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{{Infobox Airline |
sucks shit
airline=Virgin Atlantic Airways|
logo=Virgin Atlantic.png|
logo_size=263|
fleet_size=38<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=summary&owner=virgin+atlantic UK CAA Fleet Database - Virgin Atlantic]</ref> (+21 orders)|
destinations=30|
IATA=VS|
ICAO=VIR|
callsign=VIRGIN|
parent=[[Virgin Group]]|
founded=1984|
commenced=22 June 1984|
headquarters=[[Crawley]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]|
key_people=[[Richard Branson]] ([[President]])<br>[[Stephen Murphy (Businessman)|Stephen Murphy]] ([[Chairman]])<br>[[Steve Ridgway]] ([[CEO]])|
hubs=[[London Heathrow Airport]]<br>[[London Gatwick Airport]]|
focus_cities=[[Manchester Airport]]|
frequent_flyer=Flying Club|
lounge=Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse|
alliance=|
website= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com|
}}
'''Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.''' (operating as '''Virgin Atlantic''') is a [[United Kingdom|British]] airline owned by [[Richard Branson]]'s [[Virgin Group]] (51%) and [[Singapore Airlines]] (49%). It operates between the [[United Kingdom]] and [[North America]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Africa]], the [[Middle East]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]] from main bases at [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] and [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]. Virgin has a smaller base at [[Manchester Airport]]. The company holds a [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence to carry passengers, cargo, and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 Operating Licence]</ref> In the year to February 2007, Virgin Atlantic carried 5.1 million passengers and made an annual profit of [[Pound sterling|£]]46.8 million on turnover of £2,140 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic Airways – Company Overview |publisher=Virgin Atlantic Airways |url=http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/tridion/images/factsheetcompanyoverview_tcm5-426059.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-04-03 }}</ref>

==History==
===Conception and birth===
In 1982, [[Randolph Fields]], an American-born lawyer, and [[Alan Hellary]], a former chief pilot for [[Laker Airways]], set up British Atlantic Airways as a successor to Laker Airways. Fields got the idea of an airline from [[London]] to the [[Falkland Islands]] in June 1982, when the [[Falklands War]] had just finished and there was need for a service.<ref>West Sussex County Times, Friday, January 20, 1984 Page 1</ref> Fields needed expertise and contacted Alan Hellary, Laker Airways' former chief pilot, who had thought about establishing a regular, commercial service to the Falklands at the same time. Hellary was in contact with colleagues out of work following the collapse of Laker Airways and they worked on the idea.
[[Image:virgin atlantic a340-600 g-vyou arp.jpg|thumb|left|[[Airbus A340-600]]]]

However the short runway at [[Port Stanley Airport|Port Stanley]] and the time to improve it made the scheme unviable, so of the Falklands was dropped. Instead, Hellary and Fields tried to secure a licence from [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]] to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Airport]] in New York. A three-day inquiry in May 1983 rejected it after [[British Airways]], [[British Caledonian]] and [[BAA Limited|BAA]] objected.

Hellary and Fields applied for a licence between Gatwick and [[Newark Liberty International Airport]], outside [[New York]]. It was planned that British Atlantic Airways would use a 380-seat [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10|DC-10]] to fly to Newark. However, faced with the prospect of direct competition from [[People Express]], a post-[[deregulation]] "[[no frills]]" discount airline at Newark, they decided to secure more funding before proceeding.

Fields met [[Richard Branson]] at a party in [[Central London]] during which he proposed a business partnership . After protracted and testy negotiations, Fields agreed to a reduced stake of 25% in the airline (renamed Virgin Atlantic) and became first chairman. Following disagreements over operations, Fields agreed to be bought out for an initial sum of £1 million with further payment on Virgin's first dividend. As a result of a High Court action, this additional payment was received shortly before Fields' death from cancer in 1997.

On [[June 22]] [[1984]] Virgin Atlantic operated its inaugural scheduled service between Gatwick and Newark Liberty using a leased [[Boeing 747#747-200|Boeing 747-200]] (G-VIRG) formerly operated by [[Aerolineas Argentinas]]. The airline became profitable during its first year, aided by sister company [[Virgin Records]]' ability to finance the lease of a secondhand Boeing 747. The firm timed operations to take advantage of a full summer, which included the June to September - the most profitable.

===Formative years===
In 1986, the airline added another Boeing 747 and started a scheduled route from Gatwick to [[Miami International Airport|Miami]]. Additional aircraft were acquired and routes launched from Gatwick to New York-JFK (1988), [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo]] (1989), [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] (1990), [[Logan International Airport|Boston]] (1991), and [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]] (1992). In 1987 a service was launched between [[London Luton Airport|Luton]] and [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] using [[Vickers Viscount|Viscount]] turbo-prop aircraft, but this was withdrawn around 1990. In 1988, Club Air operated two Boeing 727 aircraft on behalf of Virgin. They were leased from Eastern Airlines to also serve the [[London Luton Airport|Luton]] to [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] route. These were withdrawn around 1990 too.

===Later years===
[[Image:virgin atlantic b747-400 g-vbig arp.jpg|thumb|left|[[Boeing 747-400]] landing]]
In March 2000 [[Virgin Group]] sold 49% of the airline's holding company to [[Singapore Airlines]] for £600.25 million. Virgin Group still owns the remaining 51%.

In June 2002, Virgin became first to use the [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-600]].

Virgin Atlantic carried 3.8 million passengers in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&sglid=1&fld=2003Annual | title=2003 UK Airline Statistics | work= UK CAA | accessdate= 2008-03-09 }}</ref> This increased to 4.6 million in 2006, placing them seventh among UK airlines but second in passenger-miles because of the long-haul nature of operations.<ref name="2006pass">{{cite web |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&sglid=1&fld=2006Annual | title=2006 UK Airline Statistics | work= UK CAA | accessdate= 2008-03-09 }}</ref> During the [[2012 Summer Olympics bids]], Virgin Atlantic attached "London 2012" to the rear of many aircraft.

Virgin volunteered a Boeing 747s for a test of [[biofuels]]. In February 2008, it flew from Heathrow to Amsterdam, with no passengers, and 20% of power for one engine provided by plant-based biofuel. The airline said it expected to use biofuels based on [[algae]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7261214.stm |source= BBC News |title= First biofuel flight touches down |accessdate= 2008-02-24}}</ref>

==Rivalry with British Airways==
Virgin Atlantic has been a rival of [[British Airways]] since inception.<ref name="virginity">''Losing my Virginity - The Autobiography.'', Branson, R., Virgin Books Ltd., London, 2006 (2nd reprint), p. 362</ref>

===Background to opening up Heathrow===
In January 1991, the UK opened [[London Heathrow Airport]] to Virgin when it abolished the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules in response to pressure from the industry.

===Virgin Atlantic's precarious financial position during the early 1990s===
According to industry insiders, Virgin Atlantic had increasing financial problems. This was primarily the result of a reduction in demand for travel caused by the recession of the early 1990s as well as by fear to travel in the aftermath of the first [[Gulf War]]. Britain's [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] Government, which had presided over the collapse of the International Leisure Group (ILG) and its subsidiary [[Air Europe]] resulting in 4,000 job losses<ref name="virginity"/> was aware that [[Dan-Air]] was on the brink of bankruptcy, and wanted to avoid the collapse of another independent British airline, especially if its profile was as high as Virgin Atlantic's. The Government was conscious that many of these independent airlines' employees, whose jobs were threatened by the then prevailing economic climate, lived in marginal Conservative constituencies. The Government decided to let Virgin Atlantic into Heathrow despite facing opposition from [[British Airways]].

[[Image:virgin atlantic b747-400 g-vbig in planform arp.jpg|thumb|left|[[Boeing 747-400]] taking off]]

===The "London Air Traffic Distribution Rules"===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2008}}
The London Air Traffic Distribution Rules came into effect on [[1 April]] [[1978]] and were applied from the beginning of April [[1977]]. They were to achieve a "fairer" distribution of traffic between Heathrow and Gatwick, the UK's two main international airports, to help Gatwick make a profit. The rules said airlines without an international scheduled service from Heathrow prior to [[1 April]] [[1977]] would not be permitted operations there. Instead, they would use Gatwick. However, airlines that did not already operate at Heathrow could commence domestic scheduled services there provided BAA, which ran both Heathrow and Gatwick on behalf of the Government, and the Secretary of State for Transport, granted permission. London Air Traffic Distribution Rules banned all new all-cargo as well as all charter flights from Heathrow as of [[1 April]] [[1978]].

===BA's response===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2008}}
The decision to open Heathrow to all newcomers in 1991 - other than those governed by [[Bermuda II]] - angered BA's chairman, [[John King, Baron King of Wartnaby|Lord King]], who stopped British Airways' donations to the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] in protest. Lord King was furthermore angered by the [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]]'s subsequent decision to transfer two pairs of unused slots British Airways held at [[Tokyo]]'s [[Narita International Airport]] to Virgin to let Virgin increase its frequency between Heathrow and Tokyo from four to six weekly round-trips, making it easier for Virgin to compete against British Airways. Lord King called the CAA's decision, which the Government had endorsed, "a confiscation of his company's property".<ref>{{cite web |title=Operation of the UK Traffic Distribution Rules in relation to all-cargo services at London Heathrow Airport |publisher=BAA Heathrow |url=http://www.acl-uk.org/UserFiles/File/BAA%20TDR%20consultation%20paper%20_LHR.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2009-02-12}}</ref>

==="Dirty tricks"===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2008}}
The decision to abolish the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules and to let Virgin Atlantic operate at Heathrow in competition with British Airways became the trigger for BA's so-called "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin. In 1993 BA's PR director, [[David Burnside]], published an article in "BA News", British Airways' internal magazine, which argued that Branson's protests against British Airways were a publicity stunt. Branson sued British Airways for libel. BA settled out of court when its lawyers found the lengths to which the company went to try to kill off Virgin. BA had a legal bill of up to £3m, damages to Branson of £500,000 and a further £110,000 to his airline. Branson divided his £500,000 among staff, each receiving £166.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/11/newsid_2520000/2520189.stm bbc.co.uk, 11 January, 1993 - BA dirty tricks against Virgin cost £3m]</ref><ref>http://www.spinhunters.org/blog/do-it-lets-screw-it/</ref>

[[Image:virgin.g-vhol.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300]]
In the 1990s, Virgin Atlantic jets were painted with "No-Way BA/AA" in opposition to the attempted merger between [[British Airways]] and [[American Airlines]] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1554140.stm].

In 1997, following British Airways' announcement that it was to remove the [[Union Flag]] from its tailfins in favour of [[British Airways ethnic liveries|world images]], Virgin introduced a union flag design on the winglets of its aircraft and changed the red dress on the Scarlet Lady on the nose of aircraft to the union flag with the tag line "Britain's Flag Carrier". This was a tongue-in-cheek challenge to BA's traditional role as the UK's flag carrier.

Relations with British Airways improved with the arrival of [[Rod Eddington]] as BA CEO though rivalry continued. Eddington replaced [[Robert Ayling]], involved in the dirty tricks affair, who was dismissed by [[Colin Marshall, Baron Marshall of Knightsbridge|Lord Marshall]], the long-serving BA chairman and Ayling's mentor, on behalf of BA's main institutional shareholders after BA had its first net loss since privatisation during Ayling's time during its 1999/2000 [[financial year]].

In June 2006, a tip-off from Virgin Atlantic led US and UK competition authorities to investigate alleged price-fixing between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. In August 2007, BA was fined £271 million by the UK's [[Office of Fair Trading]] and the US [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]]. Virgin Atlantic was not fined as it was given immunity for reporting the cartel to regulators.

The animosity between the two airlines continues. In 2007 it was revealed that BA had edited its in-flight version of the [[James Bond]] [[movie]] [[Casino Royale (2006 film)|Casino Royale]], removing a brief cameo appearance from Richard Branson and shots of a Virgin tail fin.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6579839.stm bbc.co.uk, 21 April, 2007 - BA cuts Branson from Bond movie]</ref>

== Destinations ==
{{main|Virgin Atlantic destinations}}
75% of Virgin's flights operate from [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]], with most of the remainder from [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]] and [[Manchester Airport]] with one seasonal flight from [[Glasgow International Airport]].

== Codeshare agreements ==
Virgin Atlantic has codeshare agreements with the following airlines<ref>[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/ourdestinations/codesharedestinations.jsp Virgin Atlantic - Our Destinations - Codeshare Destinations]</ref>:

{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Air China]]
* [[Air Jamaica]]
* [[bmi (airline)|bmi]]
* [[Continental Airlines]]
|
* [[Singapore Airlines]]
* [[South African Airways]]
* [[Virgin Blue]]
|}

== Airline partners ==

In addition to the above airlines, Virgin Atlantic has partnership alliances with<ref>[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/frequentflyer/fcpartners/airlines/index.jsp Virgin Atlantic Airways - Flying Club - Partner Airlines]</ref>:

{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Air New Zealand]]
* [[All Nippon Airways]]
* [[Caribbean Star]]
* [[Gulf Air]]
* [[Hawaiian Airlines]]
|
* [[Jet Airways]]
* [[Malaysian Airlines]]
* [[Scandinavian Airlines]]
* [[US Airways]]
|}
Virgin's involvement with [[Lufthansa]]'s talks on BMI's future may lead to a possible merger on parts of the airlines' operations - this may well lead to Virgin's entrance into the [[Star Alliance]] to counter its major rival, [[oneworld]] alliance's strong presence on the very lucrative LHR-JFK route. In fact Virgin already has codeshare and/or partnership agreements with nine of the Star Alliance members, while having none with oneworld and [[SkyTeam]] members.

== Fleet ==
Virgin Atlantic's fleet uses both Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with an average age of 6.7 years as of March 2008.<ref name="fleetinfo">{{cite web |url=http://www.planesregister.com/airline/Virgin%20Atlantic.htm |title=Virgin Atlantic fleet |accessdate=2008-03-10 |work= Planesregister.com}}</ref> [[Boeing 747-400]]s are used on all routes from Gatwick and Manchester. Boeing 747s and [[Airbus A340]]s are used interchangeably on routes from Heathrow.

In addition to Airbus A340-600 aircraft still on order, Virgin Atlantic has orders for [[Boeing 787#787-9|Boeing 787-9]] and [[Airbus A380|Airbus A380-800]] aircraft for delivery beginning 2011 and 2013, respectively. The A380 was expected in service in 2006 but was delayed until 2009 because of problems within [[Airbus]]. Virgin deferred its order to 2013, arguing it wanted the aircraft to prove itself before it put its own into operation.<ref name="mw_20061026_vs">{{cite news | last=Goldstein | first=Steve | title = Virgin Atlantic to delay A380 deliveries until 2013 | publisher = [[MarketWatch|Dow Jones MarketWatch]] |date= [[October 26]], [[2006]] | url = http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?dist=newsfinder&siteid=mktw&guid=%7B36C4BA55%2D04B9%2D498C%2DAD80%2DBC596918E6C5%7D&link=&keyword=A380 | accessdate = 2006-10-26 }}</ref>
[[Image:Virgin Maintenance Hanger v2.JPG|thumb|right|Airbus A340 in maintenance]]

The order for 15 787-9s, with [[Option (aircraft purchasing)|options]] on eight more and purchase rights on 20 more, was announced on [[April 24]], [[2007]]. The aircraft will replace Virgin’s older A340-300s.<ref>{{cite news | title= Virgin Reveals Dreamliner order | work= [[Airliner World]] | page= 4 |date=June 2007}}</ref> Virgin has listed [[Seattle]], [[Vancouver]], [[Bangkok]], and [[Melbourne]] as possible destinations for the aircraft, saying the 787 would make possible non-stop operations from London to [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth, Australia]] and [[Honolulu, Hawaii]] .<ref>[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/news/pr240407a.jsp Virgin Atlantic Press Release] dated [[24 April]] [[2007]]</ref>
Virgin is negotiating with [[Boeing]] and [[Airbus]] over an order for ten wide-bodied jets for the Gatwick fleet. This could be a new order for the [[Boeing 747-8]] or for additional Airbus A380-800s. Deliveries are expected in 2012, in time for the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London Olympics]].<ref>[http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1192694699.html AIRwise.com, 18 October, 2007 - Virgin Atlantic In Talks Over 10 Long-haul Planes]</ref>

[[Image:virgin atlantic b747-400 lady penelope arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 747-400]] ''Lady Penelope'' special paint scheme. The Scarlet Lady has been enlarged and moved to the back of the aircraft]]

Virgin’s aircraft are painted in a red and silver livery introduced in October 2006 with the delivery of G-VRED. It will adorn the entire fleet. Near the nose of each aircraft is a [[pinup girl]] designed by British artist Ken White, called Scarlet Lady. White modeled the motif on the World War II pin-ups of [[Alberto Vargas]] — hence the naming one of the fleet ''Varga Girl''.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The motif was updated with the addition of the 1999 Silver livery. Each carries a [[Union Flag]]. The names are usually feminine, such as Ladybird, Island Lady and Ruby Tuesday, but some are linked to registrations (e.g. G-VFIZ—''Bubbles''). There are a couple of commemorative names (e.g. G-VEIL—''Queen of the Skies''—which was named by [[Elizabeth II of United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] on 7 April 2004 in celebration of the centenary of the [[Entente Cordiale]]). An exception is ''The Spirit of Sir Freddie''. An early [[Boeing 747]], it was named in honour of [[Freddie Laker]] of [[Laker Airways]], who helped Virgin Atlantic run following the demise of his own airline. G-VFAB—''Lady Penelope''—gained special livery to celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s 21st birthday. The Scarlet Lady was enlarged and moved to the rear of the aircraft, a Boeing 747-400, and the aircraft was temporarily renamed ''Birthday Girl''.

On [[September 27]], [[2006]] Branson announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting aircraft weight and fuel consumption. There was also an experiment to have aircraft towed to the runway to save fuel, but this has not resulted in a change of operational procedures.<ref>[http://today.reuters.com/news/ArticleInvesting.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-09-27T193141Z_01_N27286580_RTRIDST_0_AIRLINES-VIRGIN-PICTURE-UPDATE-1.XML]{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}</ref>

[[Image:virgin.atlantic.a340-600.g-vyou.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Virgin Atlantic [[Airbus A340-600]] G-VYOU ''Emmeline Heaney'']]

Two Virgin Atlantic aircraft are featured in the James Bond film, ''[[Casino Royale (2006 film)|Casino Royale]]''. One [[Airbus A340#A340-600 series|Airbus A340-600]] (G-VWIN) and one Boeing 747-400-along with Branson and Virgin Atlantic crew—are part of a scene at [[Miami International Airport]] (the sequence was filmed at [[Ruzyně International Airport]] in [[Prague]]).<ref name="Virgin_James_Bond">"[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/pressoffice/pressreleases/news/pr040706.jsp James Bond Seeks Out Virgin Atlantic for "Casino Royale" Assignment]," Virgin Atlantic press release, [[4 July]] [[2006]].</ref>
Virgin Atlantic's relationship with the [[James Bond]] franchise continues in ''[[Quantum Of Solace]]'', where [[James Bond]] and [[René Mathis]] travel to [[La Paz]], [[Bolivia]] on board Virgin Atlantic, in Upper Class.

=== Current ===
Virgin Atlantic’s fleet consists of the following aircraft as of December 2008:<ref name="fleetinfo"/>
<center>
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|- bgcolor=ff999
!Aircraft
!Total
!Orders
![[Option (aircraft purchasing)|Options]]
!Passengers <br> <small>(Upper/Premium Economy/Economy)</small>
!Engines
!Entry Into Service
!Exit From Service
|-
|[[Airbus A340#A340-300|Airbus A340-300]]
|6
|0
|0
|240 (34/35/171)
|[[CFM International CFM56#CFM56-5C series|CFM CFM56]]
|1993-1998
|2013
|-
|[[Airbus A340#A340-600|Airbus A340-600]]
|19
|0
|0
|308 (45/38/225)
|[[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 500|RR Trent 500]]
|2002-2006
|N/A
|-
|[[Airbus A380|Airbus A380-800]]
|0
|6
|6
|TBA
|[[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 900|RR Trent 900]]
|2013-
|N/A
|-
|[[Boeing 747-400]]
|13
|0
|0
|452 (14/58/380)<br>451 (14/58/379)<br>344 (54/62/228)
|[[General Electric CF6#CF6-80|GE CF6]]
|1994-2003
|N/A
|-
|[[Boeing 787#787-9|Boeing 787-9]]
|0
|15
|8
|TBA
|[[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 1000|RR Trent 1000]]
|2013-
|N/A
|}
</center>

=== Retired ===
In the past, Virgin Atlantic has operated a variety of aircraft. Its retired fleet consists of:
<center>
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|- bgcolor=ff9999
!Aircraft
!Total
!Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family#A320|Airbus A320]]
|4
|Operated by [[Virgin Sun]].
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family#A321|Airbus A321]]
|2
|Operated by [[Virgin Sun]].
|-
|[[Boeing 747#747-100|Boeing 747-100]]
|1
|G-VMIA named 'Spirit of Sir Freddie' after airline legend Sir Freddie Laker.
|-
|[[Boeing 747#747-200|Boeing 747-200]]
|11
|G-VIRG was Virgin's first aircraft.
|-
|[[Vickers Viscount]]
|4
|Operated for Virgin by [[British United Air Ferries]].
|}
</center>

== Cabin ==
All Virgin Atlantic aircraft are in a three-class configuration with [[Economy Class|Economy]], [[Premium Economy]], and [[Business Class|Upper Class]] cabins.

=== Economy ===
Economy is the standard coach class of Virgin Atlantic and has fairly standard amenities for a [[Legacy carrier]], such as free meals and drinks and a free amenity kit. Seats have a maximum [[seat pitch]] of 81&nbsp;cm (depending on the aircraft type). In addition, updated economy seats have adjustable lumbar support, and are being installed across Virgin Atlantic’s fleet.

=== Premium Economy ===
Premium Economy has a separate check-in area, priority boarding ahead of Economy passengers, a wider seat with more legroom than Economy, and additional cabin services such as a preflight drink and dedicated cabin crew. As with Economy, in November 2006, Virgin launched an updated product with a wider seat that also supplies laptop power. It is being installed across the fleet starting with Heathrow-based A340 aircraft. As of April 2008 all A340s have the new product. The 747s based at Heathrow completed their refit by December 2007 and have an updated configuration of 62 seats all located downstairs.<ref>[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp?type=12 Virgin Atlantic 747-400 seating configuration 3]. Retrieved on [[October 20]], [[2007]].</ref> The upper deck on Gatwick-based 747s is entirely Premium Economy, with a further two Premium Economy rows downstairs, between Upper Class and Economy.<ref>[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/ourfleet/index.jsp Virgin Atlantic 747-400 seating configuration 1]. Retrieved on [[September 5]], [[2008]].</ref>

=== Upper Class ===
Upper Class is the equivalent of [[business class]] on all Virgin Atlantic Airways’ flights. Virgin does not offer a traditional [[First class (aviation)|First Class]] cabin service.<ref>[http://expediacorporate.com/daily/resource/support_aircodes.asp Expedia Travel Manager Resource Center]</ref> The Upper Class seat is claimed by the airline to be the biggest fully flat bed of any airline’s business class service (it is approximately 202&nbsp;cm long and 84&nbsp;cm wide), however [[Air Canada]] and [[Singapore Airlines]] have made similar claims.<ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/businessclass/seatfeatures.jsp? Singapore Airlines "The largest full-flat bed in Business Class"]</ref> The seat offers in-seat laptop power and power leads for [[iPod]]s and Upper Class passengers have access to a [[chauffeur]], drive thru check-in and private security channel (at some airports), the clubhouse ([[Airport lounge|lounge]]), a larger menu than that of Premium Economy and Economy passengers and an in-flight bar.

=== In-flight entertainment ===
All Virgin Atlantic aircraft offer personal seat-back televisions that provide entertainment channels. Certain aircraft (some 747-400s, one A340-300–G-VSUN–, and all A340-600s) have an Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) system called V:Port. Older "Odyssey" and "Super Nova" [[In-flight entertainment|IFE]] systems can be found on aircraft in the fleet. They both have smaller screens and display audio and video on a loop rather than broadcasting on demand.

== Incidents and accidents ==
[[Image:VIRG346NRT.jpg|thumb|right|Airbus A340-600 at Tokyo-Narita]]

*On [[5 November]] [[1997]], after numerous attempts to shake free the jammed main landing gear of an [[Airbus A340#A340-300|Airbus A340-300]] G-VSKY failed, the aircraft made an emergency landing at [[London Heathrow Airport]]. The aircraft sustained major damage to the undersides of engines 1, 2 and 4 which made contact with the runway surface during landing. The runway surface was also damaged and several runway lights were broken as the right main landing gear wheels broke up during the deceleration. The aircraft was evacuated safely, with 2 crew members and 5 passengers sustaining minor injuries during the evacuation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/publications/formal_reports/4_2000__g_vsky.cfm | title=Report on the accident to Airbus A340-311, G-VSKY, at London Heathrow Airport on 5 November 1997 | work=UK AAIB | accessdate=2009-03-14 }}</ref>

*On [[8 February]] [[2005]], onboard an [[Airbus A340#A340-600|Airbus A340-600]] aircraft (G-VATL) en route from [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]] to [[London Heathrow Airport|London]], the fuel control computer system caused a loss of automatic fuel transfer between tanks. The left outboard engine lost power, and shortly after the right outboard engine also began to falter until the crew began crossfeeding fuel manually. The crew diverted to [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam]], where a safe landing was made. The interim accident report made 4 safety recommendations addressed to the primary certification bodies for large transport category aircraft ([[European Aviation Safety Agency|EASA]] and the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]), advising on the need for a low fuel warning system for large aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/february_2006/airbus_a340_642__g_vatl.cfm | title= Airbus A340-642, G-VATL | work= UK AAIB | accessdate= 2007-07-26 }}</ref>

== Slogans ==

Over the years, Virgin has used many slogans, including:

*''' "Mine's Bigger Than Yours"'''
Written on the back of the [[Airbus A340-600]]s because they are the longest passenger aircraft in the world
*''' "4 Engines 4 Longhaul" '''
Originally an Airbus slogan when newer versions of the A340 were built until Virgin inherited the slogan. The slogan was written on the engines of the planes, because all Virgin's planes at the time had four engines as opposed to BA's long haul twin-jet [[Boeing 777]]s and [[Boeing 767]]s. The slogan was removed in 2006 because it "had run its course and it was time to move on"—Virgin would later order [[Boeing 787]] twin-jet aircraft in 2007.
*'''"No Way BA/AA"'''
Used in the late 1990s on several 747-400s to express Branson's displeasure with the proposed [[British Airways]]/[[American Airlines]] partnership. BA/AA combined held 100% market share on several US-UK routes (e.g. [[Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas-Fort Worth]] to [[London]]), and a market share of more than 50% in several more (e.g. [[Chicago O'Hare International Airport|Chicago]] to [[London]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK]] to [[London]]). The slogan was brought back starting in September 2008 after merger talks between British Airways, [[Iberia Airlines]] and American Airlines began.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/09/12/ap5416723.html |first=Jane |last=Wardell |work=[[Forbes]] |date=2008-09-12 |accessdate=2008-09-16 |title=Virgin attempts to block BA-American-Iberia deal }}</ref>

*''' "Still Red Hot For 25 Years"'''

Others Include: ''"More experience than the name suggests," "Virgin, seeks travel companion(s)," "Love at first flight," "You never forget your first time," "Extra inches where it counts," "Fly a younger fleet," "One call does it all," "Hello gorgeous", "We're better by four"'' and, in a campaign featuring [[Austin Powers]], ''"There's only one Virgin on this T-shirt (or bus, etc.) baby," and "Twice a day to London"'' in which Austin Powers is seen riding on the fuselage of a Virgin Atlantic 747. During that time G-VTOP was temporarily named "Austin Powered".

== Further reading ==
*Gregory, Martyn. ''Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic''. New York: Virgin, 2000. ISBN 0-7535-0458-8
*Bower, Tom. ''Branson''. UK: Fourth Estate, 2001 ISBN 1-84115-400-8
*{{cite book|author=Branson, Richard | title=Losing my Virginity - The Autobiography | publisher=Virgin Books Ltd. | place=London, UK | year=2006 [2nd reprint] | isbn=0-7535-1020-0}}

== See also ==
*[[Virgin America]]
*[[Virgin Blue]]
*[[Virgin Express]]
*[[Virgin Galactic]]
*[[Virgin Nigeria Airways]]
*[[Virgin Sun]]
*[[Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer]]
*[[V Australia]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{commons|Virgin Atlantic Airways}}
*[http://www.virgin-atlantic.com Official website]
*[http://www.v-flyer.com/ V-Flyer] Customer-created site
*[http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/Virgin%20Atlantic.htm Fleet Age]
*[http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Virgin-Atlantic?show=all Fleet Detail]
*[http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?airlinesearch=Virgin%20Atlantic%20Airways&distinct_entry=true Photos of Virgin Atlantic Airways aircraft]

{{Virgin Group}}
{{Singapore Airlines}}
{{IATA members|europe}}
{{Association of European Airlines}}
{{Airlines of the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Airlines of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1984]]
[[Category:Virgin Group|Atlantic]]
[[Category:IATA members]]
[[Category:Association of European Airlines members]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:British Air Transport Association]]
[[Category:British brands]]
[[Category:Price fixing convictions]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies based in West Sussex]]

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Revision as of 03:58, 27 March 2009

Virgin Atlantic Airways
File:Virgin Atlantic.png
IATA ICAO Call sign
VS VIR VIRGIN
Founded1984
Commenced operations22 June 1984
HubsLondon Heathrow Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Focus citiesManchester Airport
Frequent-flyer programFlying Club
Fleet size38[1] (+21 orders)
Destinations30
Parent companyVirgin Group
HeadquartersCrawley, England, UK
Key peopleRichard Branson (President)
Stephen Murphy (Chairman)
Steve Ridgway (CEO)
Websitehttp://www.virgin-atlantic.com

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. (operating as Virgin Atlantic) is a British airline owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group (51%) and Singapore Airlines (49%). It operates between the United Kingdom and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia from main bases at London Heathrow and London Gatwick. Virgin has a smaller base at Manchester Airport. The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence to carry passengers, cargo, and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[2] In the year to February 2007, Virgin Atlantic carried 5.1 million passengers and made an annual profit of £46.8 million on turnover of £2,140 million.[3]

History

Conception and birth

In 1982, Randolph Fields, an American-born lawyer, and Alan Hellary, a former chief pilot for Laker Airways, set up British Atlantic Airways as a successor to Laker Airways. Fields got the idea of an airline from London to the Falkland Islands in June 1982, when the Falklands War had just finished and there was need for a service.[4] Fields needed expertise and contacted Alan Hellary, Laker Airways' former chief pilot, who had thought about establishing a regular, commercial service to the Falklands at the same time. Hellary was in contact with colleagues out of work following the collapse of Laker Airways and they worked on the idea.

Airbus A340-600

However the short runway at Port Stanley and the time to improve it made the scheme unviable, so of the Falklands was dropped. Instead, Hellary and Fields tried to secure a licence from London Gatwick to JFK Airport in New York. A three-day inquiry in May 1983 rejected it after British Airways, British Caledonian and BAA objected.

Hellary and Fields applied for a licence between Gatwick and Newark Liberty International Airport, outside New York. It was planned that British Atlantic Airways would use a 380-seat DC-10 to fly to Newark. However, faced with the prospect of direct competition from People Express, a post-deregulation "no frills" discount airline at Newark, they decided to secure more funding before proceeding.

Fields met Richard Branson at a party in Central London during which he proposed a business partnership . After protracted and testy negotiations, Fields agreed to a reduced stake of 25% in the airline (renamed Virgin Atlantic) and became first chairman. Following disagreements over operations, Fields agreed to be bought out for an initial sum of £1 million with further payment on Virgin's first dividend. As a result of a High Court action, this additional payment was received shortly before Fields' death from cancer in 1997.

On June 22 1984 Virgin Atlantic operated its inaugural scheduled service between Gatwick and Newark Liberty using a leased Boeing 747-200 (G-VIRG) formerly operated by Aerolineas Argentinas. The airline became profitable during its first year, aided by sister company Virgin Records' ability to finance the lease of a secondhand Boeing 747. The firm timed operations to take advantage of a full summer, which included the June to September - the most profitable.

Formative years

In 1986, the airline added another Boeing 747 and started a scheduled route from Gatwick to Miami. Additional aircraft were acquired and routes launched from Gatwick to New York-JFK (1988), Tokyo (1989), Los Angeles (1990), Boston (1991), and Orlando (1992). In 1987 a service was launched between Luton and Dublin using Viscount turbo-prop aircraft, but this was withdrawn around 1990. In 1988, Club Air operated two Boeing 727 aircraft on behalf of Virgin. They were leased from Eastern Airlines to also serve the Luton to Dublin route. These were withdrawn around 1990 too.

Later years

Boeing 747-400 landing

In March 2000 Virgin Group sold 49% of the airline's holding company to Singapore Airlines for £600.25 million. Virgin Group still owns the remaining 51%.

In June 2002, Virgin became first to use the Airbus A340-600.

Virgin Atlantic carried 3.8 million passengers in 2003.[5] This increased to 4.6 million in 2006, placing them seventh among UK airlines but second in passenger-miles because of the long-haul nature of operations.[6] During the 2012 Summer Olympics bids, Virgin Atlantic attached "London 2012" to the rear of many aircraft.

Virgin volunteered a Boeing 747s for a test of biofuels. In February 2008, it flew from Heathrow to Amsterdam, with no passengers, and 20% of power for one engine provided by plant-based biofuel. The airline said it expected to use biofuels based on algae.[7]

Rivalry with British Airways

Virgin Atlantic has been a rival of British Airways since inception.[8]

Background to opening up Heathrow

In January 1991, the UK opened London Heathrow Airport to Virgin when it abolished the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules in response to pressure from the industry.

Virgin Atlantic's precarious financial position during the early 1990s

According to industry insiders, Virgin Atlantic had increasing financial problems. This was primarily the result of a reduction in demand for travel caused by the recession of the early 1990s as well as by fear to travel in the aftermath of the first Gulf War. Britain's Conservative Government, which had presided over the collapse of the International Leisure Group (ILG) and its subsidiary Air Europe resulting in 4,000 job losses[8] was aware that Dan-Air was on the brink of bankruptcy, and wanted to avoid the collapse of another independent British airline, especially if its profile was as high as Virgin Atlantic's. The Government was conscious that many of these independent airlines' employees, whose jobs were threatened by the then prevailing economic climate, lived in marginal Conservative constituencies. The Government decided to let Virgin Atlantic into Heathrow despite facing opposition from British Airways.

Boeing 747-400 taking off

The "London Air Traffic Distribution Rules"

The London Air Traffic Distribution Rules came into effect on 1 April 1978 and were applied from the beginning of April 1977. They were to achieve a "fairer" distribution of traffic between Heathrow and Gatwick, the UK's two main international airports, to help Gatwick make a profit. The rules said airlines without an international scheduled service from Heathrow prior to 1 April 1977 would not be permitted operations there. Instead, they would use Gatwick. However, airlines that did not already operate at Heathrow could commence domestic scheduled services there provided BAA, which ran both Heathrow and Gatwick on behalf of the Government, and the Secretary of State for Transport, granted permission. London Air Traffic Distribution Rules banned all new all-cargo as well as all charter flights from Heathrow as of 1 April 1978.

BA's response

The decision to open Heathrow to all newcomers in 1991 - other than those governed by Bermuda II - angered BA's chairman, Lord King, who stopped British Airways' donations to the Conservative Party in protest. Lord King was furthermore angered by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority's subsequent decision to transfer two pairs of unused slots British Airways held at Tokyo's Narita International Airport to Virgin to let Virgin increase its frequency between Heathrow and Tokyo from four to six weekly round-trips, making it easier for Virgin to compete against British Airways. Lord King called the CAA's decision, which the Government had endorsed, "a confiscation of his company's property".[9]

"Dirty tricks"

The decision to abolish the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules and to let Virgin Atlantic operate at Heathrow in competition with British Airways became the trigger for BA's so-called "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin. In 1993 BA's PR director, David Burnside, published an article in "BA News", British Airways' internal magazine, which argued that Branson's protests against British Airways were a publicity stunt. Branson sued British Airways for libel. BA settled out of court when its lawyers found the lengths to which the company went to try to kill off Virgin. BA had a legal bill of up to £3m, damages to Branson of £500,000 and a further £110,000 to his airline. Branson divided his £500,000 among staff, each receiving £166.[10][11]

Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300

In the 1990s, Virgin Atlantic jets were painted with "No-Way BA/AA" in opposition to the attempted merger between British Airways and American Airlines [2].

In 1997, following British Airways' announcement that it was to remove the Union Flag from its tailfins in favour of world images, Virgin introduced a union flag design on the winglets of its aircraft and changed the red dress on the Scarlet Lady on the nose of aircraft to the union flag with the tag line "Britain's Flag Carrier". This was a tongue-in-cheek challenge to BA's traditional role as the UK's flag carrier.

Relations with British Airways improved with the arrival of Rod Eddington as BA CEO though rivalry continued. Eddington replaced Robert Ayling, involved in the dirty tricks affair, who was dismissed by Lord Marshall, the long-serving BA chairman and Ayling's mentor, on behalf of BA's main institutional shareholders after BA had its first net loss since privatisation during Ayling's time during its 1999/2000 financial year.

In June 2006, a tip-off from Virgin Atlantic led US and UK competition authorities to investigate alleged price-fixing between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. In August 2007, BA was fined £271 million by the UK's Office of Fair Trading and the US Department of Justice. Virgin Atlantic was not fined as it was given immunity for reporting the cartel to regulators.

The animosity between the two airlines continues. In 2007 it was revealed that BA had edited its in-flight version of the James Bond movie Casino Royale, removing a brief cameo appearance from Richard Branson and shots of a Virgin tail fin.[12]

Destinations

75% of Virgin's flights operate from London Heathrow, with most of the remainder from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport with one seasonal flight from Glasgow International Airport.

Codeshare agreements

Virgin Atlantic has codeshare agreements with the following airlines[13]:

Airline partners

In addition to the above airlines, Virgin Atlantic has partnership alliances with[14]:

Virgin's involvement with Lufthansa's talks on BMI's future may lead to a possible merger on parts of the airlines' operations - this may well lead to Virgin's entrance into the Star Alliance to counter its major rival, oneworld alliance's strong presence on the very lucrative LHR-JFK route. In fact Virgin already has codeshare and/or partnership agreements with nine of the Star Alliance members, while having none with oneworld and SkyTeam members.

Fleet

Virgin Atlantic's fleet uses both Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with an average age of 6.7 years as of March 2008.[15] Boeing 747-400s are used on all routes from Gatwick and Manchester. Boeing 747s and Airbus A340s are used interchangeably on routes from Heathrow.

In addition to Airbus A340-600 aircraft still on order, Virgin Atlantic has orders for Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A380-800 aircraft for delivery beginning 2011 and 2013, respectively. The A380 was expected in service in 2006 but was delayed until 2009 because of problems within Airbus. Virgin deferred its order to 2013, arguing it wanted the aircraft to prove itself before it put its own into operation.[16]

Airbus A340 in maintenance

The order for 15 787-9s, with options on eight more and purchase rights on 20 more, was announced on April 24, 2007. The aircraft will replace Virgin’s older A340-300s.[17] Virgin has listed Seattle, Vancouver, Bangkok, and Melbourne as possible destinations for the aircraft, saying the 787 would make possible non-stop operations from London to Perth, Australia and Honolulu, Hawaii .[18] Virgin is negotiating with Boeing and Airbus over an order for ten wide-bodied jets for the Gatwick fleet. This could be a new order for the Boeing 747-8 or for additional Airbus A380-800s. Deliveries are expected in 2012, in time for the 2012 London Olympics.[19]

Boeing 747-400 Lady Penelope special paint scheme. The Scarlet Lady has been enlarged and moved to the back of the aircraft

Virgin’s aircraft are painted in a red and silver livery introduced in October 2006 with the delivery of G-VRED. It will adorn the entire fleet. Near the nose of each aircraft is a pinup girl designed by British artist Ken White, called Scarlet Lady. White modeled the motif on the World War II pin-ups of Alberto Vargas — hence the naming one of the fleet Varga Girl.[citation needed] The motif was updated with the addition of the 1999 Silver livery. Each carries a Union Flag. The names are usually feminine, such as Ladybird, Island Lady and Ruby Tuesday, but some are linked to registrations (e.g. G-VFIZ—Bubbles). There are a couple of commemorative names (e.g. G-VEIL—Queen of the Skies—which was named by Queen Elizabeth II on 7 April 2004 in celebration of the centenary of the Entente Cordiale). An exception is The Spirit of Sir Freddie. An early Boeing 747, it was named in honour of Freddie Laker of Laker Airways, who helped Virgin Atlantic run following the demise of his own airline. G-VFAB—Lady Penelope—gained special livery to celebrate Virgin Atlantic’s 21st birthday. The Scarlet Lady was enlarged and moved to the rear of the aircraft, a Boeing 747-400, and the aircraft was temporarily renamed Birthday Girl.

On September 27, 2006 Branson announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting aircraft weight and fuel consumption. There was also an experiment to have aircraft towed to the runway to save fuel, but this has not resulted in a change of operational procedures.[20]

Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 G-VYOU Emmeline Heaney

Two Virgin Atlantic aircraft are featured in the James Bond film, Casino Royale. One Airbus A340-600 (G-VWIN) and one Boeing 747-400-along with Branson and Virgin Atlantic crew—are part of a scene at Miami International Airport (the sequence was filmed at Ruzyně International Airport in Prague).[21] Virgin Atlantic's relationship with the James Bond franchise continues in Quantum Of Solace, where James Bond and René Mathis travel to La Paz, Bolivia on board Virgin Atlantic, in Upper Class.

Current

Virgin Atlantic’s fleet consists of the following aircraft as of December 2008:[15]

Aircraft Total Orders Options Passengers
(Upper/Premium Economy/Economy)
Engines Entry Into Service Exit From Service
Airbus A340-300 6 0 0 240 (34/35/171) CFM CFM56 1993-1998 2013
Airbus A340-600 19 0 0 308 (45/38/225) RR Trent 500 2002-2006 N/A
Airbus A380-800 0 6 6 TBA RR Trent 900 2013- N/A
Boeing 747-400 13 0 0 452 (14/58/380)
451 (14/58/379)
344 (54/62/228)
GE CF6 1994-2003 N/A
Boeing 787-9 0 15 8 TBA RR Trent 1000 2013- N/A

Retired

In the past, Virgin Atlantic has operated a variety of aircraft. Its retired fleet consists of:

Aircraft Total Notes
Airbus A320 4 Operated by Virgin Sun.
Airbus A321 2 Operated by Virgin Sun.
Boeing 747-100 1 G-VMIA named 'Spirit of Sir Freddie' after airline legend Sir Freddie Laker.
Boeing 747-200 11 G-VIRG was Virgin's first aircraft.
Vickers Viscount 4 Operated for Virgin by British United Air Ferries.

Cabin

All Virgin Atlantic aircraft are in a three-class configuration with Economy, Premium Economy, and Upper Class cabins.

Economy

Economy is the standard coach class of Virgin Atlantic and has fairly standard amenities for a Legacy carrier, such as free meals and drinks and a free amenity kit. Seats have a maximum seat pitch of 81 cm (depending on the aircraft type). In addition, updated economy seats have adjustable lumbar support, and are being installed across Virgin Atlantic’s fleet.

Premium Economy

Premium Economy has a separate check-in area, priority boarding ahead of Economy passengers, a wider seat with more legroom than Economy, and additional cabin services such as a preflight drink and dedicated cabin crew. As with Economy, in November 2006, Virgin launched an updated product with a wider seat that also supplies laptop power. It is being installed across the fleet starting with Heathrow-based A340 aircraft. As of April 2008 all A340s have the new product. The 747s based at Heathrow completed their refit by December 2007 and have an updated configuration of 62 seats all located downstairs.[22] The upper deck on Gatwick-based 747s is entirely Premium Economy, with a further two Premium Economy rows downstairs, between Upper Class and Economy.[23]

Upper Class

Upper Class is the equivalent of business class on all Virgin Atlantic Airways’ flights. Virgin does not offer a traditional First Class cabin service.[24] The Upper Class seat is claimed by the airline to be the biggest fully flat bed of any airline’s business class service (it is approximately 202 cm long and 84 cm wide), however Air Canada and Singapore Airlines have made similar claims.[25] The seat offers in-seat laptop power and power leads for iPods and Upper Class passengers have access to a chauffeur, drive thru check-in and private security channel (at some airports), the clubhouse (lounge), a larger menu than that of Premium Economy and Economy passengers and an in-flight bar.

In-flight entertainment

All Virgin Atlantic aircraft offer personal seat-back televisions that provide entertainment channels. Certain aircraft (some 747-400s, one A340-300–G-VSUN–, and all A340-600s) have an Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) system called V:Port. Older "Odyssey" and "Super Nova" IFE systems can be found on aircraft in the fleet. They both have smaller screens and display audio and video on a loop rather than broadcasting on demand.

Incidents and accidents

Airbus A340-600 at Tokyo-Narita
  • On 5 November 1997, after numerous attempts to shake free the jammed main landing gear of an Airbus A340-300 G-VSKY failed, the aircraft made an emergency landing at London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft sustained major damage to the undersides of engines 1, 2 and 4 which made contact with the runway surface during landing. The runway surface was also damaged and several runway lights were broken as the right main landing gear wheels broke up during the deceleration. The aircraft was evacuated safely, with 2 crew members and 5 passengers sustaining minor injuries during the evacuation.[26]
  • On 8 February 2005, onboard an Airbus A340-600 aircraft (G-VATL) en route from Hong Kong to London, the fuel control computer system caused a loss of automatic fuel transfer between tanks. The left outboard engine lost power, and shortly after the right outboard engine also began to falter until the crew began crossfeeding fuel manually. The crew diverted to Amsterdam, where a safe landing was made. The interim accident report made 4 safety recommendations addressed to the primary certification bodies for large transport category aircraft (EASA and the FAA), advising on the need for a low fuel warning system for large aircraft.[27]

Slogans

Over the years, Virgin has used many slogans, including:

  • "Mine's Bigger Than Yours"

Written on the back of the Airbus A340-600s because they are the longest passenger aircraft in the world

  • "4 Engines 4 Longhaul"

Originally an Airbus slogan when newer versions of the A340 were built until Virgin inherited the slogan. The slogan was written on the engines of the planes, because all Virgin's planes at the time had four engines as opposed to BA's long haul twin-jet Boeing 777s and Boeing 767s. The slogan was removed in 2006 because it "had run its course and it was time to move on"—Virgin would later order Boeing 787 twin-jet aircraft in 2007.

  • "No Way BA/AA"

Used in the late 1990s on several 747-400s to express Branson's displeasure with the proposed British Airways/American Airlines partnership. BA/AA combined held 100% market share on several US-UK routes (e.g. Dallas-Fort Worth to London), and a market share of more than 50% in several more (e.g. Chicago to London, JFK to London). The slogan was brought back starting in September 2008 after merger talks between British Airways, Iberia Airlines and American Airlines began.[28]

  • "Still Red Hot For 25 Years"

Others Include: "More experience than the name suggests," "Virgin, seeks travel companion(s)," "Love at first flight," "You never forget your first time," "Extra inches where it counts," "Fly a younger fleet," "One call does it all," "Hello gorgeous", "We're better by four" and, in a campaign featuring Austin Powers, "There's only one Virgin on this T-shirt (or bus, etc.) baby," and "Twice a day to London" in which Austin Powers is seen riding on the fuselage of a Virgin Atlantic 747. During that time G-VTOP was temporarily named "Austin Powered".

Further reading

  • Gregory, Martyn. Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic. New York: Virgin, 2000. ISBN 0-7535-0458-8
  • Bower, Tom. Branson. UK: Fourth Estate, 2001 ISBN 1-84115-400-8
  • Branson, Richard (2006 [2nd reprint]). Losing my Virginity - The Autobiography. London, UK: Virgin Books Ltd. ISBN 0-7535-1020-0. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)

See also

References

  1. ^ UK CAA Fleet Database - Virgin Atlantic
  2. ^ Operating Licence
  3. ^ "Virgin Atlantic Airways – Company Overview" (PDF). Virgin Atlantic Airways. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  4. ^ West Sussex County Times, Friday, January 20, 1984 Page 1
  5. ^ "2003 UK Airline Statistics". UK CAA. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  6. ^ "2006 UK Airline Statistics". UK CAA. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  7. ^ "First biofuel flight touches down". Retrieved 2008-02-24. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  8. ^ a b Losing my Virginity - The Autobiography., Branson, R., Virgin Books Ltd., London, 2006 (2nd reprint), p. 362
  9. ^ "Operation of the UK Traffic Distribution Rules in relation to all-cargo services at London Heathrow Airport" (PDF). BAA Heathrow. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  10. ^ bbc.co.uk, 11 January, 1993 - BA dirty tricks against Virgin cost £3m
  11. ^ http://www.spinhunters.org/blog/do-it-lets-screw-it/
  12. ^ bbc.co.uk, 21 April, 2007 - BA cuts Branson from Bond movie
  13. ^ Virgin Atlantic - Our Destinations - Codeshare Destinations
  14. ^ Virgin Atlantic Airways - Flying Club - Partner Airlines
  15. ^ a b "Virgin Atlantic fleet". Planesregister.com. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  16. ^ Goldstein, Steve (October 26, 2006). "Virgin Atlantic to delay A380 deliveries until 2013". Dow Jones MarketWatch. Retrieved 2006-10-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Virgin Reveals Dreamliner order". Airliner World. June 2007. p. 4.
  18. ^ Virgin Atlantic Press Release dated 24 April 2007
  19. ^ AIRwise.com, 18 October, 2007 - Virgin Atlantic In Talks Over 10 Long-haul Planes
  20. ^ [1][dead link]
  21. ^ "James Bond Seeks Out Virgin Atlantic for "Casino Royale" Assignment," Virgin Atlantic press release, 4 July 2006.
  22. ^ Virgin Atlantic 747-400 seating configuration 3. Retrieved on October 20, 2007.
  23. ^ Virgin Atlantic 747-400 seating configuration 1. Retrieved on September 5, 2008.
  24. ^ Expedia Travel Manager Resource Center
  25. ^ Singapore Airlines "The largest full-flat bed in Business Class"
  26. ^ "Report on the accident to Airbus A340-311, G-VSKY, at London Heathrow Airport on 5 November 1997". UK AAIB. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
  27. ^ "Airbus A340-642, G-VATL". UK AAIB. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  28. ^ Wardell, Jane (2008-09-12). "Virgin attempts to block BA-American-Iberia deal". Forbes. Retrieved 2008-09-16.