Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) is planning to launch its first South American route, to São Paulo Guarulhos, on March 29, 2020, Routes Online has reported.

The British carrier plans to operate the route from London Heathrow daily using B787-9 equipment. The launch of the service is still subject to governmental approvals.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, the current UK-Brazil network includes flights from Heathrow to São Paulo operated by LATAM Airlines Brasil (JJ, São Paulo Congonhas) and British Airways (BA, London Heathrow) (each daily with a B777-300(ER)) and to Rio de Janeiro International operated by British Airways (daily with a B787-8), as well as Norwegian UK (London Gatwick) services from London Gatwick to Rio de Janeiro (4x weekly with a B787-9).

For its part, Virgin Atlantic's transatlantic network is currently limited to routes to North America and the Caribbean. The airline serves seven Caribbean and US destinations from Gatwick, ten US destinations from Heathrow, seven from Manchester International, and one (Orlando International) from Glasgow International.