Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic (VS) guide with airline codes, Heathrow and Manchester hubs, Cancún flights, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in, Flying Club and lounges.
- Aircraft
- 43
- Destinations
- 30
- Hubs
- LHR, MAN
- Alliance
- SkyTeam
Landing with Virgin Atlantic?
Pick your arrival airport. Fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is a British long-haul airline founded by Richard Branson, which made its first flight in June 1984. It is headquartered at The VHQ in Crawley, West Sussex, and its holding company is owned 51% by Virgin Group and 49% by Delta Air Lines. Virgin Atlantic joined the SkyTeam alliance in March 2023 and runs a transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM.
Its main hub is London Heathrow, where it uses Terminal 3, and its second UK hub is Manchester. From these airports it flies to the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, India, Africa and Asia, about 30 destinations including seasonal routes. Its leisure routes include Cancún in winter and the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica, Grenada and St. Vincent.
The all-widebody fleet of about 43 aircraft is made up of Airbus A350-1000s, Airbus A330-900neos, Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A330-300s that are being retired.
Schedules, aircraft assignments, terminals and fare rules can change. Confirm operational details directly with Virgin Atlantic before travel.
Where Virgin Atlantic flies
Routes and frequencies change with the season. Some flights sold with a VS flight number are operated by Delta or other partner airlines; check the "operated by" line when you book.
Mexico
Nonstop flights between London Heathrow and Cancún three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 18 October 2026 to 11 April 2027.
Caribbean
Flights from London Heathrow to Barbados, Antigua and Montego Bay, and to Grenada and St. Vincent, with short inter-island flights linking Barbados with Grenada and St. Vincent. Manchester has a winter route to Barbados.
United States and Canada
Flights from London Heathrow to New York JFK, Boston, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto, and from Manchester to New York JFK, Atlanta and Orlando.
India, Africa and Asia
Flights from London Heathrow to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lagos, and to Seoul Incheon, plus a seasonal winter route to Phuket from 18 October 2026.
Virgin Atlantic fleet
The figure of about 43 aircraft is Virgin Atlantic's all-widebody fleet. Airbus A330-900neos are joining the fleet to replace the A330-300s. The aircraft shown at booking is not guaranteed until departure.
Airbus A350-1000
Used on high-demand routes such as New York JFK, Orlando, Atlanta and Los Angeles, in two layouts with different numbers of Upper Class seats.
Airbus A330-900neo
Virgin Atlantic's newest aircraft type, used on transatlantic and leisure routes, with Upper Class, Premium and Economy cabins.
Boeing 787-9
Flies routes across the network, including the United States, India, Africa and Asia.
Airbus A330-300
Older aircraft that are being retired and replaced by the A330-900neo.
Virgin Atlantic cabin classes
Cabins depend on the aircraft and route. Check the seat map and fare conditions before you buy.
Upper Class
Virgin Atlantic's business-class cabin, with lie-flat seats on every aircraft type.
Premium
A separate cabin between Upper Class and Economy, with wider seats, more legroom and a larger checked-baggage allowance than Economy.
Economy
The standard cabin, sold in several fare types with different baggage, seat-selection and change conditions. The lowest fare type, Economy Light, does not include a checked bag.
Practical information
BaggageCabin bags, checked bags, missing luggage
Virgin Atlantic baggage allowances depend on the cabin, fare type, route and Flying Club status.
The number of cabin bags and their size and weight limits depend on fare and cabin. Upper Class passengers can bring more cabin baggage than Economy passengers. Check the limits in your booking and on virginatlantic.com.
Checked bags are included on most fares but not on Economy Light. Premium and Upper Class include a larger allowance. Allowances depend on fare and route.
Sports equipment, pets, oversized items and medical equipment follow separate rules. Check the official Virgin Atlantic baggage page before you fly.
Check-in and boardingSteps before departure
Online check-in on virginatlantic.com or the Virgin Atlantic app opens 24 hours before departure and closes 70 minutes before departure. Airport check-in and bag drop normally close 60 minutes before departure, and Virgin Atlantic recommends arriving at least 3 hours before your flight. Inter-island flights in the Caribbean do not offer online check-in.
Confirm the operating airline, airport and terminal.
Review passport, visa and entry requirements for your destination, including electronic travel authorizations where they apply.
Check in online or in the app as soon as it opens.
Download the mobile boarding pass or print it.
Allow time for bag drop and security. Boarding starts about 60 minutes before departure, and you should be at the gate no later than 35 minutes before departure.
Lounges
Virgin Atlantic operates Clubhouse lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 3 and at selected airports in its network, and the Revivals arrivals lounge at Heathrow. Access depends on cabin, Flying Club or SkyTeam status, and the itinerary. Check the location and opening hours before you travel.
Loyalty program
Flying Club is Virgin Atlantic's loyalty program. Members collect Virgin Points on Virgin Atlantic, Delta, SkyTeam and other partner flights and with partner businesses, and use them for reward flights and upgrades. Status tiers are Red, Silver and Gold, earned with Tier Points; Silver and Gold members get SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus recognition. Program rules change, so check your account for the conditions that apply to your trip.
Flight status and customer serviceOfficial sources
For current operational information, use Virgin Atlantic's official services:
virginatlantic.com for booking, check-in, trip management and flight status
Available for iOS and Android, with mobile boarding passes and flight notifications
Virgin Atlantic airports
Virgin Atlantic flies from two UK hubs. Most of its routes start at London Heathrow, so check the departure airport on your ticket before you book a transfer. It also flies a seasonal summer route between Edinburgh and Orlando.
Virgin Atlantic's main hub and the base for most of its network to North America, the Caribbean, Mexico, India, Africa and Asia. Virgin Atlantic uses Terminal 3 at Heathrow, where it also has its Clubhouse lounge.
Book a transfer →Airport detailsVirgin Atlantic's hub in northern England, with flights from Terminal 2 to New York JFK, Atlanta and Orlando, a summer route to Las Vegas and a winter route to Barbados.
Book a transfer →Airport detailsAirport transportation for Virgin Atlantic passengers
Public transport, authorized taxis, shared shuttles or a pre-booked private transfer. Arriving long-haul or with a lot of luggage is the case for booking ahead: fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.
Airport Transportation is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic FAQs
What are Virgin Atlantic's airline codes?
Virgin Atlantic's IATA code is VS, its ICAO code is VIR, and its callsign is VIRGIN.
What is Virgin Atlantic's main hub?
London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Manchester Airport (MAN) is its second UK hub.
Which terminal does Virgin Atlantic use at Heathrow?
Virgin Atlantic uses Terminal 3 at London Heathrow. At Manchester it uses Terminal 2. Confirm the details on your boarding pass before travel.
Is Virgin Atlantic part of SkyTeam?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023. It also runs a transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.
What is Virgin Atlantic's frequent-flyer program?
Flying Club, which uses Virgin Points.
Does Virgin Atlantic fly to Cancún?
Yes, in winter. Virgin Atlantic flies nonstop between London Heathrow and Cancún three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 18 October 2026 to 11 April 2027. Check virginatlantic.com for the current schedule.
Does Virgin Atlantic fly to Barbados?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic flies to Barbados from London Heathrow, and from Manchester in winter. From Barbados it also operates short inter-island flights to Grenada and St. Vincent.
Does Virgin Atlantic fly to Orlando?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic flies to Orlando (MCO) from London Heathrow and Manchester, and in summer from Edinburgh.
Does Virgin Atlantic fly to New York?
Yes. Virgin Atlantic flies to New York JFK from London Heathrow and Manchester. At JFK it uses Terminal 4.
When does Virgin Atlantic online check-in open?
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 70 minutes before departure. Airport check-in desks and bag drop normally close 60 minutes before departure.
Is Airport Transportation affiliated with Virgin Atlantic?
No. Airport Transportation is an independent transportation-booking platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Virgin Atlantic.
Information reviewed in October 2026. Airline schedules, fleet figures, baggage rules and passenger services are subject to change.