Summary

  • Virgin Atlantic operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft from its main hub at London Heathrow (LHR) and secondary hub at Manchester (MAN).
  • In July, Virgin Atlantic will operate in nine different corridors containing flights over 4,500 miles (7,242 km).
  • Virgin’s longest July route is between London Heathrow (LHR) and Shanghai (PVG), with a distance of 5,755 miles (9,262 km).

In July, Virgin Atlantic will operate some of its longest routes from its base at London Heathrow (LHR). The LHR–Shanghai (PVG) route is the longest, at 5,755 miles (9,262 km). Other notable destinations include Johannesburg (JNB), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Las Vegas (LAS).

Virgin uses both Airbus and Boeing aircraft on these long-distance routes but relies heavily on its 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. Virgin Atlantic’s main competitors on these routes include British Airways, American Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines.

Virgin Atlantic planes at LHR

Photo: Ceri Breeze | Shutterstock
 

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic’s history is unique from that of many other airlines. Shortly after the airline adopted its final name, Virgin Atlantic Airways, in 1984, co-founder Randolph Fields sold his company shares to Richard Branson in exchange for unlimited free travel. Virgin Atlantic’s first flight from London-Gatwick to Newark occurred on June 22, 1984.

Branson, a British entrepreneur who worked in the music industry, wanted the airline to be the first choice for vacationers or anyone looking for fun at an affordable price. The fledgling airline used marketing and public relations to its advantage, hoping to stand out from competitors in the market.

Richard Branson drinking wine from the bottle next to a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747.

Photo: Virgin Group

Per Virgin’s website, the airline began its “attention-seeking ways” when introducing its first-ever seatback games. The airline decided to advertise the product with an unsubtle and head-turning phrase:

“Play with yourself.”

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Branson didn’t stop there. He continued to promote Virgin Atlantic with news-worthy schemes, including riding in hot air balloons, rappelling from Manhattan skyscrapers, and kissing the Spice Girls. The tiny airline grew quickly under Branson’s guidance and quickly adopted his personality, as reflected by his motto:

“Screw it, let’s do it.”

Virgin Atlantic maiden voyage

By 2012, Virgin had grown to become a well-recognized airline. However, because its market did not cover all destinations, the airline allied with Delta Air Lines in 2014. According to Matteo Curcio, Delta’s Senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India, the partnership has greatly benefited both airlines.

“…the partnership deal was a game changer for Delta, enabling us to up competition on the most popular business routes between London Heathrow and the US, offering customers greater choice, while providing Virgin Atlantic unparalleled access to Delta’s network across North America.”

By 2020, the alliance had been extended to include Air France-KLM, offering passengers even more choice and value. These alliances helped Virgin continue to grow and expand. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Start Airline by APEX for the seventh year in a row.

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Virgin Atlantic operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft from its main hub at London-Heathrow (LHR) and secondary hub at Manchester (MAN). According to ch-aviation, Virgin has the following active aircraft in its fleet:

  • A330-300: 9 examples
  • A330neo: 5 examples
  • A350-1000: 12 examples
  • 787-9: 17 examples
G-VCRU Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (1)

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

According to Virgin Atlantic’s website, the airline flies to 32 locations across five continents. Some of its most popular destinations include Edinburgh (EDI), New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Washington DC (IAD), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), San Francisco (SFO), and Dubai (DXB).

Per data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Virgin Atlantic has nine July routes over 4,500 miles (7,242 km). Eight routes include London Heathrow (LHR), while one uses the airline’s secondary hub at Manchester (MAN).

The longest route: To China

Virgin Atlantic’s longest July route is between London Heathrow (LHR) and Shanghai, China (PVG), at 5,755 miles (9,262 km). The airline will offer 30 flights each way in July, transporting up to 7,740 passengers.

Virgin Atlantic states that the flight is scheduled for 12 and a half hours, but data from Flightradar24 shows that most flights average just under 12 hours. Virgin Atlantic uses its Boeing fleet of 787-9s on the route, including the aircraft named Queen Bee (C-VBZZ) and Lucy in the Sky (G-VDIA).

Virgin’s top competitors on the LHR–PVG route include British Airways and China Eastern Airlines. According to data from Flightradar24, the UK’s leading airline also uses its fleet of 787s on the route. However, China Eastern uses 777 ERs to connect London with Shanghai.

LHR-PVG 2

Second place: To Africa

Virgin Atlantic’s second-longest July route connects London (LHR) with Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB). The 5,620-mile route (9,045 km) will be serviced by daily flights each way in July, providing a total of 62 flights between the two cities.

The LHR–JNB route has a scheduled 11-hour flight time, but most passengers reach their destination in just over 10 hours. Virgin Atlantic also uses its 787s on this route, such as Maid Marian (G-VOWS) and Pin up Girl (G-VFAN).

Virgin’s top competitor on this route is British Airways. The fellow UK carrier operates its massive A380-800s on the route.

LHR-JNB

Third place: To California

The third-longest July flight for Virgin Atlantic goes back to the airline’s basics: transatlantic flights to popular tourist destinations. The London (LHR)–Los Angeles (LAX) route is 5,456 miles (8,781 km). In July, flights from each city will depart three times a day. According to Cirium, the airline will offer 91 flights from its London hub and 92 flights from Hollywood’s hometown.

Virgin Atlantic lists flights along its LHR-LAX corridor as having a flight time of 11 hours. The airline uses a variety of aircraft on this extremely popular route, once again including its 787s. Virgin also covers the route with Airbuses, such as its fleet of A350-1000s, which include planes with names such as Red Velvet (G-VLUX) and Mamma Mia (G-VPOP).

Several other airlines serve the popular route, including American Airlines, which flies its 777ERs in the corridor. British Airways is also a major competitor on the route, using its 777ERs and A380-800s. United Airlines also services the route with its fleet of 787-9 Dreamliners.

LHR-LAX 2

Fourth place: To California…again

Virgin Atlantic’s fourth-longest July flight is also from London to a California city. The LHR–San Francisco (SFO) route is 5,368 miles (8,639 km). These flights will operate twice daily from each city, with a monthly total of 120 flights in the corridor.

This flight is commonly frequented by professionals, such as those working in finance or technology, and vacation-seekers hoping to capture the perfect shot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The US city’s growth has led to Virgin’s LHR–SFO route becoming one of the airline’s most popular long-distance routes.

The flight connecting London and San Francisco is slated to take 11 hours, although it can sometimes come in at under 10 hours. Virgin Atlantic flies the route with its Boeing 787-9 fleet, including the aircraft named Lady Freedom (G-VBEL).

British Airways is once again a major competitor on the route, flying its 777ERs and A380-800s between the two cities. United also operates in the corridor with its 777ERs and 787-9s.

LHR-SFO 2

Fifth place: To Nevada

The fifth-longest July Virgin Atlantic route is also to the US. Virgin’s London (LHR)–Las Vegas (LAS) route is 5,230 miles (8,417 km), just under the LHR–SFO route.

Virgin’s LHR–LAS flights, often full of passengers embodying the airline founder’s jovial and fun-seeking spirit, will operate approximately every other day. In July, Virgin will offer 30 flights from each city, averaging about one flight a day.

The flight is scheduled to last 11 hours and usually clocks in around 10 hours. Virgin Atlantic flies its 787-9s on this route. Virgin’s main competitor in the LHR–LAS corridor is British Airways, which flies its A350-1000s on the route.

LHR-LAS 2

Other routes longer than 4,500 miles

Virgin Atlantic will operate four additional routes over 4,500 miles (7,242 km) in July. Three of these routes, like the previously mentioned longest routes, include the airline’s hub at LHR. One route, which is offered much less frequently, operates through Manchester (MAN) instead.

Origin

Destination

Miles

Flights

MAN

LAS

5,088

13

LAS

MAN

5,088

13

LHR

BLR

5,003

31

BLR

LHR

5,003

31

LHR

SEA

4,801

31

SEA

LHR

4,801

31

LHR

MBJ

4,696

13

MBJ

LHR

4,696

13

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  • Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1041 (2)

    Virgin Atlantic

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    VS/VIR

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    London Heathrow Airport

    Year Founded:
    1984

    CEO:
    Shai Weiss

    Country:
    United Kingdom

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