Virgin Atlantic updates Johannesburg route

Virgin Atlantic has updated its popular daily route between Johannesburg and London Heathrow with new timings.

The new schedule took effect on 26 October, and according to the airline, customers can now maximise their day with earlier arrivals into Johannesburg, and earlier evening departures out of the city for better onward connections via Heathrow.

LHR to JNB

• New departure: 18h50 (old departure: 22h30)
• New arrival: 07h50 (old arrival 11h30)

JNB to LHR

• New departure: 21h45 (old departure: 19h30)
• New arrival: 06h50 (old arrival 04h50)

The airline has served South Africa for nearly 30 years, it says, offering onward access to destinations across North America, the Caribbean and Europe via London Heathrow.

Virgin Atlantic is part of SkyTeam, which lets customers benefit from a global network of airlines within the umbrella, including reciprocal frequent flyer perks across the network, partnerships with local carriers and codeshare options out of SA.

Recently, the airline also announced an extended season run for Cape Town from 13 October 2025 to 19 April 2026, adding over 17 000 seats to the route.

The CT to LHR route also benefitted from updated schedules that make same-day connections via Heathrow to all of Virgin’s US destinations possible, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Orlando.

LHR to CPT

• VS478 departs LHR 22h30, arrives CT 12h10
• VS479 departs CT 21h55, arrives LHR 07h45

The airline will also operate a special Easter peak extension from 29 March to 19 April 2026, with daily flights continuing beyond the main season.

Visit Virgin Atlantic South Africa for more.