Customer Profile Cruising high above the Atlantic Ocean, guests on the inaugural flight of Virgin Atlantic Airways’ 787-9 Dreamliner from London to Atlanta danced in the aisles as two hot British bands played a concert in the sky, streamed live to fans on the ground via the airplane’s Wi-Fi system. Virgin, known for its exuberant embrace of innovation, called the live-streamed trans-Atlantic concert a first. It was the type of grand gesture that has characterized Virgin since Richard Branson founded the airline in 1984 and fits with its philosophy “to embrace the human spirit and let it fly.” With October’s delivery, Virgin became the first European airline to add a 787-9 to its fleet. Named “Birthday Girl” to honor the airline’s 30th anniversary, the jet first flew to Atlanta, home of airline partner Delta, as bands Rudimental and Gorgon City performed their midair gig. Soon after, the airline’s 787-9 began commercial service between London and Boston. Virgin has 16 more 787-9s on 68 Boeing Frontiers order, earmarked for service between London and Washington, D.C.; Newark, N.J.; and New York. Virgin CEO Craig Kreeger also plans to take the Londonbased carrier’s fleet of Dreamliners beyond the U.S. East Coast. “The 787-9 is a great airplane from an economic perspective in any route that we fly it,” Kreeger said. “And it’s a particularly good airplane the longer you fly it, where the benefits and fuel savings get bigger. So the West Coast of the U.S. and Asia are two great examples of where we can look to open up future routes with our new fleet of Dreamliners.” With its larger, dimmable windows, LED lighting, and a lower cabin altitude with higher humidity, Kreeger said, the 787-9 is the “benchmark for in-flight service.” These features, coupled with Virgin’s Upper Class bar, Wi-Fi connectivity and Premium Economy cabin with an area where passengers can stretch their legs, “will truly set the airline apart from its competition,” Kreeger added. Starting operations in 1984 between London Gatwick and Newark with a leased 747-200, Virgin took its first direct delivery, of nine 747-400s, from Boeing in 1997. The United Kingdom–based airline recently completed an $80 million interior refresh of many of its 747-400s, with bigger seats across all classes and more entertainment options. The 747s fly leisure routes from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. With a fleet of nearly 40 airplanes, including the new 787-9, Virgin serves more than 30 destinations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. October’s delivery was a highlight of Kreeger’s 24 months at the helm of the airline, setting the carrier on an exciting path for the years ahead. “The first two years have been about preparing the company for a successful future,” Kreeger said, “and the Dreamliner is the beginning of that future.” n daniel.mosely@boeing.com Photo: A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Virgin Atlantic Airways livery. Tim Stake | Boe ing Celebrating the future Virgin Atlantic sets exciting course as new 787-9s join its fleet by dan mosley
Frontiers December 2014–January 2015 Issue
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