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Good evening,
As far as I know, Korean Air and Asiana haven’t completed their merge yet, however once is done: do you think Virgin will announce new Seoul destination commencing before October 2025?.
I redeem Virgin points on Korean Air, but unfortunately can’t use my vouchers (only valid for Virgin).
Not really interested in the USA network, although Seoul would be perfect for me.
Thanks in advance.
The merger has now legally completed.
I’m in the same boat! There was a clause in the original agreement with Virgin allowing them to delay further if Russian airspace was not open to UK carriers, so I’m not holding my breath to be able to book anything next year. My voucher would expire summer 2026, so still keeping fingers crossed I might be able to book a trip to Korea in March/April 2026.
Virgin has been strangely quiet about this since the merger completed ten days ago. Virgin is not obliged to operate the route but if it doesn’t, the ‘remedy taker’ slots will have to offered to another airline on terms acceptable to the CMA per the merger agreement undertakings.
Thank you guys for clarification. It seems that I will just stick with Korean Air for now. 62.000 miles and £175 in taxes is still good though.
Piggy backing on this. I just don’t see VS launching ICN. The route is clearly against their current Business Model. The have all but given up on the Far East – retreating out of HKG and PVG over the last 3 years. Will the Sweetener really be enough to run this loss making route?
The only routes that they are committed on is US; locations with historic UK links (ACC, India, SA) premium lifestyle locations that fit well with the millennial/influencer crowd (DXB, Cancun) etc. All locations I have no interest visiting – so I really do hope I am proved wrong!
I’ll wager a change in Russian airspace policy, or a massive bribe from an interested party, is required to make this route fly.
Sat at breakfast in Hong Kong and was just talking with the OH and we were trying to figure out why Virgin ever pulled the HKG route?
Having been to Seoul, it’s a bit niche and not a patch on Hong Kong. If HKG didn’t work….what chance for ICN?
Furthest east I can get is India.
Sat at breakfast in Hong Kong and was just talking with the OH and we were trying to figure out why Virgin ever pulled the HKG route?
Having been to Seoul, it’s a bit niche and not a patch on Hong Kong. If HKG didn’t work….what chance for ICN?
Furthest east I can get is India.
It has gone oddly quiet re Seoul. Virgin pulled out of HK and BA removed its second daily flight as there is far less traffic for both tourism and business as the economy and general attraction of HK has declined and the viability of the route compromised by avoiding Russian airspace. London is naturally important for CX and it can carry significant transfer traffic to improve the economics of the route.
Sat at breakfast in Hong Kong and was just talking with the OH and we were trying to figure out why Virgin ever pulled the HKG route?
Avoiding Russian airspace is a huge issue. If/when things improve militarily and diplomatically I’m sure Virgin will consider restarting SE Asia operations.
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