Virgin Expansion at MAN

**Matt** · 12-12-2004, 17:13

Virgin Atlantic is to expand its operation out of Manchester.

From Nov 2005 they will be flying direct from MAN to Barbados. Not sure yet if this will be a daily service but suspect it will be operational in line with the LGW service.

There are also plans to expand to other carribean destinations out of MAN too but nothing set in stone as yet.

All this with the introduction of true Virgin Atlantic 744 aircraft from Summer 2005 rather than the leased 742.

Good news for all of you oop north

Matt

**Calamity Jane** · 12-12-2004, 17:30

There is also talk of Las Vegas as well Matt, my son is one of the 15 who will be transferred from LHR to Manchester, he is trained for the 400's whereas the staff up here are not, he starts in Feb 05
I am pretty pleased about this as I am always worried about him travelling every few days down to Heathrow ( big softie mum

)

I know Danny likes flying out of Heathrow because he goes everywhere and the flights at the moment are just to Orlando from Manchester, but it will be great when Virgin branch out to further destinations.

**Magical Dreams** · 12-12-2004, 23:11

Great news for all!!

At last a service that will meet more of virgin passengers requirements!!

**Ray&Sarah** · 13-12-2004, 00:38

Thats great news Matt, Manchester is just as convenient as London to us.[msnsmile2]

**floridadreamvilla.co.uk** · 13-12-2004, 01:09

Excellent news Matt. I know when myself and Roger came back from Florida in March this year they used a LGW B747-400 as the normal old B747-200 was being used on Barbados proving flights (or something like that).

14-12-2004, 10:41

I think you will find these flights are being operated by BMI but sold through Virgin Holidays as well as through BMI - I may be wrong but when I last spoke to Virgin that was the case. BMI have also introduced a Toronto and a Vegas flight.

The Virgin Orlando flight will be upgraded to a 747-400 from May 2005.[msnwink]

**Matt** · 14-12-2004, 16:25

Lucy, the BGI flight will be operated by Virgin from November, don't know if BMI will retain or take the route.

Matt

14-12-2004, 18:44

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Matt
Lucy, the BGI flight will be operated by Virgin from November, don't know if BMI will retain or take the route.

Matt
[/quote]

I will watch this space with interest as the original start date for this service was going to be Nov/Dec 2004 which obviously BMI are now doing, more flights from Manchester the better!