Virgin Atlantic launching flights to Barbados and Florida from Edinburgh

Virgin Atlantic has just announced that it will be launching its first-ever international flights from Edinburgh Airport this winter.

(You may remember that Virgin briefly operated ‘Little Red’ domestic services between London and Edinburgh, which is why it can’t call the new flights its debut at the Scottish airport.)

Where will Virgin Atlantic fly from Edinburgh?

Virgin will launch direct flights to Barbados and offer the only direct flights between Scotland and the Caribbean. The flights will launch on the 5th December and will operate twice weekly. We don’t know the timings yet but they will depart on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Flights will be bookable from the 18th August and lead-in prices start at £419 return in economy.

The flights will be operated by the A330 fleet, so you won’t be getting the newest Upper Class Suite currently found on the A350s. These aircraft have 31 seats in Upper Class, 48 Premium and 185 economy and are the smallest aircraft in Virgin’s fleet. (The ex-airberlin A330-200s are due to be retired by early 2022).

In the Spring the route will be joined by flights to Orlando, Florida, also from Edinburgh. These are due to begin in April.

Further Caribbean expansion

Edinburgh isn’t the only airport getting a boost. Virgin Atlantic is also launching flights from Manchester to Montego Bay (Jamaica) from 6th November and is returning to St Lucia from Heathrow on 18th December.

As previously announced Virgin will also increase flights to Barbados by 70% across the board, with eleven weekly flights from Heathrow and five from Manchester this winter. It will also launch flights to The Bahamas – tickets for which are now on sale.

What will flights cost in Virgin Points?

The Virgin Points flight redemption chart is here.

All of the Caribbean routes have the same pricing. You will pay, plus taxes and charges:

• Economy: 40,000 points peak / 20,000 points off-peak
• Premium: 55,000 points peak / 35,000 points off-peak
• Upper Class: 135,000 points peak / 115,000 points off-peak

The peak dates for 2021/2 are:

• 14 July – 5 September 2021
• 15 – 26 October 2021
• 11 – 31 December 2021
• 1 January – 6 March 2022
• 7 – 26 April 2022
• 30 May – 5 June 2022
• 16 June – 4 September 2022

Remember that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards come with a 2-4-1 voucher if you hit an annual spend target. Unlike the British Airways American Express cards, the Virgin credit card voucher can be used for a 2-4-1 or upgrade on cash or points tickets – see here.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.