UK carrier Virgin Atlantic has announced it is increasing its long-haul capacity from Manchester Airport to Orlando and Las Vegas for summer 2015. To meet high demand to two of its most popular leisure destinations, it is adding 24 additional flights to its schedule, amounting to over 8,000 additional departure seats for the summer season.

The airline is adding a second daily flight from Manchester to Orlando on Thursdays and Sundays during July and August. There will be a total of 12 additional return flights over the school summer holidays and this will increase the weekly number of flights from Manchester to the Sunshine State from 11 to 13.

It will also be adding an extra weekly flight from Manchester to Las Vegas for a period of 12 weeks between July and October. The additional service will operate on a Tuesday, taking the total number of return flights to three per week over the season.

“We’re really pleased to announce we’re increasing capacity from Manchester to Orlando and Las Vegas for summer next year. Our focus is on our customers and giving them the best service at a competitive price,” said Joe Thompson, director of network and alliances, Virgin Atlantic.

“Our reductions in fuel surcharges, competitive pre-Christmas sale fares and the Government’s cuts in APD for children have all laid the foundations for a great 2015 for our customers and, particularly, next year's summer holiday-makers,” he added.

The additional flights to Las Vegas between July 28, 2015 and September 1, 2015 will be operating on an Airbus A340-600, configured with 45 Upper Class seats, 38 Premium Economy seats and 225 seats in Economy. The additional flights to Las Vegas between September 8, 2015 and October 13, 2015 and all of the additional Orlando flights will be on a Boeing 747-400, configured with 14 Upper Class seats, 66 Premium Economy seats and 375 seats in Economy.

According to Mats Sigurdson, Aviation Director at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to Manchester showcases the potential for long-haul carriers from the facility in the North West of England.

“It is testament to the success of our ‘Fly Manchester’ campaign, which clearly proves people want to fly from Manchester Airport,” he said. “As we enter 2015 we will continue to add more long-haul routes to Manchester Airport and announcements like this highlight the critical role we play in UK aviation.”