Virgin Atlantic to Launch First-Ever Nonstop London–Phuket Route

Virgin Atlantic starts a new nonstop service between London Heathrow and Phuket on October 18, 2026, operating three flights a week. It’s the airline’s first-ever route to Thailand and to Southeast Asia, giving UK travellers a direct option into Phuket where previously they would have connected through Bangkok or a Gulf hub.

Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) allocated the route a slot as part of the winter 2026/27 schedule, alongside three other airlines new to Thailand — Riyadh Air, SkyUp Nistru and AirBorneo. The launch was also backed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during an official visit to the UK.

For anyone in Britain planning a winter trip to Phuket, this adds a nonstop alternative alongside the existing indirect routings — worth checking Virgin Atlantic’s own booking system closer to the date in case the schedule shifts.