Prime Minister Anutin Promotes Direct London-Phuket Flights with Virgin Atlantic
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has engaged with Virgin Atlantic executives in London to support the launch of direct flights between London and Phuket.
During an official visit to the United Kingdom on September 25-26, 2026, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held discussions with representatives from Virgin Atlantic, UBS Group AG, and Rolls-Royce. The meetings, held at The Dorchester hotel in London, followed the Prime Minister's attendance at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
A primary focus of the discussions was the promotion of a new direct flight route connecting London and Phuket. According to reports from Khaosod Online, this initiative is intended to serve as the airline's inaugural route into Southeast Asia, with operations potentially commencing on October 18. The move is part of a broader strategy to attract high-potential tourists to Thailand and strengthen economic ties with the UK.
For travelers and residents, this development signals a potential increase in direct connectivity between the UK and Southern Thailand, which could simplify travel logistics for those visiting the region. While the Prime Minister has actively pushed for this collaboration, specific details regarding flight frequency, ticket availability, and the official confirmation of the October 18 start date remain subject to further announcements from the airline. Interested parties should monitor official Virgin Atlantic channels for booking information and schedule updates as the proposed launch date approaches.
