Virgin Atlantic’s Manchester expansion takes off with inaugural flight to San Francisco

Virgin Atlantic has kicked off “significant growth” this week at Manchester Airport with the launch of the first in a hat trick of long-haul services to the US.

This morning (March 28) saw the departure of the carrier’s inaugural service to San Francisco, the first ever direct route between the North of England and Northern California.

In addition to opening up a popular leisure destination for North West holidaymakers, the route has also been hailed as a big Northern Powerhouse boost for giving Northern tech businesses direct access to Silicon Valley.

Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer Shai Weis marked the occasion alongside with Minister for International Trade Greg Hands and Manchester Airports Group’s chief exec Charlie Cornish by greeting guests ahead of the flight’s departure.

They three were joined by over 30 tech leaders from the North who travelled on the flight as part of a trade mission to Silicon Valley, where they will fly the flag for the Northern tech scene in meetings with representatives of California’s leading universities tech giants and venture capital funding community.

Virgin Atlantic’s Shai Weiss said: “We’ve been flying out of Manchester for over 20 years and today marks our biggest ever route expansion from the city.

“We want to offer our customers services to places they want to travel to and this summer, we’ll have 26% more seats out of the city than last year, cementing our commitment to Manchester and the Northern Powerhouse.”

Image L-R: Greg Hands MP, Manchester Airport dep CEO Collette Roche and Virgin Atlantic CCO Shai Weiss

MAG chief exec Charlie Cornish commented: “Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to Manchester Airport and its significant growth demonstrates the demand that exists for flights from the North to global destinations like San Francisco.

“The fact so many businesses from all parts of the North are joining the trade mission is testament to the role the private sector is playing in realising the Northern Powerhouse vision and I wish them all every success out in Silicon Valley.

“It is the perfect illustration of how direct connectivity to key markets like San Francisco will drive growth in high value sectors and help deliver the Government’s new Industrial Strategy.”