Virgin Atlantic Is Back To Canada With A New Direct Services

Virgin Atlantic began operating daily direct flights between London Heathrow and Toronto Pearson International Airport at the beginning of this year.

The Boeing 787-9 will be used for the daily flights, and the new route will provide easy connections to India and Canada through an expanded codeshare with WestJet.

After visiting Toronto in 2001 and Vancouver from 2012 to 2014, the airline’s most recent flight to Canada was more than ten years ago.

To commemorate Virgin Atlantic’s return to Canada, founder Sir Richard Branson himself landed in Toronto, establishing a brand-new direct service between Toronto Pearson International Airport and London Heathrow.

The airline will launch its first Canadian service since 2014, connecting London with Toronto, Canada’s financial and cultural center. The new daily service, which will use a Boeing 787-9, is expected to carry up to 20 tons of cargo for high-tech and e-commerce goods and more than 165,000 passengers annually.

With an average transit time of just one hour and twenty minutes, Virgin Atlantic’s return bolsters its expanding transatlantic presence by building on its recent development in India to now offer smooth one-stop connections via London Heathrow to important Indian destinations including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

Through codeshare and interline relationships, customers can also easily connect to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Johannesburg, and Lagos.
As part of a larger codeshare agreement with WestJet, the new service will also provide more connections within Canada.

Virgin Atlantic’s 2025 Plans For Expansion And New Services

Customers will be able to connect through Toronto to 13 destinations across Canada, including Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Ottawa, thanks to the two airlines’ convenient co-location at Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport. Later this year, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and WestJet Rewards are anticipated to launch their loyalty programs.

Additionally, the launch enhances Virgin Atlantic’s joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, which together run more than 100 weekly flights between Europe and seven ports in Canada, giving consumers more transatlantic options and flexibility.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic and Founder of Virgin Group said:

“Canada, we’ve missed you! It’s been more than a decade, but we’re back and here to do it properly. I’m delighted to see Virgin Atlantic’s return to Toronto, a city with so much spirit and energy. With our incredible crew, exceptional service, and a strong network of partners, we can’t wait to welcome customers onboard.”