Virgin Atlantic News
Virgin Atlantic to add new Los Angeles flights from spring 2017
Beginning May 2017, Virgin Atlantic will fly three times a day between London Heathrow and Los Angeles, creating greater choice of flights for customers during the peak summer travel season. All three services on this route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft - Virgin Atlantic’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, offering three cabin classes, including fully flat bed and aisle access seats in Upper Class.
Virgin Atlantic offline as IT upgrade begins
Virgin Atlantic will implement an upgrade of its IT systems over the weekend, designed to further improve the airline’s travel experience for its customers, providing them with more choice and better service. The upgrade will mean that, for a short window, customers will not be able to purchase flights or change any reservations on virginatlantic.com, the mobile app, via travel agents or through the airline’s customer service centre.
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic expand Jet Airways codeshare deal
Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic have announced expanded cooperation with Jet Airways to provide convenient codeshare connections for customers between key destinations across North America and India via London Heathrow. Effective tomorrow, Jet Airways customers flying between India and North America will be able to connect through London Heathrow on to nine US destinations operated by Delta.
Delta Air Lines to move to Terminal 3 at London Heathrow
Delta Air Lines will operate exclusively from London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3, effective September 14th, 2016. Delta and Virgin Atlantic will now operate from the same terminal making it easier for customers to manage their travel plans including any last-minute flight changes. Delta will transfer its Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Philadelphia flights from Terminal 4 to join its services to New York-JFK, Boston and Seattle that already operate from Terminal 3.
Farnborough 2016: Virgin Atlantic selects A350 as latest addition to fleet
UK-based Virgin Atlantic Airways has selected the A350-1000, the largest member of the A350 Family, to become the latest aircraft in its fleet, operating from both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The airline is purchasing eight A350-1000s for deliveries commencing in 2019, and four new aircraft on long term leases from ALC from 2020, including a lease option for a fifth aircraft.
Jones takes up UK sales leadership role with Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed Emma Jones will be joining the airline as vice president UK sales in August. In her new role at Virgin Atlantic, Jones will report to Joe Thompson senior vice president, global sales and distribution and will be responsible for the airline’s UK sales and revenue performance, with direct accountability for all UK corporate and agency sales, working closely with our joint venture partner Delta Air Lines.
Virgin Atlantic signs codeshare deal with Flybe
Virgin Atlantic is increasing its regional presence with the introduction of two brand new routes from Manchester Airport, and a new codeshare agreement with Europe’s leading regional airline, Flybe. The new routes will mean America is more accessible than ever before from the North of England as Virgin Atlantic introduces Manchester Airport’s first ever direct flights to San Francisco, and a brand new service to Boston.
Slight increase in profits at Virgin Atlantic in 2015
Virgin Atlantic has reported a profit before tax and exceptional items of £22.5 million for the year to December 31st. This represents an improvement of £10.1 million on the previous year’s result when adjusted for IFRS reporting and is driven by growth at both Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays. Virgin Holidays performed strongly and made a substantial contribution to this result, with a profit before tax and exceptional items of £10.9 million, (a £5 million year on year improvement which accounts for almost half of the overall profit figure.)
Virgin Atlantic plane returns to Heathrow following ‘laser incident’
A Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York has been forced to return to London Heathrow following a “laser beam incident”, according to the airline. The carrier reported a “medical issue with one of the pilots after a laser incident after take-off”, forcing the plane to make an unscheduled landing in London.
Thompson takes over sales leadership role at Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has appointed Joe Thompson as senior vice president sales and distribution. Thompson will oversee Virgin Atlantic’s global sales and distribution operation, heading up a team of approximately 220 people and leading the airline’s relationships with corporate customers and distribution partners.
Virgin Atlantic takes guests on Upper Class flight with Windows 10
Virgin Atlantic is launching a new immersive digital experience with Microsoft to enable its customers to enjoy an Upper Class flight without leaving the ground. In collaboration with Microsoft, Virgin Atlantic has created ‘Ida’, an Immersive Digital Adventure built using a Windows 10 universal app, featuring specially created content that takes the viewer through a virtual Upper Class journey.
Arena Media wins Virgin Atlantic contract
Media planning and buying agency, Arena Media, has been appointed by Virgin Atlantic to handle its media account, following a seven-way competitive pitch over four months. The win will see Arena Media planning and buying across on and offline channels for the UK and handling PPC campaigns in the airline’s destination cities.