Virgin Atlantic opening a Clubhouse lounge at Manchester Airport

Whilst the entire airline industry was publicly expressing its sadness at the collapse of Thomas Cook last week, the truth is that the failure of the airline division opens up a lot of new opportunities.

In regional short-haul, Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet will be keen to pick up the additional business.

At London Gatwick, British Airways has already said that it will be bidding for the Thomas Cook slots.  I would also expect Virgin Atlantic to be interested.

The real opportunity for Virgin Atlantic, however, is at Manchester.

There was, amongst Virgin Atlantic staff, a feeling that Manchester was only big enough for one long-haul hub carrier.  With Thomas Cook out of the picture, and neither British Airways or Norwegian looking suitable candidates to buy the long-haul slots, Virgin Atlantic is looking in good shape to capitalise.

This was Thomas Cook’s long-haul network in Summer 2019:

• Cancun – Glasgow, Gatwick, Manchester
• Cayo Coco (Cuba) – Gatwick, Manchester
• Holguin – Gatwick, Manchester
• Las Vegas – Manchester
• Los Angeles – Manchester
• Montego Bay – Manchester
• New York JFK – Manchester
• Orlando – Glasgow, Gatwick, Manchester
• Punta Cana – Manchester
• San Francisco – Manchester
• Seattle – Manchester
• Varadero – Manchester

As you can see, there is a lot of potential here for Virgin Atlantic to pick up additional routes from Manchester.  The snag is that only 38% of Thomas Cook flights were sold as ‘seat only’ – the rest were sold as packages, mainly via Thomas Cook itself, and that business may well be gone forever unless Virgin Holidays ramps up its operations considerably.

Back to that new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Manchester ….

The point of the discussion above was to allow you to set the Virgin Atlantic announcement on Friday in context.

This is what the airline promised:

Allocating a Boeing 747 to the majority of Manchester to New York JFK flights, leading to a substantial increase in seating capacity

Adding a 3rd weekly service to Barbados for the Winter 2019 season

Announcing the long planned opening of a Clubhouse in the new pier at Manchester Terminal 2 (image above), which is due to open in “Spring 2020”

Refurbishing the Virgin Atlantic V-Room, the lounge used by Virgin Holidays customers

There was also, for Gatwick customers, the announcement of two additional weekly flights to Barbados this Winter, taking the total to nine.

We don’t know much about the new Clubhouse except:

“In order to provide an unrivalled travel experience, Virgin Atlantic will bring its iconic Clubhouse lounge to Manchester for the first time from Spring 2020.  Upper Class customers and Gold Card members can take advantage of the exclusive space before their flight, which will include a la carte dinning and a full service bar, quiet working spaces and a spa, allowing passengers to relax and rejuvenate before they depart.”

Given how appalling all of the existing lounges are at Manchester Terminal 2, this will be a massive improvement for Virgin’s Upper Class customers.  I am keen to take a look next Spring.

Looking forward, this statement is clearly a response to the demise of Thomas Cook:

“The airline is now reviewing options to add further flights and new destinations to its Winter 2019 / Summer 2020 schedule. A greater number of flights from both Gatwick and Manchester to Orlando will come into effect during peak travel periods, with further details to be announced shortly.”

Seats for the new Manchester / Gatwick to Barbados services will go on sale tomorrow, although I do not yet know what dates they are operating.  It may be an opportunity to pick up a Winter break to Barbados with your Virgin Flying Club miles ….

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (March 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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to 120,000 points. You receive 80,000 points when you spend £12,000 within three months and a further 40,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 8th April 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Business Gold is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 60,000 points. You receive 40,000 points when you spend £6,000 within three months and a further 20,000 points if you spend on the card between Month 14 and Month 17. Points convert 1:1 into Avios and many other programmes. Click here to apply.

American Express Business Platinum

Up to 120,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

Up to 60,000 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.