After several early signs and a staff memo saying that it was exploring “alternatives” to its base in the northwest of England, Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus announced that it would phase out all of its transatlantic flights from Manchester Airport (MAN) by the end of March.
Although the airline will continue to operate European flights out of Manchester for now, passengers with flights to New York and Boston, as well as Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Barbados booked for later in the year, received emails informing them of refund or rebooking options.
For the latter flight, Aer Lingus will run a special route to Barbados from its main hub at Dublin Airport (DUB) throughout April and May to temporarily fill the gap created by the axing of the flight from Manchester.
Virgin Atlantic expands Manchester presence after Aer Lingus pulls out
“We appreciate our customers’ patience and cooperation during this time, as we contact customers directly regarding their flights,” an Aer Lingus spokesperson said in a statement on Jan. 28.
But with passengers who had booked flights from Manchester to the U.S. now needing to seek alternative transportation, some competitors are seeing opportunity. These carriers launched additional flights they can then market to disgruntled travelers.
For example, Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic, by summer 2026, will up the frequency of routes from Manchester to New York and Orlando, Aerospace Global News reported.
Related: 89-year-old airline mulls leaving this city forever, shutting down base
The route to Orlando International (MCO) will be increased from 12 to 19 flights per week during the peak summer 2026 season, and the flight into JFK will get one additional run, for a total of six per week on an Airbus A350.
The flight into Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas will be kept at the same respective seven and twice per week run in the summer of 2025.
As no major U.S.-based airline currently flies directly to Manchester, Virgin is the main carrier for transatlantic flights to the city through its codeshare partnership with Delta Air Lines.
Virgin Atlantic was founded in 1984 by Sir Richard Branson.
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“Our creative team knew exactly what to do,” Virgin Atlantic quips at Aer Lingus
“Manchester really matters to us,” a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said in a statement. “So when the news broke that an Irish airline was withdrawing long-haul flying from Manchester Airport, our creative team knew exactly what to do to send a clear signal of Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to customers in the region.”
The new Orlando flights expand Virgin’s service into the city, while the airline also expressed intent to boost frequencies following the summer season into the winter of 2026.
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Virgin Atlantic continued to quip at Aer Lingus with repeated statements emphasizing its “commitment to the region.”
“Manchester has been our home in the North for 30 years and we’re in it for the long haul,” Chief Commercial Officer Dave Greer said in a statement. “Increasing capacity on our Orlando services is a clear signal of that commitment, ensuring customers can continue to travel across the Atlantic from their local airport.”
Related: Another regional airline shuts down, planes retired