Virgin Atlantic achieves milestone at Manchester Airport (MAN) with 30 years of flights, marking three decades since its inaugural flight departed for Orlando on May 17, 1996. Virgin celebrates with new “Champagne Supernova” aircraft dedicated to the Manchester band, Oasis.
Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport is the UK’s third busiest airport, handling around 25-28 million passengers annually. It is located 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Manchester city centre, and it serves as the global gateway to the North of England, offering flights to over 200 destinations worldwide across more than 50 airlines.
The airport currently operates three main passenger terminals, but is wrapping up a £1.3 billion transformation program that significantly expands Terminal 2. The facility is a massive economic driver, directly employing around 19,000 to 22,000 staff, making it one of the largest single-site employers in the Northwest.
Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, Stephen Turner, stated:
“We’re proud to connect the people of the North to the world, with a route network unrivalled in the UK outside London, but we wouldn’t be able to achieve that without partners like Virgin Atlantic. We’re delighted to join them in celebrating their long-term commitment to our region as they mark 30 years of flying from Manchester, and we are excited about what’s to come in the years ahead.”
Manchester Airport has served Virgin Atlantic for three decades and to honour its deep roots in the region, Virgin Atlantic is welcoming a brand-new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft named “Champagne Supernova”, a direct nod to the famous track by the Manchester band Oasis.
30 years milestone
The 30-year celebration marks three decades since Sir Richard Branson launched Virgin Atlantic’s first Manchester flight. The airline has designed this milestone to blend local Manchester culture, exclusive passenger perks, and an aggressive layout for long-term expansion in the North. The custom aircraft registration G-VMAN acts as a permanent, functional tribute by combining “Virgin” with the “MAN” IATA code for Manchester Airport.
A dedicated customer event will take place on Monday, May 18, 2026, inside the terminal. Travelling customers can expect a fully branded anniversary photo opportunity, signature themed treats, and limited-edition gift giveaways managed by the carrier. Virgin is also running a regional trade promotion throughout May, offering double Sky High Club points for qualifying travel bookings departing from Manchester.
Manchester Airport have stated that customers looking to recreate Virgin Atlantic’s first route from Manchester can fly to Orlando from £540 per person, with package holidays from £779 per person.
Have you ever flown with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester Airport? Let us know in the comments below!
