After a five-month break, Virgin Atlantic announced it would  be welcoming customers back on-board as it returned to Lagos on 10th September, 2020.

The significant piece of information was contained in a statement released by Promise Ukandu, the airline’s Marketing and Communications Manager in Nigeria.

To ensure the health and safety of customers and crew, Virgin Atlantic said it was implementing additional measures to offer peace of mind in the airport and when taking to the skies.

These, acvording to him,  included enhanced and thorough cleaning practices at check in, boarding gates and on-board including the use of electrostatic spraying of high-grade disinfectant in all cabins and lavatories before every flight, ensuring no surface was left untouched.

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Safe distancingwould also be adhered to wherever possible, and mask wearing would  be required throughout the journey, he said.

Accordingvto him, all customers would be provided with a personal Health Pack for their health and safety, which would contain three medical grade face masks to be worn on-board, surface wipes and hand gel.

The airline said it would  be offering a simplified hot food service in all cabins, redesigned to limit interaction, enclosed and controlled from preparation in a COVID-safe, monitored environment to the moment it was served.

Economy and Premium Economy customerswould  now enjoy a “Fly safe, eat well” meal box, which “incorporates a choice of two hot meals, cheese and biscuits and a dessert pot washed down with a choice of wine, beer, soft drinks and bottled water.”

It added that Upper Class customers would receive a choice of three hot meals, desserts, including cheese & biscuits and a ciabatta roll, all delivered to their seat on a tray.

All customers , the airline said, would receive a second meal service which, “on day flights from the UK, includes the delicious Mile High Tea in collaboration with celebrity pâtissier Eric Lanlard.”

“We are also delighted to announce that when we return to Lagos we will be doing so on our new A350-1000 aircraft which is packed with innovation, thoughtful features, and unmistakable Virgin Atlantic flair.

“From our new enhanced social space to extra storage, and our latest entertainment system, there’s so much to look forward to,” it said.

Speaking on the development, Justin Bell, Commercial Manager, Virgin Atlantic said: “We are delighted to be able to relaunch flights between Lagos and London Heathrow, showcasing our brand new A350-1000 aircraft.

“We will always ensure that health and safety remain our number one priority, whilst keeping our signature Virgin spirit and our teams have been working tirelessly to implement new measures and evolve our customer experience.

“We are looking forward to welcoming customers back on-board, taking them to the skies safely and in true Virgin Atlantic style.

“The health and wellbeing of our customers and crew is at the centre of all our operations and that includes social distancing at the airport and on-board wherever possible, meticulous cleaning of the aircraft and individual Health Packs for all customers, containing medical grade face masks, hand sanitizer and surface wipes.”

As travel restrictions around the world start to relax and customer demand increases, Virgin Atlantic said itwould add more routes back into its network. Hong Kong, New York JFK and Los Angeles were amongst the first destinations to restart with further routes added throughout August, September and October.