Virgin Atlantic resumed flights between London Heathrow and Karachi in October 2025, routing via Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — its return after suspending the route in 2023 during a wider network review. There's no direct PIA service to Karachi, so Virgin Atlantic sits alongside Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines as one of the one-stop options on this route.
Everything you need to know
Choosing a connection
Virgin Atlantic's Riyadh routing is worth comparing directly against Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Etihad (Abu Dhabi) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) on price, schedule and total journey time — none of these have a clear edge on every date, so it's worth checking your specific travel window against all of them.
Best time to book
Fares tighten around Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha and UK school holidays — book 2–3 months ahead for those windows, 4–8 weeks ahead otherwise.
FAQs
Does Virgin Atlantic fly direct from London to Karachi?
No — Virgin Atlantic's Karachi service routes via Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with one stop. There's no direct UK-to-Karachi service on any airline currently.
When did Virgin Atlantic resume flying to Karachi?
October 2025, after suspending the route in 2023 as part of a wider network review.
Do I need a visa to fly to Karachi?
Requirements depend on your passport and change periodically. Check the official Pakistan e-visa portal or the Pakistan High Commission in London before booking.
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