Virgin Atlantic continues US expansion with new Tampa service

[Tiggers Friend]

From today's TravelMole. I wish they'd do this from Manchester as well.

Virgin Atlantic continues US expansion with new Tampa service

Virgin Atlantic is boosting its transatlantic operations with a new direct Florida route

It will serve Tampa from London Heathrow, launching 3 November 2022.

The new year-round service will initially fly four times a week before increasing to daily from 28 November

It complements the airline’s up to four daily flights to Orlando and double daily flying to Miami.

Offering more than 190,000 seats each year, Virgin Atlantic will be the only airline to directly connect the Tampa Bay region with London’s hub airport.

Tampa has a catchment area of five million throughout the Tampa Bay and St Pete and Clearwater area.

Virgin Atlantic Holidays will boost its portfolio throughout the region offering a range of hotels and fly drive packages.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic said: “We are delighted to continue our expansion in the US offering even more choice for customers on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“Florida is very much a firm favourite for our customers ever since our first flight to Miami back in 1986.”

During 2022, the airline will take delivery of three A330neo aircraft, with up to 13 further aircraft to follow until 2026.

[Catlady]

I was just reading about this, as we would spend time on the West Coast this might be useful for us.

[Simon Veness]

Very good to see, and definitely another shot in the arm for Florida in general. As TF says, it would be nice to see more service from Manchester, though. The north of Britain remains seriously under-served at a time when Heathrow and Gatwick are pretty much at capacity.

[Tiggers Friend]

Out of Manchester have two flights VS75 and VS73, although VS73 is not daily. I'd be happy to see one or two of those flight head to Tampa rather than Orlando.

[Simon Veness]

It may happen, TF. Tampa is currently pursuing a very aggressive, and positive, marketing campaign to make itself more appealing, and they are already seeing a big increase in their tourist traffic. If it continues, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was a second VA flight from the UK, and Manchester would be the obvious contender.

[Tiggers Friend]

On another forum there are many people who stay in villas on the 27 or to the south of WDW who say Tampa is a much better option as transit through the airport is quicker and the drive north on I4 can be quicker.

[Simon Veness]

Good point, TF. As long as you don't hit rush hour leaving Tampa along I-4, it could be a sensible alternative.

[spencem]

We nearly booked Tampa flights with BA for our trip this year, but in the end Orlando came out a few pounds cheaper and Heathrow is easier for us than Gatwick, where BA's Tampa flights go from.