Virgin Atlantic link from London to Nairobi

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will be launching a daily service between Heathrow and Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, from June 1, 2007.

Flights from Heathrow will depart at 7.15pm and will arrive in Nairobi the following day at 6.05am. The return flight leaves Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 8.20am and will arrive at 2.55pm into London Heathrow.

Sir Richard Branson, chairman Virgin Atlantic, said: “Nairobi is Virgin Atlantic’s fourth service to the African continent and it is expanding at a vast rate.

“Passenger numbers have doubled over the past five years and we predict its popularity will continue to grow in the years to come.”

The Kenyan scenery and wildlife draws many visitors to its outstanding game reserves with large numbers of passengers also flying to and from America, via London.

It is also the leading hub for the whole of East Africa and the India Ocean and Nairobi is an important city in its own right with many international institutions based there.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Kenya Tourist Board for helping Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays to achieve its goal of starting operations to Nairobi and we look forward to working with them closely in the next few years to promote travel to the region,” Richard Branson said.”

Virgin will offer a full range of services on the flights from its upper class option, featuring a private massage zone, to an economy class offering that provides seat back televisions for all passengers and video on demand.

© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty