Virgin Atlantic: COVID-19 Operational Update – 20 Jan 2022

We’re continually reviewing our flying schedules, including Barbados services from our home in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport. This winter, changing travel restrictions and arrival testing requirements set by the UK and Scottish governments led to subdued bookings on the route. Following careful review, we’ve taken the difficult decision to shorten the existing Edinburgh – Barbados schedule, with the last flight of this winter season now departing to Barbados on 16 February and inbound to Edinburgh on 22 February.

Edinburgh is an important new gateway for Virgin Atlantic and we’re fully committed to serving our Scottish customers and this much-loved Caribbean destination, which we know has long-term viability as Scotland’s only direct route to the Caribbean, offering an idyllic winter sun destination. That’s why we’re excited to confirm that Barbados services will continue next winter, from 12 December 2022, and as planned, twice-weekly Orlando services will commence from 30 March 2022.

We know our customers love travelling to Barbados, and sincerely apologise for any disappointment caused to those due to travel on services from mid-February up until 23 April 2022, which will unfortunately be cancelled.

If re-routing is a suitable option, customers can be rebooked on alternative Barbados services from Manchester or London Heathrow.

After careful review of our London Heathrow – Hong Kong schedule, we have taken the difficult decision to extend the temporary suspension of all passenger services until 14 February 2022, as we work with authorities to overcome current operational challenges on this route. We hope to reinstate this service as soon as practicable, providing vital connectivity between the UK and Hong Kong for customers and global supply chains. We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

Everything you need to know to assist our customers with date changes and refunds, including our flexibility policy can be found here

Tobago Relaunch
We are continuing to expand our portfolio of flights to the Caribbean and will be relaunching our twice weekly services to Tobago. From 29th January, the route will resume from London Heathrow, departing every Tuesday and Saturday. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard our Airbus A330-300 to Tobago soon. 

Where we are reducing frequencies on some routes to ensure impacted passengers can continue with their travel plans, they will be reprotected to the most suitable alternative departure. Where a flight is cancelled, due limited operations to these destinations, there will be no reprotection option available, these sectors will appear as UN.

Bookings affected by these changes will be updated in your GDS on Saturday 22 January 2022.