Virgin group founder Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss were part of a VIP delegation onboard the aircraft, named Billie Holiday.
The pair donned Tampa Bay Buccaneers (American football) and Tampa Bay Lightning (ice hockey) jerseys in a nod to the city’s sporting prowess.
Guests were served Cuban sandwiches and key lime pie as part of a Floridian spread, along with London-based brewery Two Tribes’ Florida IPA.
Virgin will initially operate the route on a four-times-weekly basis, before it goes daily from 28 November, complementing its existing Miami, Orlando and Austin flights.
VS129 will depart Heathrow at 1.25pm arriving Tampa at 7.35pm with VS130 departing Tampa at 9.50pm arriving Heathrow 10.15am (+1). Return economy fares lead in from £440pp.
Virgin said the launch of Tampa "cemented the US as Virgin Atlantic’s heartland". Its expanded joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, meanwhile, will offer seamless connections for US and European customers via Heathrow.
The A330 features the latest iteration of Virgin’s onboard social space, as well as a new Upper seat and The Retreat Suite – the largest suite the carrier has ever offered.
Branson said Tampa Bay’s year-round warm climate, its vibrant nightlife, diverse attractions and world-class beaches, combined with an "emerging entrepreneurial mindset", ensured it would be an attractive destination for Virgin customers.
Weiss hailed the launch a "significant milestone" in Virgin Atlantic’s growth. "The US is our heartland, and Florida has an important role in our American portfolio, so I’m delighted to be bolstering connectivity to the region with the only direct flight to London Heathrow," said Weiss.
"It’s also fitting that our new route will enjoy our newest aircraft, the A330neo. This plane has evolved our customer experience, with every traveller receiving a premium experience regardless of the cabin they travel in."
Weiss added the A330neo’s arrival was a key strand of its multibillion-dollar fleet transformation, one that would further its sustainability aspirations.
