Virgin Atlantic Airways

   

Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400, a few seconds from landing at London (Heathrow) Airport
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Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400, a few seconds from landing at London (Heathrow) Airport
Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300
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Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300


Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., usually referred to as Virgin Atlantic , is an airline that operates intercontinental flights from the United Kingdom. It is the flagship organization of Richard Branson's Virgin Group, operating a fleet of wide-body aircraft on long-haul routes between London and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

History

Virgin's predecessor, British Atlantic Airways, operated flights from the UK to the Falkland Islands starting in 1982. Branson purchased the airline and began flights to North America on June 22, 1984, utilizing a single Boeing 747 on scheduled service between London Gatwick and Newark, taking over the small market share of Freddie Laker's failed "Skytrain" operation.

Virgin has always been a competitor and rival of British Airways. Early in its life, Virgin was involved in a libel suit against BA over an allegation of "dirty tricks." BA was faced with a legal bill of up to £3m, damages to Sir Richard of £500,000 and a further £110,000 to his airline. In the 1990s, Virgin Atlantic jets sported the words "No-Way BA/AA" in opposition to the attempted merger between British Airways and American Airlines. In 1997, following British Airways' announcement that it was to remove the Union Jack from its tailfins in favour of world images, Virgin took advantage of the controversy provoked by introducing a union flag design on the nose of its aircraft.

49% of Virgin Atlantic was sold to Singapore Airlines in December 1999 for £1.225bn.

In August 2002, Virgin became the first airline to begin flights with the Airbus A340-600. The airline also has six Airbus A380s on order and due to be delivered in 2006. In August, Virgin ordered 13 more A340-600s, with options for 13 more. Rolls-Royce have won all recent engine competitions for Virgin aircraft; the company's Trent will power the A340s and A380s on order.

Destinations

Fleet

Virgin operates Boeing 747 and Airbus A340 aircraft. Some of its A340s and Gatwick-based 747s have a three-class cabin layout similar to other international airlines, while all its Heathrow-based 747s have "Suite"-style seats and a bar in the "Upper Class" cabin. The A340s and Gatwick fleet are being upgraded to this new Upper Class Suite currently. The airline is known for its passenger service: Upper Class passengers can avail themselves of massage services in-flight, and can also request complimentary limousine pick-up and drop-off at the airport. Unlike most international carriers, Virgin gives free personal kits, including toothbrush, pen, earplugs, eyemask, and headphones, to passengers in all three classes.

Virgin's aircraft are christened with female names such as "Ladybird", "Island Lady", and "Ruby Tuesday". Many are named after destinations on the Virgin route network, such as "Maiden Tokyo" and "California Girl". Virgin's fleet also has several tongue in cheek registrations, California Girl is G-LAX, after Los Angeles Interational. Boston Belle is G-JFK after Massachusetts' famous son, others include G-VIRG, G-VGIN and G-VXLG for a 747-400.

The current Virgin livery features a pinup girl near the nose of each aircraft, carrying a Union Jack flag in a form remniscient of British Airways' traditional "speedbird" logo.

IATA and ICAO Codes

Virgin Atlantic uses the IATA designator code VS and the ICAO designator code VIR.

Further reading

  • Gregory, Martyn. Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic. New York: Virgin, 2000. ISBN 0753504588

See also

External link

List of Aircraft | Aircraft Manufacturers | Aircraft Engines | Aircraft Engine Manufacturers
Airlines | Air Forces | Aircraft Weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation


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