Transatlantic flights resume from Manchester airport

Virgin will operate a six-times a week service to New York using an Airbus A330, with return fares from £532pp. Aer Lingus will also offer flights to the city from 1 December with fares from £179pp each way.

The Irish carrier also offers return fares to Orlando from £209pp each way, as does Virgin from £587pp.

Virgin is also set to resume flights to Atlanta from 2 December, with prices starting at £836pp.

Singapore Airlines’ three-times weekly service to Houston will return to the airport from 1 December. Return fares start at £479pp.

Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said the airline "can’t wait" to fly customers to the US.

"These three routes provide an array of US holiday options, from family fun and thrills at Orlando’s theme parks, to the exhilarating and vibrant atmosphere in the Big Apple, to the best of the South in Atlanta, soaking in the history and culture," he added.

Reid Moody, chief strategy and planning officer at Aer Lingus, welcomed the move, describing it as "very meaningful" to passengers with connections in the US.

"We know there is strong demand for direct transatlantic services from the north of England to North America and we’re excited to see travellers and holidaymakers enjoying the welcoming Aer Lingus experience that we’re known for," he added.

Mohamed Rafi Mar, Singapore Airlines’ UK and Ireland general manager, said: "Before the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced 98% of our flights globally to be grounded in March 2020, Singapore Airlines had been Manchester Airport’s longest serving long-haul carrier, having operated continuously since 1986."