First direct flights to the Caribbean from Scotland takes off
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Scotland's only direct flight to the Caribbean has just taken off.
Virgin Atlantic’s connection from Edinburgh to Barbados has touched down for the first time.
Flight VS223 flown by one of the airline's Airbus A330 landed on the island at 4.15pm local time yesterday.
The new Edinburgh service marks the first time Virgin Atlantic has flown international flights from the Scottish capital in its 37-year history and is Scotland’s only direct flight from the Caribbean.
Virgin Atlantic said the new service aims to capture the pent-up demand to visit and reconnect with family and loved ones as well as sun-seekers looking to explore the beautiful Caribbean destination.
Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Commencing international flights from Edinburgh marks an exciting new chapter for Virgin Atlantic and we couldn’t be happier to be flying from a new home in Scotland.
"I know our teams have been itching to show Edinburgh the Virgin Atlantic spirit and flair we’re famous for.
“Our new route to the idyllic island of Barbados offers the quintessential Caribbean getaway and a perfect escape for those travellers looking to either simply relax or explore a new corner of the world.”
The new twice weekly service from Edinburgh will operate on Sundays and Wednesdays. The flight will be operated by the airline’s Airbus A330.
Barbados also allows for easy onward connections to the wider Caribbean with links to Grenada, St Vincent and Tobago available with Virgin Atlantic, alongside flights with Virgin Atlantic’s interline partner, Caribbean Airlines.
Customers can choose to fly in one of three cabins on the new Edinburgh route including the luxurious Upper Class, which offers an exclusive bar area and fully flat beds, or Premium, where customers can enjoy a 38” seat pitch, welcome drinks and fine dining. Return Economy flights start from £419 per person.
As well as flying customers, Virgin Atlantic will offer a cargo service presenting new opportunities for companies looking to export famous Scottish goods such as whisky and smoked salmon or to import between Scotland and the Caribbean.
