Virgin Atlantic has announced the start date for its new Heathrow-Sao Paulo route, with daily flights launching on 13 May next year.
The carrier announced plans for the service in June, alongside a new route to Bengaluru.
It’s Virgin’s second attempt to get flights to Sao Paulo off the ground, having first announced the service in 2019, before having to delay and then ultimately abandon the launch as a result of Covid-19.
Tickets for the 11 hour 55 minute route will go on sale from 6 September, with return fares starting from £686 in economy, £1,126 in Premium and £2,744 in Upper Class.
Schedules will be as follows:
- Flight VS193 departs Heathrow at 1245, arriving into Sao Paulo Guarulhos International at 2020
- Flight VS194 departs Sao Paulo Guarulhos International at 2210, arriving into Heathrow at 1325 the following day
Flights will be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft, configured with 31 seats in Upper Class, 35 in Premium and 192 in economy.
Onward connections from Sao Paulo will be available with LATAM to over 50 destinations in South America, as well as to Buenos Aires with Skyteam member carrier Aerolineas Argentinas, and throughout Brazil with GOL and Azul.
Virgin will join British Airways and LATAM on the Heathrow-Sao Paulo route.
Commenting on the news Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer, Virgin Atlantic, said:
“The countdown has officially begun to our much-anticipated arrival in Sao Paulo. It’s fitting that our 40th year brings our entry to a brand new continent in South America, symbolising a continued period of network growth for Virgin Atlantic.
“Sao Paulo is the perfect fit for us, a buzzing metropolis of culture and adventure that suits the differing needs of our rich customer base.
“Our partnership with LATAM will also unlock further destinations in Brazil and beyond into South America with SkyTeam partner Aerolineas Argentinas, opening up a wealth of exciting opportunities for those who choose to fly with Virgin Atlantic.”
