Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines will resume operations from Heathrow’s Terminal 3 from July 15, returning to their ‘home turf’.
The terminal has been closed for over a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Virgin Atlantic and Delta residing in Terminal 2 in the meantime.
According to Heathrow airport, airlines will be moved into Terminal 3 on a phased basis over the coming weeks. Announcements will be published on the airport’s website and social media channels “to provide passengers with the correct terminal information ahead of their flights”.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye commented on the reopening of Terminal 3:
“With passenger demand expected to increase when Ministers permit fully vaccinated passengers to travel more freely, Heathrow is getting ready to welcome you back. We have recommenced two runway operations, and will reopen Terminal 3 from 15th July when all services form Virgin Atlantic and Delta will resume in T3. We’ve invested in the latest technology and enhanced cleaning regimes to ensure you can fly safely from Heathrow this summer.”
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse will also reopen, welcoming Virgin Atlantic Upper Class customers and Flying Club Gold members as well as Delta’s eligible customers. Contactless options have been integrated into the system so customers can use QR codes at their seat to place an order from the à la carte menu. It will also be possible to use a single-use printed menu and order from a waiter.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the roof terrace, seated bar stools, deli bar and pool table cannot be used by customers in the Clubhouse. Masks will also be required on entry and when customers are moving around the area.
Virgin Atlantic is currently operating flights to ‘green’ list destinations such as Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and Israel. Delta is also operating nonstop services to Atlanta and New York JFK, though restrictions on non-essential travel from the UK to the US are still in place.
The joint venture partners used this opportunity to once again call for the easing of restrictions for non-essential transatlantic travel.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer, commented:
“Whilst it’s a constructive step that many of our customers can imminently enjoy our much-loved facilities the Government still needs to recognise the US as a “Green” destination. Whilst travel between the UK and US is closed, £23 million in economic value each day is restricted. We urge the UK Government to move the US to the UK’s ‘Green list’ and for the Biden administration to repeal the 212F proclamation for UK travellers.”
Nadia Clinton, Delta’s Regional Sales Manager, said:
“Moving back to our home in Terminal 3 will allow our customers to once again enjoy the award-winning experience they have missed during the pandemic. Given current vaccination rates, we know customers can travel safely between our two countries.
“A recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, coupled with robust air filtration systems and mask mandates on board, put the risk of transmission on a plane traveling between the UK and US at 1 in 1 million. We implore the UK and US Governments to allow non-essential travel to resume.”
The airlines also recently launched a digital health tool for transatlantic travel, which allows customers travelling in either direction between the US and UK to securely upload negative Covid-19 test certificates for upcoming flights.
Terminal 3 had previously been used as a dedicated facility for arrivals from ‘red list’ destinations, but passengers from these countries will now enter into the airport’s Terminal 4. The airport states that it does “not expect full passenger operations to resume in Terminal 4 this year”.
