Why is Virgin Atlantic adding London–Bengaluru flights in early 2026?

Reflecting sustained passenger demand, Virgin Atlantic is significantly increasing its services between London Heathrow (LHR) and Bengaluru (BLR).

The airline will raise the flight frequency from seven to 11 per week. This increase will take effect during the peak travel months of January, February, and March 2026. These additional flights supplement the carrier's existing daily schedule to Bengaluru, a route first launched in March 2024.

India: A Key Growth Market

India represents Virgin Atlantic’s largest area of growth outside the United States. The country is now the airline's third-largest global market. The enhanced schedule complements Virgin Atlantic’s double daily services from London Heathrow to both Delhi and Mumbai. The airline now offers one million seats annually to India. This marks a 350 per cent capacity increase since 2019. The carrier recently celebrated 25 years of operations in the Indian market. This milestone began with its first flights between London Heathrow and Delhi.

Virgin Atlantic currently operates five daily flights across its three Indian destinations. The airline's growth plans include offering close to one million seats in India. It also aims for higher capacity on the key Mumbai route.

Strategic Partnerships and Connectivity

The airline continues to leverage strategic alliances for wider connectivity. Its successful codeshare partnership with IndiGo is a central component. This partnership, launched in September 2022, has expanded significantly. It now offers seamless connections to 34 cities across India. These destinations include Goa, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar. The codeshare has already connected over 200,000 customers.

This expansion builds on a multi-airline partnership announced in June. This alliance connects India with Europe and North America. It combines IndiGo’s domestic network with the transatlantic operations of Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM. Virgin Atlantic’s UK and transatlantic network completes this global structure.

Commercial Aviation Outlook

This move highlights the growing importance of the UK-India aviation corridor. The UK remains a sizeable market for India. The overall Indian aviation market is robust and expanding rapidly. Industry data projects India's aviation market to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.25% through 2030. Virgin Atlantic’s increased capacity directly addresses this surging demand. The airline continues to review new opportunities in India. However, its immediate focus remains on maximizing existing services and partnerships. For the latest updates on route developments and airline strategies, visit our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.

This frequency boost offers key opportunities for business and leisure travelers. It strengthens Bengaluru's position as a major international hub. It also provides greater access to North America via London Heathrow (LHR).