Delta and Virgin Atlantic have a transatlantic joint venture, and as part of this we’re seeing the airlines increase service between the US and UK.
In this post:
Delta & Virgin Atlantic Increasing Manchester Service
As part of their joint venture, we are going to see more flights than ever before by the two airlines between the US and Manchester.
Just recently Delta announced that they’re launching a seasonal Boston to Manchester flight, which will be their only flight to Manchester.
As before, Virgin Atlantic will operate flights from Manchester to Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Orlando, though they’re increasing capacity on some routes.
Virgin Atlantic has also announced that their winter schedule to & from Manchester will see them offering 30,000 additional seats year on year, which is their biggest winter schedule to date.
Virgin Atlantic will operate their high density 747 from Manchester
As Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s EVP of Commercial describes this:
“As one of our three core hubs in the UK alongside Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester is Virgin Atlantic’s home in the North. As part of our growth strategy, we have long-since held an ambition to expand in Manchester and that is reflected in a significant 92% increase in seat capacity since 2014. Schedule expansion this winter, coupled with our first ever Clubhouse in the North, demonstrate our clear commitment to the region.”
As part of this, we can also expect some additional services at Manchester Airport.
Manchester Getting A Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges are among the best business class lounges in the world. Virgin Atlantic currently has these at London Heathrow and London Gatwick, and it has just been announced that Virgin Atlantic will bring a Clubhouse to Manchester Airport as of spring 2020.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in New York
This is fantastic news, as this lounge will be open to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers, Delta One passengers, and Virgin Atlantic Gold members.
While details about the new lounge are limited as of now, we do know that the Clubhouse will include a la carte dining, a full service bar, quiet working spaces, and a spa.
Currently eligible Virgin Atlantic passengers have access to the Escape Plus Lounge, so the new lounge should represent a huge improvement.
Virgin Holidays V-Room Being Renovated
Manchester Airport also has what’s known as the V-Room, which is for Virgin Holidays passengers. This lounge will also get a brand new look.
Virgin Holidays V-Room Manchester
The V-Room is essentially a paid access lounge exclusively for Virgin Holidays passengers who are looking to get an early start to their holiday. Rates at the Manchester location start at £25.00 per person.
Bottom Line
With Virgin Atlantic ramping up operations in Manchester, it’s nice to see them investing in a better ground experience for passengers. Based on what I heard the previous contract lounge they used was truly nothing special. I’ll be curious to see how the (presumably scaled down) Manchester Clubhouse compares to their flagship Heathrow location.
The new lounge almost *has* to be better than the current MAN experience. It has the feel of spending a couple of hours in your in-laws' 1960s-decorated English front room with about 200 relatives who don't particularly enjoy one another's company. And the in-laws who are hosting don't like any of you very much. Quite a shock compared to the beyond-belief hospitality aboard Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class. For those throwing off on MAN as some...
The new lounge almost *has* to be better than the current MAN experience. It has the feel of spending a couple of hours in your in-laws' 1960s-decorated English front room with about 200 relatives who don't particularly enjoy one another's company. And the in-laws who are hosting don't like any of you very much. Quite a shock compared to the beyond-belief hospitality aboard Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class. For those throwing off on MAN as some kind of Hellish place, that's not entirely fair. Yes, security is annoying. But it's not really any worse than most U.S. airports. Heathrow is definitely more professional, but also way more "extensive." And the Radisson Hotel's location inside the airport complex with the Manchester Airport Rail station just a few steps away via moving sidewalks is a really nice way to come and go from Europe. And for the most part everyone in the North couldn't be nicer. I love the people there.
There’s one in Jo’burg too, nothing special at all. Manchester Airport in general is Hellish, security especially so.
MAN airport is a dump. By far one of the worst airports of medium/large cities in Europe.
Bgiff,
I can think of a couple of lounges I prefer to the LHR Clubhouse.
One is the JAL First lounge at Haneda.
And the other is the Qantas First lounge at Sydney.
I haven't been to the ME ones, nor the Cathay First lounge in HK, but have heard good things.
There may not be a hipper lounge, however, if that is your thing.
Yet no mention from the travel professional that the quickly announced MAN expansion is mainly due to the Thomas Cook failure.
Just wondering, do you have any current plans to fly Virgin's A350?
I'd be curious to see a World's Best Business Class Lounges post. It's hard to think of any that would beat the LHR Clubhouse for #1.