There is some exciting news on the horizon for those with West Africa on their 2025 bucket list. Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will resume flights to Ghana for the first time since 2013. The airline’s new daily service from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra will commence in May 2025, providing passengers of both business and leisure more options for this important connection from London.
Virgin Atlantic will be treating passengers to a premium experience aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The flight pattern is designed to cater to a variety of traveler types, be it visiting family, transitioning to other Virgin Atlantic destinations like New York, or exploring what Ghana has to offer tourists in 2025.
So, allow Travel Radar to take you for a run down of the new route.
Route Summary
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- Route Launch: May.1 2025 (subject to government approval)
- Frequency: Daily
- Flight Duration: 7h
- Flight Schedule:
- VS403: Departs LHR at 22:30, arrives ACC at 05:00 (+1)
- VS404: Departs ACC at 09:15, arrives LHR at 17:25
The re-introduction of this route breaks a 12-year hiatus and offers welcome competition to the London-Accra route, currently only served by British Airways. The route makes sense for a number of reasons. Firstly, the UK is home to the third-largest diaspora of Ghanians in the world. This new route competition will inevitably create more affordable prices, in order to keep up with the steady and consistent demand of family visits and business trips.
Beyond passengers, this route also offers economic incentives. Virgin Atlantic will offer 30 tonnes worth of cargo capacity per flight. In turn, this will facilitate the transport of fresh produce and other goods between Ghana and important markets in the UK and US.
Why Ghana?
From a tourism perspective, the route has arrived at the perfect time. The tourist market in West Africa has experienced notable growth since the COVID-19 outbreak. According to Statista, this is just the beginning, with the travel market in the region projected to grow by 7.71% per year until 2029, contributing a potential $350 bill to West African economies.
So, whilst not a typically travelled tourist route from the UK, here is why you shouldn’t look past Ghana’s vibrant capital city for your next adventure.
The Visit Ghana website captures the nation’s allure in just three words: “Culture, Warmth and Rhythm”.
Alongside that, the bustling coastal city of Accra is a hub of history, culture and commerce. Enjoy the lively streets, welcoming locals and the unique cuisine it has to offer.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights that should bring any tourist to Ghana, is the vibrant array of food available. Enjoy fragrant jollof rice, savory waakye and spicy kebabs from local street vendors. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore local dishes available.
Must-See Attractions in Accra:
- Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum: Visit this remarkable monument which honors Ghana’s first president and key leader in the country’s independence movement. Located in downton Accra, the monument is surrounded by idyllic gardens.
- Jamestown: Walk through this historic neighborhood filled with colonial architecture and vibrant street art. Bring your camera as Jamestown is a photographer’s dream.
- Makola Market: Visit this famous market and enjoy a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells. This busy market is perfect for finding local crafts, souvenirs and fresh produce.
- Labadi Beach: A thriving beach spot to enjoy the Atlantic coastline, Labadi Beach is most well known for its live music, traditional drumming and dancing, especially on weekends.
- W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre: This is a well-known tribute to the Pan-Africanist leader, Dr W.E.B Du Bois. The cultural landmark offers history buffs among you a fascinating insight into Ghana’s cultural and political past.
Virgin Atlantic’s return to Accra is significant as more than just a new route: It is a bringing together of families, cultures and business between two heavily connected nations.
So, whether you’re looking to visit on holiday or simply just to reconnect with loved ones, thanks to Virgin Atlantic’s new route, Accra and London are more connected than ever and should certainly be on your radar in 2025.
Stay tuned for travel insights, trip suggestions and route announcements with Travel Radar.
