Virgin Atlantic is to introduce a second daily flight between Heathrow Airport and Washington this week.

The extra service will begin on April 20th and will operate until October 25th. More than two million Virgin Atlantic passengers have flown on the route since it was launched over a decade ago.

An Airbus A340 aircraft will operate the new service, complete with Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class and premium economy cabins. The new flight will take off from Heathrow at 17:30 BST and land in Washington at 20:55 local time.

The return trip will leave Washington Dulles International Airport at 23:10 local time and arrive in London at 11:35 BST the next day.

"This new service gives Virgin Atlantic passengers the best possible choice in flight times," commented Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway.

He added: "They can choose the existing morning departure from Heathrow to Washington, or wait until the late afternoon to leave London."

Last year, the airline announced plans to kit out its entire Heathrow fleet with more premium economy seats.

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