Virgin Atlantic's new Heathrow-Toronto route takes off

Virgin Atlantic launched daily direct flights between Heathrow and Toronto this week, the first time in over a decade that it has operated a service to Canada.

 

The daily flights will operate on a Boeing 787-9, with the new route offering onward connections to India, as well as within Canada via an expanded codeshare with WestJet.

 

The airline last flew to Canada between 2012 and 2014 with a service to Vancouver, and before that, to Toronto in 2001, but stopped just months into the operation due to 9/11.

 

Virgin Atlantic expects its new service to carry over 165,000 customers annually, with a “good balance” between leisure and corporate customers, according to chief commercial officer, Juha Jarvinen.

 

He said: “It will be a good split but with the majority being leisure as VFR is so strong. Every fourth Canadian has roots with Britain in some way.”

 

He continued: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be back in Canada. We’ve long wanted to return and this time, we’re here to stay.”

Jarvinen said three key things had changed since Virgin Atlantic last flew to Canada.

 

“Firstly, we have our joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM supporting our bases in Canada and the US. The launch also strengthens the JV, which together operates over 100 flights per week between Europe and seven Canadian gateways, reinforcing transatlantic choice and flexibility for customers,” he said.

 

Jarvinen said the linkage to India was also key.

 

“The new route builds on recent expansion in India to now offer seamless one-stop connections via London Heathrow to key Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, with an average transit time of just 1 hour and 20 minutes.

 

Customers can also connect effortlessly to Johannesburg, Lagos, Tel Aviv, and Beirut via codeshare and interline partnerships,” he said.

 

“Delhi to Canada through Heathrow is one of the largest travel flows and we now connect three cities in India with Canada through London. That gives us year-round business as Indians tend to travel more in the winter, while Brits more in the summer, so that balances it nicely.”

 

Finally, the third change is our partnership with Westjet,” said Jarvinen.

 

“This gives us connections to 13 cities across Canada. We’re both in Terminal 3 at Toronto Pearson International airport and we are the only UK airline with a Canadian partner which gives us great leverage domestically in Canada.”

 

Jarvinen said the route gives Virgin Atlantic “a great new offering for the trade”.

 

“They can build product for this – not just to Toronto but to the major ski destinations, and also Vancouver, which, like Seattle, is another growing cruise embarkation port on the west coast.”

 

Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic and founder of Virgin Group, said: "Canada, we’ve missed you! It’s been more than a decade, but we’re back and here to do it properly. I’m delighted to see Virgin Atlantic’s return to Toronto, a city with so much spirit and energy. With our incredible crew, exceptional service, and a strong network of partners, we can’t wait to welcome customers onboard."

 

Jarvinen added: “Toronto is not only a thriving financial hub, but also a gateway to one of the most vibrant and diverse countries in the world. With our strong transatlantic focus, expanded connectivity to India, and exciting new partnership with WestJet, the timing couldn’t be better.”

 

Fares from the UK start from £391 Economy, £881 Premium, and £1,809 Upper Class.