Virgin Atlantic Launches Miami Flights

On 19 April 1986, we launched scheduled flights between London Gatwick and Miami, Florida, adding a second transatlantic destination to Virgin Atlantic's growing network. Following the introduction of our first service to Newark in 1984, the new Miami route expanded our presence in the United States and gave passengers another option for travelling between Britain and Florida. The service was operated using Boeing 747 aircraft, continuing our use of wide-body jets for long-haul operations. During 1986, we also added a second Boeing 747 to our fleet, increasing capacity to support the expanding network. The additional aircraft, a Boeing 747-200 named Scarlet Lady, helped strengthen our operations on the Miami route. By June 1986, the Miami service had increased to four flights per week, reflecting the development of our second long-haul route. The expansion was an important early step in establishing Virgin Atlantic beyond its original Gatwick–Newark service, while maintaining our focus on competitive fares and a distinctive passenger experience.