Virgin Atlantic to resume flights to Orlando from July 20

Jun 08, 2020 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Monday June 8, 2020 10:27am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will resume flights to Orlando International Airport from July 20 2020.

The UK-based airline is the main carrier from the UK to Orlando, which prior to COVID-19 operated multiple direct flights per day from both London and Manchester.

Due to the fall in air travel demand during COVID-19, the airline has permanently discontinued its London Gatwick operations, and will fly its London routes from Heathrow. The newly released timetable shows VS135 departing Heathrow at 1pm and arriving into Orlando at 5:15pm local time, flying a Boeing 787-9. In the same week, the airline will also resume flights to Honk Kong, Shanghai, New York JFK and Los Angeles.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic commented: “As the Covid-19 crisis stabilises and demand slowly returns, we are looking forward to welcoming our customers back onboard and flying them safely to their favourite destinations. To ensure the health and safety of our customers and our people, we’re introducing new measures at every point in the journey to offer peace of mind when taking to the skies with us.”

The airline's new health and safety measures include:

  • health questionnaires before check in
  • electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant onboard in all our cabins and lavatories
  • supply of a personal Health Pack which will contain medical grade face masks as a requirement to be worn onboard, surface wipes and hand gel
  • a simplified hot food service onboard to minimize contact

Despite the airline resuming flights, what remains unknown is when non-US citizens will be allowed to enter the United States. Travel restrictions remain in place, preventing non-US citizens from entering the country. Both the UK and US state departs also advise against any non-essential international travel.

US President Donald Trump commented in late May that the travel ban may be lifted for European countries that are "making progress."

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Wendy PleakleyJan 05, 2022

Canadian rules allow someone to get tested, travel elsewhere within a 72-hour period, and return home with the same negative test taken before they left the country. It's meant to discourage travel far more than actually promote public safety. I don't necessarily disagree that the approach shouldn't be changed but it's important to note the true purpose of the testing requirement.

SirwalterraleighJan 05, 2022

Just sit back and watch Los Estados Unidos struggle with the latest variant “big kahuna” wave…it should be amusing as always… then we can debate policy…again…

dreamscometrueJan 05, 2022

Wonderful. Now, we just have to get Canada to do that too. I've seen several doctors on the news lately discuss how this is no longer necessary for fully vaccinated people. Especially since it has been shown to do almost nothing.

mktDec 01, 2021

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/01/us-covid-travel-requirements-latest-international-flights-travelers

mktNov 15, 2021

An update. This weekend I noticed a handful of British and European families in the parks, and even an odd German-plated RV parked at Epcot.

mktNov 12, 2021

While out and about in Miami today, I started seeing European tourists. Saw families from Spain and Italy, and a group of Swedish beer geeks at a local brewery.

mktNov 08, 2021

Here's a link to the pre-arrival attestation travelers will be expected to complete: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/NCEZID-FRM-Combo-Passenger-Disclose-508.pdf

Disstevefan1Nov 08, 2021

For the folks from the UK going to WDW, please post with a photo when you get here! Try to be the first!

mktNov 08, 2021

Bring me some Cantillon

ZeromancerNov 08, 2021

Leaving in 2weeks from Belgium. Let’s hope this will go smoothly

mktNov 08, 2021

I assume that the very first UK and European travelers have just begun arriving. Enjoy your vacations.

nickysNov 01, 2021

So an update for those travelling TO the US with unvaccinated children (including those who have had a single jab). The CDC have confirmed that under 18s will not have to quarantine but will need to take a Covid test 2-3 days after arrival. https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2021/10/30/unvaccinated-us-visitors-kids-quarantine-cdc-air-travel-system-nov/6217959001/

Den CarterOct 27, 2021

No. The US don't require it. The destination country might, though.