Starting May 1st, 2023, Virgin Atlantic will resume daily passenger and cargo service between London Heathrow and Shanghai for the first time since December 23, 2020. The route will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
On Thursday (February 2, 2023), Virgin Atlantic announced the relaunch of passenger and cargo service between the UK and China for the first time since December 23, 2020. Starting May 1st, 2023, the carrier will offer daily service between London Heathrow and Shanghai with fares from £669 per person. The route will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring Upper Class, Premium, and Three Economy Class options, including Economy, Delight, Classic and Light. Shanghai is also home to the carrier’s new SkyTeam partner, China Eastern, which offers seamless onward connectivity throughout China and beyond. With Virgin Atlantic on track to join SkyTeam in the next few weeks, Flying Club members will soon be able to earn and redeem Virgin Points across China Eastern’s network, alongside other SkyTeam partners.
In Thursday’s announcement, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer, Juha Jarvinen, said,
“The return of our Shanghai services has been a long-time coming and I’m delighted it’s finally a reality. We’re looking forward to welcoming our customers back on board and providing vital links to one of the UK’s largest trading partners, for both passenger and cargo services. Shanghai is the final route to return following the global pandemic, restoring our flying programme to full capacity. Our focus for 2023 is on delivery, as we look forward to launching routes to new destinations, welcoming brand new clean, green aircraft and getting back to our best for our customers and people.”
Customers traveling to Shanghai do not have to show proof of vaccination, but will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test before they enter the country, along with a health declaration form. Customers traveling from China to the UK must also take a PCR or lateral flow test.
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 2022 for the sixth consecutive year. Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic employs over 7,500 team members worldwide. The airline currently serves 28 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. Virgin Atlantic will join the global SkyTeam alliance in early 2023, becoming the alliance’s first and only UK member airline.
Source: Virgin Atlantic