AUSTIN, Texas –  Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is delighted to welcome the newest international carrier to Austin. Virgin Atlantic will launch new nonstop service between Austin and London Heathrow. This will be the airline’s first new route from the US since 2015.  

The four times a week service will launch on May 25th, 2022 and will operate on the airline’s 787-9 aircraft boasting 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats.

"This is an exciting opportunity and an important milestone for our airport and community," said Gina Fiandaca, Assistant City Manager over the SD23 Mobility Outcome. "Virgin Atlantic launching in Austin means Austinites will have even more ways to explore the world."
 
The new service will connect the growing tech hub of Austin direct to London, which is not only one of the financial capitals of the world but a leading destination for tech start-ups. For those customers traveling for leisure, Heathrow is just a 15 minute train journey from the city center, perfect for visiting attractions such as Buckingham Palace, the Shard and the Tower of London. Customers traveling to London Heathrow will also have the option to smoothly connect onto Virgin Atlantic’s rest of world destinations through Terminal 3 including Delhi, Mumbai and Shanghai.

“We are thrilled to welcome Virgin Atlantic to Austin and Central Texas," said Jacqueline Yaft, AUS Chief Executive Officer. "This exciting new partnership helps meet our goals of continued recovery from the impacts of the pandemic and furthers our commitment to being the Gateway of Central Texas for both leisure and business travelers alike.”

Austin is a key focus for Virgin Atlantic and its expanded joint venture partners, with Delta Air Lines offering connections from Austin to 10 US cities, Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Detroit, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Raleigh Durham, JFK. KLM also looks forward to launching three times weekly services from Austin to Amsterdam on March 28, 2022, offering even more choice for customers on both sides of the Atlantic to connect between the US and Europe. 
 
As well as flying customers, Virgin Atlantic will offer 20 tons of cargo capacity on each flight. This fast cargo service will offer new opportunities for companies looking to export and import goods such as high-tech products and e-commerce between prime markets in the UK and US.

 “We are incredibly excited to launch this new service between Austin and London Heathrow," said Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic. "With an impressive food, arts and music scene, we know it’s a destination our British customers will love to explore."
 
“The US has been our heartland for more than 37 years since our first flight to New York City in 1984. Since US borders opened to UK travelers on November 8, it feels extra special to be launching new flying, especially to the fantastic city of Austin.
 
“There are so many synergies between Virgin Atlantic and the city of Austin. We love their philosophy and desire to celebrate local brands, businesses and communities and we cannot wait to welcome customers, both existing and new onboard, flying them safely to explore this fabulously quirky city.”
 
Flights, which will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday,  are on sale starting Wednesday, January 12th at www.virginatlantic.com with return Economy fares starting from $708 per person. Flight number VS232 will depart Austin at 6:05 p.m. and arrive in London at 9:00 a.m. for a next-day arrival, with return flights departing London at 11:35 a.m. and arriving in Austin at 4:05 p.m. All times are local.

Originally posted on austintexas.gov/airport.