Following the UK Government’s classification of Antigua, Barbados and Grenada as ‘Green’, Virgin Atlantic will accelerate the start of previously schedule flights from August to July. Overall, the carrier will also increase capacity to the Caribbean by nearly 300 percent.
On Thursday (July 8, 2021), Virgin Atlantic announced that following the UK Government’s latest announcement, classifying Antigua, Barbados and Grenada as ‘Green’, the carrier will increase Caribbean capacity by nearly 300 percent, and accelerate the resumption of numerous flights from August to July. Starting July 15th, flights to Antigua will increase to three-times weekly, while daily service to Barbados will be offered from July 25, 2021. Virgin Atlantic will also resume twice-weekly flights to Grenada from July 16th. From the beginning of August, the airline will introduce the newest and largest aircraft in their fleet, the flagship Airbus A350, five times weekly to Barbados, with a capacity for 335 guests per flight. Upper Class guests will enjoy innovative private suites, and a social space to gather, chat, enjoy a drink or dine with friends, fondly known as the Loft.
In Thursday’s announcement, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, said,
“There’s long been pent up demand to travel so we’re excited that we can finally whisk our customers away for a much-needed sunny break, with even more available flight options, allowing them to enjoy the stunning beaches, warm climate and welcoming hospitality that the Caribbean has buckets of. We’re also returning to Manchester as demand increases from our customers to travel to Barbados this summer. We’re pleased to be returning to our home in north and expect to announce the restart of many more Manchester services soon.”
Virgin Atlantic’s other Caribbean services will be operated with state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliners, configured with five cabins, including the luxurious Upper Class, featuring an exclusive bar area and fully flat beds, or Premium, where guests will enjoy a generous 38” seat pitch, welcome drinks and fine dining. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic will return to Manchester Airport, the carrier’s home in the north, from August 7, 2021, and will offer three weekly Boeing 787 flights to Barbados. As announced earlier this week, Virgin Atlantic will return to their home at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3 from July 15, 2021 and will also reopen the Upper Class Wing and Clubhouse lounge.
For added flexibility and peace of mind, Virgin Atlantic is offering free unlimited flight changes for new bookings until April 30, 2023. Flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Antigua will increase from one to three weekly flights from July 15th, with return fares from £315 per person. The carrier will increase service on the LHR-Barbados route from twice-weekly to four-times weekly on July 15th, and then daily starting July 25th. Return fares on the London Heathrow to Barbados route start at £335. The airline’s LHR to Grenada (via Barbados) service will operate twice-weekly from July 16th, with return fares from £453 per person. Finally, Manchester-Barbados service will resume on August 7th, with three weekly flights.
Founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, Virgin Atlantic has brought innovation and the highest level of customer care to the airline industry. The carrier was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX in 2020 for the fourth consecutive year. Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic employs 5,900 team members worldwide. The airline currently serves 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading network between the US and UK, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. By 2022, Virgin Atlantic will operate an efficient and simplified fleet of 37 twin-engine aircraft, delivering a 10 percent savings compared to the aircraft they replace.
Source: Virgin Atlantic