Virgin Atlantic is planning its largest-ever summer programme at Manchester Airport in 2027, with additional transatlantic flying to New York, Atlanta and Orlando alongside the withdrawal of its seasonal Las Vegas service.
The airline will station a fifth aircraft at Manchester during June, July and August. The aircraft will be an Airbus A330-900, referred to by Virgin Atlantic as the A339, configured with 262 seats across Upper Class, Premium and Economy Delight, Classic and Light cabins.
“Busiest-ever summer” — Virgin Atlantic
More New York and Atlanta capacity
The most significant change for regional business travel is the increase on the Manchester–New York John F Kennedy route. Virgin Atlantic plans to raise the service from daily to 10 flights a week from April 2027.
Atlanta will receive both additional frequency and larger aircraft. The route will be operated with an Airbus A350, configured with 355 seats, throughout the summer season from April to October. Frequency will rise from daily to 11 flights a week between 5 June and 15 July 2027.
Orlando will also receive a substantial seasonal increase, reaching 19 flights a week from Manchester during July and August 2027. The changes follow the closure of Aer Lingus’s Manchester operation earlier in 2026, which Virgin Atlantic’s schedule helps to offset for some transatlantic demand from northern England.
| Route | 2027 change | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester–New York JFK | 10 flights a week from April | Not stated |
| Manchester–Atlanta | 11 flights a week from 5 June to 15 July | Airbus A350, 355 seats |
| Manchester–Orlando | 19 flights a week in July and August | Not stated |
| Manchester–Las Vegas | Seasonal service suspended for summer 2027 | Not stated |
Las Vegas service will not return
Virgin Atlantic’s seasonal Manchester–Las Vegas route will not operate in summer 2027. Customers who have already booked flights on the service will be contacted by the airline or their travel agent to discuss their options.
- Passengers can choose a full refund or alternative flights.
- Las Vegas remains available via connections at New York JFK or Atlanta with joint-venture partner Delta Air Lines.
- Virgin Atlantic also operates a direct Las Vegas service from London Heathrow.
The withdrawal removes a direct option for passengers in northern England, although the airline is retaining access to the destination through its wider partnership network and from Heathrow. The Manchester programme otherwise represents a net increase in scheduled capacity, with the additional aircraft supporting higher frequencies during the peak summer period.
