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Virgin Atlantic has released quite a bit of news this week, along with a good offer, so let’s review all the details below and dive right into it.
In This Post
Virgin Atlantic resumes TLV route.
Virgin Atlantic announced this week that it will resume flying to Tel Aviv, Israel, with a stop in Larnaca, Cyprus. Below is Virgin Atlantic’s statement.
“After an eleven-month pause, we’re pleased to resume our daily Tel Aviv services from September 25th as planned. Following the latest safety and security assessment, our flights departing London will operate at different timings and via Larnaca, Cyprus, to allow for a crew change before continuing to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv. Flights departing Tel Aviv will travel directly back to London Heathrow. We look forward to welcoming our Tel Aviv customers back very soon.”
Let’s go over these flight details.
Firstly, the flight number has now changed, as it used to be VS453 from LHR to TLV at 4:05pm, arriving at 11pm, blocked at 4 hours and 55 minutes. The new flight details will now be rebranded as VS457, departing LHR at 8:55pm and arriving in Larnaca at 3:25am. Passengers will remain onboard during a 95-minute tech stop when the plane changes crews and refills. It will then leave Larnaca at 5am and arrive in Tel Aviv at 6am, a 7- and 5-minute total journey time.
This schedule will remain effective through October 26th and be reassessed based on the situation.
The return flight VS454 will remain unchanged. It will fly nonstop from Tel Aviv at 7:35 a.m. and arrive in LHR at 11:10 a.m., a 5-hour and 35-minute journey.
However, BA operates its Tel Aviv flight with a narrow body A321neo, while Virgin will use a wide-body A330-300. If flying with Virgin, you’ll get a lie-flat seat on this journey. It would be interesting to see if British Airways changed its aircraft to a wide-body to compete directly with Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic offer.
This brings us to the next point: how does one book flights to TLV with Virgin Atlantic?
Well, then. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is currently having an award sale, during which you can get 25% off award seats in all cabins until the end of the year.
As always, the reduction applies only to the number of points needed to book, not taxes and charges.
The key things you need to remember are
- You need to book by September 17th
- You must fly by December 31st.
- Only flights operated by Virgin Atlantic are included.
Here are some ways how to earn Virgin Atlantic points,
Don’t forget even if you don’t have any of those credit cards, you can still transfer your points via Amex, such as
Virgin Atlantic new LAX lounge.
And lastly, some exciting news from Virgin Atlantic is that they are opening up a new lounge at LAX airport in 2025
Let’s go over this detail.
Which space will Virgin Be taking over?
The new Virgin Clubhouse would be a $2 million renovation of the former Etihad Lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
What can we expect from this new lounge?
According to Virgin Atlantic, features will include
- an expansive bar and social area with table-service dining options,
- flexible seating areas
- VIP booth with the name The Royal Box.
- Shower facilities
- Wireless charging with plenty of power outlets, Bluetooth connectivity, including at the bar and in private pods,
- Local artwork
- Mood lighting is also available.
Who will have access to the new lounge?
- Customers flying in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic + one guest travelling with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Card members, plus one guest travelling internationally with Virgin Atlantic or Delta Air Lines
- Delta One customers on a Delta Air Lines international flight
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members travelling on Virgin Atlantic or Delta, plus one guest travelling on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam carrier
Remember to check out our review of Virgin Atlantic B789 London-Miami in upper-class.
Conclusion.
It sure has been a busy week for Virgin Atlantic with their news and offer. I’m looking forward to the new clubhouse lounge opening in LAX in 2025. Let us know in the comments section below if you’ll be booking any flights with the new award sale and what you make of the fact that Virgin will resume flying to Israel.
