Virgin Atlantic is the airline of Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Records. The airline owns more than 35 aircraft with an average age of only 5.6 years. All of them are long-haul jets (A340 and B747). More than 30 long distance destinations all over the world are reached. The airline is rated with four of five possible stars by Skytrax and famous for original marketing strategies (“More experience than the name suggests”).
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Virgin Atlantic was formed by Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Records, in 1984, in the wake of the Laker Airways bankruptcy. The first scheduled flight took place on June 22, 1984, between London Gatwick and Newark. The used airplane was a leased 747-200. More 747s and new routes followed: Gatwick to Miami in 1986, to New York-JFK in 1988, to Tokyo in 1989, to Los Angeles in 1990, to Boston in 1991 and to Orlando in 1992.
In 1991, Virgin Atlantic was granted the license to operate from London Heathrow. This deepened the dispute with British Airways, who had always been the main rival. In 1992, BA argued that Branson only protested against their airline for publicity reasons. Branson sued British Airways for libel, they countersued.
In the end, British Airways settled out of court. They paid the legal bill of up to £ 3 million, £ 500,000 to Richard Branson and £ 110,000 to his airline. Branson divided his share among his employees. Everyone received £ 166, the so-called BA bonus.
Other indicators for the way Richard Branson treated his favourite opponent were the painting of the words “No-Way BA/AA” on all VA jets in the 1990s when British Airways and American Airlines attempted to merge or the painting of the words “Britain’s flag carrier” and the Union Jack in 1997, when British Airways had announced to replace their traditional Union Jack tailfin with new ethnic world art tailfins.
In 1992, Richard Branson sold Virgin Records and invested the earnings into Virgin Atlantic.
In 1999, the year in which Richard Branson received knighthood, 49% of Virgin Atlantic were sold to Singapore Airlines for £ 600 million.
In 2001, Virgin Atlantic was voted OAG Airline of the Year. One year later, they became the launch customer for the Airbus A340-600.
In 2003, Skytrax voted VA the airline with the best in-flight entertainment. The airline holds 4 of 5 possible stars.
In 2006, Virgin Atlantic was featured in a James Bond movie, Casino Royale. Two aircraft and some crew members, as well as Richard Branson himself, were to be seen.
On September 27, 2006, Virgin Atlantic announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on aircraft weight and fuel consumption.
Virgin Atlantic has more than 35 aircraft with an average age of only 5.6 years. All of them are long-haul jets (A340 and B747). 6 Airbus A380 are on order. More than 30 long distance destinations all over the world are reached.
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