BUSINESSMAN Sir Richard Branson hopes to see Virgin Atlantic flights return to a top UK airport for the first time in four years. The Virgin Atlantic founder expressed his desire to return to Gatwick Airport after flights were shelved during the Covid-19 pandemic . Speaking to the Sunday Times , the Virgin boss explained that he wanted flights to resume at Gatwick Airport.
Branson told reporters: "It matters – it’s where we started. I will twist arms." The London airport is where the airline's very first flights, from the English capital to New York , launched nearly 40 years ago on June 22, 1984.
According to Travel Weekly , Virgin Atlantic has kept the ownership of some of its Gatwick Airport slots, meaning there is a possibility flights could return to the airport. While new Virgin Atlantic routes haven't been confirmed from Gatwick Airport , the airline has been launching other services across the country. Just last week, the airline launched a brand-new route from Manchester Airport to Las Vegas .
Flights between the two destinations started operating on June 2, 2024. The weekly seasonal service will operate every Sunday, with the direct flight taking 10 hours and 35 minutes. Outbound flights will leave Manchester Airport at 9.
50am before arriving in Las Vegas at 12.25pm local time. Return flights will depart from America at 2.
40pm, landing at Manchester Airport the following morning at 8.20am. Tickets are already on sale for the service, with Return Economy flights .
