Editing Virgin Atlantic (section)

==History==
===Origins===
[[File:Virgin Atlantic launch press conference.png|thumb|right|[[Alan Hellary]], [[Richard Branson]], and [[Randolph Fields]] launch Virgin Atlantic at the 1984 press conference]]
Virgin Atlantic has its origins in a joint endeavour by [[Randolph Fields]], an American-born lawyer, and [[Alan Hellary]], a former chief pilot for British private airline [[Laker Airways]]. Following the collapse of Laker Airways in 1982, Fields and Hellary decided to establish a new company, initially named ''British Atlantic Airways'', as a successor.<ref name="Virgin Birth"/> Reportedly, Fields had formed a concept for an airline that would operate between London and the [[Falkland Islands]] during June 1982, when the [[Falklands War]] had just finished.<ref>''West Sussex County Times''. 20 January 1984. p. 1.</ref> Fields sought out expertise in the field and contacted Hellary, who had already been considering options for establishing a regular commercial service to the Falklands. In turn, Hellary was in contact with several out-of-work colleagues from the collapse of Laker Airways; as such, the pair decided to refine their ambitions.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

However, it was soon determined that the short runway at [[Port Stanley Airport]], and the time it would take to improve it, would render a route to the Falklands commercially unviable; thus, the idea of such a service was dropped. In its place, Hellary and Fields commenced efforts to secure a licence to operate a route between [[Gatwick Airport]], [[London]] and [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]], [[New York City]]. During May 1983, a three-day inquiry was conducted,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Frivaldo |first=Juan |title=Contemporary Strategic Management Case Study |url=https://www.academia.edu/28897020 |journal=[[Institute of Commercial Management]]}}</ref> which chose to reject the application following objections from [[British Airways]], [[British Caledonian]] and [[Heathrow Airport Holdings|BAA]].

Hellary and Fields then applied for a licence between Gatwick and [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]], [[New Jersey]], using a 380-seat [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]].<ref name="Virgin Birth">{{cite journal |title=Aircraft Illustrated – Virgin Birth|journal=Aircraft Illustrated |publisher=Ian Allan |pages=48–51 |issn=0002-2675}}</ref> However, faced with the prospect of direct competition from rival operator [[People Express Airlines (1980s)|PEOPLExpress]], a post-[[deregulation]] "no frills" discount airline based at [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark Liberty]], they decided to secure more funding before proceeding. Fields met British entrepreneur [[Richard Branson]] at a party in London during which he proposed a business partnership. After protracted and testy negotiations, Fields agreed to a reduced stake of 25% in the airline (which was renamed ''Virgin Atlantic'') and became its first chairman. Following disagreements over operations, Fields agreed to be bought out for an initial sum of £1&nbsp;million with further payment on Virgin Atlantic's first dividend. As a result of a [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] action, this additional payment was received shortly before Fields died in 1997.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===Formative years===
[[File:Virgin Atlantic G-VIRG by Steve Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 747-200]] ''Maiden Voyager'' operated the first scheduled Virgin Atlantic service on 22 June 1984]]
On 22 June 1984, Virgin Atlantic operated its inaugural scheduled service, flown between Gatwick and Newark using a leased [[Boeing 747-200]] (registration {{nowrap|G-VIRG}}), christened ''Maiden Voyager'',<ref name="Virgin Birth"/> which had been formerly operated by [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]]. From the onset, its activities were augmented by leveraging existing [[Virgin Group]] resources, such as tickets being sold at [[Virgin Megastores]] record shops.<ref name="hilo 09">[https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/bransons-flights-of-fancy-the-highs-and-lows-of-virgin-atlantic-1697795.html "Branson's flights of fancy: The highs and lows of Virgin Atlantic."] ''[[The Independent]]'', 5 June 2009.</ref>

Part of Richard Branson's declared approach to business is to either succeed within the first year or exit the market; this ethos includes a one-year limit on everything associated with starting up operations.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100965480 |author1=Bamber, G.J. |author2=Gittell, J.H. |author3=Kochan, T.von Nordenflytch, A. |year=2009 |title=Up in the Air: How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging their Employees |publisher=Cornell University Press |location=Ithaca |chapter=chapter 5}}</ref> Virgin Atlantic became profitable within the first 12 months, aided by sister company [[Virgin Records]]' ability to finance the [[aircraft lease|lease]] of a secondhand Boeing&nbsp;747. The firm had timed its operations to take advantage of a full summer, from June to September, typically the most profitable period of the year.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

In November 1984, the airline launched a service between Gatwick Airport and [[Maastricht Aachen Airport]] in the Netherlands using a chartered [[BAC One-Eleven]].<ref>David Cross. "Flying Dutchman-Virgin Atlantic style." Times [London, England] 17 November 1984: 1. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 20 September 2014.</ref>

In 1986, the airline added another Boeing&nbsp;747 to its fleet and started a scheduled route from Gatwick to [[Miami International Airport|Miami]]. Additional aircraft were quickly acquired, and new routes were launched from Gatwick, such as to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York JFK]] in 1988, [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo Narita]] in 1989, [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] in 1990, [[Logan International Airport|Boston]] in 1991, and [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]] in 1992. In 1987, Virgin Atlantic launched a service between [[Luton Airport|Luton]] and [[Dublin Airport|Dublin]] using secondhand [[Vickers Viscount]] [[turboprop]] aircraft, but this route was withdrawn around 1990. The airline also operated a Viscount service between Maastricht and London Luton Airport in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LTN89intro|url=http://www.departedflights.com/LTN89intro.html|access-date=2021-04-29|website=www.departedflights.com}}</ref> During 1988, [[Club Air]] operated two [[Boeing&nbsp;727]]-100 [[jet aircraft]] on behalf of Virgin Atlantic; these served the Luton-to-Dublin route until about 1990.
<ref>https://www.airliners.net/photo/Club-Air-Virgin-Atlantic-Airways/Boeing-727-46/1143562/L</ref>

===Competition===
{{cite check|section|date=September 2015}}
[[File:Airbus A340-311, Virgin Atlantic Airways AN0062857.jpg|thumb|[[Airbus A340#A340-300|Airbus A340-300]] landing at [[Kai Tak Airport]], displaying the "No Way BA/AA" livery]]
[[File:Virgin Atlantic A340-300 G-VHOL LHR 2003-6-12.png|thumb|[[Airbus A340#A340-300|Airbus A340-300]] at [[London Heathrow Airport]] in 2003, displaying "4 Engines 4 Longhaul" slogan]]
In 1991, Virgin Atlantic was given permission to operate from Heathrow following the abolition of the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules (TDRs), which had governed the distribution of traffic between Heathrow and Gatwick airports since 1978, primarily to bolster the profitability of Gatwick. Airlines without an international scheduled service from Heathrow prior to 1 April 1977 were obliged to operate from Gatwick. However, airlines that did not already operate at Heathrow were still able to begin domestic scheduled services there provided BAA, which then ran both Heathrow and Gatwick on behalf of the UK government, and the [[Secretary of State for Transport]], granted permission.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]] also transferred two pairs of unused [[landing slot]]s that British Airways held at Tokyo's [[Narita International Airport|Narita Airport]] to Virgin Atlantic, allowing it to increase frequency between Heathrow and Tokyo from four to six weekly round trips, making it easier to compete against British Airways. The then-chairman of BA, [[John King, Baron King of Wartnaby|Lord King]], called the CAA's decision, which the government had endorsed, "a confiscation of his company's property".<ref>{{cite web |title=Operation of the UK Traffic Distribution Rules in relation to all-cargo services at London Heathrow Airport |publisher=BAA Heathrow |url=http://www.acl-uk.org/UserFiles/File/BAA%20TDR%20consultation%20paper%20_LHR.pdf |access-date=12 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226202154/http://www.acl-uk.org/UserFiles/File/BAA%20TDR%20consultation%20paper%20_LHR.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In the year to October 1993, Virgin Atlantic declared a loss of £9.3 million. The decision to abolish the London TDRs and to let Virgin Atlantic operate at Heathrow, in competition with British Airways, became the trigger for BA's so-called [[Dirty Tricks (British Airways scandal)|"dirty tricks" campaign]] against the company. During 1993, BA's [[public relations]] director, [[David Burnside]], published an article in ''BA News'', British Airways' internal magazine, which argued that Branson's protests against British Airways were a publicity stunt. Branson sued British Airways for libel, using the services of [[George Carman]] [[Queen's Counsel|QC]]. BA settled out of court when its lawyers discovered the lengths to which the company had gone in trying to kill off Virgin Atlantic. British Airways had to pay a legal bill of up to £3&nbsp;million, damages to Branson of £500,000, and a further £110,000 to his airline. Branson reportedly donated the proceeds from the case to Virgin Atlantic staff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Row over dirty tricks led to decade of hostilities |author=Lee Glendinning |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/aug/02/theairlineindustry.britishairways |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 August 2007 |access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref><ref>Elkins, Kathleen. [https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/03/richard-bransons-airline-won-945000-and-it-all-went-to-employees.html "When Richard Branson's airline won $945,000 from a lawsuit, he gave it all to his employees."] ''[[CNBC]]'', 4 August 2017.</ref>

During the late 1990s, Virgin Atlantic jets were painted with "No Way BA/AA" as a declaration of its opposition to the attempted merger between British Airways and [[American Airlines]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Virgin Atlantic, British airways to do battle over Las Vegas |author= Velotta, Richard N. |url= http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/may/21/virgin-atlantic-british-airways-do-battle-over-las/ |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |date=21 May 2012 |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> In 1997, following British Airways' announcement that it was to remove the [[Union Flag]] from its tailfins in favour of [[British Airways ethnic liveries|world images]], Virgin Atlantic introduced a Union Flag design on the [[wingtip device#Winglet|winglets]] of its aircraft and changed the red dress on the ''Scarlet Lady'' on the nose of aircraft to the union flag with the tag line "Britain's [[Flag Carrier]]". This was a tongue-in-cheek challenge to BA's traditional role as the UK's flag carrier.<ref>{{cite news |title= Virgin's battle of Britain with BA |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/362876.stm |work=BBC News |date=7 June 1999 |access-date=30 November 2011}}</ref>

In June 2006, US and UK competition authorities investigated alleged [[price fixing]] between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways over passenger fuel surcharges.<ref>{{cite news |title=Virgin tip-off 'led to BA probe' |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5109014.stm |work=BBC News |date=23 June 2006 |access-date=30 November 2011}}</ref> In August 2007, BA was fined £271&nbsp;million by the UK [[Office of Fair Trading]] (OFT) and the US&nbsp;[[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]].<ref>{{cite news |title=US judge upholds BA's $300m fine |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6959725.stm |work=BBC News |date=23 August 2007 |access-date=30 November 2011}}</ref> However, the Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, Steve Ridgway, was forced to admit that the company had been a party to the agreement, had been aware of the price-fixing and had taken no steps whatsoever to stop the price-fixing.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Virgin boss caught up in BA price-fixing case |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location= London |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/5820700/Virgin-boss-caught-up-in-BA-price-fixing-case.html |first=Alistair |last=Osborne |access-date=15 July 2009 |date=14 July 2009}}</ref> The company escaped a similar fine to that levied on British Airways only by virtue of the immunity it had earlier negotiated with the regulators.

In April 2010, a tip-off from [[Cathay Pacific]] led to an [[Office of Fair Trading]] (OFT) investigation of alleged price-fixing between Virgin Atlantic and [[Cathay Pacific]] on flights to Hong Kong between 2002 and 2006. Cathay Pacific received immunity from prosecution for reporting the alleged offence. A maximum fine, if found guilty, was 10% of turnover, which, based on the £2.5&nbsp;billion in sales for the year to February 2009, would have been £250&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/7621250/Virgin-Atlantic-accused-of-fixing-Hong-Kong-flight-prices.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Virgin Atlantic accused of fixing Hong Kong flight prices |first=Alistair |last=Osborne |date=22 April 2010 |access-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> At the time, the OFT stressed that it should not be assumed that the parties involved had broken the law.<ref>{{cite news |author= Wearden, Graeme |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/apr/22/virgin-atlantic-cathay-pacific-oft |title=OFT accuses Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific of price-fixing |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=22 April 2010 |access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> The OFT cleared both airlines in December 2012, concluding there were "no grounds for action".<ref>{{cite news |title=Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific Cleared in U.K. Price-Fix Probe |author1=Larson, Erik |author2=Lundgren, Kari |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-14/virgin-atlantic-cleared-with-cathay-in-u-k-price-fix-probe-1-.html |newspaper=Bloomberg |location=New York |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

===Recent years===
[[File:Two Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600.jpg|thumb|Two Virgin Atlantic [[A340-600]]s at London Heathrow]]
In May 2014, Virgin Atlantic ended flights to Sydney. In September 2014, Virgin Atlantic announced plans to scrap flights to Tokyo, Mumbai, Vancouver, and Cape Town, and to [[codesharing|codeshare]] transatlantic flights with [[Delta Air Lines]]; the company was also reported to be considering axing its new Little Red domestic airline after suffering heavy losses.<ref name="telegraph_little_red">{{cite news |title=Doubts over future of Virgin Atlantic's Little Red airline |author=Nathalie Thomas |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11080436/Doubts-over-future-of-Virgin-Atlantics-Little-Red-airline.html |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 September 2014 |access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>

On 6 October 2014, Virgin Atlantic confirmed that Little Red services between London and Manchester would end in March 2015, and that the Scottish routes would be terminated in September 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11143578/Sir-Richard-Bransons-Virgin-Atlantic-ends-Little-Red-domestic-service.html |work=Daily Telegraph |location=London|title=British airline calls time on short-haul service after just 18 months in operation |first=James |last=Quinn |date=7 October 2014 |access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> Passengers used the routes from point to point as opposed to using it as a connection for longer haul Virgin Atlantic flights. The former BMI routes continued with rival airline British Airways.

In June 2015, Richard Branson stated that Virgin Atlantic had needed the aforementioned deal with Delta to survive, after losses of £233 million between 2010 and 2013.<!--Copyvio before this comment removed, copied from the following source--> <ref>{{cite news |title=Virgin needed Delta to fly to the rescue, Branson admits |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/virgin-needed-delta-to-fly-to-the-rescue-branson-admits-97r0zz99npr |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=15 June 2015 |access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref> In the same month, the airline announced it would cut 500 jobs to establish a more efficient management structure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Virgin Atlantic airline to cut 500 jobs|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33335434|work=BBC News|date=30 June 2015 |access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref>

In July 2017, Air France-KLM nearly acquired a 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic for £220 million. This deal however never went through.<!-- Copyvio before this comment removed. Source copied from: <ref name="partnership">{{cite web|url=http://www.virginatlantic.com/us/en/media-centre/press-releases/transatlantic-partnerships.html|title=Strengthening of Transatlantic Partnerships|website=www.virginatlantic.com|language=en|access-date=27 July 2017}}</ref>--><ref name="BBC">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40745277 "Air France-KLM is buying 31% of Virgin Atlantic."] ''[[BBC News]]'' 27 July 2017</ref>

In 2019, Virgin Atlantic began to allow its female [[flight attendants]] to not wear makeup and have a choice to wear trousers rather than a skirt.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/05/business/virgin-atlantic-flight-attendants-makeup.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur |title=Virgin Atlantic Won't Make Female Flight Attendants Wear Makeup or Skirts Anymore – The New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=5 March 2019 |access-date=7 March 2019|last1=Yeginsu |first1=Ceylan }}</ref> In September 2019, it was announced Virgin Atlantic had outlined plans to expand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/virgin-atlantic-outlines-huge-ambitions-for-expanded-460907/|title=Virgin Atlantic outlines huge ambitions for expanded Heathrow|website=flightglobal.com|date=18 September 2019|access-date=19 September 2019}}</ref> A key part of these plans would have been acquiring [[Flybe (1979–2020)|Flybe]], with a plan to rebrand it as "Virgin Connect" from early 2020; however, the plans fell through when Flybe filed for administration and ceased operations in March 2020.<!-- Copyvio before this comment removed, copied from the following source--> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.virginconnect.co.uk/|title=Welcome to Virgin Connect|website=www.virginconnect.co.uk|access-date=2019-11-10|archive-date=28 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228233149/https://www.virginconnect.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/flybe-and-widebody-orders-key-to-virgin-atlantics-460957/|title=Flybe and widebody orders key to Virgin Atlantic's Heathrow aims|website=flightglobal.com|date=19 September 2019|access-date=19 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="Flybecollapse">{{cite web |last1=Topham |first1=Gwyn |title=Flybe: airline collapses two months after government announces rescue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/05/flybe-collapses-two-months-after-government-announces-rescue |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=5 March 2020 |date=5 March 2020}}</ref> In December 2019, Branson announced that he would be scrapping the sale of a 31% stake in the airline to Air France-KLM and that Virgin Group would retain its 51% shareholding.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jasper |first1=Christopher |title=Branson Drops Air France Deal to Keep Control of Virgin Atlantic |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-02/branson-nears-air-france-deal-to-keep-control-of-virgin-atlantic |website=Bloomberg |access-date=28 March 2020 |date=2 December 2019}}</ref> In the same year, Virgin Atlantic stopped flying to Dubai, a major aviation and tourism hub owing to COVID and issues related to competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic announces plans to stop flights between Dubai and London |url=https://whatson.ae/2018/06/virgin-atlantic-announces-plans-to-stop-flights-between-dubai-and-london/ |website=What's On|date=28 June 2018 }}</ref>

In March 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic attracted criticism by asking employees to take eight weeks' unpaid leave. However, this was before the UK Government announced the [[British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic#Furlough and jobs protection|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme]], and employees were subsequently furloughed instead.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dawkins |first1=David |title=Bad Times For Billionaire Branson–Staff At Virgin Atlantic Asked To Take Unpaid Leave As Coronavirus Cripples Air Travel |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2020/03/16/bad-times-for-billionaire-bransonstaff-at-virgin-atlantic-asked-to-take-unpaid-leave-as-coronavirus-cripples-air-travel/#4d9f5cea58ef |access-date=21 March 2020 |work=Forbes |date=16 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Whilst furloughed, many staff volunteered with the NHS, answering 999 calls, and at NHS Trusts in London and the South East.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Alison| title=Furloughed Virgin Atlantic staff to handle 999 calls|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/furloughed-virgin-atlantic-staff-to-handle-999-calls/7027423.article |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=HSJ |date=17 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> On 27 March, it was reported that Virgin Atlantic was expected to seek a government bailout, which was on 1 April reportedly backed by [[Rolls-Royce Holdings|Rolls-Royce]], [[Airbus]] and [[Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52066640|title=Virgin Atlantic seeks bailout in coming days|date=2020-03-27|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-04-03|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=correspondent|first=Gwyn Topham Transport|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/01/virgin-atlantic-bailout-backed-by-rolls-royce-airbus-and-heathrow|title=Virgin Atlantic bailout backed by Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Heathrow|date=2020-04-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-03|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In May 2020, Virgin Atlantic announced over 3,000 jobs losses in the UK and an imminent end to operations at [[Gatwick Airport]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-05-05|title=Virgin Atlantic to cut 3,000 jobs and quit Gatwick|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52542038|access-date=2020-05-06}}</ref> On June 7, Virgin Atlantic commenced cargo-only flights between Brussels Airport and London Heathrow, feeding the high demand for European cargo into its network via LHR. As of 2022 the flights still continue on a daily basis, using all aircraft types within the fleet. <!-- Copyvio before this comment removed. Source copied from is the following Guardian source-->On 4 August, Virgin Atlantic filed for [[bankruptcy]] protection from creditors in the US as part of a recapitalisation and debt restructuring plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/04/virgin-atlantic-files-for-bankruptcy-as-covid-continues-to-hurt-airlines |title= Virgin Atlantic files for bankruptcy protection as Covid continues to hurt airlines |access-date=4 August 2020|website=The Guardian|date= 4 August 2020 }}</ref> On August 25, 2020, creditors approved the £1.2bn (€1.3bn) rescue package and debt restructuring.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-25|title=Virgin Atlantic rescue approved but airlines continue to feel the heat|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/companies/arid-40037801.html|access-date=2020-08-26|website=Irish Examiner|language=en}}</ref> <!--Copyvio before this comment removed. Source copied from: <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-15/virgin-atlantic-sells-jets-to-pay-off-rescuer-davidson-kempner|title=Virgin Atlantic Sells Jets to Pay Off Rescuer Davidson Kempner|website=bloomberg.com|date=15 January 2021|access-date=28 January 2021}}</ref>--> On September 4, 2020, Virgin Atlantic announced a second round of job cuts, totalling 1,150 across all departments. Since the start of 2020, the company halved its workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief executive Shai Weiss said that "further reducing the number of people we employ is heartbreaking but essential."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/976a87a7-fa63-4813-8e87-2abb4c702914 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/976a87a7-fa63-4813-8e87-2abb4c702914 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title= Virgin Atlantic to shed 1,000 more jobs as Covid-19 crisis bites deeper|work=Financial Times|date=4 September 2020|last=Georgiadis|first=Phillip|access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-virgin-atlantic/virgin-atlantic-plans-1150-more-job-cuts-after-completing-rescue-deal-idUSKBN25V1MG|title=Virgin Atlantic plans 1,150 more job cuts|publisher=reuters.com|date=4 September 2020|access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref>

As of February 2022, during [[Russia]]'s [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]], Virgin Atlantic, along with the other UK carriers, observed a ban from travelling in Russian [[airspace]] that was a retaliatory measure for the UK's ban on Russia's [[Flag carrier|main carrier]], [[Aeroflot]] and all other Russian private jets and carriers from using UK airspace.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-26 |title=Ukraine invasion: More countries issue airspace ban on Russian planes |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60539303 |access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref> Virgin Atlantic said that avoiding Russia would add between 15 minutes and an hour to flight journeys between the UK and India and Pakistan.

On 27 September 2022, Virgin Atlantic announced that the airline would join [[SkyTeam]] airline alliance in early 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic joins Skyteam |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2022/09/27/virgin-atlantic-joins-skyteam/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Business Traveller |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite press release |title=Virgin Atlantic to join SkyTeam Alliance |url=https://www.skyteam.com/en/about/press-releases/press-releases-2022/virgin-atlantic-to-join-skyteam-alliance |location=Amsterdam |publisher=SkyTeam |access-date=2022-09-27}}</ref> It was first time that a British airline joined an airline alliance since [[British Midland International]] joined [[Star Alliance]] in 2002 and [[British Airways]] of [[Oneworld]] in 1999. In February 2023, the airline stated that it would officially be a part of SkyTeam on March 2, 2023.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In November 2023, the airlines announced plans to resume its flights to Dubai after four years of ceasing operations in the emirate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic returns to Dubai after 2019 |url=https://thearabianpost.com/virgin-atlantic-returns-to-dubai-after-2019/ |website=Arabian Post|date=November 2023 }}</ref> Also in November 2023, the airline announced plans to operate a flight on November 28 between London Heathrow and New York City using 100 percent [[sustainable aviation fuel]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-06 |title=Virgin Atlantic wins UK permit for 100% sustainable fuel transatlantic flight |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/virgin-atlantic-fly-transatlantic-with-100-sustainable-fuel-2023-11-06/ |access-date=2023-11-07}}</ref> The flight will be operated on the airlines' [[Boeing 787-9]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prisco |first=Jacopo |date=2023-11-28 |title=Plane will fly from London to New York with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Experts say it's not a fix |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/28/travel/first-transatlantic-flight-saf-climate-scn-spc/index.html |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The flight was successful and made it to New York from London on November 28, 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Topham |first1=Gwyn |last2=correspondent |first2=Gwyn Topham Transport |date=2023-11-28 |title=First transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable jet fuel takes off |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/28/transatlantic-flight-sustainable-jet-fuel-virgin-atlantic-saf |access-date=2023-11-29 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Because it was a test flight, there were no fare-paying passengers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-28 |title=Groundbreaking transatlantic flight using greener fuel lands in the US |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67548961 |access-date=2023-11-29}}</ref>

On 19 May 2024, it was reported that approximately 200 former cabin crew were suing Virgin Atlantic for unfair dismissal during the redundancy process following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. It was reported that they protected over 350 new hires who had only completed approximately 1 week of training out of 6 weeks rather than keep experienced older staff who had been with the airline for over 20 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=2024-05-19 |title=Hundreds of Virgin Atlantic cabin crew sue for unfair dismissal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/may/19/hundreds-virgin-atlantic-cabin-crew-sue-unfair-dismissal |access-date=2024-08-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> This was despite CEO Shai Weis taking the biggest bonus of any airline CEO in Europe.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}