Virgin Atlantic, one of the United Kingdom's premier airlines, celebrated the launch of its maiden flight to the Maldives, establishing a new link between London Heathrow and Velana International Airport (VIA).

The inaugural flight, expertly operated by Virgin Atlantic, touched down at VIA early this morning at 07:40 am local time, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in air travel between the UK and the Maldives. Passengers aboard the Virgin Atlantic aircraft received a warm traditional Maldivian Bodeberu welcome ceremony, complete with captivating cultural dance performances.

This new service is set to operate three times a week, utilizing Virgin Atlantic's state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which offers a total of 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium, and 192 Economy Delight, Classic, and Light seats. Travelers now have an array of options to accommodate their preferences and budgets.

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class provides fully flat beds and an onboard bar, delivering a fine dining experience and the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers. Premium customers can unwind in their luxurious leather armchairs, featuring a generous 38" seat pitch, while enjoying priority boarding and welcome drinks. Regardless of the chosen cabin class, all passengers will relish complimentary food and beverages, over 300 hours of entertainment, and the warm hospitality of Virgin Atlantic's esteemed cabin crew.

Mr. Mahjoob Shujau, CEO & Managing Director of MACL, expressed his excitement, stating, "As the operator of Velana International Airport, we are thrilled to welcome Virgin Atlantic, a prestigious and customer-centric airline. This inaugural flight represents a significant milestone in enhancing air travel connections between the UK and the Maldives. We eagerly anticipate a prosperous partnership with Virgin Atlantic as we continue to enhance the travel experience for our passengers."

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, shared his enthusiasm, saying, "We are incredibly thrilled to launch our flights between the UK and the Maldives with our new thrice-weekly service, further expanding our selection of winter sun destinations. We take pride in providing more opportunities for our customers to experience the Maldives and eagerly look forward to welcoming them to this breathtaking, one-of-a-kind destination. The collaboration between MACL and Virgin Atlantic reflects a shared commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences and fostering stronger air connectivity between the UK and the Maldives."

Caron Rohsler, British High Commissioner to the Maldives, also expressed her delight, stating, "I am delighted that Virgin Atlantic has today started operating direct flights from London Heathrow to Maldives. Maldives is a top holiday destination for British tourists. Brits have consistently featured among the top 3 nationalities visiting the Maldives for many years. The UK Government has worked with the Government of the Maldives for many years on airport safety and aviation security. I look forward to continuing our partnerships in the Maldives, especially as the airport expansion progresses. Tourism is an important pillar of the Maldivian economy, and I hope this milestone today will contribute to continued growth in convenient and comfortable travel between our countries. Visitors are encouraged to read the FCDO’s travel advice and to buy travel insurance to enjoy the best possible holiday experience."

The Virgin Atlantic Inaugural event was graced by the presence of the British High Commissioner to the Maldives and senior members of MACL, along with senior members of the local agent, Voyages Maldives. This new route promises to strengthen the connection between the UK and the Maldives, offering travelers a remarkable journey to one of the world's most picturesque destinations.



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