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Virgin Atlantic has become the latest major airline to announce that it will be launching more routes to and from the US in the wake of the US' decision to ease travel and border restrictions. Restrictions between the US, the UK and the EU are set to ease from November 8th after several months of restricted travel between the destinations, and travel between the regions is expected to pick up significantly over the coming winter and holiday travel season.
Virgin Atlantic joins a host of other international airlines that are set to introduce more routes into their schedules in time for the easing of restrictions to cope with the expected travel demand going both ways. Here's a look at the routes that Virgin Atlantic are set to offer, and which other airlines will also be putting on more routes.
Virgin Atlantic's New Routes – Information For Travelers
The transatlantic route between the US and the UK is a highly competitive one. Many airlines have tried to stake a claim in the route, only to struggle and meet their fate due to the sheer number of airlines competing against one another in a race to offer the best value flights. Established in 1984, Virgin Atlantic are stalwarts of the transatlantic route, but even they have found the pandemic and lack of travel difficult. However, their recent announcement of new routes across the pond suggests that things are looking up.
The decision of the US to ease restrictions to both EU and UK travelers has forced many airlines into action, and Virgin Atlantic are seizing the opportunity with three routes to the US set to be given the go ahead in the coming weeks. Orlando, New York and Las Vegas are set to see their connectivity increase as a result of the new routes that will also allow travelers heading in the opposite direction the opportunity to visit Manchester and London.
Virgin Atlantic will fly several different route options daily. Flights from London Heathrow and Manchester to Orlando are set to restart on November 8th as daily services, whilst flights from London to Las Vegas will also be taking off every day, using the Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
Flights from Manchester to New York will initially take place every day except Sunday in November, before changing to an every day service from December, giving British travelers more opportunities to do their Christmas shopping in the Big Apple. Each of the aforementioned routes have traditionally been popular routes for the airline, with the fact that so many have been starved of travel for so long expected to see demand surge.
Speaking about the news, Juha Jarvinen, the airline’s chief commercial officer, said:
“Our customers are ready to begin their US adventures, whether it’s to enjoy the magic of Orlando or to party the night away in Las Vegas, therefore it’s only right that we offer them the opportunity to fly as soon as we can. I’m delighted that our Orlando and Las Vegas services will begin on November 8, the same day transatlantic travel reopens. We can’t wait to transport customers to our favourite destinations in the US safely once more.”
Virgin Atlantic aren't the only airline to add new routes to the US this month. The business-class only airline La Compagnie, KLM and new Italian airline ITA are amongst those ensuring they are poised to capitalise on the upcoming easing of restrictions in November.
Read More:
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
Everything UK and EU Travelers Need To Know About The U.S. Reopening For Tourism
CDC Says It’s OK For Vaccinated People To Travel This Holiday Season
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