Virgin Atlantic is to suspend its seasonal Manchester to Las Vegas service for summer 2027, as the airline reshapes its transatlantic schedule and increases capacity on routes to New York, Orlando and Atlanta.
The decision comes despite the airline planning its busiest-ever summer programme from Manchester Airport, with an additional aircraft being based at the airport during the peak summer months to support increased flying across its US network.
The Manchester to Las Vegas route will not return for the 2027 summer season, meaning passengers travelling from the North West will no longer have access to the airline’s direct service to the Nevada city next summer.
Instead, Virgin Atlantic is concentrating additional capacity on three of its established US destinations, with Manchester to New York JFK services increasing from daily to ten flights per week from April 2027.
Services to Orlando will also see a substantial increase, with the airline planning up to 19 flights per week during July and August, providing additional capacity for the busy summer holiday market.
Atlanta will benefit from both increased capacity and additional frequencies. The route will be operated by larger Airbus A350 aircraft throughout the summer season, running from April to October. Frequencies will also increase from seven to eleven flights per week between 5th of June and 15th of July 2027.
To support the expanded programme, Virgin Atlantic will base a fifth aircraft at Manchester Airport during June, July and August. The additional aircraft will be an Airbus A330-900, configured with 262 seats across its Upper Class, Premium and Economy cabins.
The expansion is particularly significant for Manchester, where Virgin Atlantic has maintained a substantial presence for three decades. The airline began flying from the airport in May 1996 with services to Orlando and has subsequently developed a network connecting the North of England with key destinations across the United States.
The additional capacity also comes against the backdrop of Aer Lingus’ decision to withdraw its Manchester-based long-haul operation earlier in 2026, leaving opportunities for other carriers to strengthen their transatlantic offering from the airport.
Commenting on the expanded programme, Virgin Atlantic Chief Commercial Officer Dave Geer said: “Manchester is our home in the North, and we’re taking our flying programme to new heights with our busiest ever summer with more departures than ever before.
“With a fifth aircraft based at the airport across our peak summer period and more flights to New York, Orlando and Atlanta, we’re giving customers even more choice to travel to the destinations they love. This growth reflects the strong demand we’re seeing from the region and our continued commitment to Manchester and beyond.”
Although the withdrawal of the Las Vegas service removes a direct option for passengers, the destination will remain accessible from Manchester through connecting services with Virgin Atlantic’s joint venture partner Delta Air Lines.
Passengers will be able to connect through either New York JFK or Atlanta, while Virgin Atlantic will continue to operate its direct daily London Heathrow to Las Vegas service.
Customers who have already booked Manchester to Las Vegas flights for 2027 are being contacted by Virgin Atlantic or their travel agents. Options will include alternative travel arrangements or a full refund.
For Manchester Airport, the changes represent a significant shift in the composition of its long-haul network rather than a reduction in Virgin Atlantic’s overall commitment to the region. The airline is effectively redirecting capacity towards destinations where it sees opportunities for additional demand, while increasing the availability of onward connections across North America through Delta’s extensive network.
The decision nevertheless leaves Manchester without Virgin Atlantic’s direct Las Vegas connection for the 2027 summer season, removing a popular leisure destination from its non-stop transatlantic offering.