Virgin launches new daily flight to Washington

Virgin Atlantic is launching a second daily service to Washington Dulles International Airport, which will operate from 20 April to 25 October 2008. The new seasonal service will complement the airline’s existing daily Washington flight by offering passengers more choice and flexibility whether they are travelling to the Capital on business or taking advantage of the favourable dollar exchange rate in Washington’s hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.

The introduction of this second daily service follows the success of the seasonal service that operated during summer 2007. The airline first launched its daily service from London Heathrow Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport in June 1996 and since then Virgihas carried over two million passengers on the route.

Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, said;

“Virgin Atlantic is pleased to announce this additional service offering our passengers more choice and flexibility to Washington this summer. DC is much more than the home of the US government, it is a very colourful city, offering great hotels, restaurants and shopping for those travelling on business or leisure.

“This new service gives Virgin Atlantic passengers the best possible choice in flight times. They can choose the existing morning departure from Heathrow to Washington, or wait until the late afternoon to leave London. On the return, the late evening departure from Washington will suit the those who wish to have dinner in the Capital before heading back on an overnight flight to London.”

The new flight will be operated by an Airbus A340 aircraft. All Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A340s are fitted with the award-winning Upper Class Suite – the longest bed in business class. Upper Class passengers can also take advantage of the new Upper Class Wing at Heathrow’s Terminal 3, which offers a private security corridor allowing them to get through to the airline’s flagship Clubhouse within minutes of arriving at the airport.

All flights between Heathrow and Washington have Virgin Atlantic’s new Premium Economy cabin onboard, which has a wider seat – the largest in its class. The seat, which is currently being rolled out across the fleet, combines a 38” seat pitch with a width of 21”, which is wider than BA Clubworld and around 3” wider than other airlines’ Premium Economy products.

The new flight VS055 will depart from London Heathrow at 17.30 and arrive in at Washington Dulles Airport at 20.55 and the VS056 will return from Washington Dulles International at 23.10 and arrive London Heathrow at 11.35 the following day.

The existing flight VS021 departs London Heathrow at 11.30 arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport at 14.40 and VS022 returns from Washington Dulles International Airport at 18.40 arriving into London Heathrow at 07.05 the following day.

For further information visit Virginatlantic.com.