Virgin Atlantic is fighting for survival, but its recent job cuts were less about a short-term need to shed workers and more a strategy to entice investors. Earlier this week, Virgin announced that it would cut 3,150 jobs due to...
In Defense Of Richard Branson…Why Should He Cough Up Money To Save Virgin?
Richard Branson has been ridiculed for his unwillingness to expend his personal fortune to save the airlines he founded. But can you blame him? I certainly cannot. Virgin Australia is in Australia’s version of bankruptcy protection. Virgin Atlantic is...
Richard Branson’s Questionable Plea For A Virgin Atlantic Bailout
Virgin Atlantic is in big trouble. Backed against the wall with mounting debt and declining revenue, the iconoclast founder and majority owner, Sir Richard Branson, has made one final plea to the United Kingdom, warning Virgin will collapse without...
Is Virgin Atlantic On The Verge Of Collapse?
With cash-starved Virgin Atlantic fighting for survival, Airbus, Rolls Royce, and Heathrow Airport have urged the British government to support the beleaguered carrier. Per Sky News, Airbus, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Heathrow Airport each delivered letters of support to Grant...
Virgin Atlantic’s “Outrageous” Upgrade Scheme
Earlier this week, I wrote about Virgin Atlantic’s generous upgrade program in effect until the New Year. In short, the oldest person on each flight receives a complimentary upgrade to the highest cabin available. But not everyone is happy...
A Generous Christmas Gift From Virgin Atlantic
The viral story of a young man who gave up his business class seat to a senior citizen has prompted Virgin Atlantic to reciprocate in a big way between now and the end of the year. I wrote about...
Virgin Atlantic May Delay A340 Retirement, Blames 787
Virgin Atlantic may not retire its four-engine Airbus A340 jets after all, due to ongoing engine trouble with its Boeing 787 fleet. Virgin uses Rolls Royce engines on its 787s. These engines have been problematic for Virgin Atlantic (and...
Sweet: Man Gifts His “Upper Class” Suite To 88-Year-Old Stranger
This is a heartwarming story not just for the kind gesture of one person toward another, but because the giver asked for absolutely nothing in return. Man Gifts His Upper Class Suite To A Stranger He Just Met Virgin...
It’s Time To Shut Down In-Flight Messaging Systems
A horrible incident on a Virgin Atlantic flight provides a compelling reason for airlines to think twice about in-flight messaging systems. 24-year-old Jessica Van Meir was traveling from London to Washington Dulles on Virgin Atlantic, seated in 55C. She got...
Richard Branson’s Daughter Sets Example For Heather “Nut Rage” Cho
Holly Branson is being praised as “down-to-earth” after she was spotted in economy class on a recent Virgin Atlantic flight from Antigua to London. I’m impressed too. I don’t buy the virtue signaling of flying economy class. If that is the...
Virgin Atlantic Will Retire Boeing 747s In 2021
Out with the old, in with the new… As Virgin Atlantic unveiled its beautiful new A350-1000s earlier this week, it also announced retirement plans for its 747-400 fleet. Speaking to reporters outside a glistening new A350, Virgin Atlantic CEO...
I Like The New Virgin Atlantic Seats, But…
Virgin Atlantic unveiled new a new business class product for its A350-1000 aircraft yesterday and there’s a lot to like about it. But talk about an anticlimactic moment… Let’s start with the positive. The new business class seat appears...
Book Delta Awards With Virgin Atlantic, Not Delta
It merits mentioning just what an incredible deal your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles are when redeeming on nonstop Delta flights, particularly in business class. We are in an odd era in which an airline charges significantly more miles...
Review: Virgin Atlantic 787-9 Upper Class London To Los Angeles
While Virgin Atlantic offered excellent service onboard my 787-9 “Upper Class” (business class) flight from London to Los Angeles, everything else about the product left me disappointed. It had been four years since I had last flown Virgin Atlantic...
Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – London (LHR)
I may have just found my new favorite business class lounge. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is a superb business class lounge and even with high expectations I walked away impressed. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 right above...
Negative First Impressions: Virgin Atlantic 787-9 Upper Class
I flew home from London to LA on Virgin Atlantic’s new 787-9 in Upper Class, my first Virgin Atlantic flight since 2014. I’ve got to say, I was disappointed. The flight attendants onboard were fabulous: very attentive, witty, and...
Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Los Angeles (LAX)
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX is visually stunning. But how does it rank as as a Priority Pass lounge? The lounge is located on the upper level of Terminal 2 at LAX on the secure side. Priority Pass...
Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Washington Dulles (IAD)
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Washington Dulles is now a Priority Pass lounge. A nice one at that. For Priority Pass members, it is available daily from 6:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. Your membership card technically gives you three...
My Last Meal on Virgin America
I’m going to miss the food on Virgin America in both first and economy class. I touched on this in my review last week of my final Virgin America flight, but want to dedicate this week’s Meal of the...
Mea Culpa: A350 Delta One Suites for 60K Miles
“To err is human; to forgive, divine” – Alexander Pope (1709) I must admit I got a tad annoyed yesterday. I scheduled a post entitled How to Book A350 Delta One Suites for Cheap(er) Using Miles for yesterday morning and went...
