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Here is a list of former Virgin Atlantic routes served from London Gatwick & Heathrow airports.
This does not include routes operated from UK regional airports or by other Virgin branded airlines such as Virgin America, Virgin Blue / V Australia / Virgin Australia, Virgin Express or Virgin Nigeria.
UK & Ireland
These routes operated under the brand “Virgin Atlantic Little Red” with Airbus A320 aircraft leased from Aer Lingus:
Aberdeen – Launched April 2013, suspended 26 September 2015
Edinburgh – Launched April 2013, suspended 26 September 2015
Manchester – Launched April 2013, suspended 29 March 2015
Virgin branded aircraft also flew between London City airport and Dublin from January 1994 under a franchise agreement with CityJet.
Europe
Athens – Launched May 1995, suspended after 11 September 2001
Russia
Moscow – Virgin never launched this route, but twice unsuccessfully applied for traffic rights as the 2nd UK carrier after British Airways, losing first to bmi British Midland and then to easyJet.
United States of America
Austin – Launched at Heathrow 25 May 2022; suspended 7 January 2024
Chicago O’Hare – First launched 1 November 1999, suspended after 11 September 2001. Relaunched at Heathrow April 2007, switched to summer seasonal, suspended permanently in 2016
Detroit – Launched at Heathrow June 2015, now operated by codeshare partner Delta
Newark – Virgin’s inaugural route launched under flight number VS1 at Gatwick 22 June 1984 before transferring to Heathrow in 1993, suspended March 2020
Canada
Vancouver – Summer seasonal route at Heathrow launched May 2012, suspended 11 October 2014
Central & South America
Sao Paulo – Planned launch at Heathrow on 29 March 2020 cancelled; planned relaunch in May 2024 postponed indefinitely
Varadero – Launched at Gatwick 2 April 2017, suspended September 2017
The Caribbean
Havana – First launched at Gatwick February 2005. Planned winter seasonal launch on 30 October 2022 cancelled
Kingston – Launched at Gatwick October 2007, suspended March 2012
Nassau – First launched at Gatwick July 1995; Relaunched at Heathrow 20 November 2021, suspended 23 February 2025
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands – Launched 4 November 2023, suspended 21 February 2025
Saint Lucia – Launched 27 September 1998, suspended March 2020. Relaunched as a winter seasonal route from 18 December 2021, suspended 29 March 2025
Tobago – Launched at Gatwick February 2003; suspended 11 January 2023
Africa
Ghana – Launched at Heathrow March 2010, suspended 23 September 2013. Planned return on 1 May 2025 cancelled.
Nairobi – Launched at Heathrow June 2007, suspended November 2012
Port Harcourt – Launched at Gatwick February 2003, suspended 12 January 2006
Indian Ocean
Mauritius – Launched at Heathrow October 2007, suspended circa 2009/2010
Middle East
Riyadh – Launched at Heathrow on 30 March 2025. Last operated 5 March 2026, officially cancelled 30 March 2026
Tel Aviv – Launched 25 September 2019; suspended due to regional conflict & planned resumption from 27 October 2025 officially cancelled on 28 April 2025
Central & South Asia
Islamabad – Launched at Heathrow December 2020, suspended 8 July 2023
Lahore – Launched at Heathrow December 2020, suspended 30 April 2023
Asia Pacific
Hong Kong – Launched at Heathrow February 1994, last operated December 2021, officially suspended October 2022
Shanghai – First launched at Heathrow on 12 July 1999 with Virgin securing traffic rights ahead of British Airways. Flights resumed on 1 May 2023, having not operated since December 2020. The route was suspended 25 October 2024
Tokyo Narita – Originally launched at Gatwick May 1989, transferred to Heathrow July 1991, suspended 31 January 2015
Sydney – Launched at Heathrow December 2004 via Hong Kong, suspended 5 May 2014