Virgin Atlantic will resume its direct service from London Heathrow to Chicago from 9 May 2011.  The seasonal service will operate four times per week gradually building up to a daily service from 22 May using an Airbus A340-300.

The service will support increased passenger numbers to the city of Chicago and the Great Lakes of North America region throughout the summer when visitor numbers are expected to soar.  The flight will return to Virgin Atlantic’s schedule for the winter season in October 2011.

Toby McCarrick, Executive Director of the Great Lakes of North America commented:  “This is a welcome addition for the Great Lakes region.  We are pleased to be able to offer UK travellers even more options for travel to this popular leisure destination, famous for the great outdoors and real Americana.”

The Great Lakes of North America is emerging as one of the key US destinations for 2011. US Airtours and Complete North America recently added tours to the area, along with Virgin Holidays.  The Virgin Holidays Great Lakes itinerary, a 12-night flydrive, starts and ends in the city of Chicago with the tour taking you through some of the region’s big cities and small town life, all of which offer a diverse range of attractions from bargain tax-free shopping in Minnesota to island hopping in Michigan to experiencing the freedom of the great outdoors in Wisconsin.