British holidaymakers can now book their winter escape to Thailand's stunning beaches, with Virgin Atlantic Holidays opening sales today for packages to Phuket starting at £999 per person.
The airline's inaugural nonstop service between London Heathrow and the Thai island paradise will take off in October 2026, making it the first carrier to offer direct flights on this route.
The new connection promises to transform how Britons reach one of Southeast Asia's most beloved destinations, eliminating the need for stopovers and bringing Thailand's turquoise waters, vibrant culture and incredible food within easier reach than ever before.
The thrice-weekly service will launch on October 18, 2026, operating on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from London, with return flights on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays. Virgin Atlantic will deploy its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the route, featuring 31 Upper Class suites, 35 Premium seats and 192 Economy seats.
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Packages to Phuket start at £999 per person
| GETTYTravellers can book complete holiday packages from today through Virgin Atlantic Holidays and selected partners, whilst flight-only tickets become available from November 26.
The airline will be the sole operator providing direct connections between Heathrow and Phuket, cutting out lengthy layovers that currently make the journey to Thailand's biggest island a marathon affair.
From the majestic Golden Buddha at Wat Khao Rang to the winding lanes of historic Phuket town, the island offers far more than just gorgeous coastlines. Food lovers will find themselves in heaven with Thailand's renowned culinary scene right at their fingertips.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays has lined up over 20 places to stay in Phuket alone, plus another 60-plus options across Thailand.
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The airline's partnership with Bangkok Airways means island-hopping adventures to Koh Samui, Krabi and other Thai gems are wonderfully simple to arrange.
Chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, Juha Jarvinen, 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."
The Phuket flights join Virgin Atlantic's growing collection of winter sun escapes, including recently launched Cancun services and established routes to the Maldives, Dubai and Cape Town – perfect for Britons desperate to swap grey skies for sunshine.
Flights will start in October 2026
|GETTY
In more Virgin Atlantic news, it airline has rolled out last-minute deals to the Maldives, the USA and more dream holiday destinations.
The cheapest deal on offer is three nights in New York, which starts from £692 for flights and accommodation. Orlando is the cheapest per night - at £878 for seven nights - and Antigua offers some of the best value, with flights and seven nights all-inclusive costing £1,544.
You can also find deals for packages going to the Maldives and Los Angeles, all departing in December 2025 or January 2026.
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