Virgin Atlantic Delays Ticket Sales for New Heathrow-Seoul Route: What to Know - Travel And Tour World
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Virgin Atlantic has suspended ticket bookings for its much-awaited new route to Seoul, South Korea that was due to start on 29th March 2026. Despite this suspension of ticket bookings, the carrier remains confident that the route would start as planned with a daily service from London Heathrow to Seoul operating a Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft.
The new flight was revealed in April 2025 when tickets would become available for purchase in May. The airline recently updated their website with a message that even while final touches are being added, ticket promotions have been temporarily put on hold. Virgin Atlantic reassured travelers that it has been adding final touches and would sell tickets for purchase soon. The air carrier was elated to have passengers on board and fly them to South Korea in their signature style.
Virgin Atlantic’s new daily service to Seoul marks a significant milestone in the airline’s ongoing expansion across Asia. The route follows recent Virgin Atlantic developments, such as new flights to Dubai, the Maldives, and additional services to India. With Seoul’s dynamic cultural scene, technological advancements, and growing tourism appeal, the new route is expected to attract both leisure and business travelers seeking direct access to one of Asia’s most influential cities.
The flight will connect passengers in London Heathrow, a major international hub, to the vibrant capital of South Korea, known for its mix of ancient tradition and cutting-edge modernity. Seoul, with its rich history, bustling districts, and contemporary culture, offers travelers an opportunity to explore world-class shopping, art, and cuisine, along with a gateway to the rest of Asia.
In addition to the direct flights from London Heathrow to Seoul, Virgin Atlantic is collaborating with its SkyTeam alliance partner, Korean Air, to offer connections from Seoul to over 15 cities within South Korea, as well as popular destinations in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. This partnership significantly enhances the accessibility of the region, giving travelers seamless access to a broader network of cities and countries.
The collaboration with Korean Air will provide travelers with more flexibility and options, making Seoul a perfect stopover for international travelers heading to various destinations across Asia and the Pacific region.
The new Seoul route will be operated by Virgin Atlantic’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft. Known for its fuel efficiency, superior comfort, and quiet engines, the Dreamliner offers a smoother flight experience. The aircraft features spacious cabins with wider seats, higher ceilings, and larger windows, giving passengers a more enjoyable journey.
Passengers can expect the usual Virgin Atlantic hospitality and premium services, including the airline’s renowned Upper Class offering, as well as the highly rated Economy and Premium Economy cabins. The Dreamliner’s design focuses on increasing passenger comfort with features like reduced cabin pressure, improved air quality, and advanced lighting systems, making it an ideal choice for long-haul flights like this one.
Although the delay in ticket sales is unfortunate for eager travelers, Virgin Atlantic remains optimistic about the launch of the Seoul route. The delay likely stems from finalizing various logistical and operational details, including coordination with local authorities, staff training, and other preparation tasks. Given that Virgin received the Heathrow slots specifically to operate this new route to Seoul as a condition of Korean Air’s 2023 takeover of rival Asiana, it seems unlikely that the service will be shelved.
The route’s introduction follows the UK government’s efforts to strengthen ties with South Korea and other Asian markets. The launch also aligns with Virgin Atlantic’s broader strategy to tap into the growing demand for travel to the Asia-Pacific region, which has been steadily rising despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and changing travel trends.
South Korea is experiencing a surge in tourism, particularly after reopening to international travelers post-pandemic. The UK remains one of the top sources of inbound tourism to South Korea, with travelers flocking to the country’s cultural heritage sites, vibrant shopping districts, and bustling culinary scene. The new Virgin Atlantic service will help further boost the flow of visitors, fostering greater economic exchange between the two nations.
For South Korea, the new route to London Heathrow also helps strengthen its position as a key global tourism destination. Visitors will have more convenient access to the country’s vibrant capital, Seoul, and its many tourist attractions, including the ancient palaces, modern skyscrapers, and bustling markets. The enhanced flight connectivity will support South Korea’s growing travel and tourism sector, offering even more opportunities for business partnerships, trade, and investment.
Its expansion in Asia, symbolized in this new Seoul flight, has been a significant chapter in the airline’s broader international expansion policy. With this new flight, Virgin continues to grow its international footprint while boosting links between the UK and key worldwide destinations.
Seoul route passengers waiting for booking can look forward to resumption of ticket booking soon. Preceding an officially declared reopening of ticket booking, it’s self-evident that Virgin Atlantic will be a key carrier on comprehensive Asian air routes with world-leading passenger comfort and expanding connectivity to this fast-developing region.
(Source: Virgin Atlantic.)
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Tags: Airline Expansion, Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner, flights to South Korea, Heathrow slots, international flights, Korea Travel, korean air, london heathrow, New airline routes, Seoul route, south korea travel, Travel News, Virgin Atlantic
