TORONTO — Virgin Atlantic is back in Canada, and while thereʻs a lot of volatility for Canadian travellers right now, the timing might just work in the airlineʻs favour.

Virgin Atlanticʻs new daily flights between Toronto and London Heathrow come at a time when Canadians are more receptive than ever to new travel plans.

For some, Virgin Atlanticʻs stylish and fun flights across the pond – bolstered by connections into Toronto with codeshare partner WestJet – will be just the ticket.

The new route officially launched March 30 but it was yesterdayʻs arrival of Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic and founder of Virgin Group, that really marked the start of something special with the airline at YYZ.

At yesterdayʻs press conference Branson noted with a smile that he “wasnʻt allowed” to talk about tariffs or the trade war. “Iʻll just say, for some reason a lot of Canadians seem to want to go that direction” – across the Atlantic – “instead of the other direction. We’re happy to oblige.”

And of course bookings from the airlineʻs retail travel distribution channel are more than welcome. “We love the travel trade and we’re committed to the travel trade,” said Branson. “We need you and you need us.”

“WEʻRE SO PLEASED TO BE BACK HERE AGAIN”: BRANSON

Industry watchers know this isn’t the first time Virgin Atlantic has come into the Canadian market. From 2012 to 2014 the airline flew out of Vancouver. And before that, in summer 2001, promotions for the airlineʻs brand new flights out of Toronto were well underway. Then 9/11 happened, and that was the end of that.

“We’re so pleased to be back here again,” said Branson. “We’re also delighted to be working with WestJet, another airline that started up, took on the big guys and flourished.”

The expanded codeshare agreement between Virgin Atlantic and WestJet, announced earlier this year and taking effect March 30, provides connections to the UK via Toronto for 13 gateways across Canada.

John Weatherill, EVP and CCO, WestJet, noted that “partnerships are so important these days.”

Both airlines are located at Pearsonʻs Terminal 3. “Our guests can enjoy a smooth journey on one ticket with through baggage check-in across both of our networks, connecting all of Canada with Virgin Atlantic’s global network to London and beyond,” Weatherill added.

Loyalty program benefits across Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and WestJet Rewards are expected to launch later this year.

Virgin Atlantic also also enhanced its partnership with Air France / KLM.

165,000+ PASSENGERS ANNUALLY FOR NEW ROUTE

Virgin Atlanticʻs daily YYZ-LHR flights operate on B787-9s, with 31 Upper Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats and 192 Economy seats. Flight VS149 departs Pearson at 10:20 p.m. and arrives in London at 10:30 a.m. On the return leg, VS148 leaves London at 5:10 p.m., arriving in Toronto at 8:30 p.m.

Roundtrip fares from Toronto start at $1,101 economy, $2,516 Premium and $3,739 Upper Class.

The new route is expected to carry over 165,000 customers annually. Passengers can also take advantage of Virgin Atlantic’s growing transatlantic presence, building on recent expansion in India to now offer seamless one-stop connections via LHR to key Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. Customers can also connect easily to Johannesburg, Lagos, Tel Aviv, and Beirut via codeshare and interline partnerships.

Virgin Atlanticʻs CCO Juha Jarvinen said the airline has been working on its network since during the pandemic. “We’re not just point to point anymore,” he said.

Branson said he wouldnʻt mind expanding operations in Canada as well, potentially with a return to Vancouver. “I would love to see Virgin Atlantic flying to the other side of Canada,” he said. Earlier he noted that Virgin Voyagesʻ fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, will be visiting Vancouver.

“ITʻS THE PEOPLE”: GOULDING

Virgin Atlanticʻs Canada Country Manager, Stephen Goulding, shared with Travelweek what he appreciates most of all when it comes to flying with Virgin Atlantic.

“Number one, absolutely, itʻs the people,” said Goulding. “They’re fun loving and at the same time theyʻre very professional. They really take pride in their jobs, from the desk agents to the crew, everyone. They make you feel like you’re home, like you’re meant to be there.”

VisitBritainʻs Paul Gauger, EVP, The Americas, Australia & New Zealand, feels the same way. “Virgin Atlanticʻs best attribute is their service and the staff,” Gauger told Travelweek. “Theyʻre creative, innovative and dynamic, with a great sense of fun.”

VisitBritain is looking forward to a banner year from Canada in 2025, with a projected 1.1 million visitors from this market, and potentially topping £1 billion in spend.

Asked about Virgin Atlanticʻs new flights, Gauger added: “We’re thrilled with the connectivity and how it further strengthens the ties between Canada and Britain.”