Manchester Airport marks a year of direct flights to Las Vegas

The ‘Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World’ became the first city in the American West to get a direct flight to Manchester last June, and since its launch, more than 36,000 passengers have traveled on over 130 flights between Manchester and Vegas.

The route has also offered a boost for exporters in the North of the UK looking to sell into the US, with nearly 110 tonnes of commercial cargo having traveled between the two cities.

Visitors to Las Vegas are attracted by its glitz and glamour, but also its prime location for visiting world-renowned sites in the West of the US, including the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Sequoia National Park.

And those planning a Vegas getaway in the coming months have plenty to look forward to in the world of sport and entertainment, as the destination lays on a packed programme this summer following the city’s 120th birthday last month.

*Music stars including Bruno Mars, Janet Jackson, Pitbull, Shania Twain, and Lionel Richie are performing residencies at venues across the city throughout the summer.

*In boxing, Canelo Alvarez takes on Terence Crawford at the Allegiant Stadium on 12th September, and UFC 317 is also scheduled to take place in the city later this month at the T-Mobile Arena.

*In motor racing, the South Point 400 takes place in early October, followed by the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 20th – 22nd November.

*The NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders kick off their season in early September, with tickets now available for their first home game against the Los Angeles Chargers on the evening of 15th September.

Las Vegas Raiders are one of the best supported American Football teams in the UK and attending a game at the Allegiant Stadium will be something you will never forget, The atmosphere is electric and unlike the Premier League both sets of fans can be seen together.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:

“We’re proud to connect people in the North with the places they want to travel to, and few destinations capture the imagination in quite the way Las Vegas does. It offers a dazzling array of things to see and do, and that is why it has proven so popular with our passengers in the first year of Virgin Atlantic’s new service.

“Manchester Airport also fulfills an important role as an economic enabler for businesses in the North of the UK, and the Las Vegas service offers them direct access into the West of the US, allowing them to establish partnerships that will grow and develop in the years to come.

“Passengers traveling to Vegas also have the benefit of using our new-look Terminal 2, as we move towards the completion of our 10-year, £1.3bn transformation programme – which will allow us to offer a world-class passenger experience to those traveling on this route, now and in the years ahead.”

Steve Hill, CEO and President of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said:

“Our Manchester flight strengthens Las Vegas’ position as a premier global destination by providing expanded access from our largest overseas market, satisfying demand for convenient and direct travel options.

“Over the past year, this service has proven to be a vital link between Vegas and Northern England, opening the door for thousands of UK visitors to experience our unmatched entertainment, world-class sporting events, and unique natural landscapes. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with Virgin Atlantic and Manchester Airport and look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.”

Virgin Atlantic flies direct between Manchester and Las Vegas seasonally with good value return fares, including complimentary food, drink, and inflight entertainment. Flights run three times per week on Virgin Atlantic’s newest aircraft – the Airbus A350-1000. For further information, visit http://www.virginatlantic.com or call 0344 8747 747.