Virgin Atlantic to extend its network

LONDON - Virgin Atlantic announced the launch of new routes across three continents. Network growth comes as the airline capitalises on "sustained demand for international travel" and will add "more than 250,000 total seats" across Virgin Atlantic’s network, compared to 2019 while accepting new aircraft.

The airline’s international route network will be boosted by its first move into South America, with a brand-new daily flight from London Heathrow to São Paulo, Brazil.

São Paulo is a key hub in Brazil for Virgin Atlantic’s codeshare partner and South America’s largest airline, LATAM. "The partnership provides customers with onward connections to 12 domestic airports in Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Florianopolis as well as offering earn and redemption options for Flying Club members," Virgin Atlantic said.

Signalling expansion in the country, Bangalore will become the airline’s third destination and fourth daily service to India. "Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has increased capacity to India by 250 percent, the airline’s largest area of growth outside the United States," Virgin said.

Launching in Summer 2024, the addition of this new route means Virgin will offer 500,000 seats (total) each year between the UK and India, while its growing codeshare with IndiGo, India’s leading airline, flies to 34 destinations across the country.

Virgin Atlantic also announced its return to Dubai, operating seasonally from October through to March four times a week. The airline expects the new route to be a hit with leisure customers, capturing increased demand for premium holidays in sunny destinations. As well as flying customers, Virgin Atlantic will offer 20 tonnes of cargo capacity on each flight.

A330neos and A350s

Manchester Airport, the airline’s home in the North, will receive new flights, with the relaunch of seasonal summer services between Manchester and Las Vegas, three times a week.

In parallel to growth of the airline’s route network, Virgin is taking new A330neo and A350 aircraft from Airbus. By the end of 2024, the airline will have received its full order of 12 Airbus A350s, as well as the arrival of a further four A330neos.