Virgin Atlantic
Description:... 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of Virgin Atlantic's maiden flight from Gatwick to Newark in the USA, although the origins of the company are slightly older, dating back to the formation of British Atlantic Airways in 1982. BAA was originally conceived as an airline flying between Britain and the Falkland Islands following the war of 1982, but problems with the airfield at Port Stanley meant that the airline never started this service and attention turned to linking the UK with North America. At this point billionaire mogul Richard Branson got involved, partnering with BAA's founder Randolph Fields, and on June 22, 1984, Virgin Atlantic launched its fledgling airline with air service between London Gatwick and Newark Liberty using a single, leased Boeing 747-200. The airline became profitable during its first year of operation, aided by sister company Virgin Records' ability to finance the lease of the second-hand Boeing 747. From the limited launch in 1987, Virgin Atlantic, now 49% owned by Singapore Airlines, has grown into a major international carrier with a fleet of some 38 aircraft and more on order. The history of Virgin Atlantic is not without controversy; in its early years, there were doubts about its financial viability and there was also the period when it suffered a dirty-tricks campaign by British Airways. This new book covers the entire history of the airline from its inception and gives a wealth of detail on its operations and fleet over 25 years of cross-Atlantic passenger travel, as well as incidents, staff, and future plans. The lively and informative text is supplemented by a wealth of fascinating photographs.
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