Virgin Atlantic reduces winter flight schedules on key US routes

Flights from Heathrow to Orlando will also see reductions starting in December, decreasing from ten to seven weekly flights. Additionally, between January and March, one or two weekly flights will be dropped on the Heathrow to Washington Dulles route.

There are minor changes on other routes as well, including some flights dropped between London Heathrow and Manchester to New York JFK services over the winter period. Simple Flying has reached out to Virgin Atlantic for comment and is awaiting a response.

Virgin indicated earlier this year that "started to see some signals that US demand has been slowing," leading them to cut back on their US network. In April, they already scaled back a few US routes by removing a daily frequency to JFK and reducing Seattle-Tacoma flights from seven to four weekly.

Other European carriers like Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have experienced similar dips in demand, as has IAG—the parent group of British Airways and Aer Lingus—due largely to weakening economic conditions in the US affecting premium markets. The return of Donald Trump as President and increased diplomatic tensions have contributed further uncertainty.

Despite these challenges, multiple airline executives assert that the transatlantic market remains strong at present.

Virgin Atlantic has been servicing US destinations for over 41 years since its inaugural service launched with a 747-200-operated route from London Gatwick to Newark Liberty in 1984. It currently flies almost a dozen US destinations primarily from its London Heathrow base.

Virgin is recognized as one of the 'Big Five' transatlantic airlines alongside British Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines; it operates the second-most flights across the Atlantic behind British Airways.