Virgin Atlantic Delays Inaugural Airbus A330neo Flight

Virgin Atlantic’s new Airbus A330neo aircraft will enter passenger service two weeks later than initially planned.

The airline intended to begin flying its A330neo from London Heathrow (LHR) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) starting October 12, but Virgin Atlantic has now postponed the inaugural to October 27.

Virgin Atlantic has not yet taken delivery of its first A330neo, but that should occur in the coming weeks. The first aircraft has already received paint and operated test flights. Before the inaugural passenger flight, Virgin Atlantic will likely need time to prepare the aircraft and familiarize its crew.

Airbus A330neo flights went on sale at the end of July. In the coming months, Virgin Atlantic will initially take delivery of three Airbus A330neo aircraft and deploy them on four routes:

• London (LHR) to Boston (BOS) starting October 27. Also operates on October 30, 31, November 2, then 6x weekly from November 4.

• London (LHR) to Tampa (TPA) starting November 2 (New Route).

• London (LHR) to Miami (MIA) starting November 13. Also operates on November 17, 24, 26, December 1, then daily from December 5.

• London (LHR) to New York (JFK) one-off flight on November 7. Regular flights begin March 6 with less than daily frequency.

Peculiarly, Virgin Atlantic will now launch its new route to Tampa (TPA) one day earlier, starting from November 2 rather than the previously announced November 3.

Virgin Atlantic will debut its new Upper Class product and the Retreat Suite with the introduction of the A330neo. The airline has 16 aircraft on order to replace its less efficient A330-300s and allow for new expansion, such as the upcoming Tampa route.