Virgin Atlantic prepares to launch its Seoul service, as well building out eastwards

It’s been long rumoured, but it seems that Virgin Atlantic is ready to add Seoul, South Korea to its network, as well as working on the eastern part of its network.

The flight is finally going ahead, as part of the Korean Air/Asiana Airlines merger, as part of the competition concerns on the route. You will have to wait as it is timetabled to begin on 31st March 2026.

The planned timetable is:

VS208 DEPART LHR 09:45 ARRIVE ICN 06:05+1
VS209 DEPART ICN 08:34 ARRIVE LHR 15:05

Commences 31st March 2026
Operates Daily
Booked Equipment: Boeing 787-9

Virgin Atlaantic is planning to capitalise on the corporate travel market primarily, as well as thoses visiting friends and relatives, and those who enjoy the Korean Wave.

It will also allow a lot of connections onward with its SkyTeam Partners – Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Xiamen Airlines.  Through Seoul Incheon, customers will be able to connect to 15 cities through codeshare agreements with Korean Air throughout South Korea, Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Fukuoka, Okinawa and Hokkaido in Japan, Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang in Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Virgin Atlantic will use a Boeing 787-9 for the route, featuring 258 seats, with 31 business class seats, 35 premium economy seats, and 192 economy seats. Flighs will go on sale on 14^th May 2025.

Riyadh is go

Virgin Atlantic has touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the airline’s first ever flying into the ever-expanding Kingdom. Joining other Virgin brand, Virgin Mobile Saudi, the new daily service to King Khalid International Airport will capitalise on business expected from the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 as the city grows.

Currently, the airline has the following for its operations to Riyadh

Summer 2025 

VS242 DEPART LHR 22:25 ARRIVE RUH 07:25+1
VS243 DEPART RUH 11:50 ARRIVE LHR 17:35

Winter 25 schedule

VS242 DEPART LHR 14:00 ARRIVE RUH 23:50
VS243 DEPART RUH 01:40 ARRIVE LHR 06:20

Commenced 30th March, Operational
Operates Daily
Booked Equipment: Airbus A330-900neo

The airline uses an Airbus A330-900neo on this route, with 32 Business Class seats, 46 Premium Economy seats and 184 seats in Economy Class.

The market is expected to have a predominantly Saudi Arabian point of sale, which will see customers visiting the UK, as well as seamlessly connecting to twelve destinations throughout North America, on Virgin Atlantic and Delta networks, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Seattle, Boston and Detroit.  Alongside business travellers, the route will serve the visiting friends and relatives market, which has seen a fivefold increase in Saudis living in the UK between 2000 and 2018.

The airline has tailored its service to help its Saudi customers, with a dedicated ‘Riyadh core crew’. Arabic coffee is served as part of the pre-departure drinks service alongside a selection of dates in the Upper and Premium cabins. Halal meals are available throughout, and the Travellers Prayer also plays before the safety video..

Riyadh is also home to the airline’s SkyTeam partner, Saudia, offering onward connections to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan. Virgin Atlantic also looks forward to deepening its partnership with Riyadh Air, when it takes to the skies in 2025 (with which Virgin Atlantic has signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding)

In Quotes

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, commented:

“Virgin Atlantic has long been known as the carrier of choice across the Atlantic and transatlantic travel remains core to our business, we are incredibly excited to expand our network in the east with the announcement of new services to Seoul starting in March 2026. Building on new flying to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, five flights a day to India, as well as our seasonal leisure services to The Maldives and Dubai, we’re delighted to offer customers the opportunity to fly in style to a wide range of destinations.

“Providing seamless connections to our customers is a real focus and by leveraging the power of our commercial cooperation with Korean Air, Saudia, IndiGo and Riyadh Air, customers can trust Virgin Atlantic to connect them to where they need to be, enjoying a premium customer experience, delivered by our amazing crew.”