Virgin's new direct route from

Manchester to Las Vegas

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is to start operating direct scheduled flights between Manchester and Las Vegas, starting Sunday 3rd April 2011.

The service will see direct flights leave Manchester twice a week, on a Thursday and a Sunday, and give far greater access to Las Vegas, the self-titled entertainment capital of the world, for UK residents living in the north of England.

These additional Manchester flights will increase Virgin Atlantic's UK service to Las Vegas to nine flights a week. Originally launched in June 2000, Virgin Atlantic's London Gatwick to Las Vegas route operates a daily scheduled flight and in this last decade has transported almost 2 million passengers for either business trips or on their Las Vegas holidays.

These new Manchester flights underline Virgin Atlantic's commitment to operating out of regional UK airports and is indicative of the airline's long-term confidence in, and the increasing popularity of, the city of Las Vegas as a year-round destination for UK holidaymakers.

Both the existing London Gatwick service and the new Manchester to Las Vegas route will be operated by Boeing 747-400 planes. These jets are fitted with 14 Upper Class Suites, 58 Premium Economy and 379 Economy seats. The Upper Class Suite offers passengers a reclining seat for take off, a table to sit and eat a three-course meal opposite your partner and a private bar to drink at with your friends during the flight. Please read our article on Virgin Atlantic's Premium Economy class for a comprehensive guide on what you get for your money by upgrading.