NEWS & OFFERS: Virgin Atlantic launch more new routes, add LATAM earning and Melia Wonder Week up to 40% off and

Virgin Atlantic launch more new routes

Virgin Atlantic has announced more new routes today. The airline has been on a roll recently, with Tampa last year and the Maldives launching this autumn, plus a return to Dubai. (Fingers still crossed for the press trip invite on the Maldives one!!). With the new routes announced today, they will have added an extra 250,000 seats compared to 2019.

Virgin Atlantic has today announced the launch of flights between London Heathrow and São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil. 

The 11 hr and 55 min flight will operate on a Boeing 787 aircraft daily from 13 May 2024 and marks the first-ever route for the airline to the South American continent. 

To mark the news, Virgin Atlantic has released a one off, reimagined safety video – samba style. Starring dancer and choreographer, AJ Pritchard, and Brazilian model and actress, Juliana Paes, the video sees the duo depicted as Virgin Atlantic cabin crew. Anton Du Beke also makes a cameo appearance as the plane’s pilot. 

Known as the foodie capital of Brazil, São Paulo is a bustling city but if you prefer nature, Iguaçu Falls and the Amazon rainforest are easily accessible from São Paulo. 

As part of Virgin Atlantic’s codeshare agreement with LATAM, you will also be able to connect onwards onto 12 domestic airports in Brazil including Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Florianopolis.

In addition, Virgin Flying Club members and LATAM Pass loyalty members can earn miles on Virgin Atlantic and LATAM. The redemption opportunity will be implemented during 2023 ahead of the route launch.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Flying to São Paulo, Brazil represents so much more than just a new route. It’s the gateway to South America and signifies exciting new growth for Virgin Atlantic. After our plans to launch a route to São Paulo were scuppered by the pandemic, we’re so excited to be able to finally provide our customers with an opportunity to explore a fantastic new continent that is buzzing with adventure.” 

We don’t know how much reward flights will be, but looking at existing destinations, it should be within 115,000-135,000 return standard season for Upper Class unless they add a new reward category for São Paulo.

Service operates:                 London Heathrow (LHR) – Sao Paulo (GRU) 

Frequency:                            Daily, year-round, launching 13 May 2024 

Flight number:                     VS193 / VS194

Schedule:                              LHR GRU 12:45 – 20:20

                                                   GRU LHR 22:10 – 13:25

Aircraft:                                 Boeing 787-9  

Configuration:                    31 Upper Class, 35 Premium, 192 Economy          

The other announcement was one that TLFL readers had a sneak peak of a few weeks ago. Bengaluru (Bangalore) will become Virgin’s third destination and fourth daily service to India.  Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has increased capacity to India by 250%, the airline’s largest area of growth outside the United States. Launching in Summer 2024, the addition of this new route means the airline will offer 500,000 seats (total) each year between the UK and India, while its growing codeshare with IndiGo, India’s leading airline, which flies to 34 destinations across the country.

Reward flights in Upper Class will cost from 75,000 return.

You can book via virginatlantic.com

Here are the full details of all the new routes:

Melia’s Wonder Week – Up to 40% off

Melia’s big promotion week is on with lots of discounts on hotels. The 40% off hotels are mainly business hotels, but other hotels get at least 25% or more off when you join Melia Rewards. With Melia Rewards, you also get free cancellation. There is also another offer for one child stays for free.

The UK hotels are included in the offer including ME London, Melia Kensington and Melia White House. Other hotels of note include the Melia Alicante, Gran Melia Palacio De Los Duques Madrid and Gran Melia Colon Seville.

You can find the offer page here.