Let’s take a look at the key milestones….
1984 – the first flight took off on 22 June. VS1 LGW-EWR operated by B747-200 G-VIRG named Maiden Voyager. This aircraft remained with the airline until December 2001. Wanting to provide feeder flights into Europe, some Vickers Viscounts and a BAC1-11 were leased to operate LGW-MST.
1986 – second B747 added, G-VGIN. Scarlet Lady remained until October 2001. LGW-MIA launched. By 1987, the airline had carried 1m passengers!
1989 – fleet expanded with 3 more B747 and flights to Tokyo launched. Airline was the first to provide individual Sony Video Walkmans for its Upper Class passengers. This year also saw launch of Freeway, the frequent flyer programme later renamed Flying Club.
1990 – launched LGW-LAX. Offer a different inflight experience, beauty therapists were introduced. A service that lasted 10 years. First airport lounge also opened at LGW. Became first airline to introduce onboard defibrillators.
1991 – launched LGW-BOS. Introduced individual TV screens in all classes. Also became first airline in the UK to offer SMS and e-mail services onboard. Very significant was the decision to launch flights from LHR.
1993 – Clubhouse at LHR opened. BOS lounge also launched, the airline’s first outside the UK. Its first A340-300 joined the fleet, G-VBUS. Named Lady in Red after Princess Diana. A second one, G-VAEL named Maiden Toulouse arrive later that year.
1994 – LHR-SFO launched. In the same year, Yvonne Kershaw became the first British woman to captain a B747. The first B747-400 arrived, G-VFAB, named Lady Penelope. Closely followed by G-VHOT Tubular Belle and A340-300 G-VFLY Dragon Lady.
1999 – in December, Richard Branson decided to sell a 49% stake to Singapore Airlines. The cost to SIA £600m, including a cash injection to Virgin of £49m, thus valuing the latter at a minimum of £1.2bn.
2002 – expansion continued with arrival of first A340-600 G-VSHY, Madame Butterfly. Followed by 3 more G-VMEG Mystic Maiden, G-VOGE Cover Girl and G-VFOX Silver Lady.
2003 – operated first aid flight to Basra, amongst the first non-military flight since 1990. The award-winning Upper Class Suites launched. Virgin also became the first carrier to launch an onboard spare change collection to support children’s charities.
2004 – Queen Elizabeth II performed naming of A340-600 at the Airbus factory in Toulouse. G-VEIL was named Queen of the Skies. It remained in fleet until December 2016.
2007 – Upper Class wing at LHR T3 opened, with its dedicated security channel for business passengers. In the same year, the sustainability programme Change is in the Air as launched.
2008 – described as a breakthrough for the whole industry, B747-400 G-VWOW operated LHR-AMS using a biofuel blend of babassu and coconut oils, in partnership with Boeing, GE and Imperium Renewables. This laid the foundation for the current sustainable aviation fuels.
2011 – first A330 deliveries, G-VSXY Beauty Queen and G-VKSS Mademoiselle Rouge. Ten in total would join the fleet.
2012 – announced partnership with LanzaTech to produce world’s first low carbon aviation fuel. Became first airline to allow its UK customers to make airborne telephone calls using their own devices. Initially only 6 were allowed at one time and only available on the A330 fleet. Delta purchased a 49% stake from Singapore Airlines and the 10th A330 arrived.
2014 – Now entering its 30th year, the airline took delivery of its first B787. This was celebrated by live streaming of the world’s first concert over the Atlantic by Rudimental and Gorgon City. G-VNEW Birthday Girl the first of 17 to be delivered over the next 4 years. Vivienne Westwood designed the latest uniforms, using innovative materials partly made from recycled plastic.
2016 – launched LHR-SEA and entered codeshare with Flybe. Moved into its new HQ 3 miles from LGW. Richard Branson flew into Farnborough Air show to announce order for 12 A350-1000, to replace the ageing B747 fleet.
2017 – first airline to offer wi-fi onboard all its aircraft. Also became first airline to offer IFE for visually impaired passengers. Announced intention to enter a 4-way joint venture with Delta and Air France/KLM.
2018 – operated first commercial flight using Lanzatech’s SAF MCO-LGW, demonstrating a viable replacement for kerosene.
2019 – agreement for 16 A330neo announced. The fleet would become 32% more fuel efficient compared with 2014. LHR-TLV launched. First of 12 A350-100 delivered, G-VLUX Red Velvet which included complete cabin re-design and introduction of social “Loft” space.
2020 – operated first cargo flight LHR-JFK carrying medical supplies at start of Covid-19 outbreak. Also transported vital NHS medical supplies PVG-LHR. Closed LGW base, ending its 35-year presence. Due to financial devastation caused by the pandemic, the airline completed a private recapitalisation by its shareholder and creditors, including sale and lease back for its fleet. Bid farewell to its final B747, G-VROY.
2021 – signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with eVTOL start-up Vertical Aerospace to pioneer sustainable and zero emission short-haul flights in the UK. Unveiled “The Booth” social space on its leisure A350s. Increased frequency LHR-SVD and LHR-NAS. New routes launched EDI-BGI and LHR-UVF.
2022 – added EDI-MCO. Announced plans to join SkyTeam. First A330neo G-VJAZ Billie Holliday operated LHR-BOS. Daily services to TPA and CPT announced.
2023 – Latest A330neo G-VEII named Queen of the Skies in memory of Queen Elizabeth II. Launched partnership with Guide Dogs to provide more accessible travel to passengers with visual impairments. Announced restart of LHR-DXB and MAN-LAS. Also launched inter-island flights in Caribbean. Completed world’s first 100% SAF flight LHR-JFK.
2024 – so far, launched LHR-BLU and MAN-LAS. Latest A330neo, the 5th, G-VSRB Ruby Rebel after the airline’s founder Sir Richard Branson.
So, there we are. Next week we’ll take a look other things “Virgin”.
And finally…
Flybe – the scam website has resurfaced as Be Regional. Of course, it’s “undergoing maintenance”. Still amazing how many people on social media are falling for it…
Information courtesy of Airliner World, Twitter/X
Images courtesy of Simple Flying, Virgin Atlantic
©TPSC and Poshgirl