Virgin Atlantic to Resume Service to China

After the pandemic began in 2020, Virgin Atlantic will resume service to China with the first flights to Shanghai.

On 1st May, the airline will resume running daily Heathrow-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights, with tickets beginning at £699.

After being shut down for a total of 859 days at the time of its reintroduction, Shanghai is the airline’s last route to be reinstated.

The action comes after China’s severe travel restrictions were loosened.

China Eastern, the airline’s new SkyTeam alliance member, has a hub in Shanghai and provides connectivity to all parts of the nation.

Travelers to China are not required to present proof of immunization, but they must submit a health declaration form and proof of a negative PCR test in order to enter the country. Passengers entering the UK from China must submit to a negative lateral flow or PCR test.

The return to China completes the network of international routes offered by Virgin Atlantic, which also includes routes to the US, Caribbean, South Africa, India, and Pakistan.

This summer, a Tel Aviv service is expected to treble its daily capacity.

Later this year, new services to Turks & Caicos and the Maldives will begin.

Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer, said: “The return of our Shanghai services has been a long-time coming and I’m delighted it’s finally a reality. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our customers back on board and providing vital links to one of the UK’s largest trading partners, for both passenger and cargo services.

“Shanghai is the final route to return following the global pandemic, restoring our flying programme to full capacity.

“Our focus for 2023 is on delivery, as we look forward to launching routes to new destinations, welcoming brand new clean, green aircraft and getting back to our best for our customers and people.”