This has me very excited because I grew up in the area.

Virgin Atlantic plans London to Tampa route

Airlines have to file in advance for the routes they want to operate at London Heathrow Airport. According to the initial coordination report for the winter season, Virgin Atlantic is launching a new flight between London Heathrow and Tampa.

Business class, premium economy, and economy would be offered on the flight using a 258 seat Boeing 787-9. Around five months of service would be the number of frequencies in one direction.

According to London Heathrow’s Initial Coordination Report, Virgin Atlantic is expected to launch a new route to Tampa, Florida (TPA) this winter.

Flights are planned to operate on average 7x weekly (294 ATMs) using its 258-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. pic.twitter.com/BTUPlYGUtP

— Ishrion Aviation (@IshrionA) June 22, 2022

What is certain about this route launching?

  • The fact that Virgin Atlantic filed for this route in the winter schedule suggests the airline is at least seriously considering operating this
  • While I don’t think it’s a sure bet this will happen, I’d say odds of this launching are well over 50%, especially since it kind of fits into the big picture of passenger demand

We will just have to wait. It will be announced soon so that flights can be sold.

Virgin Atlantic could launch Tampa flights this winter

My take on Virgin Atlantic adding Tampa flights

I traveled a lot out of the airport when I was a kid. I like to see growth at the airport.

Back in the day, British Airways was the only long haul airline at the airport. British Airways doesn't operate many short haul routes out of the airport so it's not ideal for people looking to connect outside the UK.

There has been international growth in the area. There have been some long haul services, like a flight from Panama to Panama City.

I think it's logical for Virgin Atlantic to add service toTampa.

  • Virgin Atlantic is in a transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Delta, so this would give that joint venture direct transatlantic service to Tampa; Delta started Tampa to Amsterdam flights before the pandemic, but those haven’t returned yet
  • Florida has nice weather in winter, and Brits sure do love warm weather
  • British Airways has done really well with its London service, and Norwegian even planned London to Tampa flights, but then ended up terminating all long haul routes

I think there is a good chance that this will happen.

Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 business class

Bottom line

It remains to be seen if this flight will become a reality, but Virgin Atlantic has filed to start a flight between London and Tampa this winter. We have to wait to see if the airline will announce this flight. British Airways is the only airline that flies between the two cities.

What do you think about Virgin Atlantic's new flights? Is it possible that it will happen?

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Virgin AtlanticLondon HeathrowTampaInitial Coordination Report
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