Virgin Atlantic has announced two new direct services for UK holiday makers next summer; between Belfast and Orlando and Glasgow and Las Vegas.

The airline is expanding its existing Orlando and Las Vegas services to help meet high demand to two of its flagship leisure destinations for customers based in Northern Ireland and Scotland - and will be the only scheduled airline to fly these routes.

This is the first time Virgin Atlantic has launched a route from Belfast International Airport or operated out of Northern Ireland.

A popular seasonal service exists from Glasgow to Orlando but this will be the first time Richard Branson’s airline will fly directly from Scotland to Las Vegas.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Craig Kreeger: “I am delighted we are able to offer customers in Northern Ireland and Scotland the opportunity to travel on Virgin Atlantic to two of our most popular leisure destinations next summer.

“It’s incredibly important to us to offer customers from all across the UK access to our long haul network during peak travel periods – and now even more people can enjoy the Virgin Atlantic renowned customer experience as they travel on their holidays.”

Both of these routes will form part of Virgin Atlantic’s Joint Venture with Delta Air Lines, with the US carrier offering the service for sale under the codeshare agreement.

Customers will be able to use Delta’s services out of each airport to connect onwards in the US, such as from Orlando to Dallas, Texas and from Las Vegas to Seattle.

A Boeing 747-400 aircraft will operate these seasonal services on a weekly basis, flying on Thursdays.

The aircraft flying to both US destinations will be configured with 14 Upper Class seats, 66 Premium Economy seats and 375 seats in Economy.

The Belfast to Orlando route will operate in June and July, commencing June 25th 2015. 

Virgin Atlantic offers nearly 40 return flights a week across its network to Florida and the airline’s first service from Northern Ireland will add an additional 3,600 seats to and from the Sunshine State over the season.

Seats will be going on sale this week through Virgin Holidays and through Virgin Atlantic from the July 25th.

Virgin Atlantic flies daily between London Gatwick and Las Vegas and twice a week between Manchester and Las Vegas.

These flights from Glasgow will add an additional 3,600 seats to and from the world’s entertainment capital over the peak season.

The service will operate in September and October, commencing September 10th 2015.

Seats will be going on sale through Virgin Holidays this week and through the airline direct from mid-October.