Just one month after its inaugural flight, Virgin Atlantic’s new daily route between London Heathrow and Riyadh is proving to be a game-changer. It connects two global capitals through premium service.
Launched on 30 March 2025, the nonstop service marks Virgin Atlantic’s bold expansion into the Saudi market.
“The launch of our Riyadh service has exceeded expectations,” said Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic.
“We’re seeing strong momentum across business, leisure, and family travel — testament to the appetite for connectivity between the UK and the Kingdom.”
The route has quickly become central to Virgin Atlantic’s broader regional strategy.
Early indicators show around 80 percent point-of-sale from Saudi Arabia. There is strong demand among premium business travelers and growing visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic.
Beyond passenger traffic, the route is emerging as a key cargo corridor. It supports up to 30 tons of freight per flight. Pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce shipments are driving booming demand. This reinforces Riyadh’s position as a logistics hub.
A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Riyadh Air lays the foundation for deeper collaboration in future connectivity and joint growth.
The 7:00 AM arrival into Heathrow enables seamless onward connections to 12 major U.S. cities and beyond. This firmly places Riyadh at the center of a growing transatlantic network.
“With Virgin Mobile and Virgin Megastore already here, this new flight connects the Kingdom to our wider world of innovation and customer delight,” he said.
“This isn’t just about flying — it’s about building bridges between cultures, people, and opportunities.”
