From October 2026, Virgin Atlantic will be flying direct from London three times a week (Image: Getty)
Virgin Atlantic has announced it is launching a new seasonal direct route from London to Thailand’s iconic holiday island of Phuket, starting this October. The flight will depart from Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Phuket International Airport (HKT), operating three times a week aboard their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, from October 18.
This becomes the only non-stop flight from Heathrow to Phuket, with flights departing on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, offering seamless winter sun access to Thailand’s stunning beaches and islands on its West Coast.
“Virgin Atlantic is delighted to be launching new services between London Heathrow and Phuket for Winter 2026, connecting sunshine seekers with Thailand’s breathtaking beaches and vibrant nightlife,” the airline said in its press release.
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Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, famous for its stunning Andaman Sea beaches (Image: Getty)
Thailand’s popularity has seen a huge boom in recent years, especially since the release of The White Lotus Season Three, which offered an insight into its incredible luxury hotels.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, famous for its stunning Andaman Sea beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs and vibrant nightlife, especially in Patong. Visitors can also explore colourful 19th-century shophouses in Phuket City’s Old Town, visit Chinese shrines, and see historical mansions. The iconic Big Buddha statue on Nakkerd Hill offers panoramic views, while Phang Nga Bay (with James Bond Island) is a popular day trip.
For those already itching to book, luckily, package holidays with Virgin Atlantic Holidays – with prices starting from £999 per person – have been available since October 30, while flight bookings have been open since November 26.
“Virgin Atlantic Holidays offers more than 20 accommodation options in Phuket and over 80 throughout Thailand including the destinations of Khao Lak, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Noi / Koh Yao Yai, Hua Hin, Koh Samui Pattaya and, of course the vibrant capital Bangkok,” Virgin Atlantic added.
“With luxury boutique eco-resorts, family-friendly hotels and secluded adults-only retreats, there is something for everyone from the intrepid traveller, the luxury sun seeker and families looking for adventure.
Both package holidays through Virgin Atlantic Holidays and flights are already on sale (Image: Getty)
“A partnership with Bangkok Airways as well as land and sea transfers allow easy connectivity for those travellers looking to explore beyond Phuket with options to Bangkok, Koh Samui, Krabi and beyond.”
The new flights to Thailand boost Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays’ winter sun portfolio, complementing the airline’s seasonal services to Cancun, which launched on October 19, as well as the Maldives, Dubai, Cape Town and year-round Caribbean options.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said: “We’re thrilled to introduce our new direct service to Phuket, giving our customers a flavour of one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations. As well as making the trip more convenient, they can enjoy exploring Thailand’s unique heritage, natural beauty and delicious cuisine. We can’t wait for our customers to experience our trademark hospitality on their next unforgettable journey.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
