Virgin Atlantic Airways is represented in New Zealand by World Aviation Systems

VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS HISTORY

By the early 1980s, Virgin Records was one of the top six record companies in the world. Then, in 1984, Richard Branson got a phone call out of the blue suggesting a jumbo jet passenger service between London and New York. Branson liked the idea, much to the horror of his fellow directors who thought him crazy. Undeterred, Richard announced to the world that Virgin Atlantic Airways would begin operating within three months! At which point a lot of other people agreed - he was crazy!
But, an aircraft was found, staff were hired, licences granted and, thanks in no small part to Richard's infectious enthusiasm, on 22 June 1984 an aircraft packed with friends, celebs and the media set off for Newark, New York - and a phenomenon was born!

Since then, Virgin Atlantic has become the second largest long-haul international airline operating services out of London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports to 21 destinations all over the world - from Shanghai to the Caribbean and, of course, the US.

In December 1999, Richard signed an agreement to sell a 49% stake of Virgin Atlantic to Singapore Airlines to form a unique global partnership - the deal valuing Virgin Atlantic at a minimum of £1.225bn. At the same time the combined sales of the different Virgin holding companies was around £3bn.

So what next? Well there's plenty planned, not least the introduction of the six A380 aircraft we have ordered - Richard intends them to be 'the cruise liners of the sky' with all the luxury and pampering that suggests.