Virgin Atlantic to launch flights to Barbados from Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport is celebrating a major coup this morning with the news that Virgin Atlantic will launch non-stop flights to Barbados from the Scottish capital in December.

And it gets even better for Edinburgh as the airline will follow the launch with the start of direct services to Orlando in March 2022.

The flight to Barbados will be Scotland’s only direct service to the Caribbean and will launch December 5. Flights to Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, will launch on March 30, 2022.

It’s the first time Virgin Atlantic has flown international flights from the Scottish capital in its 37-year history, and the new Caribbean flights will operate twice weekly on an Airbus A330.  The Orlando flights will also be twice weekly, operating on an Airbus A330-200.

The new routes offer travellers from Scotland to chance to holiday in the Caribbean, with seamless onward connections from Barbados to Grenada, St Vincent and Tobago thanks to Virgin Atlantic’s connecting flights, alongside flights with Virgin Atlantic’s interline partner, Caribbean Airlines.

The flights to Orlando will also be a huge draw for families looking to experience the world-famous theme parks, stunning beaches and various sporting events in the city and wider Florida.

Virgin Atlantic’s cargo offering will also be an advantage to firms looking to export goods from Scotland to the Caribbean and the USA.

Edinburgh Airport’s chief executive, Gordon Dewar, enthused: “A premier city like Edinburgh deserves premier airlines and we are extremely excited to welcome our newest partner Virgin Atlantic to Scotland’s capital city.

“To be able to deliver flights to Barbados, Scotland’s only direct route to the Caribbean, and Orlando is a fantastic boost to us as we prepare for the post-Covid recovery, and it is a huge show of confidence in Edinburgh Airport’s ability to deliver for passengers across the country.

“We look forward to the new routes launching and watching passengers head off on the holiday of a lifetime from Edinburgh Airport with Virgin Atlantic.”

While Virgin’s chief commercial officer, Juha Jarvinen, commented: “Commencing international flights from Edinburgh marks an exciting new chapter for Virgin Atlantic and we couldn’t be happier to be flying from a new home in Scotland.”

Scotland’s Minister of Transport, Graeme Dey, said: “It is encouraging to see airlines develop their connectivity to Scotland at this time and I am sure this news will be welcomed by passengers.”

Orlando International Airport’s CEO, Phil Brown, noted: “Safely returning to transatlantic international flights is our continuing goal and today’s announcement by our longtime partner Virgin Atlantic, offering service to Edinburgh, Scotland is a step in that direction.

“From visiting historic castles to world-class golf and seafood Edinburgh offers countless opportunities for business and leisure travel.”