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Virgin Atlantic

The British long-haul airline, flying from London Heathrow

  • United KingdomCountry
  • VSIATA Code
  • VIRICAO Code
  • SkyTeamAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic is a British long-haul airline and SkyTeam member, flying from London Heathrow and Manchester to the USA, the Caribbean, India, Africa and beyond. Every Economy fare includes a generous 10 kg hand bag, while Economy Light has no checked bag. This guide covers each fare’s baggage, bag fees, the Upper Class Wing, power bank rules, Flying Club and how Virgin Atlantic compares with British Airways and Delta.

Virgin Atlantic was founded in 1984 by Sir Richard Branson and is based in Crawley, near Gatwick. Delta owns 49% of the airline, and the two run a transatlantic joint venture with Air France and KLM.

Virgin Atlantic flights to London
Photo: Charles Postiaux / Unsplash

Check-In and the Upper Class Wing

Online check-in is available on the website and app. At Heathrow Terminal 3, Upper Class passengers can use the private Upper Class Wing for quick check-in and security, and the Clubhouse lounge.

Arrive at least three hours before departure, and make sure you have an ESTA or visa before flying to the USA.

Power Banks on Virgin Atlantic

New international (ICAO) rules for 2026, in force in the UK from 27 March 2026, apply to Virgin Atlantic flights:

  • A maximum of two power banks per person, carried in the cabin only.
  • Power banks cannot be charged on board, and you should not use them to charge your phone during the flight.
  • Up to 100 Wh is fine; 100–160 Wh needs the airline’s approval.

Families, Special Assistance and Pets

Families can add children to one booking, and infants under two travel on an adult’s lap with a 6 kg hand baggage allowance. Bassinets and children’s meals are available.

Special assistance should be requested in advance. Pets travel in the hold, and assistance dogs can travel in the cabin.

How to Find Cheap Virgin Atlantic Flights

Cheap Virgin Atlantic flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Compare Light and Classic: a bag bought on Light costs from £65, so Classic is often better value if you need one.
  • Avoid peaks: UK school holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas push transatlantic fares up.
  • Check Manchester: Manchester departures to Orlando and New York can be cheaper than Heathrow.
  • Use Virgin Points: reward seats can be good value, especially in Upper Class.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Virgin Atlantic next to British Airways, Delta and others.

Virgin Atlantic vs British Airways vs Delta

All three compete hard between the UK and the USA.

Virgin AtlanticBritish AirwaysDelta
HubLondon HeathrowLondon HeathrowAtlanta
AllianceSkyTeamoneworldSkyTeam
LoyaltyFlying ClubBritish Airways Club (Avios)SkyMiles
Economy hand baggage10 kg + handbagCabin bag + handbagCarry-on + personal item
Best forTransatlantic leisure, Upper ClassBiggest London networkUS connections

See our British Airways guide and Delta guide to compare.

Arriving in London

Heathrow is about 24 km west of central London. The Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express and Piccadilly line connect it with the city.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Virgin Atlantic a Good Airline?

Yes. Virgin Atlantic offers stylish cabins, friendly service, a generous 10 kg hand baggage allowance and strong connections with Delta and SkyTeam, making it a great choice between the UK and the USA.

For more options, see our KLM guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against published Virgin Atlantic baggage rules and the UK CAA power bank guidance. Rules change, so check the official Virgin Atlantic website before you travel.

SkyTeam & Airline Partnerships

Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023. You can connect onto partners such as Delta, Air France, KLM and Korean Air on one ticket and earn Virgin Points across the alliance.

Learn more about SkyTeam

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Delta owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic, and the two airlines run a transatlantic joint venture with Air France and KLM, sharing schedules and connections across the Atlantic.

Hubs & Focus Cities

London Heathrow (LHR) is Virgin Atlantic's main base for long-haul flights. Manchester (MAN) has flights to the USA and the Caribbean.

Popular Virgin Atlantic Routes

Virgin Atlantic's busiest routes link London Heathrow with New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Orlando and Delhi, and Manchester with Orlando. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Virgin Atlantic Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Virgin Atlantic sells Economy as Light, Classic and Delight, with Premium and Upper Class above. Economy Light is the cheapest and includes only hand baggage. Classic adds a checked bag and seat selection, and Delight adds extra legroom and priority services.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type. For flights to or from the USA, the US 24-hour cancellation rule applies.

  • Economy Light Hand baggage only; seats assigned at check-in unless you pay.
  • Economy Classic One checked bag and free seat selection.
  • Economy Delight Extra legroom, priority check-in and a checked bag.
  • Premium and Upper Class More flexible fares and more baggage.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • UK and EU passenger rights UK261 and EU261 may entitle you to compensation for long delays or cancellations.
  • How to change or cancel Use My Booking on virginatlantic.com or the Virgin Atlantic app.

Virgin Atlantic Seat Selection & Additional Services

Seat selection depends on your fare: on Economy Light you get a seat at check-in unless you pay to choose one, while Classic and higher include free seat selection. Economy Delight seats have extra legroom.

Premium has wider seats and more legroom, and Upper Class has lie-flat seats, lounge access in the Clubhouse at Heathrow and a social space on board on most aircraft.

  • Economy Light Seat assigned at check-in unless you pay to choose.
  • Economy Classic Free seat selection.
  • Economy Delight Extra-legroom seats and priority check-in.
  • Premium Premium economy with wider seats.
  • Upper Class Lie-flat seats and Clubhouse lounge access.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Virgin Atlantic Baggage Allowance

In Economy and Premium, you can bring one hand baggage item of up to 10 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm plus a small handbag, which is generous for long-haul Economy. Upper Class passengers can bring two items, up to 16 kg in total.

Economy Light doesn't include a checked bag (one costs from about £65 online). Economy Classic and Delight include one 23 kg bag, Premium two 23 kg bags and Upper Class two 32 kg bags. Flying Club Silver and Gold members get extra baggage.

  • Hand baggage (Economy and Premium) 1 bag up to 10 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus a small handbag.
  • Hand baggage (Upper Class) 2 bags, 16 kg in total (max 12 kg each).
  • Economy Light No checked bag; from about £65 online.
  • Economy Classic and Delight 1 bag of 23 kg.
  • Premium 2 bags of 23 kg each.
  • Upper Class 2 bags of 32 kg each.
  • Checked bag limits Up to 90 × 75 × 43 cm; no single bag over 32 kg.
  • Excess fees Overweight bag about £65 ($100); oversized bag about £200 ($300).
  • Flying Club Silver and Gold Extra baggage allowance.

Flying Club: Virgin Atlantic Loyalty Programme

Flying Club is Virgin Atlantic's free loyalty programme. You earn Virgin Points on Virgin Atlantic, Delta and SkyTeam flights and with partners, and redeem them for reward flights and upgrades.

Flying Club has three tiers, Red, Silver and Gold, with Silver and Gold recognised as SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus.

  • Red Free entry tier for all members.
  • Silver Priority services, extra baggage and SkyTeam Elite status.
  • Gold Clubhouse lounge access and SkyTeam Elite Plus status.
  • Virgin Points Earned on flights and with partners such as credit cards.
  • SkyTeam Earn and redeem points across SkyTeam airlines.
Join or log in on the Virgin Atlantic website

Virgin Atlantic: Frequently Asked Questions

01Which airline alliance is Virgin Atlantic part of?

It is a member of SkyTeam. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

02Where is Virgin Atlantic headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom.

03When was Virgin Atlantic founded?

The airline was founded in 1984.

04Does Virgin Atlantic Economy Light include a checked bag?

No. Economy Light includes hand baggage only; a checked bag costs from about £65 online. Economy Classic and Delight include one 23 kg checked bag.

05What is Virgin Atlantic's hand baggage allowance?

In Economy and Premium, one hand baggage item of up to 10 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm plus a small handbag. Upper Class allows two items, up to 16 kg in total.

06Is Virgin Atlantic in SkyTeam?

Yes. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023, and Delta owns 49% of the airline.

07What fare types does Virgin Atlantic sell?

Virgin Atlantic sells Economy as Light, Classic and Delight, with Premium and Upper Class above. Economy Light is the cheapest and includes only hand baggage. Classic adds a checked bag and seat selection, and Delight adds extra legroom and priority services.

08What are Virgin Atlantic's IATA and ICAO codes?

Virgin Atlantic's IATA code is VS and its ICAO code is VIR. You'll see the IATA code (VS) in flight numbers and on boarding passes.

09Where is Virgin Atlantic's main hub?

Virgin Atlantic's main hub is London Heathrow (LHR).

10What is Virgin Atlantic's frequent flyer programme?

Flying Club is Virgin Atlantic's free loyalty programme. You earn Virgin Points on Virgin Atlantic, Delta and SkyTeam flights and with partners, and redeem them for reward flights and upgrades.

11Can I choose my seat on Virgin Atlantic?

On Virgin Atlantic, seat selection depends on your fare: on Economy Light you get a seat at check-in unless you pay to choose one, while Classic and higher include free seat selection. Economy Delight seats have extra legroom.

Virgin Atlantic, its logo and trademarks are the property of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Virgin Atlantic unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.