After a five-year hiatus American airline, Virgin Atlantic announced it would be re-launching a direct, daily flight from Cape Town to London.
According to reports the airline’s chief commercial officer, Juha Jarvinen confirmed the direct flight saying that the service would start from October 25, 2020, while a statement on Virgin Atlantic’s website said the new Cape Town to London route would complement the airline’s existing daily flights between London and Johannesburg.
The flight (an Airbus A350 ) will operate as a night flight, departing from Heathrow at 4.20 pm, arriving in Cape Town at 5.55 am and the inbound flight will depart at 8 am, landing later that day at 6 pm according to Virgin Atlantic’s website.
Well, everyone deserves a choice. So you’ve persuaded us. We’re coming back to Cape Town! *Blows vuvuzela* Flights start on 25th October 2020 and you can book your seat from 18th February: https://t.co/OXmAGfWGH5 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/vcRsqTVGLs
— Virgin Atlantic (@VirginAtlantic) February 12, 2020
“2020 is an extremely exciting year of continued growth for Virgin Atlantic,” said chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen in their statement. “We’re delighted to be flying to Cape Town again, and we’re expecting a high proportion of leisure travellers on this route, taking advantage of the winter sun, the safaris and of course, the world-famous wine region.”
Related | Direct flight between Cape Town and New York boosts tourism ahead of its launch this December
Virgin Atlantic ceased their past direct London/Cape Town flights – which it operated for two years – back in April 2015, stating it wanted to “focus on key markets in the UK and US”. Return economy fares for the new route start at roughly R14 000 and bookings will be open from February 18 2020.
Virgin Atlantic’s announcement comes shortly after the launch of United Airlines’ direct flight between Cape Town and New York which became operational in December last year – read more about that right here.
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