Virgin to fly London-Sao Paulo route
Virgin Atlantic is to operate a service between London and Sao Paulo in Brazil next year.
Flights will operate daily on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, offering Upper Class, Premium and Virgin’s three economy classes.
A start date has yet to be confirmed.
The airline said the new service, which will operate from Heathrow, aimed to capitalise on the fast-growing Brazilian economy, adding that there would be year-round demand for the flights.
Sao Paulo is the largest city in the Americas after New York for multinational companies to have offices, and it also has a booming tourism industry, said Virgin.
The Iguacu Falls and the Amazon rainforest, two of South America’s main tourist attractions, are easily accessible from the city, it added.
The airline said convenient connections would open up other iconic attractions, such as Rio de Janeiro and the beaches of Santa Catarina.
"2019 marks the start of a new phase of growth for Virgin Atlantic as we work to become the most loved travel company," Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic executive vice president – commercial, said.
"Sao Paulo represents an incredible opportunity for our business, and we’re very excited to be flying to a brand new continent for the first time. There are a significant number of corporate customers, and multi-national businesses, located in this Powerhouse of South America who can now enjoy the Virgin Atlantic experience on this busy international route."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026