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Virgin Atlantic set to relaunch service to Cape Town

Feb. 12, 2020
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2 min read
Cape Town
Virgin Atlantic set to relaunch service to Cape Town
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Virgin Atlantic is set to expand its reach in Africa. On Wednesday, the U.K.-based airline announced that it was returning to Cape Town, South Africa.

As of Oct. 25, 2020, the carrier will operate daily service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) from London Heathrow (LHR). The carrier will use one of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft to operate the route.



Once the route launches, it will operate on the following daily schedule:

  • VS478 London Heathrow (LHR) 4:20 p.m. Departure ⇒ Cape Town (CPT) 5:55 a.m. (+1) Arrival
  • VS479 Cape Town (CPT) 8 a.m. Departure ⇒ London Heathrow (LHR) 6 p.m. Arrival

The Cape Town relaunch complements Virgin Atlantic's existing route between London Heathrow and Johannesburg (JNB). On that route, the airline utilizes one of its new Airbus A350 aircraft, which feature the new Upper Class Suite.

"We're delighted to be flying to Cape Town again, and we're expecting a high proportion of leisure travellers on this route, taking advantage of the winter sun, the safaris and of course, the world-famous wine region," Virgin's Chief Commercial Officer Juha Jarvinen said in a statement.

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Virgin's 789, which it will use on this route, feature a three-class configuration: Upper Class, premium economy and economy.

Tickets for the new Cape Town route will go on sale on Feb. 18. Return economy fares are set to start from £713 (about $924) per person.

Virgin previously operated nonstop service to the popular holiday destination of Cape Town. It launched the service in 1999, however, in 2014, the carrier announced it would be discontinuing the route, as it found it to be unprofitable.

During that time, Virgin said it was placing an emphasis on its routes to America. However, since then, the carrier has expanded drastically outside the U.S. as well. Recently, it's launched flights to Sao Paulo (GRU), Mumbai (BOM) and now Cape Town (CPT).

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.