Virgin Atlantic to resume daily flights to Shanghai, boosting travel opportunities for UK business travellers
Virgin Atlantic is set to restart its highly anticipated flights to Shanghai, renewing vital business and leisure connections between the United Kingdom and China.
The daily service will resume on 1 May, 2023, with fares starting from £432 per person, making it an affordable option for UK business travellers looking to connect with their Chinese counterparts.
This move comes in the wake of relaxed travel restrictions between the two countries, which now allow foreign nationals to enter China for the first time since 23 December 2020.
Shanghai is Virgin Atlantic’s final route to be reinstated following the global pandemic, having been affected by suspensions and closures since 1 February, 2020.
Since the restart announcement earlier this year, there has been a surge in demand for both business and leisure travel in both directions.
China is a crucial trading partner for the UK, and as the country’s largest city, the relaunched route will be an important connector for the UK and China. Shanghai boasts a world-renowned commercial and financial centre with one of the world’s largest cargo hubs. Furthermore, the city offers UK tourists a melting pot of culture, from the futuristic skyline of Pudong district to the traditional pavilions in Yu Gardens.
Virgin Atlantic’s Shanghai flights will operate on a Boeing 787-9, offering a range of experiences across three cabins; Upper Class, Premium, and three classes of Economy – Delight, Classic, and Light. This means that UK business travellers can enjoy a comfortable and affordable journey to China’s most populous city.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic said,
The restart of our services to Shanghai is a major milestone for Virgin Atlantic. Shanghai was the first of our routes to be suspended in 2020 at the start of the global pandemic and the last to return, making it the final piece to restore our flying programme to full capacity.
After such a long hiatus, we’re looking forward to welcoming our customers back to Shanghai and providing vital links to one of the UK’s largest trading partners, for both passenger and cargo services.”
In addition to its direct flights to Shanghai, Virgin Atlantic also offers connections to its new SkyTeam partner, China Eastern, which has a hub in the city. This partnership provides Virgin Atlantic customers with a wide range of connections throughout China and beyond, making it easier for UK business travellers to reach their destination.
Flying Club members will soon have the opportunity to earn and redeem Virgin Points across China Eastern’s flying programme, along with many other SkyTeam partners. This makes it even easier for UK business travellers to earn rewards while travelling for work.
In conclusion, the resumption of Virgin Atlantic’s flights to Shanghai is a welcome development for UK business travellers looking to connect with their Chinese counterparts. With competitive fares, comfortable flights, and access to a wide range of connections, this route is set to become an essential part of any UK business traveller’s itinerary.
Customers travelling to China will need to show proof of a negative PCR test before they enter the country, alongside a health declaration form.
