Virgin Atlantic today announced an expanded Caribbean schedule for the Winter 2011-12 period. The increased capacity will see the airline fly 24 round-trip services on Boeing 747-400 aircraft to the region each week. With almost 22,000 seats on offer every week from October 2011 the airline will become the largest carrier between the UK and the Caribbean.

Edmond Rose, Virgin Atlantic's Director of Commercial and Revenue Planning said; "I'm delighted to announce these additional services to Barbados, Havana, Tobago and Grenada. Our Caribbean services are among our most popular and these extra flights will permit more flexible holiday itineraries, with more frequent departures available from both Manchester and London Gatwick airports".

Virgin Atlantic will add a second weekly flight between Manchester and Barbados commencing from Friday 4th November 2011 Barbados is the airline's most popular Caribbean destination, with over 2.25 million passengers having flown on the route since the inaugural flight in 1998.

Nick Parker, Virgin Atlantic's Caribbean Regional Manager added, "This is fantastic news for the Caribbean Region, not only because of the direct economic benefits associated with the additional flights but also for the Caribbean business community who depend upon quality & reliable services to the UK and beyond."

From the 31st October 2011 second weekly flight from London Gatwick to Tobago and Grenada will operate on a Monday, adding to the airline's existing weekly Thursday flight. An extra Saturday service will also be added between London Gatwick and Havana, taking the airline to three flights a week to the island from 5th November 2011. Virgin Atlantic is the largest scheduled carrier to Cuba and has carried over 325,000 passengers on the route since 2005.

Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays said; "As the UK’s leading holiday company to the Caribbean Virgin Holidays is delighted at the addition of these new flights. More and more people are discovering the Caribbean each year with us and these flights will enable us to send even more travellers to the islands."

For more information please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on +44 (0) 1293 747373