Virgin Airlines operates long haul routes between the UK and North America, Africa, the Caribbean, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East from its main bases at London Heathrow and London Gatwick and a secondary base at Manchester Airport, a leader in the industry, Virgin Airlines is known for its brashly British attitude. Owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Singapore Airlines.
Virgin Atlantic serves about 30 destinations worldwide with its fleet of more than 35 aircraft. It further extends its network through code-sharing relationships (agreements that allow airlines to sell tickets on each other's flights) with other airlines including Air China, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Australia-based sister company Virgin Blue.
Plans for two routes, one from London to the Falkland Islands in the aftermath of the Falkland War, and the other from London Gatwick to JFK Airport, were either scrapped or rejected. Plans were in the works for a route between London Gatwick and Newark Liberty International Airport, when it became necessary for the company to secure additional funding.Virgin Atlantic and its sister companies got their start in 1982 when American Randolph Fields teamed up with pilot Alan Hellary to launch British Atlantic Airways.
Thanks to financing from sister company Virgin Records and smart timing (the airline's first flights took advantage of the summer travel season) the company posted a profit in its first year of operation. Fields and Branson finalized a deal (Fields was eventually bought out) in contentious negotiations, and the airline, now renamed Virgin Atlantic, operated its first flight between London and Newark in June of 1984.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have always been competitors since the former was formed. After Virgin Atlantic obtained permission from the UK government from London Heathrow airport in January 1991, the competition became so intense that it sparked off BA's launch of its so-called "dirty tricks" against Virgin Atlantic. The campaign included libel lawsuits which were eventually settled out of court by BA after evidence of the extreme steps taken by BA to quash Virgin Atlantic were discovered by the latter's lawyers.
Virgin has never been shy about taking on its competition through its advertising. Some examples: Mine's Bigger Than Yours - painted on the back of the Airbus A340-600s because they are the longest passenger aircraft in the world
Also promoted Virgins online check-in literally allowing passengers to avoid the queues,avoid the Q - Advertised Virgin's London to Hong Kong to Sydney route in opposition to Quantas which was operating the same route.
Branson vehemently asserts his displeasure with a potential British Airways/American Airlines partnership. Presently, Virgin Atlantic has three cabin classes. These classes include upper class, premium economy and economy. The upper class would be comparable to what most people know as a business class as cabin service is not provided. Unlike most airlines' business class, the seating in Virgin Atlantic's upper class boasts to be the largest flat bed.
Premium Economy passengers have their own check-in and get to board before Economy passengers. They enjoy greater seat width and legroom. Most planes have undergone upgrading to provide Premium Economy seats that come with power supplies for laptops. Economy class now includes free drinks and upgraded seats with adjustable back support in all aircraft.
Some aircraft have audio/video on demand systems.Virgin Atlantic's sister airlines include: Virgin America, Virgin Blue, Virgin Express, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Nigeria Airways, Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer and V Australia.All Virgin Atlantic aircraft offer personal televisions mounted in the seat backs. - 16492
Virgin Atlantic serves about 30 destinations worldwide with its fleet of more than 35 aircraft. It further extends its network through code-sharing relationships (agreements that allow airlines to sell tickets on each other's flights) with other airlines including Air China, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Australia-based sister company Virgin Blue.
Plans for two routes, one from London to the Falkland Islands in the aftermath of the Falkland War, and the other from London Gatwick to JFK Airport, were either scrapped or rejected. Plans were in the works for a route between London Gatwick and Newark Liberty International Airport, when it became necessary for the company to secure additional funding.Virgin Atlantic and its sister companies got their start in 1982 when American Randolph Fields teamed up with pilot Alan Hellary to launch British Atlantic Airways.
Thanks to financing from sister company Virgin Records and smart timing (the airline's first flights took advantage of the summer travel season) the company posted a profit in its first year of operation. Fields and Branson finalized a deal (Fields was eventually bought out) in contentious negotiations, and the airline, now renamed Virgin Atlantic, operated its first flight between London and Newark in June of 1984.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have always been competitors since the former was formed. After Virgin Atlantic obtained permission from the UK government from London Heathrow airport in January 1991, the competition became so intense that it sparked off BA's launch of its so-called "dirty tricks" against Virgin Atlantic. The campaign included libel lawsuits which were eventually settled out of court by BA after evidence of the extreme steps taken by BA to quash Virgin Atlantic were discovered by the latter's lawyers.
Virgin has never been shy about taking on its competition through its advertising. Some examples: Mine's Bigger Than Yours - painted on the back of the Airbus A340-600s because they are the longest passenger aircraft in the world
Also promoted Virgins online check-in literally allowing passengers to avoid the queues,avoid the Q - Advertised Virgin's London to Hong Kong to Sydney route in opposition to Quantas which was operating the same route.
Branson vehemently asserts his displeasure with a potential British Airways/American Airlines partnership. Presently, Virgin Atlantic has three cabin classes. These classes include upper class, premium economy and economy. The upper class would be comparable to what most people know as a business class as cabin service is not provided. Unlike most airlines' business class, the seating in Virgin Atlantic's upper class boasts to be the largest flat bed.
Premium Economy passengers have their own check-in and get to board before Economy passengers. They enjoy greater seat width and legroom. Most planes have undergone upgrading to provide Premium Economy seats that come with power supplies for laptops. Economy class now includes free drinks and upgraded seats with adjustable back support in all aircraft.
Some aircraft have audio/video on demand systems.Virgin Atlantic's sister airlines include: Virgin America, Virgin Blue, Virgin Express, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Nigeria Airways, Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer and V Australia.All Virgin Atlantic aircraft offer personal televisions mounted in the seat backs. - 16492
About the Author:
Tom Martens is the syndication coordinator for South Arica's leading Flight comparison portal, which includes Virgin Atlantic Airlines amongst others.
