Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will launch new flights to the Caribbean from London Heathrow and Manchester in 2024. The airline will offer direct services to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and Tobago, as well as increased frequencies to Jamaica and Montego Bay.

The expansion is part of Virgin Atlantic’s strategy to grow its leisure network and offer more choice and flexibility to its customers. The airline said that the Caribbean is one of its most popular destinations, with high demand for both leisure and business travel.

“We are delighted to announce our new Caribbean routes, which will provide our customers with more options to enjoy the sun, sea and sand of these beautiful islands,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic. “The Caribbean is a key market for us, and we have seen a strong recovery in bookings as travel restrictions have eased. We are confident that these new services will be well received by our customers and will support the tourism and trade sectors of the region.”

The new flights will operate on Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which feature 31 Upper Class seats, 48 Premium seats and 185 Economy seats. The airline will also offer its award-winning service, entertainment and catering on board, as well as access to its Clubhouse lounges at London Heathrow and Manchester airports.

The new routes are subject to government approvals and will go on sale in early 2024. Customers can book their flights on Virgin Atlantic or through their travel agent. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic is offering special promotions for customers who book early, such as discounted fares, free upgrades and extra baggage allowance.