Virgin Atlantic Allocates 8 Weekly Slots at Heathrow to Asian Airline

LONDON- A significant development in UK-Israel air travel has emerged, as Virgin Atlantic (VS) has decided to lease eight weekly slot pairs at London Heathrow Airport to El Al Israel Airlines (LY) for the Winter 2025/26 season. This partnership will facilitate El Al’s expansion of routes between London and Tel Aviv.

The agreement spans until March 26, 2026, taking effect from October 23, 2025. This move is expected to bolster connectivity between these two major hubs and stimulate growth in the market.

Virgin Atlantic Heathrow Slot Lease

This new development comes from a recent Airport Coordination Ltd. slot request form. It appears that Virgin Atlantic has struck a lease agreement with El Al, allowing the Israeli airline to operate four weekly arrivals and departures at Heathrow. Notably, the lease includes newly designated nighttime slots.

In particular, slots marked as LY 209 will arrive at 23:00 and depart at 23:05. These timings may align well with El Al’s existing schedule. Currently, the airline intends to utilize a combination of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (seating 282–294) and 777-200ERs (with 313 seats) on this route.

These time slots will cater well to business travelers and those connecting to U.S. flights, accommodating passengers looking to maximize their daytime. This strategic expansion will effectively double El Al’s Heathrow offerings—from four to eight weekly round-trip flights—mirroring a consistent demand increase.

On the flip side, Virgin Atlantic’s choice to lease these slots instead of using them reflects a shift in strategy. The decision seems closely linked to network optimization and fleet realignment, as Virgin focuses on consolidating U.S.-bound routes and working with partners like Delta and Air France–KLM.

The London–Tel Aviv Sector

The London–Tel Aviv route holds considerable historical importance, dating back to the late 1940s. Pioneered by British European Airways (BEA) and El Al after World War II, this corridor has experienced fluctuations depending on economic conditions and regional stability.

However, there has consistently been demand from business travelers, tech professionals, diaspora communities, and tourists. Pre-pandemic figures showed a remarkable 1.2 million annual passengers traveling between the two cities.

The recent slot lease indicates a resurgence in this sector. Yet, how growth will unfold post-pandemic remains uncertain. If these new services are initiated, they could further establish London and Tel Aviv as essential business and cultural hubs.

This lease also enhances the existing codeshare partnership between Virgin and El Al, established in 2024. This partnership grants El Al access to 14 U.S. destinations via Heathrow through interline connections, allowing the airline to expand its reach and improve transatlantic travel options for Israeli passengers.

Bottom Line

The partnership between Virgin Atlantic and El Al represents a strategic collaboration beneficial for both parties. It will increase El Al’s footprint at Heathrow while providing revenue opportunities and flexibility for Virgin Atlantic. Crucially, this agreement enhances travel options for passengers journeying between the UK and Israel.

From an operational perspective, this raises questions about potential future leases or trades in upcoming seasons. Especially if El Al’s winter performance yields positive results. It remains to be seen whether Virgin Atlantic will enhance U.S. routes or consider returning to Asian or African markets.

Notably, London Heathrow operates under one of the most congested slot systems in the world, with limited availability. Slot pairs at Heathrow have previously reached prices of $75 million. Thus, leasing to El Al represents a strategic monetization for Virgin Atlantic, allowing the airline to profit from underused assets while maintaining flexibility for future network adjustments.