Virgin Atlantic is gearing up for UK domestic flights
from London to regional economic hubs Edinburgh, Aberdeen and
Manchester, but they won't sport business class -- the Airbus A320 jets
are filled from tip to tail with economy seats.
The airline has chosen to lease the four planes needed for its six daily Edinburgh return flights and the three times daily Aberdeen & Manchester services from Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, and those jets come in an all-economy arrangement.
And while the planes and crew will be decked in Virgin Atlantic's British colours and uniforms, you'll also notice an Irish lilt on board, as Aer Lingus is also supplying the crew.
Manchester flights will start on 31 March, with Scotland services starting in April. Tickets will go on sale from 19 December.
"The timings will also give the most attractive offering to passengers travelling direct between London and the UK regions," Virgin Atlantic promises, "with flights spread at key points throughout the day including morning arrivals into Heathrow to give business travellers a full day in the capital and an early morning departure from London to Edinburgh for business visits to the Scottish capital."
That early morning departure will suit Australian passengers arriving on VS201 from Sydney via Hong Kong, which gets in at 0450.
UK flights will run from London Heathrow's Terminal 1 -- quashing hopes of using Virgin's world-class Terminal 3 Clubhouse lounge to freshen up before your onward flight to Europe. Your best bet will be to stop into the Terminal 3 Revivals lounge in T3 before heading on to T1.
Virgin has said that there will be lounge space available in London, Scotland and Manchester for its Flying Club Gold-tier frequent flyers and passengers connecting to and from Upper Class passengers, but this looks like being a contract lounge situation.
The airline has chosen to lease the four planes needed for its six daily Edinburgh return flights and the three times daily Aberdeen & Manchester services from Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, and those jets come in an all-economy arrangement.
And while the planes and crew will be decked in Virgin Atlantic's British colours and uniforms, you'll also notice an Irish lilt on board, as Aer Lingus is also supplying the crew.
Manchester flights will start on 31 March, with Scotland services starting in April. Tickets will go on sale from 19 December.
"The timings will also give the most attractive offering to passengers travelling direct between London and the UK regions," Virgin Atlantic promises, "with flights spread at key points throughout the day including morning arrivals into Heathrow to give business travellers a full day in the capital and an early morning departure from London to Edinburgh for business visits to the Scottish capital."
That early morning departure will suit Australian passengers arriving on VS201 from Sydney via Hong Kong, which gets in at 0450.
UK flights will run from London Heathrow's Terminal 1 -- quashing hopes of using Virgin's world-class Terminal 3 Clubhouse lounge to freshen up before your onward flight to Europe. Your best bet will be to stop into the Terminal 3 Revivals lounge in T3 before heading on to T1.
Virgin has said that there will be lounge space available in London, Scotland and Manchester for its Flying Club Gold-tier frequent flyers and passengers connecting to and from Upper Class passengers, but this looks like being a contract lounge situation.
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