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Virgin Atlantic reduces Orlando services in 2023 schedule change

Virgin Atlantic has made a number of changes to its 2023 schedules, including a reduction in a number of services to Orlando and more capacity added on its Heathrow-JFK route.

The carrier confirmed its Belfast-Orlando service will not run next summer, while its Manchester-Orlando flights will reduce from 12 per week to seven per week during May and June.

Heathrow-Orlando services will also be reduced from 14 to 11 per week during the same period, while Edinburgh-Orlando flights will begin from June 21, rather than April 1.

The cancellation of Virgin’s Tobago route had previously been confirmed, and its Antigua service will be reduced to one tag flight per week between May 11 and October 28.

The airline also confirmed its Manchester-Atlanta service will not run in April and May next year, while London to Shanghai flights will restart on May 1.

Explaining it had “a commitment to fly the routes where our customers most want to travel”, Virgin confirmed it would be adding flights on some routes, including six daily flights from Heathrow to JFK in April, and increased services from the London hub to Miami, rising from seven to 10 services per week, and Austin, up from four to seven per week in May, June and September.

Heathrow to Lahore services will increase to four per week, while Heathrow-Islamabad flights will operate three times a week.

A spokesperson said: “As customer demand continues to return strongly after the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re making adjustments to upcoming flying schedules to support the ramp up of our operation and to reflect changes in customer demand outlook.”

They added: “We have a commitment to fly the routes where our customers most want to travel and [are] responding to continued demand for our US heartland.”

The airline said: “We’d like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and ask customers not to call our contact centre but reassure affected customers that they will be contacted in the coming days with their options.

“Where a flight is cancelled, customers have the choice to request a voucher or full refund. If re-routing is a suitable and available option, we can also rebook customers on alternative services.

“Those who booked via a third party such as a travel agent should contact them directly for their options.”

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