Virgin Atlantic launches flights to Dubai

Virgin Atlantic has launched flights between London Heathrow and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The direct flights between Heathrow and Dubai will operate four times a week, and will increase to five a week from 1 May and daily from 1 June.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented, “I am delighted Virgin Atlantic has finally arrived in Dubai, Virgin Atlantic’s first destination in the Middle East. This new service underpins our strong commitment to the business traveller. We are delighted to be extending choice between the two cities and can’t wait to introduce daily services from 1 June. Dubai is the second largest long haul route out of London and we are confident that we can make big in-roads into this market targeting 10% market share in our first year of operation.

“I have visited Dubai many times in recent years and I’ve been so impressed with its commitment to further development and its innovative approach. Not only has Dubai successfully established itself as the key travel hub of the region but also as a major business centre and popular holiday destination in its own right and its popularity continues to grow.”

Services to Dubai (flight VS400) depart from Heathrow on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 21:00 arriving in Dubai International Airport at 07:10 the following morning. Return flights to Heathrow (flight VS401) depart Dubai on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 14:35 and arrive into Heathrow at 19:10. From 1 May an additional weekly service will be added on Sundays from Heathrow returning from Dubai on Mondays. From 1 June daily services will commence.

Flights will be operated on Airbus A340-600 and A340-300 aircraft fitted with the Upper Class Suite. Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Suite, consists of a reclining leather seat for take off, a place to sit and eat a meal opposite a partner, one of the longest fully flat beds in the world with a proper mattress for sleeping on, a private onboard bar to drink at, a private massage zone and four limousines per return trip. The Upper Class experience also includes Drive Thru Check In, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, the restaurant style inflight Freedom menu and a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system.

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