UK airline Virgin Atlantic has today announced a significant expansion from its Manchester hub for the summer 2020 season. Popular leisure destinations such as Barbados and Orlando will see frequencies increased, adding a total of 43,000 seats added for the high season. Premium travelers departing from Manchester will be able to enjoy the newly built Virgin Clubhouse at the airport, due to open in spring 2020.
43,000 extra seats from Manchester
Virgin Atlantic is solidifying its position as a key player at Manchester airport. Back in September, the airline announced it would add some 30,000 additional seats from the airport for the winter season, which it has done with great success. Now, it is looking to bolster summer capacity too, with an expanded schedule that increases seats by some 43,000 for the season.
In detail, the changes include:
- Manchester to Barbados: Flights will increase from twice weekly to three times a week for the summer, adding an extra 10,000 seats.
- Manchester to Las Vegas: Two additional weekly flights will be added over the peak season, leading to an extra 10,000 seats.
- Manchester to Orlando: Up to two more flights a week will be added during peak season, bringing weekly flights to as many as 14 times a week. This is equal to an extra 23,000 seats over the summer.
- London Gatwick to Orlando: In addition to Manchester expansion, the Orlando flight from Gatwick will also be expanded by two more per week, giving the airline 18 flights a week during the peak of summer.
Virgin says that its flights will go on sale from the 9th of November for travel over the summer season. Fares start at £410.
The biggest airline at Manchester
In combination with its partners Delta Air Lines and soon-to-be-called Virgin Connect (Flybe), Virgin is now the biggest airline at Manchester with more flights than any other carrier. For summer 2020, some 800,000 long haul seats will be available through Virgin Atlantic and its partners.
Virgin’s Executive Vice President of Commercial, Juha Jarvinen, commented on the expansion in the press release, saying,
“Today’s announcement outlines the latest phase in our growth strategy at Manchester, our home in the North. In September we committed to 30,000 additional seats from Manchester for Winter 2019 and today, we are expanding on that with an extra 43,000 seats to key leisure destinations for Summer 2020, which is a clear sign of our ambition to offer increased choice to our customers travelling from the North West.
“With a greater number of flights to some of our most popular destinations, alongside a brand new iconic Clubhouse scheduled to open next Spring, we’re confident our customers will be delighted by the Virgin Atlantic experience in Manchester.”
The addition of Virgin’s iconic Clubhouse product at Manchester is sure to be a massive hit with travelers. Both those flying Virgin Upper Class and those with Virgin Atlantic Gold status can take advantage of the new Clubhouse, due to open in Spring 2020.