Virgin Atlantic launches new Tampa-London route
Virgin Atlantic will add a new route connecting Tampa International Airport (TPA) with London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) beginning Nov. 3.
The flights, announced Wednesday, will operate year-round, beginning with service four times a week and expanding to daily flights as of Nov. 28. Tickets go on sale July 13, with basic economy fares starting at about $520, according to Virgin's announcement.
"We are delighted to continue our expansion in the U.S. with this new daily service to Tampa, Florida, offering even more choice for customers on both sides of the Atlantic to connect between the U.S. and the U.K.," Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said in a statement.
New flights a boon for Florida tourism -- and London connections
The expansion is welcome news for Florida passengers looking for direct flights to England, but also for the increased opportunities to make connections for farther destinations.
Currently, only British Airways operates flights from Tampa to London, but the carrier flies to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), which lacks the connections that Heathrow offers to passengers.
These new Virgin Atlantic flights via Heathrow will provide Tampa passengers with better service to long-haul destinations such as Cape Town, Hong Kong and Mumbai, India.
Virgin says its daily service will serve 190,000 passengers annually, supported by the strong popularity of Florida as a destination for British travelers and a large Tampa Bay-area expat community.
Local tourism officials are delighted with the announcement.
"Expanding flight options and exposure to destinations throughout Florida is vital to maintaining and strengthening the U.K.'s position as our No. 1 market for overseas visitation," said Visit Florida CEO Dana Young in a statement.
Tampa's airport authority also struck an optimistic tone about the service.
"We at Tampa International Airport are thrilled to offer our first-ever nonstop route to Heathrow and launch this new partnership with Virgin Atlantic," said Joe Lopano, TPA's CEO.
"Not only does this create another Tampa-London option for our leisure travelers, but there's a huge upside for our thriving business community to now have a direct connection to the world's premier business airport. We expect this to be a popular route during what we know will be a very busy winter travel season at TPA."
Related: Why Flying Blue is the best way to book award tickets on Virgin Atlantic
Virgin to fly 787-9 Dreamliner on new route
Virgin will fly 258-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route.
Virgin has configured the planes to seat 192 economy passengers, 35 Premium passengers and 31 Upper Class passengers. Economy fares will start at about $520, Premium fares begin at about $1,115, and Upper Class will start at about $2,686 per person, according to the Virgin Atlantic announcement.
Virgin Atlantic will also offer package Florida vacation deals for inbound passengers.
Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles passengers will benefit from the announcement thanks to the airline's joint venture partnership with Virgin. SkyMiles passengers can earn at least 4,400 miles on the flight.
Flight time is scheduled to be about 10 hours on the westbound leg and eight hours, 25 minutes on the eastbound. The flights will be (all times local):
- VS129, departing London at 1:25 p.m. and arriving in Tampa at 6:35 p.m.
- VS130, departing Tampa at 8:50 p.m. and arriving in London at 10:15 a.m. the following day.
This will be Virgin Atlantic's second new U.S. destination added for this year. In January, it announced a new Austin service with flights beginning in May.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees