TravTalk India Online Magazine
India remains an important market for Virgin Atlantic, with an impressive growth of 350 per cent compared to 2019 levels. The airline has steadily increased capacity while focusing on innovative offerings and exceptional service standards to cater to the unique needs of Indian travellers.
Nisha Verma
India, being the third largest market after the UK and the USA, holds a special place for Virgin Atlantic. The airline has registered a 350 per cent growth compared to 2019 levels, underlining its strategic focus on both business and leisure travel markets. The airline’s expansion and enhanced offerings present new opportunities for travel agents, who can serve their clients with a premium, globally trusted brand. Shivani Singh Deo, Country Manager-India, Virgin Atlantic, says, “India’s travel demand has not only recovered but also surged beyond pre-COVID levels.” Travel agents will find a growing base of Indian customers, eager to explore premium cabins, with increased spending power.
Expansion & connectivity
Virgin Atlantic’s enhanced network has opened new opportunities for travel agencies to cater to a diverse range of customers. New routes to Riyadh, Toronto, and Cancun complement the increased frequencies to Mumbai and Delhi. Additionally, the airline’s codeshare partnership with Indigo provides seamless connectivity to over 34 Indian cities. “In India, we have added more capacity and a new route this year. We have increased Mumbai’s capacity to two daily flights in the winter season and since we have two A350s on Delhi route. Hence, overall capacity on India will be growing in 2025,” she adds.
Curating for Indians
The airline has introduced several tailored services to cater to the preferences of Indian travellers, making it an attractive option for travel agents. Deo noted, “We have focused on offering Indianised services such as regional cuisine, which reflects familiar flavours for our customers. We also provide local crew members to enhance comfort and create a more personalised experience for passengers travelling from India.” In fact, Virgin Atlantic’s flexible loyalty programmes allow Indian travellers to earn and redeem miles across the airline’s global network, offering them even more value.
“We have seen growing interest in premium cabin services, with Indian travellers increasingly willing to invest in a more comfortable experience, particularly for business and long-haul flights,” she further adds.
Technology a priority
The investment in technology by the airline not only enhances the passenger experience but also streamlines the booking process for travel agents. Shivani highlights, “We have integrated advanced pricing tools that allow travel agents to quickly provide competitive and transparent quotes for their clients.” The airline has also developed user-friendly platforms that streamline bookings, upgrades, and client management.
“Our onboard innovations, such as the A330neo and A350 aircraft, offer exceptional amenities. These unique features appeal to premium travellers and provide agents with an added selling point,” she adds.
Collaborations galore
Virgin Atlantic supports travel agents through various trade engagement initiatives to ensure their success in the Indian market. “Our partnerships with travel agencies are integral to our business. We empower agents with product knowledge and sales tools through training modules,” affirms Deo.
Completing 25 years
As Virgin Atlantic approaches its 25th anniversary in India, it plans further expansions, new routes, and enhanced trade collaborations. “Our tie-ups with travel agencies are integral to our success. We are committed to working closely with them to deliver exceptional experiences,” she concludes.
