Virgin Atlantic Airways today welcomed the announcement by the Ryder Cup Board that the airline has been appointed the Official Airline of the 2004 European Ryder Cup Team. 

Virgin Atlantic will carry Captain Bernard Langer and The European Team to and from the 2004 event, scheduled to be held on 17 - 19 September at Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA.

Welcoming the announcement, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said today:

“It’s a great honour and thrill to be carrying Bernard Langer and his European Team into action against the US.

“After the recent series of tight Matches culminating in The European Team’s dramatic win at The Belfry in 2002 the Ryder Cup has established itself as golf’s greatest competition and one of the world’s great sporting events.

“We’ve also had to put up a good fight to beat off rival airlines to win this deal and we’re sure the quality of our service has made all the difference.

“The European Team will enjoy Virgin’s famous inflight service including our inflight beauty therapists who will offer massages to the players and their partners, our Freedom menu which will be specially designed to meet The Team’s requirements, our award-winning Upper Class Suites - the longest beds in business and first - and not forgetting our onboard bar ideal for celebrating the return of The Ryder Cup Trophy to Europe! “

Announcing the new sponsorship agreement, Richard Hills, Ryder Cup Director, said:

“This partnership brings together one of the world’s biggest brands with one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Virgin Atlantic are leaders in crossing the Atlantic and The Ryder Cup will benefit from Virgin Atlantic’s pro-activity and dynamic approach to marketing. In turn Virgin Atlantic will benefit from the association with a prestigious sporting event, one where competitors play for the honour of winning and they will be supporting the only truly pan-European Team across the world of sport.”

Virgin Atlantic will carry The European Team in one of its new Airbus A340-600s - the longest plane in the world - with 45 Upper Class Suites, 28 Premium Economy seats and 233 economy seats.  As well as The Team the Virgin flights will also carry Ryder Cup Officials and guests flying from Heathrow. 
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