Desperate to swerve the winter chill and escape to the beach? Virgin Atlantic has got you covered.
Richard Branson’s airline is about to relaunch direct flights to Cancun, putting a long-forgotten route back on the radar.
From Sunday, October 19, flights from London Heathrow will resume for the first time in six years.
Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be the only direct service linking Heathrow to Mexico’s iconic coastal destination.
Flights are due to run three times a week – on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays – with a flying time of 10-11 hours.
The service will operate for six months across the winter season, from 19 October 2025 until 19 April 2026.
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You could arrive in time for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in early November, one of Mexico’s most iconic cultural celebrations, or simply soak up the sun on the golden beaches of the Riviera Maya.
You don’t need to ask us twice.
Best time to visit Cancun
If you’re after a sun-soaked beach break during the UK’s winter, Mexico fits the bill.
The best time to visit is between December and April. We recommend travelling in February, though, when highs of around 30°C are possible.
Better still, it’s balmy at night, so you won’t need to wrap up.
Choosing where in Mexico to go is the real conundrum, but the city of Cancun, bordering on the Caribbean Sea, naturally ticks the ‘beach holiday’ box.
It has something for every traveller, from showstopper beaches and vibrant nightlife to ancient Mayan ruins and even an underwater museum.
For an added dose of culture, travel along the Yucatán Peninsula to Tulum, where you’ll find well-preserved ruins and a beach.
If an off-beat city break is more your bag, look up Oaxaca in the southwest or San Miguel de Allende in Mexico’s Central Highlands.
Virgin moves
Alongside the Mexican revival, Richard Branson’s airline is expanding its winter holiday schedule, providing British holidaymakers with more options to travel to warm destinations during the colder months.
Virgin will be boosting its Dubai services by over 50% and adding 15% more seats on routes to Cape Town in South Africa.
A quick peek at booking data shows a 72% rise in bookings to Dubai, and a 38% rise for Cape Town, a notable uptick in consumer appetite.
Dubai has long drawn travellers with its mix of luxury experiences, year-round sun, vibrant nightlife and desert safaris.
The appeal of the Gulf hub is almost universal, fitting the bill for family adventures, business trips, solo holidays and romantic getaways.
Virgin Atlantic has responded by flying to the emirate on the Airbus A350 aircraft, the largest plane in its fleet. Increased seating capacity across Upper Class, Premium, and Economy cabins means there’s something to suit every budget.
The new jet includes a new feature for Upper Class passengers: a social space called ‘The Booth’.
Powered by Rolls-Royce engines, the A350 boasts a new seat configuration with 397 seats, allowing Virgin Atlantic to carry more passengers on each flight.
Meanwhile, flights to Cape Town are set to run for longer this year, operating from October through April.
The South African destination has become increasingly attractive to travellers looking to explore its striking landscapes, world-renowned wildlife reserves and award-winning wineries.
Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: ‘Our expanded flying to Dubai and Cape Town, alongside our return to Cancun, reflects strong demand for premium leisure travel, as we whisk our customers to their next adventure.
‘Whether it’s glamour in the Gulf, culture and coastlines in South Africa or the vibrant energy of Mexico, Virgin Atlantic is here to make every journey feel special, from take-off to touchdown.’
This article was originally published on August 12, 2025, and has been updated.
