Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) has announced plans to reorient its route network in line with that of 49% shareholder, Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson), so as to provide a stronger competitor to other transatlantic alliances.
"The intended changes will enable Virgin Atlantic to better utilise its fleet by flying routes which deliver maximum profit or strategic importance, whilst matching customer desire to travel to other global destinations," a statement said.
Among the routes that it intends to terminate in order to free up more aircraft for more transatlantic flights are: Cape Town International (April 27, 2015), Mumbai International (February 1, 2015), Tokyo Narita (February 1, 2015) and Vancouver International (October 11, 2014).
In return, with greater capacity available, Virgin will augment its North American services as follows: A new daily service from London Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth; additional daily services from London Heathrow to New York JFK; Los Angeles International; Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson; San Francisco (only in summer); Miami International (only in winter).
As previously announced, a transfer of operations with joint venture partner Delta Air Lines will see Virgin Atlantic operating a daily service between Manchester International and Atlanta while Delta will fly one of Virgin Atlantic’s existing London Heathrow to New York Newark services.
In addition, Delta Air Lines will launch a new daily service between Manchester and New York JFK in Summer 2015.
