NEWS: Heathrow T3 opens next week – Virgin Atlantic and Delta return & dual runways

Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines are returning to  Terminal 3, which has been closed for over a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic on 15th July. 

Virgin Atlantic now has quite a few destinations such as Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, and Israel that are all classified as “Green” on the Government’s travel list, which means you are not required to self-isolate on their return. Delta is operating nonstop services between Heathrow and both Atlanta and New York-JFK, however U.S. entry restrictions for non-essential travelers from the U.K. still apply.

Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and Flying Club Gold members as well as Delta’s eligible customers can once again enjoy access to the airline’s award-winning Clubhouse, Revivals lounge and Upper Class Wing. In the Clubhouse they’ll enjoy complimentary a la carte menus featuring five-star dining, smaller tapas dishes, meats and cheeses from the deli and afternoon tea. A wide selection of wine, cocktails and soft drinks are also available to be enjoyed indoors or even outside, plane spotting on the roof terrace.

In a bid to further increase flexibility, you now have multiple choices about how you order food and drinks. Customers can order from a web-based ordering system via a QR code at their seat. The app will feature the whole menu and customers can simply place their order which will be delivered to their seat wherever they are sitting. Customers will still have the option to use a single-use printed menu and order via the Clubhouse’s waiter service. Masks will be required on entry and when customers are moving around. As you will be encouraged to stay seated, the seated bar stools, deli bar and the pool table cannot be used. 

Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer, commented,
“We’re delighted to finally be back on our home turf, and I know our teams can’t wait to warmly welcome our customers to Terminal 3, as they return to the skies in style, as they fly safe and well with Virgin Atlantic.
“Whilst it’s a constructive step that many of our customers can imminently enjoy our much-loved facilities the Government still needs to recognise the US as a “Green” destination. Whilst travel between the UK and US is closed, £23 million in economic value each day is restricted. We urge the UK Government to move the US to the UK’s ‘Green list’ and for the Biden administration to repeal the 212F proclamation for UK travellers.”

Nadia Clinton, Delta’s Regional Sales Manager, said:
“Moving back to our home in Terminal 3 will allow our customers to once again enjoy the award-winning experience they have missed during the pandemic. Given current vaccination rates, we know customers can travel safely between our two countries. A recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, coupled with robust air filtration systems and mask mandates on board, put the risk of transmission on a plane traveling between the UK and US at 1 in 1 million. We implore the UK and US Governments to allow non-essential travel to resume.”

Carriers will return to T3 on a phased basis over the coming weeks.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said:

“With passenger demand expected to increase when ministers permit fully vaccinated passengers to travel more freely, Heathrow is getting ready to welcome you back.

“We have recommenced two runway operations and will reopen Terminal 3 from 15th July when all services from Virgin Atlantic and Delta will resume in T3. We’ve invested in the latest technology and enhanced cleaning regimes to ensure you can fly safely from Heathrow this summer.”

Virgin will reopen its Clubhouse business lounge in T3, offering table service via a QR code. Masks will be required in the facility when passengers are moving around.

Terminal 4 will continue to be used solely as a dedicated red list arrivals facility.

Heathrow said that “based on our current forecasts, we do not expect full passenger operations to resume in Terminal 4 this year”.