Virgin Atlantic has announced a significant increase in capacity on its Manchester–Orlando route, stepping in following Aer Lingus’ decision to withdraw long-haul services from the northern hub.
Capacity to the popular Florida destination will rise by 12% during the summer peak, with additional flights becoming available to book from 3 February. The airline has also confirmed a further 17% increase in capacity for winter 2026, achieved through the deployment of a larger Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on the route.
Virgin Atlantic indicated that further capacity growth from Manchester is expected for summer 2027, underlining its long-term commitment to the region.
The airline is also working closely with Aer Lingus to support customers affected by cancelled services, including re-protecting passengers onto Virgin Atlantic flights where possible.
Dave Geer, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said Manchester has been the airline’s “home in the north” for 30 years. He added that the increased Orlando capacity is a clear signal of Virgin Atlantic’s ongoing investment in the region, ensuring customers can continue to access transatlantic services from their local airport.
Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, welcomed the announcement, noting the strong partnership between the airport and the airline. He said the additional Orlando services reinforce Manchester’s global connectivity and reflect growing demand for travel between the north of England and the US.
