Virgin Atlantic launches Heathrow - Mumbai Flights

Virgin Atlantic Airways today launched its inaugural flight between Heathrow and Mumbai International Airport. The flight marks the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s second Indian route, the airline already operates daily services to Delhi.

Sir Richard commented on the launch, “Virgin Atlantic has long wanted to expand its services to India and so we are all delighted that this has now been made possible and to have finally landed in Mumbai! Mumbai is a vibrant and bustling city. It is India’s commercial capital, the home of the biggest film industry in the world and the most popular route between India and the UK. 

“These new services were desperately needed as the route has previously been significantly under served with a large proportion of passengers being forced to travel through other Indian cities or often through third countries adding time and inconvenience to journeys.”

Talking on the future plans of Virgin Atlantic in India, Sir Richard said, “I would like to thank the Indian and British governments for the success of the last bilateral talks, particularly the Indian Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel. However, I would also like to urge them to reach agreement on further frequencies in the next talks which are planned for later this month. These talks are vital as the business and leisure demand to fly between India and the UK continues to exceed the capacity even at the recently increased level. 

“Virgin Atlantic hopes that these talks produce sufficient new frequencies so we can fulfil our ambition of flying triple daily services to India. Daily services to Mumbai and seven more to other cities like Bangalore.”

Virgin Atlantic first began to operate to India in July 2000 with twice-weekly services, with an additional weekly flight added in February 2003, bringing services up to three per week. Virgin Atlantic’s Delhi flights were increased to daily services from 1 February 2005. Since 2000 the airline has flown almost 250,000 passengers between London and Delhi. 

Virgin Atlantic operates from London Heathrow to Mumbai three times a week on Wednesdays. Fridays and Sundays. Flights from Mumbai to London Heathrow operate on Mondays. Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights will depart London Heathrow at 21:00 arriving in Mumbai at 10:35 the following day. The return flights depart Mumbai at 14:45, arriving at Heathrow at 20:00. Flights will be operated on an Airbus A340-300 aircraft with 255 seats onboard with a configuration of 40 Upper Class seats, 28 Premium Economy and 187 Economy seats. 

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