Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) is set to launch A350-1000 operations on September 10, 2019, deploying the first aircraft of the type 6x weekly on its London Heathrow-New York JFK route.

The carrier has already uploaded the A350 flights into its booking system.

Virgin Atlantic has eight A350-1000s on firm order from Airbus, of which the first four are due for delivery by the end of 2019.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, Virgin Atlantic currently flies 6x daily between Heathrow and JFK, using A330-300s and A340-600s on the route. British Airways operates the route 8x daily, American Airlines - 4x daily, and Delta Air Lines - 2x daily.

Separately, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given interim approval for cooperation between Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia (VA, Brisbane International) on flights between Australia and the United Kingdom and Ireland via Hong Kong International, Los Angeles International, and future connecting points.

"We do not think this enhanced cooperation is likely to lessen competition on the routes between Australia and the British Isles," ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.

The ACCC plans to publish the draft final decision in September 2019.