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Last week, I wrote about Aer Lingus pulling the plug on its long-haul operations from Manchester Airport (MAN). One of the routes that was dropped connected the English city with Orlando International Airport (MCO). Virgin Atlantic is stepping in and increasing its flights to the home of Walt Disney World.
The airline will increase capacity on its Manchester Airport (MAN) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) route by 12% during peak days in summer 2026 through the addition of extra flights. Virgin Atlantic’s expansion does not stop with the summer schedule. In Winter 2026, capacity on the Orlando route will rise by a further 17% as flights are upgauged to the airline’s Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The larger plane will deliver more seats, enhanced onboard comfort, and improved efficiency. Additional capacity increases from Manchester are already being planned for Summer 2027, which signals continued growth at the airport.
The expansion comes as Virgin Atlantic celebrates 30 years of flying from Manchester Airport (MAN), which it proudly refers to as its home in the North. Virgin launched operations there in May 1996 with flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and has steadily grown its presence ever since. Today, Virgin Atlantic operates services from Manchester to four US destinations: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Virgin also operates a seasonal winter service to Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI).
These routes support both leisure and business travel while strengthening global connectivity for passengers. With Delta Air Lines, passengers can connect onward to destinations across the United States and beyond.
Virgin Atlantic is also welcoming a number of former Aer Lingus pilots into its operation. At the same time, the airline is working closely with Aer Lingus to support customers affected by cancelled services, including protecting passengers onto Virgin Atlantic flights where possible.
Anthony’s Take: Virgin Atlantic wasted no time in increasing capacity on one of the routes that Aer Lingus just dropped (with planned increases on another). Hopefully, labor will work out better for Virgin.
(Image Credits: Virgin Atlantic.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
