Virgin Atlantic (VS/VIR) has resumed flights to China today for the first time since 2020 as it relaunches its London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) to Shanghai (PVG/ZSPD) service.
The move will help to re-establish import business and leisure connections between the UK and China and also provide additional cargo capacity between the two countries.
Daily flights between London and Shanghai stopped in February 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in China, before briefly resuming later that year.
Speaking about the return 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.”
The daily flight is operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which offers three cabins. Virgin’s Upper Class, Premium and the airline’s three classes of Economy, Delight, Classic and Light.