EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Atlantic cancels Sao Paulo before flights even start (for the 2nd time)

Earlier this year, Virgin Atlantic confirmed it would (re-)launch flights to Sao Paulo after earlier plans were nixed by covid. It was to be Virgin Atlantic’s first foray into South America.

The plan was to launch in May 2024 with a daily, all year, service.

Readers with long memories will remember that Virgin Atlantic originally announced this route in March 2019, to launch in March 2020. We already had our invitation to join Sir Richard Branson on the inaugural flight before covid scuppered the plans.

Virgin Atlantic has now cancelled the route for a second time. This is just three months after tickets went on sale and six months before flights are due to start.

To be more accurate, it is ‘postponed’ – but postponed for a year.

This is what the airline says:

As we continue expanding our flying programme in 2024, we have had to make careful decisions about our network. As a result, we have decided to postpone the launch of our new service between London Heathrow and Sao Paulo until 2025. We are very sorry for any disappointment this may cause. 

We are committed to flying to Brazil and look forward to welcoming you onboard in the Summer of 2025. 

With tickets only having been on sale for three months, and with flights not due to start until next May, it would be odd if the flights had been pulled due to poor sales. That said, this is a route where Virgin Atlantic will compete with both British Airways and LATAM.

It is also a long route, and one aircraft could do two runs to the US East Coast, Middle East or Israel in the time taken for one trip to Brazil. Perhaps Virgin Atlantic is facing issues with aircraft out for maintenance checks? It could also be down to something else entirely, such as regulatory issues.

Whatever the reason, I will have to pack away my samba gear for another 12 months.

There is no announcement on the Virgin Atlantic website, except for the fact that the Sao Paulo page here now says ‘Flights commence summer 2025’.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (December 2023)

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):

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 9th January 2024, you will receive 30,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to 30,000 Avios) with American Express Preferred Rewards Gold. You receive 25,000 points if you spend £3,000 in three months and a further 5,000 points if you hold the card for 15 months. You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 30,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 30,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 9th January 2024, you will receive a huge 100,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to 100,000 Avios) with The Platinum Card. You receive 75,000 points if you spend £10,000 in six months and a further 25,000 points if you hold the card for 15 months. You can apply here.

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

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.)