Virgin Atlantic Increasing Florida Flight Availability In Time For Summer Holidays

Following the news that Aer Lingus is withdrawing its long-haul services from the region, Virgin Atlantic has stepped in to fill the void, ensuring that the North’s direct flight line to Florida remains strong and reliable for UK passengers. Virgin Atlantic is increasing its flight capacity by 12% starting this summer in a move that firmly places them as the North’s most direct and reliable direct flight provider to Florida.

Celebrating 30 years at Manchester Airport this year, Virgin Atlantic is stepping up to meet some of the demand left by Aer Lingus’ transatlantic route closure.

Increasing Direct Flights To Orlando

For those planning their 2026 and 2027 getaways, Virgin is increasing its long haul capacity as follows:

Summer 2026: A 12% increase in capacity during the peak summer weeks and school summer holidays.

Winter 2026: A further 17% increase in available seats.

Summer 2027: A pledge to increase capacity further

Booking Window: These additional flights go on sale starting Tuesday, 3rd February 2026.

The A350-1000 Factor: A Better Way to Fly

Perhaps the most exciting news for regular Florida-bound Brits is the "upgauging" of the Winter 2026 route to the Airbus A350-1000. If you haven't flown on Virgin's A350 yet, it's a game-changer for the long haul. It's quieter, more fuel-efficient, and features the airline's latest cabin interiors. In Upper Class, you'll find The Loft - a social space where you can stretch your legs and grab a cocktail. Meanwhile Economy passengers benefit from the latest generation of seats and much larger entertainment screens.

Not to mention that Virgin Atlantic is currently in the process of rolling out free Statrlink Wi-Fi across the fleet for all passengers by the end of 2027.

30 Years of Northern Soul

This expansion of the Virgin Atlantic Florida route coincides with a major milestone; 30 years of Virgin Atlantic at Manchester Airport. Since the inaugural flight in May 1996, the airline has grown from a single Orlando service to a powerhouse operation.

Here are the current transatlantic routes offered by virgin Atlantic from Manchester:

What This Means For Disney Holiday Planning

Although it has been speculated that significant price rises are possible following Aer Lingus’ departure from Manchester, this may not be the reality. With more routes comes increased capacity and that usually means more competitive pricing, especially during the traditionally expensive school holiday periods.

Virgin Atlantic appear to be seeking to demonstrate their reliability and to position themselves as the go to carrier for Florida holidays from the North of England.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

Local Convenience

Avoiding the dreaded M6 trek down to Heathrow or Gatwick is often a priority for Northern families. This commitment from Virgin ensures you can clear security at Terminal 2 and be in the Orlando sun by dinner time.

Dave Geer, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said:

Magic In A Minute

Concerns about capacity for the summer holidays for Disney and Orlando trip planers can be put to bed with this latest news from Virgin Atlantic. With more seats and better aircraft on the horizon, alongside a commitment to Manchester Airport of over 30 years it’s safe to say that people planning Disney trips from the North of the UK will be able to do so. Despite the loss of Aer Lingus’ route, the Manchester to Orlando route connection remains strong.