LONDON — Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a raft of initiatives with an eye to upping its premium guest experience.
CEO Shai Weiss and CXO Siobhan Fitzpatrick outlined how the airline will continue to enhance its personalized experience across travel, hospitality and entertainment last night in London.
For starters Virgin Atlantic will be the first UK airline to introduce free, streaming-quality, unlimited WiFi throughout its fleet, using Starlink technology, with rollout completing in 2027.
Virgin Atlantic will be the first UK airline to introduce free, streaming-quality, unlimited WiFi throughout its fleet, using Starlink technology, with rollout completing in 2027
Its B787-9 fleet will undergo complete cabin refurbishment, introducing additional premium seating from 2028, with design inspired by the A330neo.
Starting Q3 2026, the next 10 A330neo aircraft will join the fleet with increased premium seating; six Retreat Suites, 48 Upper Class, and 56 Premium seats.
Following the completion of its US$17 billion fleet transformation, by 2028, Virgin Atlantic will operate a mixed fleet of 45 100% next-generation fuel-efficient aircraft, including 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 787-9s, with an average age of just under seven years.
Meanwhile, following the successful launch of the LAX Clubhouse, the airline will invest in Clubhouses at top U.S. gateway, New York JFK, and the airline’s hub at London Heathrow.
A new app, focused on Flying Club with improved personalization, will launch this year. ʻThe World of Virgin Atlantic in Your Pocketʻ is expected to roll out in December 2025.
Virgin Atlantic will also be the first European airline to partner with OpenAI, integrating real-time voice and emotionally intelligent AI concierge services.
And finally, the airlineʻs Flying Club will roll out a program acknowledging multi-year loyalty for guests who do not travel often enough to achieve tier status progression.
Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, said: “In the last four decades, we’ve evolved from a challenger to a leader and a premium, long-haul flag carrier. We exist to make our customers smile, it’s that simple – obsessing over finding new ways to delight our guests, delivered by our amazing people, on our journey to become the most loved travel company.”
Weiss added: “We are investing billions to fly the youngest fleet across the Atlantic; the first UK airline to have free, streaming quality, fleet-wide WiFi; more premium seats and a full retrofit of the 787 fleet; alongside a new app featuring the world of Virgin Atlantic in your pocket, all delivered by our amazing teams. The best is yet to come.”
Virgin Atlanticʻs return to Canada, with flights between Toronto and London Heathrow, took flight March 30. The airlineʻs daily YYZ-LHR flights operate on B787-9s, with 31 Upper Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats and 192 Economy seats. The new route is expected to carry over 165,000 customers annually.
Virgin Atlanticʻs expanded codeshare agreement with WestJet provides connections to the UK via Toronto for 13 gateways across Canada.
