Virgin Atlantic Pauses Sale for New London to Seoul Flight

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LONDON- Richard Branson-founded Virgin Atlantic (VS) has paused the sale of its highly anticipated launch of flights to Seoul (ICN) in March 2026, citing pending regulatory approvals in South Korea.

The route, vital to fulfilling a competition remedy linked to the Korean Air (KE)–Asiana merger, remains a strategic necessity for Virgin.

In parallel, Virgin Flying Club (VS) has restructured reward ticket taxes for U.S.-based flyers departing from New York (JFK), eliminating previously lower surcharges and aligning fees more closely with UK-originating bookings.

Virgin Atlantic Pauses Seoul Flight Sale

Virgin Atlantic’s planned entry into the South Korean market has encountered a temporary setback. Although tickets for the London Heathrow (LHR) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) route briefly went on sale in May 2025, they were withdrawn shortly thereafter, Head for Points exclusively reported.

According to Virgin Atlantic, the pause is due to ongoing efforts to secure the necessary operating permits from South Korean authorities.

This new route isn’t merely a commercial decision—it fulfills a legally binding agreement made in March 2023 with the UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA).

Virgin Atlantic committed to operating the Seoul service as part of a regulatory remedy to secure the UK government’s approval for the Korean Air–Asiana merger. Failing to do so would place both Korean carriers in breach of their merger conditions.

Heathrow Slots: The Underlying Incentive

The strategic value of this route extends beyond market expansion. If Virgin Atlantic successfully operates the Seoul service for three years, it will be granted permanent access to a valuable pair of slots at London Heathrow (LHR)

Given the high demand and limited availability at Heathrow, the estimated market value of a slot pair could outweigh any short-term operational losses incurred on the Seoul route.

This structure ensures the route is unlikely to be abandoned, unlike previous cancellations by Virgin Atlantic to Accra and São Paulo. Even if commercial viability is questionable, the long-term gain from retaining the Heathrow slots offers a substantial incentive.

If Virgin were to exit the arrangement, Korean Air would be required to incentivize another carrier to assume the service using the provided slots at both LHR and ICN. Such an outcome, however, remains improbable under the current regulatory and commercial circumstances.

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Flight Details

If there are no further delays or changes, Virgin Atlantic’s inaugural flight to Seoul is scheduled for 29 March 2026, using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Notably, these aircraft still operate with the older Upper Class cabins first introduced in 2003.

Flight Schedule (unavailable for booking at present):

VS208 departs London Heathrow (LHR) at 09:45, arriving in Seoul Incheon (ICN) at 06:05 the next day.
VS209 returns from Seoul at 08:35, landing in London at 15:05 the same day.

While ticket bookings remain paused, the operational commitment likely ensures the route will continue for at least three years, after which Virgin may retain Heathrow slot pairs.

Virgin Raises Redemption Surcharges for U.S.-Based Members

Historically, U.S. residents enjoyed lower taxes and fees on Virgin Atlantic reward redemptions, especially for premium cabins. This imbalance stemmed from the relative ease of earning large point balances via U.S. credit card bonuses.

Virgin Atlantic’s shift to dynamic reward pricing in October 2024 briefly maintained this disparity, favoring U.S. flyers. However, in a recent reversal, the Virgin Flying Club has standardized taxes and fees regardless of origin, raising charges for U.S.-based bookings.

For example, a return Upper Class reward flight from JFK to LHR now incurs a fixed $1,583 surcharge, even for the lowest point redemptions. In contrast, UK-originating return flights see surcharges ranging from £868 to £1,043, depending on fare class and availability.

Additionally, U.S. travelers now pay more if booking two one-way redemptions versus a single round trip. Conversely, UK travelers may strategically book two one-way flights to reduce fees on return flights originating from the UK.

This restructuring levels the playing field for international members and reflects a broader effort to align the program with fairer global practices.

Impact on Flyers

An illustrative comparison using recent reward availability shows:

LHR–JFK (VS45, Jan 11):
- Premium: 21,000 points + £451 tax
- Upper Class: 77,500 points + £868 tax
JFK–LHR (VS26, Jan 26):
- Premium: 57,500 points + $871 tax
- Upper Class: 76,500 points + $1,583 tax