The daily service will resume on 1 May 2023, with fares starting from £432pp. The move comes following a relaxation in travel restrictions between the two countries, which sees Chinese borders reopening to foreign nationals for the first time since December 2020.

Shanghai is Virgin Atlantic’s final route to be reinstated following the global pandemic, having been impacted by suspensions and closures since 1 February 2020. 

Following the restart announcement earlier this year, there has been strong demand for both business and leisure travel in both directions, the airline reported.

Virgin Atlantic’s Shanghai flights will continue to operate on a Boeing 787-9, offering Upper Class, Premium and the airline’s three classes of Economy – Delight, Classic and Light. 

Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: "The restart of our services to Shanghai is a major milestone for Virgin Atlantic.

"Shanghai was the first of our routes to be suspended in 2020 at the start of the global pandemic and the last to return, making it the final piece to restore our flying programme to full capacity."