Virgin Atlantic is expanding its route network across three continents. The carrier is set to fly to São Paulo (GRU) in Brazil, its first appearance in South America. In Asia, the carrier will add its third destination in India with flights to Bengaluru (BLR), make a long-awaited return to Dubai (DXB) and begin new services to the Maldives. In North America, the carrier is planning to resume seasonal Manchester to Las Vegas, begin serving the island of Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean, and expand connections from Barbados to move islands. Here's what you need to know.

Expansion in India

India being a massive aviation market, it makes sense that Virgin Atlantic would want to expand its presence within the country. Aided by a new codeshare with low-cost IndiGo and high yields, Bangalore is the perfect destination for its third route to the country. The airline will serve BLR daily from London Heathrow (LHR) using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, starting March 31st, 2024. This service will operate all year round, and the tickets go on sale later this month, on June 14th.

The carrier's 787-9 aircraft is configured with a total of 258 seats, split into three cabin classes. There are 31 seats in Upper Class (business class) in a 1-1-1 layout, 35 seats in premium economy in a 2-3-2 layout, and 192 seats in economy in a 3-3-3 layout.

Passengers will benefit from one-stop connections to North America, Europe, and soon South America, through Virgin's Heathrow hub and with partners such as Delta Air Lines. Given Bangalore's limited US connections (one daily service to San Francisco), connecting flights are lucrative at the technology hub.

Entering the South American market

The airline plans to operate in São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) in Brazil as its first South American destination. The year-round service will commence on May 13th, 2024, and operate using the trusted 787-9. Tickets will be open for booking later this year in August.

Virgin Atlantic B787
Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying

A potentially easy way for Virgin Atlantic to increase its presence in the South American continent and provide more access to destinations across it would be to build on its existing codeshare with the South American leading carrier, LATAM, which also operates domestically in Brazil. With SkyTeam partner Aerolinas Argentina nearby as well, there are plenty of options for future routes as well.

Return to Dubai

The airline's return to the Middle Eastern hub of Dubai is rather an interesting one. Virgin Atlantic's last flight to DXB was operated on March 31st, 2019. The carrier axed the route in June 2018 and cited fierce competition on the route, making it "no longer economically viable".

When the airline returns to Dubai on October 28th, for the winter season at first, it will operate four times weekly using the 787-9. The carrier plans to capture the leisure travel market and enable fast cargo service to export and import goods between the Middle East and primary markets across the United Kingdom and the United States.

Virgin Atlantic 787
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

The route between Dubai and London Heathrow has always been competitive and, to date, remains one of the busiest international routes in the world. While it is dominated by UAE flag carrier Emirates, operating six Airbus A380-800 services daily, British Airways also flies two to three times daily using a variety of widebody aircraft and previously used the A380 as well. Royal Brunei Airlines also operates a fifth freedom flight on this route connecting DXB and LHR. Albeit with a smaller frequency of three weekly flights operated using the carrier's 787-8 Dreamliner.

Interestingly, another carrier that operated flights on this route between DXB and LHR was the Australian giant Qantas! After Emirates and Qantas announced their codeshare partnership, Qantas switched its Melbourne - Singapore - London route, operated using an A380, to Melbourne - Dubai - London. However, this service reverted to stopping over in Singapore when Qantas began operating a non-stop Perth to London service.

Watch out for Virgin's performance on the Dubai-Heathrow route as it returns to this hyper-competitive market.

North America and beyond

More summer seasonal routes include Manchester (MAN) to Las Vegas, which will be operated thrice weekly in the summer of 2024, starting June 2nd, also using the 787-9. Male (MLE), the capital of the Maldives, will be served thrice between October 22nd, 2023, and March 31st, 2024, taking advantage of the winter sun demand using the Dreamliner thrice weekly.

Virgin Atlantic 787
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Virgin is also doubling down on its Caribbean network. The tourist hub of Turks and Caicos will now have direct connections with two weekly flights by Virgin Atlantic. Connecting London Heathrow and Providenciales International Airport (PLS), the route will commence on November 4th, 2023, and continue year-round using the Dreamliner.

The carrier is also expanding its route network in the region with Bridgetown (BGI), Barbados, as a base, which is served daily by the A330-300. Passengers can now onward to Saint Vincent (SVD) and Grenada (GND) from June 14th onward, both served twice-weekly each.

Are you excited for Virgin Atlantic's new routes across the globe? Let us know in the comments!

  • Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1041 (2)
    Virgin Atlantic
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    VS/VIR
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    London Heathrow Airport
    Year Founded:
    1984
    CEO:
    Shai Weiss
    Country:
    United Kingdom
  • heathrow_17581988126223
    London Heathrow Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LHR-EGLL
    Country:
    United Kingdom
    CEO:
    John Holland-Kaye
    Passenger Count :
    19,392,178 (2021)
    Runways :
    09L/27R - 3,902m (12,802ft) | 09R/27L - 3,660m (12,008ft)
    Terminals:
    Terminal 2 | Terminal 3 | Terminal 4 | Terminal 5