Virgin Atlantic announces routes to Riyadh and Accra

Virgin Atlantic is to launch a new route from London to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia next year, as well as restoring flights to Ghana for the first time in more than a decade.

The UK-based airline will begin daily Heathrow-Riyadh flights on 30 March 2025 using Airbus A330neo aircraft, which includes the Retreat Suite – the latest iteration of its Upper Class cabin. 

“The airline will provide much needed competition on the route, which currently lacks a choice of routes between the two countries,” said Virgin in its announcement.

Virgin will also resume flights from Heathrow to Accra in Ghana on 1 May 2025. The airline has not operated to the West African city since 2013.

The Heathrow-Accra route will also operate on a daily basis, using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft fitted with economy, premium and Upper Class cabins.

Virgin Atlantic has already previously announced its return to Canada next year for the first time in more than a decade, with flights from Heathrow to Toronto due to start on 30 March 2025.

Juha Jarvinen, the airline’s chief commercial officer, said: “Riyadh and Accra join Toronto as new routes for summer flying in 2025 and we see huge opportunities to connect friends, relatives and businesses with our new services.

“We’re also delighted to build on our codeshare with SkyTeam partner Saudia, further strengthening connectivity in the region, and beyond, and bringing new benefits to our loyal customers.”

The routes to Riyadh and Accra will both go on sale on 12 September. Both services are also subject to government and slot approvals.