Twenty-five years ago, on 25th September 1998, Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 747 touched down in Barbados for the very first time. We’ve looked at why this award-winning airline remains a fabulous way to get to this tropical island paradise.
Why we love Barbados as a destination
It’s not a surprise that this is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. Most notable are the island’s famously welcoming, sociable, and party-loving people – you’ll meet them everywhere, but especially at Oistin’s Fish Fry on a Friday night. This laidback weekly party is one of the best places in Barbados to try local cuisine and to dance to a mix of back-in-time hits and calypso, including current Crop Over favourites.
When you’re not relaxing on Barbados’ pinkish-white, sugar-soft beaches, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Take an electric tram ride through magical Harrison’s Cave to marvel at its crystallised formations, visit the Flower Forest Botanical Gardens, discover a shipwreck and reef life on a submarine tour, and watch the sunset from the Barbados Boardwalk. We wholeheartedly recommend hiring a car in Barbados and enjoying the freedom to discover the less-visited, more rugged Atlantic Coast at your own pace.
For those seeking something more active, there’s surfing on the East Coast, relaxing catamaran cruises, and scuba diving. While underwater, expect to spot barracuda, eels, lionfish, parrotfish, reef squid, Bermuda chub, grouper, and tube sponges.
Cabin choices
We’re huge fans of Virgin Atlantic’s flights to Barbados, with fantastic offerings across all of its cabin classes. Each includes in-seat power and access to hand-picked films, music, and TV shows. We’ve outlined what’s great about each, so you know what to expect when you book.
Upper Class: This is a fabulous choice for a truly special experience, with a dedicated check-in, fast-track boarding, private security, and an extra-large leather seat that transforms into a fully flat bed. You also get a glass of bubbly when you board and enjoy delicious four-course fine dining (with pre-ordering available), but the luxury begins before that – with access to Virgin’s own airport Clubhouses at Heathrow or access to a shared lounge at Manchester and, on the way home, a shared lounge in Barbados.
Premium: Next up is Premium, also with dedicated check-in as well as large leather seats complete with additional legroom. Guests can also enjoy a glass of bubbly on board, premium check-in, pre-order from the premium menu, and priority boarding.
Economy: This class is separated out into Economy Light, Economy Classic, and Economy Delight – the latter is a fantastic choice for its extra three inches of legroom, location towards the front of the cabin, and premium check-in. All Economy seats come with a three-course meal with wine, spirits, beer, or soft drinks.
Services from Heathrow and Manchester
Virgin Atlantic has daily services to Barbados from London Heathrow, increasing to twice-daily from January to March 2024 – ideal for those tempted by a dose of winter sun. For those further north, meanwhile, there’s a seasonal service from Manchester, operating four times a week from October 2023 to March 2024.
To book your Barbados holiday, flying with Virgin Atlantic, call your Travel Counsellor today.
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