With the Green and Amber list changes being a thing, Virgin Atlantic is preparing for a major push for the Caribbean, with the airline scaling up services.
Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 at London Heathrow – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
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.
The airline had services that were due to restart in August have been pushed forward to a July relaunch.
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.
Lead-in prices will start at £306 return on their bottom fare.
In addition to the network restart, Virgin Atlantic will utilise the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on this route – the largest aircraft the airline offers, with 335 seats per flight.
This will offer a three-class configuration with Upper Class (and The Loft lounge), Premium Economy and Economy Class (with the fare sub-divisions in them).
Virgin Atlantic’s other Caribbean services will operate using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Again, this is offered with Upper Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class (with the fare sub-divisions in them).
As well as the south, Virgin Atlantic is returning to Manchester Airport from 7th August launching flights from Manchester to Barbados. These will operate three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Planned Caribbean Operations and Lead-In Pricing
- London Heathrow-Antigua will increase from 1x weekly (currently) to 3x weekly from 15 July. Return fares start from £315 per person.
- London Heathrow-Barbados will increase from 2x weekly (currently) 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 16 July. Return fares start from £453 per person.
- Manchester- Barbados will return three times weekly from 7 August.
In Quotes
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.”
Make it whilst you can
With Green Lists and Amber Lists with double-vaccine shots being a thing now, it seems that Virgin Atlantic is trying to make hay whilst the sun shines – or whilst countries remain on Green lists.
With passengers in most cases unable to utilise their North American routes, the airline has also shifted its spare capacity to the Caribbean.
Combined with the airline about to move back to its home of Terminal 3, and opening up its premium facilities – it could make for a tempting travel offering.
Ticketing is open for these routes now, along with holiday options from Virgin Holidays.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that we are part of the BoardingArea community, bringing you the latest frequent flyer news from around the world
