Virgin Atlantic resumed flights between Manchester and Las Vegas on Sunday after the route was paused during the pandemic.
The service complements the airline’s existing daily connection to Las Vegas from Heathrow.
The route builds on established services to Orlando, New York, and Atlanta from Manchester in addition to winter seasonal flights to Barbados.
It is also the only US west coast flight available from the northwest and is operating three times a week during the summer on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Virgin Atlantic is deploying a three-cabin Airbus A350-1000 on the route with return economy flights starting at £856 per person.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays senior vice president Dom Kennedy said: “We’re thrilled to be re-introducing our Manchester to Las Vegas service and its incredible to be here today with all customers as they fly off for a trip of a lifetime.
“This new route is the only US West Coast flight available from the northwest and perfectly complements our existing flying from Manchester to New York, Orlando, Atlanta, and Barbados.”
Manchester airport chief executive Chris Woodroofe added: “We’re proud to serve the North with an ever-growing route network of more than 200 destinations. Adding Las Vegas with Virgin Atlantic to that list is really exciting.
“It also makes Manchester the only English airport outside London to offer direct flights to America’s west coast, opening up a host of travel opportunities including the bright lights and nightlife of Las Vegas itself, the spectacular scenery of National Parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon as well the Pacific coast, the fascinating cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles and much, much more.”
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president and chief executive Steve Hill said: “By providing a convenient, non-stop option for visitors originating from northwest England, this new flight will increase access to Las Vegas for UK visitors and will complement the airline’s existing daily service from London Heathrow.
“The UK is our number one source of overseas visitation, and we are thrilled to welcome this new route to our city.”