Aer Lingus to operate Virgin Atlantic’s new UK domestic services
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As I posted a few weeks ago, Virgin Atlantic is gearing up to launch services from Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen to Heathrow.
Virgin will be paying Aer Lingus to operate these flights under a so-called ‘wet lease’ agreement. Aer Lingus will be providing four A320’s for the service, and the crew will be Aer Lingus employees dressed in Virgin uniforms.
The Manchester service starts in March, with the Scottish routes launching in April. They will operate to Terminal 1 at Heathrow, so there will be no opportunity of using the Clubhouse lounge in Terminal 3.
If these flights also operate from the usual Aer Lingus gates, the (surprisingly decent) Aer Lingus lounge will probably become a joint Aer Lingus / Virgin facility – at least until the new Terminal 1/2 opens in 2014.
There is some cynicism about these new Virgin services. It is possible that they will be run for a short period, unprofitably, and then Virgin will ask for permission to use the slots for long-haul services instead.
You shouldn’t read too much into the decision to use Aer Lingus crew, though – it would have been difficult for Virgin to secure aircraft and enough crew to operate the services at relatively short notice. If the routes do work out, the Aer Lingus deal will probably be switched to a Virgin-crewed operation eventually.
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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.
