Virgin Atlantic increases capacity to the Caribbean
CARIBBEAN CALLING: VIRGIN ATLANTIC INCREASES CAPACITY TO THE CARIBBEAN AFTER BOOKINGS SOAR
- Flight capacity to the Caribbean is increasing by nearly 300%
- Airline is bringing forward the restart of many Caribbean flights following additions to the Government’s “Green” list
- Virgin Atlantic will bring its flagship Airbus A350 aircraft to Barbados in August
- Return flights start from £315 return
Virgin Atlantic is increasing the number of flights to the Caribbean by nearly 300% after a surge in demand following the Government’s latest announcement, which saw Antigua, Barbados and Grenada classified as “Green.” The news, which means customers do not need to self-isolate on their return to the UK, comes as the airline reported a significant spike in bookings to its sunny island destinations.
Numerous Caribbean flights which were previously scheduled to recommence in August will now take off from July. From the 15 July flights to Antigua will increase to three times a week, with customers able to travel daily to Barbados from 25 July. The airline is also making its return to Grenada, with twice weekly flights resuming from 16 July. Customers will be able to take advantage of the increased flying from as little as £306 return.
The airline will introduce the newest, largest aircraft in its fleet, the flagship Airbus A350, five times weekly on its Barbados service from the beginning of August, offering 335 seats per flight. Upper Class customers can experience its innovative private suite seats, social space, fondly known as The Loft. As the largest social space in the airline’s fleet, it’s designed for customers to gather, chat, enjoy a drink or dine with friends.
Virgin Atlantic’s other Caribbean services will operate on the airline’s state of the art Boeing 787s. Customers can choose to fly in one of five cabins, including the luxurious Upper Class, which offers an exclusive bar area and fully flat beds, or Premium, where customers can enjoy a 38” seat pitch, welcome drinks and fine dining.
Virgin Atlantic is also delighted to return to Manchester Airport from 7 August, the airline’s home in the north. Flights from Manchester to Barbados will operate three times weekly on a Boeing 787.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented;
“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.”
Earlier this week, Virgin Atlantic announced the return to its home turf in Terminal Three at London Heathrow, and look forward to welcoming customers back with its signature flair, Upper Class Wing for seamless premium check-in and award-winning facilities, our Clubhouse lounge.
Virgin Atlantic offers unlimited free date and flight changes for new bookings as part of a series of enhancements to give further flexibility to customers and support their future travel plans. Alongside the improved changes policy, the rebooking horizon has been extended for all customers all the way until 30 April 2023, giving a broader window of time to reschedule plans if needed.
To ensure the health and safety of customers and crew, Virgin Atlantic is implementing additional measures to offer peace of mind in the airport and when taking to the skies. These include enhanced and thorough cleaning practices at check in, boarding gates and onboard including the use of electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant in all cabins and lavatories before every flight, ensuring no surface is left untouched. Safe distancing will also be adhered to wherever possible, and mask wearing will be required throughout the journey. All customers will be provided with a personal Health Pack for their health and safety, which will contain three medical grade face masks to be worn onboard, surface wipes and hand gel.
Further information
Virgin Atlantic’s Caribbean operations are as follows;
London Heathrow-Antigua will increase from 1x weekly (now) to 3x weekly from 15 July. Return fares start from £315 per person.
London Heathrow-Barbados will increase from 2x weekly (now) to 4x weekly from 15 July and daily (7x weekly) from 25 July. It will also switch to an Airbus A350 from a Boeing 787 five times weekly from August Return fares start from £335 per person.
London Heathrow – Grenada (via Barbados) will operate twice weekly from the 16 July. Return fares start from £453 per person.
Manchester- Barbados will return three times weekly from 7 August.
Virgin Atlantic Holiday package prices;
A week in Barbados with Virgin Atlantic Holidays starts from £925 per person. The fare includes flights, transfers and room only accommodation the Time Out Hotel. Travel is valid from 18th July 2021 and is based on two adults sharing a room.
A week in Antigua with Virgin Atlantic Holidays starts from £689 per person. The fare includes flights, transfers and room only accommodation at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort. Travel is valid from 17th August 2021 and is based on two adults and two children sharing a room.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk, 0344 557 3859, visit one of our concession stores located in Next or one of our standalone stores nationwide.
For further press information please contact the Virgin Atlantic press office on press.office@fly.virgin.com or call 01293 747373.
Notes to editors:
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2020, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fourth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 5,900 people worldwide, flying customers to 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.
Sustainability remains central to the airline and since September 2019, Virgin Atlantic has welcomed seven brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, helping to transform the fleet into one of the youngest, quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky. By 2022, the airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 37 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of its B747-400s and A340-600s, making its simplified fleet 10% more efficient than before the Covid-19 crisis impacted.
For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com, www.virginholidays.co.uk or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic @virginholidays
For the latest information on the measures we are taking to ensure our customers fly safe and well with Virgin Atlantic, please visit https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/youre-in-safe-hands.html