Short-haul airline easyJet and long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic have announced a partnership whereby customers can connect between their flights at Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast.
The ‘Worldwide by easyJet’ agreement will open up more connectivity between easyJet’s destinations in Europe and the wider UK and Virgin’s in the US.
Connecting destinations include Jersey to New York and Belfast to Barbados (more below).
Some connections will be available on a daily basis from summer 2022, such as Belfast to Orlando via either Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast.
Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming easyJet customers onboard Virgin Atlantic flights from Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast.
“We know there is huge pent-up demand for people wanting to get away on holiday whether to the Caribbean for a relaxing sunny break or Stateside to explore their favourite cities. Thanks to this new partnership with Worldwide by easyJet, customers from across the UK and Europe can now seamlessly connect onto Virgin Atlantic destinations including New York, Barbados, and Orlando.”
Sophie Dekkers, chief commercial officer, at easyJet, added: “At easyJet we’re committed to making travel as easy as possible as well as providing great value and more choice for our customers when they travel. We are delighted to be working with Virgin Atlantic to open up even more opportunity for customers to connect across our European network onto North America, through our innovative Worldwide by easyJet platform.
“We look forward to taking customers on their long-awaited holidays and are confident that these additions to our Worldwide service will prove popular with those looking for a seamless way to connect between Europe and North America.
“We have been delighted with the appetite of partner airlines to expand Worldwide across our network, thanks to our reputation for great value fares, unrivalled customer service and our strong positions at Europe’s leading airports. We remain focussed on offering our unique connections service at more of our biggest airports.”
Karen Smart, managing director at Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see easyJet and Virgin Atlantic announce their Worldwide partnership here at Manchester Airport.
“Once launched it will open up even more choice and flexibility for passengers looking to access our long-haul route network. With a host of airport safety measures in place since the start of the pandemic, the security of all our passengers and staff continues to be our number one priority, as we connect people across the globe.”
Graham Keddie, managing director at Belfast International, added: “Providing passengers with flexibility and choice is a key part of the VINCI Airports strategy. Belfast International Airport positively welcomes this new partnership between easyJet and Virgin Atlantic as it will connect more people to more destinations.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh airport said: “Making safe travel easier is something we are hugely supportive of and this new Worldwide partnership will allow passengers to easily access a range of long-haul destinations, opening doors to countries across the world.
“Aviation will play an important role in the economic recovery of Scotland and the UK and working with easyJet and Virgin Atlantic, we want to excite people about the possibilities and benefits that sustainable travel brings.”
Example connections include:
Belfast to Barbados Return (based on departing December 18, returning January 3)
easyJet departs Belfast 08:10 arrive Manchester 09:15
Virgin Atlantic departs Manchester 11:45 arrive Barbados 16:55
Virgin Atlantic departs Barbados 19:45 arrive Manchester 08:15+1
easyJet departs Manchester 12:10 arrive Belfast 13:10
Belfast to OrlandoReturn (based on departing July 29 and returning August 11)
easyJet departs Belfast 08:15 arrives Manchester 09:15
Virgin Atlantic departs Manchester 11:20 arrives Orlando 16:15
Virgin Atlantic departs Orlando 16:10 arrives Manchester 05:20+1
easyJet departs Manchester 08:40 arrives Belfast 09:40
Geneva to New York Return (based on departing December 19 and returning December 27)
easyJet departs Geneva 09:50 arrives Manchester 10:45
Virgin Atlantic departs Manchester 13:55 arrives New York JFK 17:00
Virgin Atlantic departs New York JFK 20:00 arrives Manchester 07:45+1
easyJet departs Manchester 10:55 arrives Prague 13:45
Jersey to New York Return (based on departing July 7 and returning July 17)
easyJet departs Jersey 09:20 arrives Manchester 10:40
Virgin Atlantic departs Manchester 13:05 arrives New York JFK 16:10
Virgin Atlantic departs New York JFK 18:40 arrives Manchester 06:25+1
easyJet departs Manchester 11:15 arrives Jersey 12:35
Malaga to Orlando Return (based on departing August 5 and returning August 21)
easyJet departs Malaga 06:40 arrives Manchester 08:45
Virgin Atlantic departs Manchester 11:20 arrives Orlando 16:15
Virgin Atlantic departs Orlando 18:15 arrives Manchester 07:25+1
easyJet departs Manchester 09:25 arrives Malaga 13:30
Birmingham to Orlando Return (based on departing June 25 and returning July 10)
easyJet departs Birmingham at 07:50 arrives Manchester 09:05
Virgin Atlantic departs Edinburgh 11:20 for Orlando 16:15
Virgin Atlantic departs Orlando 18:45 arrives Manchester 07:30+1
easyJet departs Belfast at 09:30 arrives Birmingham 10:35