VIRGIN will soon be flying to a Thai destination for the first time ever.
From October 18, 2026, Virgin Atlantic will launch flights to Phuket in Thailand three times a week.
The flight will be the only direct service between London Heathrow and Thailand‘s largest island.
The flights will operate seasonally in the winter, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from London Heathrow and Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays from Phuket.
Tickets for the flights will go on sale on November 26.
The aircraft used will be a Boeing 787-9 and onboard passengers will get complimentary food and drink, entertainment including movies and TV series and WiFi available for purchase.
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There will be 31 Upper Class seats, 35 Premium, and 192 Economy.
If you can’t wait until November 26 to book flights, then package holidays will be available to book from today, with prices starting from £999 per person.
For example, you could spend seven nights at the four-star Sugar Marina Hotel Fashion – Kata Beach in a deluxe double room on a bed and breakfast basis, with return economy flights from Heathrow for £999 per person.
If you fancied something a little more luxurious, then you could stay at the five-star The Sands Khao Lak by Katatthani in a ‘Sands’ double room on an all inclusive basis for £1,599 per person.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays offers more than 230 accommodation options in Phuket, and over 80 throughout Thailand.
In addition, through the airline’s partnership with Bangkok Airways, travellers can head to a number of other destinations such as Koh Samui.
Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer for Virgin Atlantic, 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.”
In 2024, Bounce – a luggage storage company – announced that Phuket was the world’s most popular island holiday destination.
Phuket is known for having stunning beaches and a rich food scene.
For example, there is Patong Beach which is known for having a vibrant nightlife.
For families, Karon and Kata Beaches are then popular spots, with white sand and crystal clear waters.
Cultural attractions include the Big Buddha perched at the top of Nakkerd Hill – it is 45 metres tall and at the site, visitors can get 360-degree panoramic views of the landscape.
Phuket’s old town is also a famous spot to explore, with lots of history and pretty architecture.
For Phuket, island hopping is great day out as well, with the famous Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island (Phang Nga Bay) nearby.
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is then home to the island’s only remaining evergreen rainforest.
There are numerous walking trails through the rainforest, and on some, hikers can see waterfalls such as Bang Pae Waterfall.
Phuket benefits from warm temperatures year round, with the lowest temperature being around 25C and the highest 35C.
September is the wettest month to visit and February is the driest, with around two days of rainfall.
What’s it like to visit Phuket?
The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski also visited Phuket in 2023, exploring different parts of the island.
Sophie Swietochowski said: “With white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and everything you need at the click of a finger, staying here feels as if you’ve stepped straight on to a movie set, even more so, now that TV hit The White Lotus is heading to Thailand for its third series.
“Of course when you venture to this exotic area of the world, some exploring is a must, and at the Wang Kiang Ku river, you can book in for a bamboo rafting experience that will get you up close with nature.
“Each raft, cleverly crafted by locals, will transport you through winding waters where wildlife flourishes — we spotted snakes hiding in trees and a baby turtle perched on a rock.”
Read more about Sophie’s trip to Phuket, here.
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