Airlines have had to rethink their route planning due to the pandemic and restrictions on travel. Virgin Atlantic is an example of this. We've seen airlines attempt all sorts of routes.Virgin Atlantics Caribbean expansionVirgin Atlantic announced four new routes. Two of these new routes will be out of a brand new airport. Virgin Atlantic will be launching the following four routes over the next few months:Edinburgh (EDI), Barbados (BGI), 2x weekly, Airbus A330s. Flights launched December 2021Edinburgh (EDI) to Orlando, MCO 2x weekly on Airbus A330s; Flights launched April 2022Manchester (MAN) to Montego Bay, (MBJ), 3x weekly with Airbus A330s. Flights launched November 2021London (LHR), to St. Lucia, (UVF), 3x weekly with Airbus A330s; flight launch December 20,21Virgin Atlantic's new routesThe new flights from Edinburgh, Scotland are what I find most fascinating. Virgin Atlantic used to operate flights from London and Manchester in the past, but now they are launching long-haul flights from a new location.Virgin Atlantic has only 2 weekly flights from Edinburgh this winter, so it is slow to start. My guess is that the Edinburgh flights and the crew will be part of a larger rotation to Barbados.Virgin Atlantics Barbados flights from London and Manchester are operated using A330s. I would guess that both crews and planes will fly something similar to London or Manchester to Barbados or Edinburgh to London or Manchester.This seems to be more efficient than having an aircraft in Edinburgh that only flies twice weekly or having to deadhead crews there.Virgin Atlantics Edinburgh base could last?Virgin Atlantic is rebuilding its route network and there's a clear focus on the Caribbean.Virgin Atlantic's largest market was the United States pre-coronavirus. While vaccinated Americans are now able to travel to the UK with no quarantine, Brits can't travel to the United States.It is still quite rare to find business travel, particularly for long-haul international airlines.Virgin Atlantic understandably is focusing on markets that have a high long-term leisure demand and are not subject to travel restrictions. This is the Caribbean.The addition of the Edinburgh route makes sense. I'm curious to know if Virgin Atlantic's expansion to Edinburgh is temporary, given the lack of other options. Or if this type of service can be sustained. Virgin Atlantic does not have a large fleet so it must work harder to identify the most profitable long-haul routes.Since the beginning, Edinburgh has had service from all three major carriers in the United States. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Virgin Atlantic could also have a larger presence in the United States, but would this be at the cost of too many services in London and Manchester.Virgin Atlantic's only flight to Edinburgh was with its Little Red subsidiary. Virgin Atlantic operated A320s on a few regional routes between 2013 and 2015. This was to supply feed for its long-haul network. Unfortunately, this didn't last for very long.Virgin Atlantic will fly A330s to Edinburgh from its Edinburgh baseBottom lineVirgin Atlantic announced four new routes with a particular focus on the Caribbean. The most fascinating thing about the new service is Virgin Atlantic's decision to operate out of Edinburgh. This is a brand new airport for the airline. It is amazing to see Virgin Atlantic think beyond London and Manchester. We will see how this develops over time.What do you think of Virgin Atlantic's new Edinburgh service.
