Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is one of three new destinations announced by Virgin Atlantic for next summer. To enhance connectivity, Virgin Atlantic also is partnering up with the soon-to-launch Riyadh Air.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is one of three new destinations announced by Virgin Atlantic for next summer. To enhance connectivity, Virgin Atlantic also is partnering up with the soon-to-launch Riyadh Air.
For the first time, Virgin Atlantic will introduce a new daily service from London Heathrow Airport to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh starting March 30, 2025. Using its Airbus A330neo aircraft, the new route will offer onward connections to cities in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, along with destinations within Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and China through Virgin Atlantic's Saudi-based SkyTeam partner Saudia.
Virgin Atlantic's new Heathrow-Riyadh service, will enhance the airline's travel options between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The airline currently markets Saudia-operated flights from both Heathrow and Manchester to Riyadh and Jeddah.
The other two destinations that Virgin Atlantic will launch flights to during the summer 2025 include the resumption of its Heathrow-Accra, Ghana route after more than a decade (starting May 1 2025), and its return to Canada with the launch of flights from Heathrow to Toronto (March 30, 2025).
“Riyadh and Accra join Toronto as new routes for summer flying in 2025 and we see huge opportunities to connect friends, relatives and businesses with our new services,” said Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic. “We’re also delighted to build on our codeshare with SkyTeam partner Saudia, further strengthening connectivity in the region, and beyond, and bringing new benefits to our loyal customers.”
New Partnership with Riyadh Air
Following the announcement of the launch of new flights between Heathrow and Riyadh, Virgin Atlantic announced it has signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Riyadh Air aimed to introduce more benefits for travelers between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and beyond.
According to Virgin Atlantic, signing of the MoU is the first stage in the strategic partnership. The agreement lays the foundations for a long-term relationship – subject to regulatory approvals – including interline and codeshare connections, and frequent flier loyalty benefits.
In a statement, Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic said: “Following on from the announcement of our new services from London to Riyadh, we’re committed to working with the best partners in the region, to ensure our first route to Saudi Arabia delivers choice to our customers. We’re looking forward to working closely with Riyadh Air as they embark on their journey into the skies.”
“Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic will help us collectively provide additional connectivity to the Kingdom,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas. “Riyadh Air has signed agreements with a number of strong global partners around the world, most recently Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic’s network will assist our growth to and from Saudi Arabia as we enter service in summer 2025.”
With the addition of Virgin Atlantic, Riyadh Air adds to its airline partnerships ahead of its planned launch of operations in 2025 which includes Delta, Egypt Air, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Air China, and Saudia.
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