Virgin Atlantic Airways is delighted to announce a launch date of 27 March 2006 for its new Dubai service.  The direct flight between Heathrow and Dubai will operate four days a week from 27 March 2006, increasing to five days a week from 1 May and daily from 1 June.  Flights to Dubai will depart from Heathrow at 20.10, arriving into Dubai International Airport at 06.20 the following morning.  Return flights depart Dubai at 15:00, arriving into Heathrow at 19.30 the same day.

The service will be operated by an Airbus A340 and will be fitted with Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning Upper Class Suite.  The Upper Class Suite consists of a reclining leather seat for take off, a place to sit and eat a proper meal opposite your partner, the longest fully flat bed in the world with a proper mattress for sleeping on, a private onboard bar to drink at with your friends and a private massage area.

The Virgin Atlantic Upper Class experience also includes limo service to and from the airport, Drive Thru Check In, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse including Business Centre and Virgin Touch Salon, the restaurant style inflight Freedom menu and a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system all at a price thousands of pounds less than BA’s First Class. 

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said:

“I am delighted that Virgin Atlantic is now able to offer flights to Dubai and with our award-winning Upper Class Suite on board we will revolutionise business travel on this route.  Everyone at Virgin Atlantic has long wished for us to operate to the Middle East and today’s announcement is a dream come true. 

“Just like Virgin Atlantic, Dubai is committed to growth and we want to help it happen.  It is the perfect holiday destination with all the key ingredients of sun, sea and sand guaranteed!  It already offers some of the most stunning new hotels in the world and even more amazing hotels, leisure resorts and amenities are currently being built.”

Fares to Dubai are now on sale and start from £375.60.  Promotional fares to Dubai will be available later in the year.

In addition to this route, Virgin Atlantic recently announced that it is due to launch a new route to Montego Bay, Jamaica in July next year, which will bring the airline’s total number of destinations to twenty-eight.
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