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Virgin Atlantic to start daily flights from UK to São Paulo, Brazil and Bengaluru

10 Interesting things you didn't know about Virgin Airline.
  • Airline enters South America by launching new daily service to São Paulo, Brazil
  • India expansion continues with new route to Bengaluru, India (Bangalore)
  • Premium sun offering bolstered by return of Manchester to Las Vegas and Heathrow to Dubai, in addition to new routes to the Maldives and Turks & Caicos
  • New inter-island flying in the Caribbean reaffirms airline’s commitment to the region, offering locals and holidaymakers island hopping
  • Arrival of state-of-the-art new aircraft continues, in parallel with the recruitment of 350 additional award-winning cabin crew

Today, Virgin Atlantic announced the opening of thrilling new routes with all-new planes on three continents. With more than 250,000 total additional seats* across Virgin Atlantic’s network, compared to 2019, customers are expected to benefit from network growth as the airline takes advantage of the ongoing demand for international travel.

By adding a brand-new daily flight from London Heathrow to So Paulo, Brazil, the airline will expand its network of international routes. One of the world’s most populated cities, Sao Paulo, is home to numerous international corporations, giving corporate clients and business visitors the chance to fly in the Virgin Atlantic fashion.

Three new A380 destinations, three continents, one day(Opens in a new browser tab)

Signalling expansion in the country, Bengaluru (Bangalore) will become the airline’s third destination and fourth daily service to India.  Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has increased capacity to India by 250%, the airline’s largest area of growth outside the United States. Launching in Summer 2024, the addition of this new route means the airline will offer 500,000 seats (total) each year between the UK and India, while its growing codeshare with IndiGo, India’s leading airline, flies to 34 destinations across the country. 

Providing customer connectivity remains a focus, working with a range of world class partners.  Alongside expanded joint venture partners Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM, the airline joined SkyTeam alliance in March 2023, meaning customers benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000 global destinations in over 170 countries, with a further codeshare announcement with Korean Air since launch.

Virgin Atlantic Fined for Operating Flights in Prohibited Airspace(Opens in a new browser tab)

By the end of 2024, the airline will have received its full order of 12 Airbus A350s, as well as the arrival of a further four A330neos.  To support the operation, 350 additional cabin crew will be recruited to join the airline’s award-winning frontline team in delivering its renowned customer service.

Flights from London Heathrow to São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport will operate daily on the airline’s flagship Boeing 787-9, from 13 May 2024.  Flights are set to be on sale from August, with fares starting from £655.  Flights to Bengaluru will operate on Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from 31 March 2024, boasting 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats, as well as the airline’s signature Upper-Class social space. 

RouteAircraftOn SaleLaunch DateFrequency
LHR-DXB-LHRBoeing 787-907 June 202328 October 2023X4 weekly,October 2023- March 2024
MAN-LAS-MANBoeing 787-9July 20232 June 2024X3 Summer 
LHR-BLR-LHRBoeing 787-914 June 202331 March 2024Daily – year round 
LHR-GRU-LHRBoeing 787-9August 202313 May 2024Daily – year round 
LHR-MLE-LHRBoeing 787-9On sale now22 October 2023X3 weekly, October 2023- March 2024
LHR-PLS-LHRBoeing 787-9On sale now4 November 2023X2 weekly, year round
BGI-SVD-BGIAirbusA330-300On sale now14 June 2023X2 Summer 2023/ X3 Winter 2023 
BGI-GND-BGIAirbusA330-300On sale now14 June 2023X2 Summer 2023/ X3 Winter 2023 

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

Top 10 Best Airlines in the World by AirHelp Survey

This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

  1. Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
    • Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
    • A tiered compensation system is being considered:
      • $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
      • $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
      • $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
    • The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
  2. Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
    • Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
    • Rebooking options may include:
      • Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
      • Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
  3. Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
    • Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
    • Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.

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