From September 25 it will operate a daily service to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport using an Airbus A330-300 on the five-hour flight.
The aircraft will feature the carrier’s Upper Class, Premium and variations of its economy product onboard.
“2019 marks the start of a new phase of growth for Virgin Atlantic as we work to achieve our ambition to become the most loved travel company,” says Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, as the airline cements relations with Delta, Air France and KLM.
“Tel Aviv represents a fantastic opportunity for us. Israel’s economy is booming and, as one of the world’s leading tech hubs, we’re anticipating many business travellers and entrepreneurs flying between Tel Aviv and the UK.”
Weiss continues: “We also see a significant opportunity to increase competition in the US – Tel Aviv market, using the strength of our trans-Atlantic Joint Venture with Delta to offer customers from Tel Aviv a wide range of US destinations connecting through London Heathrow including New York and San Francisco.”
Together with existing partner Delta, Virgin is set to become part of a $13billion transatlantic joint venture with Air France and KLM, with the latter partnership getting the green light from the European Commission to proceed with a 31% stake in the business.
Delta already holds 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic and the Virgin Group will retain a 20% stake.
