Virgin Atlantic confirms launch of Austin flights
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On Saturday we wrote that rumours were swirling of a new Virgin Atlantic route to Austin, Texas.
It turns out the rumours were true and flights are now being loaded into the booking system. Services are currently visible when you search via Google Flights but are NOT – as of Monday evening -appearing when you search via the Virgin Atlantic website.
The flights are as follows, with the route launching on 25th May:
- VS231 departs Heathrow at 11:35 and arrives in Austin at 16:05
- VS232 departs Austin at 18:05 and arrives in London at 9:00 the following day
The total flight time is 10:30 hours on the outbound and 8:55 on the return, which should give you enough time for a decent amount of sleep on the way back.
Flights will operate four times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. They will use a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which still has the older Upper Class seat rather than the new suite on the A350s.
Virgin Atlantic is going head to head with British Airways on the route, which operates a daily flight with its A350 (and Club Suite) over the Summer.
Flights officially go on sale on the 12th. We are told the headline promotional fares will be £409 in Economy and £1,711 in Upper Class.
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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.
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