Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced that it will increase its services to Las Vegas by 50% with the addition of a fifth weekly service from 4 July 2005 and a sixth weekly service from 9 September 2005.  The airline has also announced that the revolutionary Upper Class Suite will now be available onboard all flights to Las Vegas.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic said: “We are delighted to announce that from September Virgin Atlantic will be adding around 50,000 extra seats per year to Las Vegas.  Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to offer direct scheduled services to this exciting destination in 2000 and since then we have carried nearly half a million passengers to the destination.

“All Upper Class passengers travelling to Las Vegas will now enjoy the Upper Class Suite on all flights.  The Suite provides our passengers with the most comfortable seat for sitting and the most comfortable bed for sleeping as well as a private onboard bar.  So if any passengers strike it lucky in the gambling capital they can upgrade to Upper Class Suite on the way home!

“In the same year that Virgin Atlantic is celebrating its 21st birthday, we would like to wish many happy returns to Las Vegas which reaches its 100th birthday this May!”

Virgin Atlantic currently offers four weekly services to Las Vegas.  Flights depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10.45 arriving into Las Vegas at 13.30.  Return flights depart from Las Vegas at 16.05 arriving into London Gatwick the next morning at 09.55.  The new flights will operate at the same times on Mondays and Fridays.

Virgin Atlantic’s Gatwick based Boeing 747-400s which operate the route to Las Vegas are configured with 14 Upper Class, 58 Premium Economy and 379 Economy seats.  Virgin Atlantic has expanded the number of seats in this cabin from 38 to 58 to meet demand from leisure passengers.  Premium Economy offers passengers a more comfortable and spacious seat along with a range of other services including a separate Check In, priority luggage and pre-flight champagne.

All passengers travelling to Las Vegas have a variety of check in options available to them.  These include Twilight Check In - which allows passengers to check in the day before departure, Online Check In - which allows passengers to check in up to 24 hours before departure online and from May 2005 DIY check in kiosks will be available at Gatwick Airport offering passengers a fast and efficient self service method of checking in for their flight.
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