NEWS & OFFERS: Virgin Adds Phuket Flights, Wizz Air to Trial Business Class & Non-stop Business Class to Jamaica for £1,600

Virgin Atlantic Launches Direct Flights from London to Phuket

Virgin Atlantic has announced a new seasonal route between London Heathrow and Phuket, launching 18 October 2026. The airline will operate three weekly flights using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, making it the only nonstop service from LHR to Thailand’s largest island.

The new route targets the growing demand for premium leisure travel and expands Virgin Atlantic’s winter sun network, joining Dubai, Cape Town, The Maldives, and Cancun.

Flights will depart London on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, returning from Phuket on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays.

• Start date: 18 October 2026

• Flight numbers: VS214 / VS215

• Schedule:

  • VS214 LHR–HKT: 12:00 → 07:10 (+1)

  • VS215 HKT–LHR: 09:20 → 16:00

• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 (31 Upper Class, 35 Premium, 192 Economy)

• On sale:

  • Package holidays – 30 October 2025

  • Flight-only tickets – 26 November 2025

Points and Reward Availability

For Virgin Points collectors, the Phuket route adds another long-haul redemption option. Virgin now uses dynamic pricing for its own flights, with every seat available for points but at variable rates. Saver-level seats (red tag) offer the best value.

While exact rates haven’t been released, based on current long-haul pricing expect:

• Economy Saver: around 25,000–35,000 points one-way

• Upper Class: roughly 60,000–80,000 points one-way, plus taxes of around £400–£600 return.

Reward availability is likely to be limited during the winter peak, so using Virgin’s Reward Seat Checker will be essential once sales open.

This route fills a clear gap in Virgin Atlantic’s network and offers a convenient alternative to connecting via Bangkok or the Middle East. The 787-9 features the older Upper Class Suite rather than the newer A350 version, but service standards remain high.

With competitive holiday prices and a direct flight to Thailand’s most popular resort island, this is a smart move by Virgin Atlantic. For points users, value will depend on Saver availability, one to watch closely when bookings open on 26 November 2025 on Virgin Atlantic’s website.

Wizz Air to Trial a “Business Class”…

In a surprising move, Wizz Air has announced it will trial a new “business class” product in December 2025 on selected routes from London, Bucharest, Budapest, Rome and Warsaw.

The ultra low-cost carrier, best known for its stripped-down fares and pay-for-everything model, says the new “Wizz Class” is designed for travellers who value low fares but want a bit more comfort and convenience.

The concept is simple: row 1 only, with the middle seat blocked for extra space. That means just four Wizz Class seats per flight during the trial.

What’s Included

According to Wizz Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, Silvia Mosquera, Wizz Class will offer:

• A blocked middle seat

• Priority boarding

• A carry-on bag

• Dedicated overhead bin space

The airline says additional benefits may be revealed closer to launch, but there’s no mention of free food, drink or lounge access. This is very much a “light” business class, closer to a comfort or front-row upgrade than a premium cabin.

Why Wizz Air Is Doing This

At first glance, the idea of “Wizz Air business class” sounds like an April Fools’ story. But it’s part of a broader strategy from the airline to appeal to higher-yield passengers without complicating its low-cost model.

Wizz Air has already launched long-haul routes to Saudi Arabia and revived its All You Can Fly membership scheme. The airline knows it’s capturing more corporate and frequent travellers, especially on key European business routes.

And with many British Airways Executive Club members rethinking their loyalty after the 2025 programme changes, Wizz Air may be hoping to appeal to short-haul business travellers looking for better value and flexibility. For passengers tired of higher fares and fewer Avios-earning opportunities, paying a small premium for an empty middle seat and fast boarding on Wizz could be a tempting option, especially for regulars flying between London and European capitals.

From an operational point of view, it’s a low-risk trial, no cabin reconfiguration, minimal cost, and easy to price-test. The main drawback is lost revenue from the two empty seats per flight, but if Wizz can sell those front-row upgrades consistently, it may prove worthwhile.

Wizz Play Also Launching

Alongside Wizz Class, the airline is introducing Wizz Play, offering WhatsApp messaging, in-seat ordering, and onboard entertainment. It’s essentially a first step toward in-flight Wi-Fi, a rarity for ultra-low-cost carriers, though how widely it will be rolled out remains to be seen.

For an airline better known for charging you to print your boarding pass, Wizz Air’s new “business class” is an interesting move. It’s not a true business cabin, but it could hit the sweet spot for travellers who want a bit more space without paying legacy airline prices.

If the price is sensible, it might tempt those who’ve lost enthusiasm for traditional loyalty schemes and just want a straightforward flight with a touch more comfort.

Whether it turns out to be a clever idea or just a short-lived experiment will depend on how many people are willing to pay for it. But with frequent flyers increasingly fed up with rising fares and shrinking perks elsewhere, Wizz’s timing might actually be spot on.

Non-stop Return Business Class Fares to Jamaica from £1,600

Following Virgin Atlantic’s recent sale, British Airways has now released return Business Class fares to Jamaica from just £1,600, available for departures from London Gatwick to Kingston (KIN).

That’s less than half the usual fare, which normally sits around £3,500+, and availability stretches across much of 2025, including some peak summer dates for around £100–£200 more.

These fares are part of a limited-time offer, so if Jamaica’s on your list, it’s worth moving quickly.

The Details

• Route: London Gatwick (LGW) – Kingston (KIN)

• Fare: From £1,600 return

• Class: Business Class (I fare class)

• Booking deadline: 4 November 2025

• Minimum stay: 2 days

• Stopovers/transfers: Not permitted

• Alliance: oneworld

• Lounge access: Included

Book your flights with British Airways here.

There’s broad availability from January through October 2025, with limited options also appearing in early winter. Even July and August departures are bookable, which is rare for Caribbean routes at this price point.

Jamaica was hit hard by recent storms, which caused significant disruption across parts of the island. While recovery work continues, the tourism industry remains a vital part of the local economy, and visitors will play an important role in helping it bounce back once infrastructure and resorts are fully restored.

Booking travel for later in 2025 not only secures an excellent Business Class fare but also helps support the country’s tourism sector as it rebuilds. When the island is ready to welcome travellers again, every visit will make a difference.

HT: Luxury Flight Club