey for all travellers in the very near future.
And finally, a new codeshare with SkyTeam member Saudia has launched, in a move that will provide connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Virgin Atlantic destinations. The first phase of the agreement, which is live now, means Virgin Atlantic customers travelling on flights from the US can purchase seamless onward connections through London Heathrow and Manchester, onto Saudia’s services to Jeddah and Riyadh.
Customers traveling across the Atlantic this summer are in for a treat. Joint venture (JV) partners Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic have their customers’ business or leisure trip covered with over 375 destinations to choose from. Whether they are departing from Europe or the United States with our closely aligned schedules, seamless connections, single check-in and premium onboard experiences, there are plenty of benefits to enjoy during the entire journey.
From 12th September 2024 our check in location at Manchester Airport will move from Terminal 2, Zone A to Terminal 2, Zone E.
Twilight check in will be available in Zone E from the 11th September.
Free parking is available for Twilight Check In - find out more
For the smoothest airport experience and to avoid the queues, customers should be encouraged to check in online and visit our self-serve area to print their tags and drop their bags at our fast bag drop.
Please note, timings are subject to change
Exciting news! We have been selected as a finalist in not just one, but two categories at this year's Business Travel Awards! Building upon our success from last year, we're back to defend our title as Travel Partner of the Year - Long-Haul Airline. Additionally, we're honoured to have been recognized with the Achievement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award. It's a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence and inclusivity.
We are excited to announce a second daily service to Mumbai from 27 October 2024.
Customers will have a choice of five daily flights from London Heathrow to India. Having seen a remarkable 350% growth in capacity since 2019.
Flights are on sale now.
We’ve always been more than just a way to get from A to B. We were born from a desire to bring back the joy of flying, and we’ve been that way ever since. So what’s the secret? It’s not rocket science (although we do that too). It’s about travelling like a VIP, no matter which cabin your customers are in. Being welcomed onboard and made to feel completely at home above the clouds.
That’s why in our Economy we positively encourage your customers to be choosy, with three different ways to fly. Pack light and pay less in Light, take a checked bag with more flex in Classic, or treat themselves to Premium check in, priority boarding, and a lovely extra legroom seat in Delight. Whichever they go for, there’ll be a warm welcome waiting for them when they get onboard, along with deliciously different dining, complimentary drinks and snacks, elevated entertainment, kid’s packs for the little ones, and all the little touches that make their flight that bit more special. It’s all included. Now you’re flying.
We are pleased to share a new codeshare partnership agreement with Kenya Airways, a leading African airline and Kenya’s national carrier, connecting London Heathrow to Nairobi, Africa.
In turn, Kenya Airways customers will soon have the opportunity to connect via London Heathrow to a number of Virgin Atlantic’s luxurious Caribbean destinations, including Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Codeshare flights connecting London Heathrow to Africa, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi are on sale from 19th March 2024.
We’re excited to be gearing up to jet off to our newest year-round destination, Bengaluru. Taking off on 31 March, this will be our fourth daily service between London and India, complementing our well-established direct services to/from Mumbai and Delhi, and offering even more ways to connect seamlessly through London to the US and beyond.
If you are looking for our VSbulletins with important travel exception policies and updates take a look here