Virgin Atlantic Celebrates 30 Years at Manchester Airport

Virgin Atlantic is celebrating a major milestone for its home in the North, as the airline marks thirty years of flying from Manchester Airport this week.

Since Sir Richard Branson launched operations from Manchester on 17^th May 1996 with services to Orlando, the Northern base has remained a key part of Virgin Atlantic’s UK network and to mark the occasion, the airline is excited to welcome a new A330-neo aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft, named Champagne Supernova after the iconic Oasis track, is set to carry the registration G-VMAN in a nod to the airline’s longstanding connection to the region.

To celebrate the milestone, Virgin Atlantic will also host a customer activation at Manchester Airport on Monday 18th May, inviting travellers to join in the celebrations with a dedicated photo opportunity, signature treats and a themed gift giveaway.

Over the past three decades, Virgin Atlantic’s presence in Manchester has supported connectivity across the North, offering business and leisure customers the convenience of direct long-haul travel from Manchester alongside seamless onward connections through its joint venture partner Delta Air Lines and other SkyTeam partners.

The airline now offers a strong portfolio of long-haul routes connecting the region to popular destinations across North America and the Caribbean, with flights to Orlando, Atlanta, New York and Las Vegas – the only direct West Coast flight from the North of England – alongside a seasonal winter service to Barbados.

Customers looking to recreate Virgin Atlantic’s first route from Manchester can fly to Orlando from £540 per person, with package holidays from £779 per person. Fares to Las Vegas, the most recent addition to Virgin Atlantic’s Manchester network, start from £645 per person, with holidays from £910 per person, while those seeking winter sun can travel to Barbados from £847 per person, with holidays available from £1349 per person.

The anniversary comes at a time of continued growth and investment in Virgin Atlantic’s Manchester operation, as the airline boosts its Manchester to Orlando capacity this summer with additional flights. The carrier also plans to increase capacity for Winter 2026 by upgauging Orlando services to its A350-1000 aircraft, with further increases expected to follow for Summer 2027.

Dave Geer, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: 

“For three decades, Manchester has been our home in the North, connecting customers throughout the North of England to destinations across the US and beyond. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re building for the future – continuing to grow our presence, giving customers more choice and strengthening the connections that matter most.”

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

“We’re proud to connect the people of the North to the world, with a route network unrivalled in the UK outside London, but we wouldn’t be able to achieve that without partners like Virgin Atlantic. We’re delighted to join them in celebrating their long-term commitment to our region as they mark 30 years of flying from Manchester, and we are excited about what’s to come in the years ahead. Our £1.3bn, decade-long investment in Terminal 2 is almost complete, providing passengers with a genuinely world-class experience but also laying the foundations for future growth.”

Looking ahead, Virgin Atlantic is pleased to announce a partnership with The Executive, a brand-new premium lounge in Manchester T2 opening in July 2026. Offering Upper Class customers and Flying Club Gold members access to an elevated pre-flight experience, the new partnership reinforces the airline’s enduring presence in Manchester, from its airport operation to Virgin Atlantic Holidays retail locations across the city.