Virgin Atlantic confirms Sao Paulo flight dates and timings

Whilst tickets are not currently on sale, Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the dates and times for the new Sao Paulo service.

Flights will launch on 29th March 2020, using a Boeing 787-9.  This means that you will not be getting the new version of the Upper Class Suite, currently rolling out exclusively on the A350 fleet.

The service will operate daily.

The outbound, VS197, will leave Heathrow Terminal 3 at 22.30 and arrive in Sao Paulo at 06.25 the following day.

The return flight, VS198, will leave Sao Paulo at 16.25 and arrive in Heathrow at 07.50 the following day.

It is obvious that these are not ideal timings for Virgin Atlantic.  It will have a $200m aircraft sitting on the tarmac in Brazil for 10 hours per day, not generating income.

As we covered last week, Virgin Atlantic has agreed a codeshare deal with GOL to allow you to purchase through-tickets for domestic destinations in Brazil.

Tickets are expected to be on sale, both for cash and Virgin Flying Club miles, in the next few days.

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, one has a bonus of 15,000 points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

The UK’s most generous free Visa or Mastercard at 0.75 points / £1 Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

15,000 points bonus and the most generous non-Amex for day to day spending Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 30,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 30,000 Virgin Points:

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points. 

(Want to earn more Virgin Points?  Click here to see our recent articles on Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club and click here for our home page with the latest news on earning and spending other airline and hotel points.)