Virgin Atlantic launches non-stop flights to Phuket – Book now!

Virgin Atlantic launches non-stop flights to Phuket – Book now!

In an exciting announcement, Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will be reviving service to Phuket as part of its return to the Asia Pacific region. From October 18, 2026, the British airline will fly three times a week between London Heathrow (LHR) and Phuket (HKT). This represents the only non-stop connection between these two destinations and is already generating great expectations from UK travelers planning a dream holiday in Thailand.

The planned flight route includes the use of the modern Boeing 787-9, which is equipped with 258 seats in different classes: 31 in Business Class, 35 in Premium Economy and 192 in Economy Class. The flight schedule is for flight VS214 to depart London at 12:00 p.m. and land in Phuket at 7:10 a.m. the next morning. We return with flight VS215, which departs from Phuket at 9:20 a.m. and lands in London at 4:00 p.m.

Flight schedule and booking information

Flights to Phuket are scheduled eastbound on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and westbound on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays. The flight time from London to Phuket is 12 hours and 10 minutes, while the return flight takes around 13 hours and 40 minutes. Bookings for these new flights will be available from November 26, 2025. The direct route is 6,158 miles long and is designed to meet seasonal demand, responding to the increased popularity of Thailand as a travel destination, particularly in winter.

Interestingly, this is Virgin Atlantic's only route to Thailand, which also sets the challenge of competition as TUI Airways offers seasonal flights from London Gatwick to Phuket. This will force Virgin Atlantic to assert itself in the market and possibly respond to existing connections.

Strategic expansion in Asia Pacific

Virgin Atlantic is also aiming for extensive expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline plans to launch a daily service from London to Seoul starting March 29, 2026. This new route is the result of competitive conditions imposed as part of the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic will enter into a codeshare partnership with Korean Air to strengthen rivalry in these dynamic markets.

However, it remains unclear whether Virgin Atlantic will be able to gain a foothold in already crowded markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore or Tokyo. Approval to fly to Seoul was financially secured in 2025, but there are still challenges to overcome to realize its ambitions in Asia. Those already dreaming of Phuket's glorious weather might best keep an eye on Virgin Atlantic's upcoming launch.

Interested in more information about the new flights? On Virgin Atlantic travelers can find out everything they need to know about upcoming connections.

With these developments, Virgin Atlantic has taken the right step to expand its presence in the Asian market and meet the growing demand for holiday destinations such as Phuket.