Updated Schedule - Winter 2020 / Summer 2021

(source: Routesonline.com)

Winter 2020 (Effective 25 Oct 2020)

London Heathrow – Antigua – Grenada eff 02NOV20 2 weekly A330-300 as VS173/174, replacing Gatwick A330-200 VS101/102
London Heathrow – Antigua – Tobago eff 28OCT20 2 weekly A330-300 as VS171/172, replacing Gatwick A330-200 VS195/196
London Heathrow – Atlanta eff 25OCT20 A350-1000XWB replaces A330-300, 1 daily
London Heathrow – Bridgetown eff 28OCT20 1 daily A330-300 as VS131/132, replacing Gatwick 747-400/A330-200 VS029/030
London Heathrow – Cape Town eff 25OCT20 Planned service resumption, 3 weekly 787-9 unchanged
London Heathrow – Delhi eff 25OCT20 VS300/301 A330-300 replaces 787-9 (2 daily operated by A330-300)
London Heathrow – Montego Bay eff 25OCT20 3 weekly A330-300 as VS165/166, replacing Gatwick 747-400 VS065/066
London Heathrow – Orlando eff 25OCT20 1 daily A330-300, replacing Gatwick VS091 LHR1050 – 1525MCO 333 D. / VS092 MCO1920 – 0820+1LHR 333 D
London Heathrow – Tel Aviv eff 25OCT20 787-9 replaces A330-300, 1 daily

Manchester – Atlanta eff 26OCT20 A330-300 replaces 747-400, 3 weekly
Manchester – Bridgetown eff 29OCT20 A330-200 replaces A330/747-400, 3 weekly
Manchester – Delhi Planned new 3 weekly A330-200 service from 26OCT20 cancelled
Manchester – New York JFK eff 25OCT20 1 daily A330-200 replaces 6 weekly 747-400 and 1 weekly A330-200
Manchester – Orlando eff 25OCT20 A330-300 replaces 747-400, 1 daily


Summer 2021 (Effective 28 Mar 21)

Belfast – Orlando eff 28MAR21 A330-300 replaces 747-400, 1 weekly

Glasgow – Orlando eff 31MAR21 A330-300 replaces 747-400, 2 weekly

London Heathrow – Atlanta eff 28MAR21 787-9 replaces A350 in W20, 1 daily
London Heathrow – Boston eff 28MAR21 2 daily A330-300, replacing 1 daily each A330 and 787-9
London Heathrow – Cape Town Northern winter seasonal service operates until 24APR21 (from LHR), 3 weekly 787-9
London Heathrow – Delhi eff 28MAR21 787-9 replaces A330-300, 2 daily
London Heathrow – Miami eff 28MAR21 787-9 replaces A330-300 in S20, 1 daily
London Heathrow – Mumbai eff 28MAR21 787-9 replaces A330-300, 1 daily
London Heathrow – Orlando eff 28MAR21 1 of 7 weekly (Day 1) operated by A330-200, replaces 787-9 (Reduced from previously listed 2 daily 747-400 from Gatwick)
London Heathrow – San Francisco eff 28MAR21 VS041/042 A350-1000XWB replaces 787-9 (Overall 1 daily each 787 and A350)
London Heathrow – Tel Aviv eff 28MAR21 Increase from 1 to 2 daily, 787-9 operating (The 787-9 replaces A330-300 from 25OCT20) VS453 LHR0845 – 1550TLV 789 D / VS457 LHR2230 – 0535+1TLV 789 D / VS458 TLV0720 – 1100LHR 789 D / VS454 TLV1720 – 2100LHR 789 D

Manchester – Bridgetown eff 29MAR21 Increase from 3 weekly in S20 to 4 weekly, A330-200 operating
Manchester – Delhi Planned 3 weekly service cancelled (This route will not be offered as planned from late-October 2020)
Manchester – Las Vegas Seasonal 6 weekly service cancelled
Manchester – Los Angeles eff 28MAR21 A330-300 replaces A330-200 in S20, 3 weekly
Manchester – New York JFK eff 28MAR21 A330-300 replaces -200, 1 daily
Manchester – Orlando eff 28MAR21 12 weekly A330-200/-300 replaces 747-400/A330-300 in S20

Assume the lack of a Manchester - Atlanta is an oversight?

[mitchja]

Assume the lack of a Manchester - Atlanta is an oversight?

I would guess so as MAN>ALT is on sale right up to mid-April 2021 (as far forward as you can currently book) and it's showing as being an A333 as per the winter schedule.

Nice to get the A333 back on that route as well, shame JFK get's the A332 though!

Assume the lack of a Manchester - Atlanta is an oversight?

I would guess so as MAN>ALT is on sale right up to mid-April 2021 (as far forward as you can currently book) and it's showing as being an A333 as per the winter schedule.

Nice to get the A333 back on that route as well, shame JFK get's the A332 though!

Yeah - I’d have thought the A333 would be more likely to operate MAN-JFK than the others, but I suppose after 2022 it is almost certainly going to be either the A333 or the A339neo.

Caveat is survival, but hopefully by 2022/23 MAN will be back at the centre of VS’s growth plans.

Not happy. not only have we lost the 747 from man/mco but we have landed all the 330/200 no 787 and no chance of a 350 thanks virgin. I could have put up with 330/300 as a substitute but really.

I wouldn’t be too sure long term as the 350s are still in leisure config and presumably will still end up on the very busy MCOs!

I think 6 of the A35K’s have been deferred - for how long I don’t know but I suspect these are the ones planned for leisure configuration. Whether The deferral changes to cancellation, or if they are delivered the configuration (especially if VS cannot grow at LGW or LHR) or how long they are deferred for I don’t know.

What isn’t known is whether the full 14 apparently “firm” orders for A339neo will be delivered, and if so when they are delivered.

For me, the A339neo is pretty much the perfect aircraft for VS at MAN - it covers the existing network well with decent frequency, and it would likely cover any potential future routes (if VS makes it through this) also. You might think a few A35Ks would be helpful for capacity on MCO, JFK, ATL (before this week I’d say LAS but now not so sure) but this can wait.

It looks like the first flight returning to Orlando this year, will hopefully be the 25th October out of Heathrow or Manchester, so no tourists this summer for the sunshine state.

David

It looks like the first flight returning to Orlando this year, will hopefully be the 25th October out of Heathrow or Manchester, so no tourists this summer for the sunshine state.

David

I’m still seeing flights for early October on sale from Gatwick to Orlando - obviously these won’t fly, but I wonder if VS just haven’t moved these schedules over to Heathrow yet, vs cancelling all flights up to 25th October! That would seem extreme if the skies do open up over the next few months...

It looks like the first flight returning to Orlando this year, will hopefully be the 25th October out of Heathrow or Manchester, so no tourists this summer for the sunshine state.

David

I’m still seeing flights for early October on sale from Gatwick to Orlando - obviously these won’t fly, but I wonder if VS just haven’t moved these schedules over to Heathrow yet, vs cancelling all flights up to 25th October! That would seem extreme if the skies do open up over the next few months...

The dates I’m due to fly MAN-MCO and back in September are off sale, but when I bring up my booking on the VS app it’s still showing as 747-operated which, as we know, isn’t going to be the case.

I’ve been here before with VS taking my flights off from booking before being reinstated, but given the current climate should I be worried? Or is this perhaps down to forward bookings already filling an A330?

Nonetheless, I will be on to VS once the aircraft allocation is updated. I paid extra to fly in the bubble on the return in Economy and I won’t be a happy bunny if I’m just given any old Economy seat.

All that said, in the current climate and trying to work out where this is going, I believe the chances of my trip going ahead as planned in September is around 30%

So I have been moved from June 10 to next year ok but my invoice now has extra charges fuel etc £500 more now. This was not told me by the guy who said same reservation number new dates changed. only when I printed my email invoice did I notice this. ??? should I be charged extra. Also told all 332 from Manchester until new aircraft arrive.

[mitchja]

So I have been moved from June 10 to next year ok but my invoice now has extra charges fuel etc £500 more now. This was not told me by the guy who said same reservation number new dates changed. only when I printed my email invoice did I notice this. ??? should I be charged extra. Also told all 332 from Manchester until new aircraft arrive.

This sounds like a Virgin Holidays booking, if so then they have a similar cravat to making changes as VS do in that your new booking is subject to any fare difference.

From the V Hols website:

We won't charge for changes to your holiday
We understand that you may wish to change your holiday plans and we appreciate the need for flexibility.

If your holiday is due to start before 30 September or has been affected by flight schedule changes, you can postpone your holiday to any date up until 31 December 2021, and even choose a different destination. We won’t charge you to make these changes, but your new holiday will be subject to availability and potential fare differences.

VS has a similar policy.

I’m booked to fly man-mco mid October and it was confirmed to me that they are still working on changes to aircraft but in a backwards orders. I was assured of travel is allowed my mid October flight will go ahead. Has something been published saying no flights to Florida before october 25th?

I’m booked to fly man-mco mid October and it was confirmed to me that they are still working on changes to aircraft but in a backwards orders. I was assured of travel is allowed my mid October flight will go ahead. Has something been published saying no flights to Florida before october 25th?

No nothing has been published... just speculation by others I think - glad VS have confirmed they will be flying and it’s just a case of scheduling catching up!

The current US travel restrictions are due to be reviewed tomorrow by the White House, some of the US press are reporting Trump will announce an indefinite extension to travel restrictions but I think we should wait to see.

The current US travel restrictions are due to be reviewed tomorrow by the White House, some of the US press are reporting Trump will announce an indefinite extension to travel restrictions but I think we should wait to see.

OMG , I hope not. 2 days ago he was saying they need to open up and get the economy going, and nothing generates cash like tourism does. Back to nail biting I think. This is the THIRD time I’ve booked this trip, I was hoping it was third times the charm .

Thanks for this updated schedule.

Sorry if already covered in another thread. But just wondering, our flights are still showing as the old flight numbers and going from Gatwick and on the old aircraft. Any idea when this will catch-up? Quite a difference in desired seat selection between the two aircraft!

And yes, I know there are several possible reasons why the flights wont happen anyway, but got to remain positive.

Thanks for this updated schedule.

Sorry if already covered in another thread. But just wondering, our flights are still showing as the old flight numbers and going from Gatwick and on the old aircraft. Any idea when this will catch-up? Quite a difference in desired seat selection between the two aircraft!

And yes, I know there are several possible reasons why the flights wont happen anyway, but got to remain positive.

Flights from March 2021 to October 25th 2020 from Manchester have been changed and they are working backwards. I was told to expect to see the change in the next 2 weeks. With regards to Glasgow, it’s being worked on separately in the background and You should hopefully know in the few weeks also . The other aircraft are a lot smaller and some have complained they can’t select new seats as flights are full. I paid for leg room seats in the bubble so it will be interesting to see what I get as my 747 flight was half full and the flights that have been changed are a a330-300.

[mitchja]

According to the VS website, anyone who paid for seats on the 744 upper deck will be refunded.

(from the 'Optimising our network and fleet to become greener and more efficient' section):

You’ll be able to see any changes and choose your seats in My booking as normal, or assign seats when check in opens 24 hours before departure. If you have paid for a seat in our 747 upper deck, you will be refunded

I was given an option of a refund for my £178 or keep it as credit for similar seats when aircraft is changed. I chose to keep the credit for now as if I get crap ones I can’t move due to flight being full, I can get just request it then instead. I’ll see how it plays out. They are now saying all Gatwick passengers will be notified by end of May x

I’m booked to fly man-mco mid October and it was confirmed to me that they are still working on changes to aircraft but in a backwards orders. I was assured of travel is allowed my mid October flight will go ahead. Has something been published saying no flights to Florida before october 25th?

Not that I'm aware of, but my flights for late-September are currently off sale. Whether it's linked to that or they're still finalising new aircraft allocations/schedules in light of the 747's leaving I don't know.

Just saw your other post about VS working backwards. I will look out for changes in due course.

According to the VS website, anyone who paid for seats on the 744 upper deck will be refunded.

(from the 'Optimising our network and fleet to become greener and more efficient' section):

You’ll be able to see any changes and choose your seats in My booking as normal, or assign seats when check in opens 24 hours before departure. If you have paid for a seat in our 747 upper deck, you will be refunded

Thanks James. I will follow up with them when they confirm the new aircraft allocation.

OMG , I hope not. 2 days ago he was saying they need to open up and get the economy going, and nothing generates cash like tourism does. Back to nail biting I think. This is the THIRD time I’ve booked this trip, I was hoping it was third times the charm .

Doesn't the FCO guidance supersede whatever US restrictions there are? My understanding is that even if the US or other countries were 'open' if the FCO guidance is against travel then travel insurance may become void?

The FCO isn’t banning you from flying to the US. It’s strongly advising against it, which affects the validity of most travel insurance, but if you’re brave/reckless enough to ignore it the FCO isn’t stopping you.

Trump, however, is.

Be aware when Trump talks about opening up the US to encourage tourism he is talking about Americans visiting America for now.

Indeed. It seems unlikely to me that a man who’ll base his campaign to be re-elected in six months on how he saved America from the ‘foreign virus’ will suddenly fling open the doors and welcome all those nasty diseased foreigners.

But hey, he’s completely unpredictable and a bit of schmoozing from his great friend Boris and a reminder that Florida, the ultimate swing state, depends largely on tourism may suddenly change everything overnight.