Pack your bags — a popular airline is coming back to Canada for the first time in more than a decade, bringing lots of inflight perks and amenities with it.
British airline Virgin Atlantic has announced it will be restarting flights from Toronto after a long absence, and travellers can look forward to luxe flights with complimentary offerings and unique amenities.
According to a press release shared with Narcity, Virgin Atlantic's first route to Canada in over 10 years will start next summer, with the airline launching direct flights between London Heathrow Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport.
The flights will begin on March 30, 2025, and will operate on a mix of aircraft, including Virgin's A330-900neo. Flights will operate overnight from Toronto to London and in the evening from London to Toronto.
The route will "complement the existing services between Canada and Europe with the airline’s joint venture partners Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM," said Virgin Atlantic.
The new flights will also provide travellers with more access to Virgin’s international network, with connections to destinations in India, Israel, and more via London Heathrow Airport.
What to expect on board
Virgin Atlantic offers three classes of airfare; economy, premium, and upper class.
In economy, travellers can choose from Economy Light, Classic and Delight, allowing travellers to go with the basics or opt for extra baggage and legroom for their flight.
Whichever they choose, economy travellers can enjoy free meals, drinks and snacks, in-seat power for their devices, and over 300 hours of TV and movies.
All economy seats also come with a free carry-on bag.
Premium, the second-highest class, comes with extras like larger seats, more legroom (with a seat pitch of up to 38 inches), two checked bags, premium check-in and priority boarding and a glass of bubbly when you board.
Premium travellers can also enjoy a Wander Wall, an area full of sweet and savoury treats available on select aircraft, and will be given a Premium amenity kit on night flights.
Upper Class, the airline's highest-class cabin, makes travel even more luxurious, with extra large seats, a fully flat bed, luxury four-course fine dining with pre-order options, and access to Virgin Atlantic lounges, in addition to other perks.
Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class seats. Virgin Atlantic
Travellers flying in this class can also enjoy Virgin's unique "social spaces" during their flight, which include an onboard bar and "the Loft," a lounge in the sky.
How much are Virgin Atlantic flights from Toronto?
According to the airline, roundtrip economy fares from Toronto to London start at $1,101 per person, while premium fares start at $2,516 per person and Upper Class fares start at $3,739 per person.
Flights will be on sale starting June 19, 2024.
Virgin Airlines also announced a partnership with WestJet that's slated to take off in October, which the airline says will allow Canadian customers to "travel seamlessly throughout the region including flights from Ottawa (YOW) and Winnipeg (YWG)."
Bon voyage!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.