Virgin Atlantic is increasing capacity on its Manchester–Orlando route following Aer Lingus’ decision to withdraw its long-haul services from the airport.
The airline will offer 12 per cent more seats on the Orlando route during the summer peak, with additional capacity going on sale from 3 February. In total, Virgin Atlantic is adding 43 extra return flights between 18 July and 29 August.
It will also lift winter capacity by 17 per cent by upgrading aircraft on the route from an A330-300 to a larger Airbus A350-1000. Further increases are planned for summer 2027, the airline said.
Aer Lingus is set to end its direct Manchester–Orlando and Manchester–Barbados services on 31 March, while its Manchester–New York route will cease earlier, on 23 February.
Virgin Atlantic said it is taking on “a number” of Aer Lingus pilots and is working closely with the Irish carrier to support affected customers, including rebooking passengers onto Virgin flights where possible.
Dave Geer, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said the move underlined the airline’s long-term commitment to the North of England.
“Manchester has been our home in the North for 30 years and we’re in it for the long haul,” he said. “Increasing capacity on our Orlando services is a clear signal of that commitment, ensuring customers can continue to travel across the Atlantic from their local airport.
“We’re also proud to be welcoming experienced Aer Lingus pilots into Virgin Atlantic and to be supporting customers impacted by their changes. Manchester matters to us, and we’ll continue to invest in the region as demand grows.”
The capacity boost positions Virgin Atlantic as the sole operator on the Manchester–Orlando route following Aer Lingus’ withdrawal, strengthening the airport’s transatlantic offering during the busy summer travel period.