Virgin Atlantic confirms Sao Paulo flight dates and timings
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Whilst tickets are not currently on sale, Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the dates and times for the new Sao Paulo service.
Flights will launch on 29th March 2020, using a Boeing 787-9. This means that you will not be getting the new version of the Upper Class Suite, currently rolling out exclusively on the A350 fleet.
The service will operate daily.
The outbound, VS197, will leave Heathrow Terminal 3 at 22.30 and arrive in Sao Paulo at 06.25 the following day.
The return flight, VS198, will leave Sao Paulo at 16.25 and arrive in Heathrow at 07.50 the following day.
It is obvious that these are not ideal timings for Virgin Atlantic. It will have a $200m aircraft sitting on the tarmac in Brazil for 10 hours per day, not generating income.
As we covered last week, Virgin Atlantic has agreed a codeshare deal with GOL to allow you to purchase through-tickets for domestic destinations in Brazil.
Tickets are expected to be on sale, both for cash and Virgin Flying Club miles, in the next few days.
How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2024)
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 15,000 Virgin Points):
Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard
15,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review
Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard
A generous earning rate for a free card at 0.75 points per £1 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.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 40,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 40,000 Virgin Points.
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a 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
40,000 points sign-up bonus 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.
(Want to earn more Virgin Points? Click here to see our recent articles on Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club and click here for our home page with the latest news on earning and spending other airline and hotel points.)
ChrisC 
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