Editing Virgin Atlantic (section)

==Corporate affairs==

===Offices===
[[File:Virgin Atlantic HQ, Manor Royal, Crawley.JPG|thumb|The former head office building ''The Office'' in [[Crawley]]]]
Virgin Atlantic's head office, known as ''The VHQ'', is located on a business park in [[Crawley]], England, near [[Gatwick Airport]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.virginatlantic.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |access-date=2022-12-19|quote=Registered office: The VHQ, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9DF}}</ref> and also houses the corporate offices of [[Virgin Holidays]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/info/about/contact_us/ |title=Contact us |year=2020 |publisher=Virgin Holidays |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-date=20 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820090310/http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/info/about/contact_us/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The company operates several offices and call centres around the United Kingdom, including a large office in [[Swansea]], [[Wales]], which is a base for reservations, sales, baggage claims and tracing, 'live chat' web support and a customer relations department.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-11-30 |title=200 jobs as Virgin Atlantic open Swansea call centre |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-11878401 |access-date=2024-04-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

International offices are located at [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]], Barbados, Greater Delhi, Johannesburg, Lagos and Shanghai.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta {{!}} Virgin Atlantic Cargo |url=https://www.virginatlanticcargo.com/gb/en/our-network/worldwide-offices/atlanta.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.virginatlanticcargo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbados {{!}} Virgin Atlantic Cargo |url=https://www.virginatlanticcargo.com/gb/en/our-network/worldwide-offices/barbados.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.virginatlanticcargo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Delhi {{!}} Virgin Atlantic Cargo |url=https://www.virginatlanticcargo.com/gb/en/our-network/worldwide-offices/delhi.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.virginatlanticcargo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Johannesburg {{!}} Virgin Atlantic Cargo |url=https://www.virginatlanticcargo.com/gb/en/our-network/worldwide-offices/johannesburg.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.virginatlanticcargo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lagos {{!}} Virgin Atlantic Cargo |url=https://www.virginatlanticcargo.com/gb/en/our-network/worldwide-offices/lagos.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.virginatlanticcargo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shanghai {{!}} Virgin Atlantic Cargo |url=https://www.virginatlanticcargo.com/gb/en/our-network/worldwide-offices/shanghai.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.virginatlanticcargo.com}}</ref>

===Ownership===
Virgin Group sold a 49% stake in the airline to [[Singapore Airlines]] in 1999 for £600&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Branson sells 49% of Virgin Atlantic |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/572516.stm |work=BBC News |date=20 December 1999 |access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> On 14 May 2008, Singapore Airlines formally announced an invitation for offers for its Virgin Atlantic stake, and publicly acknowledged that its stake in the airline had "underperformed".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/347747/1/.html |title=SIA invites offers for its 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic |publisher=Channelnewsasia.com |date=14 May 2008 |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929015515/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/347747/1/.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In November 2010, it was reported that Virgin Atlantic had appointed [[Deutsche Bank]] to begin a strategic review of options for the airline following the tie-up between British Airways and American Airlines.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Richard Branson begins strategic review of Virgin Atlantic |author=Alistair Osborne |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8111295/Sir-Richard-Branson-begins-strategic-review-of-Virgin-Atlantic.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location =London |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> By February 2011, it was confirmed that [[SkyTeam]] members [[Air France–KLM]] and Delta Air Lines had appointed [[Goldman Sachs]] to advise them on a joint potential approach for Virgin Atlantic. [[Etihad Airways]] was also reported to be considering a deal,<ref>{{cite news |title=Air France and Delta to target Virgin Atlantic |author=Louise Armitstead |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8336857/Air-France-and-Delta-to-target-Virgin-Atlantic.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location= London |date=20 February 2011 |access-date=14 October 2020}}</ref> and [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]], chief executive of [[International Airlines Group]], stated that they would be interested in the airline, but only for the lucrative take-off and landing slots it holds at Heathrow Airport.<ref>{{cite news |title=IAG 'very interested' in Virgin, but only for slots: Walsh |author=Max Kingsley-Jones |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/02/24/353562/iag-very-interested-in-virgin-but-only-for-slots.html |newspaper=Flightglobal |date=24 February 2011 |access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

On 11 December 2012, Delta Air Lines confirmed the purchase of Singapore Airlines' 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for £224 million, with plans to develop a transatlantic joint venture. Regulatory approval from the United States and European Union was granted on 20 June 2013,<ref>{{cite news |title=Regulators Clear Virgin Atlantic/Delta Deal |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1106216/regulators-clear-virgin-atlantic-delta-deal |newspaper=Sky News |date=20 June 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013}}</ref> and the purchase was completed on 24 June.<ref>{{cite news |title=Delta secures Virgin Atlantic stake |author=Andrew Parker |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7137fd22-dcb2-11e2-9700-00144feab7de.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210221253/https://www.ft.com/content/7137fd22-dcb2-11e2-9700-00144feab7de |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |work=Financial Times |location=London |date=24 June 2013 |access-date=24 June 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2012, [[International Airlines Group]] CEO, Willie Walsh, suggested that the loss-making company would be history within five years. "I can't see Delta wanting to operate the Virgin brand because if they do what does that say about the Delta brand? I just don't see that the guy [Branson] has anything that stands out in terms of what he has achieved in the industry."<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://business.time.com/2012/12/13/virgin-finally-hooks-up-why-richard-branson-made-a-deal-with-delta/ |work=Time Magazine |location=New York |title=Virgin Finally Hooks Up: Why Richard Branson Cut a Deal With Delta |first=Bill |last=Saporito |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=12 December 2012}}</ref>

In July 2017, Virgin Group agreed to sell a 31% stake in the airline to Air France-KLM for £220 million, leaving it with a 20% holding.<ref name="BBC" /> The deal fell through in late 2019.<ref name="FT">{{Cite news |last=Powley |first=Tanya |date=2019-12-04 |title=Air France-KLM drops plan to buy third of Virgin Atlantic |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0a67e5f4-16b6-11ea-8d73-6303645ac406 |access-date=2025-03-05 |work=Financial Times}}</ref>

===Senior leadership===
*''Chairman:'' Peter Norris (since July 2012)
*''Chief Executive:'' Shai Weiss (since January 2019)

====List of former chairmen====
#[[Randolph Fields]] (1984–1985)
#[[Sir Richard Branson]] (1985–2012)

====List of former chief executives====
#[[Sir Richard Branson]] (1984–2001)
#[[Steve Ridgway]] (2001–2013)
#Craig Kreeger (2013–2018)

===Business trends===
The key trends for Virgin Atlantic are shown below (from 2014 onwards, figures are for year ending December; earlier figures are for year ending February, and exclude [[Air Nigeria|Virgin Nigeria]] operations 2005–2008):

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
! style="background:darkred"|
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2007</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2008</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2009</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2010</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2011</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2012</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2013</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2014</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2015</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2016</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2017</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2018</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2019</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2020</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2021</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2022</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2023</span>
! style="background:darkred"| <span style="color:white;">2024</span>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Turnover (£m)
| 1,630

| 2,337
| 2,579
| 2,357
| 2,700
| 2,740
| 2,870
| 2,828
| 2,782
| 2,689
| 2,664
| 2,781
| 2,927
| 868
| 928 
|2,854
|3,118
|3,301
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Profit (EBT) (£m)
| 68.0
| 22.9
| 68.4
| {{color|red|−132.0}}
| 18.5
| {{color|red|−80.2}}
| {{color|red|−69.9}}
| {{color|red|−174.7}}
| 87.5
| 23.0
| {{color|red|−28.4}}
| {{color|red|−12.8}}
| {{color|red|−63.7}}
| {{color|red|-659}}
| {{color|red|-594}}
| {{color|red|-341.6}}
| {{color|red|-224.6}}
| {{color|red|-95.9}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Net profit (£m)
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
|
|
| 80.1 
| 187.3
| {{color|red|−65.6}}
| {{color|red|−38.4}}
| {{color|red|−54.7}}
| {{color|red|−864.1}}
| {{color|red|-486}}
| {{color|red|-515}}
| {{color|red|-110.7}}
| {{color|red|-144.1}}
|- 
| style="text-align:left;" | Number of employees (average monthly) 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| c.9,000
| style="text-align:center;"|9,580
| style="text-align:center;"|9,231
| style="text-align:center;"|9,005
| style="text-align:center;"|8,875
| style="text-align:center;"|8,303
| style="text-align:center;"|8,571 
| style="text-align:center;"|10,051
| style="text-align:center;"|7,437
| style="text-align:center;" |6,500
|6,532
|7,342
|7,629
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Total flights
| 21,344
| 22,149
| 20,735
| 19,484
| 20,519
| 21,033
| 28,373
| 29,710
| 27,147
| 21,883
|
|  
| 
| 6 673
| 7 966
|21,835
|23,720
|24,832
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Number of passengers (m)
| 5.7
| 5.8
| 5.5
| 5.5
| 5.3
| 5.4
| 5.5
| 6.1
| 5.7
| 5.4
| 5.3
| 5.4
| 5.9
| 1.2
| 1.1
|4.4
|5.3
|5.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Passenger load factor (%)
| 76.5
| 76.9
| 78.9
| 82.5
| 77.5
| 78.1
| 77.4
| 79.3
| 76.8
| 78.7
| 78.3
| 78.6
| 81.0
| 61.1
| 49.3
|73.4
|77.0
|77.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Number of aircraft (at year end)
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 40
| 40
| 39
| 40
| 39
| 39
| 46
| 45
| 37
|
|38
|40
|45
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | ''Notes/sources''
| <ref name="UK CAA">{{cite web |url= http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=80&pagetype=88&pageid=1&sglid=1 |title=UK Airline Statistics, Data, Economic Regulation |publisher= Civil Aviation Authority |date=19 April 2010 |access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="Virgin Atlantic press information">{{cite web |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/Press%20office/PRESS-INFORMATION-KIT.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725191454/http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/Press%20office/PRESS-INFORMATION-KIT.pdf |archive-date=2012-07-25 |url-status=live |title=Virgin Atlantic press information kit |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |date=March 2013 |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref>
| <ref name="UK CAA"/><ref name="Virgin Atlantic press information"/>
| <ref name="UK CAA"/><ref name="Virgin Atlantic press information"/>
| <ref name="UK CAA"/><ref name="Virgin Atlantic press information"/>
| <ref name="UK CAA"/><ref name="Virgin Atlantic press information"/>
| <ref name="Virgin Atlantic press information"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/pressoffice/faq/staffnumbers.jsp |title=Staff Numbers |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |access-date=12 December 2012}}</ref><br /><ref name=2012results>{{Cite press release |title= Virgin Atlantic completes biggest ever product investment programme as it reports its 2012 financial results |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/footer/media-centre/press-releases/productinvestment.html |access-date=21 August 2012 |date=3 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=2013sust>{{Cite press release |title= Virgin Atlantic Sustainability Report 2013 |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/sustainabilitypdf/Virgin-Atlantic-Change-is-in-the-Air-Sustainability-Report-2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223091703/http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/sustainabilitypdf/Virgin-Atlantic-Change-is-in-the-Air-Sustainability-Report-2013.pdf |archive-date=2014-02-23 |url-status=live |access-date=7 February 2014 |year=2013}}</ref>
| <ref name="2013 Results">{{cite news |url= http://www.e-tid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Virgin-Atlantic-Annual-Results-2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210190005/http://www.e-tid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Virgin-Atlantic-Annual-Results-2013.pdf |archive-date=2014-02-10 |url-status=live|title= Virgin Atlantic 2013 Financial Results |date=16 May 2013 |access-date= 7 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="Financial Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/970cdbca-be22-11e2-9b27-00144feab7de.html#axzz2UzYiuVFr |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210221209/https://www.ft.com/content/970cdbca-be22-11e2-9b27-00144feab7de#axzz2UzYiuVFr |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Virgin Atlantic chief vows return to profit |author=Andrew Parker |work=Financial Times |location=London |date=16 May 2013 |access-date=3 August 2013 }}</ref>
| <ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/footer/media-centre/press-releases/financial-results-2014/_jcr_content.html|title=Virgin Atlantic 2014 financial results |date=10 March 2015 |access-date= 12 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/Press%20office/VAL_FY14_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722042846/http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/Press%20office/VAL_FY14_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2015-07-22 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic 2014 Full Year Report |date=10 March 2015 |access-date= 12 May 2015}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/Pressoffice/VAL_FY15_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602083418/http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/content/dam/VAA/Documents/Pressoffice/VAL_FY15_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2016-06-02 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2015 |date=17 March 2016 |access-date= 29 April 2016}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/vaa/documents/footer/mediacentre/VAL_FY16_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329052719/http://www.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/vaa/documents/footer/mediacentre/VAL_FY16_Annual_Report.pdf |archive-date=2017-03-29 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2016 |date=23 March 2017 |access-date= 3 June 2017}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url= https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/VA-2017-Annual-Report_Full.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403144713/https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/VA-2017-Annual-Report_Full.pdf |archive-date=2019-04-03 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2017 |date=15 March 2018 |access-date= 3 April 2018}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/VIR007_2018%20Annual%20Report%20%26%20Accounts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720091242/https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/VIR007_2018%20Annual%20Report%20%26%20Accounts.pdf |archive-date=2021-07-20 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2018 |date=20 March 2019 |access-date= 11 August 2021}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/Virgin%20Atlantic%20Annual%20Report%202019_Final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130084613/https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/Virgin%20Atlantic%20Annual%20Report%202019_Final.pdf |archive-date=2021-01-30 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2019|website=virginatlantic.com|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/Virgin%20Atlantic%20Annual%20Report%202020_final%20v1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430160114/https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/Virgin%20Atlantic%20Annual%20Report%202020_final%20v1.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-30 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2020|website=virginatlantic.com|access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/Documents/Download/4090/86ea7bc4-6aee-46c7-bd19-e86d3ddf5322/1027|title=All Services 2020|website=caa.co.uk|access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/Virgin%20Atlantic%20Annual%20Report%202021_compressed.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020185928/https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/content/dam/corporate/Virgin%20Atlantic%20Annual%20Report%202021_compressed.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-20 |url-status=live|title=Virgin Atlantic Annual Report 2020|website=virginatlantic.com|access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/uk-aviation-market/airlines/uk-airline-data/uk-airline-data-2021/annual-2021/|title=All Services 2021|website=caa.co.uk|access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>
|
|
|
|}

===Service concept===
[[File:Virgin lounge, Heathrow.jpg|thumb|''Clubhouse'' lounge at [[Heathrow Airport]]]]
Virgin Atlantic aircraft operate with a three-class cabin configuration: [[Economy Class|Economy]], Premium (formerly [[Premium Economy]]),<ref name=":0" /> and Upper Class - the [[business class]] product. Premium has a separate check-in area, priority boarding and a wider seat with more legroom. Upper Class features a seat that converts into a fully flat bed and access to a private check in area (called the Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/the-virgin-experience/upperclass/arrive-in-style.html |title=Upper Class transfers |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |access-date=30 June 2012}}</ref> Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to offer personal entertainment for all passengers in all classes.<ref>{{cite web |first=Natalie |last=Clarkson |title=Celebrating 35 years of Virgin Atlantic |url=https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/latest/celebrating-35-years-virgin-atlantic |publisher=Virgin Atlantic |access-date=6 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919122150/https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/latest/celebrating-35-years-virgin-atlantic |archive-date=19 September 2020 |date=20 June 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The airline's [[frequent-flyer program]] is styled 'the Flying Club'.

Virgin Atlantic operate five [[airport lounge]]s branded as 'Clubhouses' at [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] in New York, [[Dulles International Airport]] in Washington, D.C., [[San Francisco International Airport]] and [[O. R. Tambo International Airport]] in Johannesburg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/the-virgin-experience/our-clubhouses.html|title=Our Clubhouses|work=virgin-atlantic.com}}</ref> It also operates a 'Revivals' arrival lounge in London Heathrow. They are accessible for passengers travelling in Upper Class and Flying Club Gold tier members. Where applicable, Upper Class passengers are also welcome to use Delta Sky Clubs prior to departure. Virgin Atlantic gives passengers a pack of [[Love Hearts]] at the end of every flight.

===Little Red===
{{Further|Virgin Atlantic Little Red}}
[[File:Virgin Atlantic Airbus A320-214; EI-EZW@LHR;13.05.2013 708fk (8738115862).jpg|thumb|Virgin Atlantic [[Airbus A320-200]] ''Little Red'' operated by Aer Lingus]]
[[British Midland International]] provided domestic and European feeder traffic into Heathrow Airport in partnership with Virgin<ref>{{cite news |title=Virgin set to boost short-haul ambitions |author=Mark Odell |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/38e70fb8-31a3-11e2-92f0-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2aSVMFD9U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210221227/https://www.ft.com/content/38e70fb8-31a3-11e2-92f0-00144feabdc0#axzz2aSVMFD9U |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=Financial Times |date=19 November 2012 |access-date=29 July 2013 }}</ref> until it was purchased by British Airways' parent company [[International Airlines Group]] in 2011. The [[Lufthansa]]-owned airline had faced heavy annual losses of more than £100 million. Under the terms of the takeover, IAG had to relinquish some former BMI domestic slots at Heathrow. Virgin Atlantic purchased enough slots in 2012 to enable it to launch a domestic service on 31 March 2013, under the Little Red brand, operating a total of 12 daily services from London to [[Aberdeen Airport|Aberdeen]] (three), [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]] (six), and Manchester (three).<ref name="Domestic">{{cite news |title=Virgin Atlantic unveils UK airline service |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21625591 |newspaper=BBC News Online |date=1 March 2013 |access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> The airline [[Aircraft lease|wet-leased]] four Airbus [[Airbus A320-200]]s from [[Aer Lingus]], operating with Virgin Atlantic livery, under a three-year contract.<ref name="Lingus">{{cite news |title=Virgin Atlantic to wet-lease A320s from Aer Lingus |author=David Kaminski-Morrow |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/virgin-atlantic-to-wet-lease-a320s-from-aer-lingus-379994/ |work=Flightglobal |location=London |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Aer Lingus to operate third UK route for Virgin |author=Ciara Kenny |url= https://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/transport-and-tourism/aer-lingus-to-operate-third-uk-route-for-virgin-1.1352896 |newspaper=Irish Times |location=Dublin |date=8 April 2013 |access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref>

In September 2014, it was reported that Virgin Atlantic was considering closing its domestic brand after suffering heavy losses,<ref name="Little Red">{{cite news |title=Little Red could be thrown to the wolves and shut by ruthless Virgin |author=Andrew Clark |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/little-red-could-be-thrown-to-the-wolves-and-shut-by-ruthless-virgin-0lnggd9330j |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=8 September 2014 |access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> with [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|Civil Aviation Authority]] figures confirming an average seat occupancy level of just 37.6% in 2013.<ref name="telegraph_little_red" /> The 12 daily pairs of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow cannot be sold to be used for long-haul routes.<ref name="BMIslots">{{cite news |title=Virgin eyes BMI slots for launch of UK flights |url=http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=1694/ |publisher=Airport Watch |location=London |date=8 April 2012 |access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

On 6 October 2014, Virgin Atlantic confirmed that the Little Red service would cease; flights to Manchester ended on 28 March 2015 and flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen ended on 26 September 2015.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 October 2014 |title=Virgin Atlantic cancels Little Red domestic flight service |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29504715 |newspaper=BBC News |access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

===Virgin Atlantic International Limited===
On 13 April 2015, Virgin Atlantic incorporated a new subsidiary – Virgin Atlantic International Limited.<ref name="VAIcompany">{{cite web |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09539561 |title=Virgin Atlantic International Limited |website=companieshouse.gov.uk |publisher=Companies House |access-date=5 February 2017}}</ref> In November 2015, the subsidiary obtained its own [[Air operator's certificate|Air Operators Certificate]] and Operating Licence, and commenced operations with two former Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited operated [[Airbus A330-300]] aircraft taking over routes previously operated by Virgin Atlantic Limited between London Gatwick and Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Grenada and Tobago.<ref name="VAIL">{{cite web |url=http://www.vsflyinghub.com/assets/pdfs/stop-press/stop-press-852-virgin-atlantic-international-limited-vail-.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103427/http://www.vsflyinghub.com/assets/pdfs/stop-press/stop-press-852-virgin-atlantic-international-limited-vail-.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-06 |url-status=live |title=Virgin Atlantic Stop Press 852: Virgin Atlantic International Limited (VAIL) |date=10 November 2015 |website=vsflyinghub.com |publisher=Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. |access-date=5 February 2017}}</ref> These flights are operated on behalf of Virgin Atlantic.<ref name="VAIL2">{{cite web |url=https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/virgin-atlantic-sets-up-new-airline-entity-1666 |title=Virgin Atlantic sets up new airline entity |last=Whyte |first=Patrick |date=20 November 2015 |website=ttgmedia.com |publisher=TTG |access-date=5 February 2017}}</ref>

Upon incorporation as an AOC holder, the majority of Virgin Atlantic's landing slots at London Heathrow Airport were transferred to Virgin Atlantic International Limited, allowing Virgin Atlantic to access the value of the carriers' slots by '[[Mortgage loan|mortgaging]]' them through open investment from capital markets.<!--Copyvio before this comment removed. Source copied from: <ref name="Slots">{{cite web |url=http://www.cityam.com/230546/virgin-atlantic-raises-220m-from-mortgaging-its-heathrow-landing-slots- |title=Virgin Atlantic raises £220m from mortgaging its Heathrow landing slots |last=Ratcliffe |first=Madeline |date=9 December 2015 |website=cityam.com |publisher=CITY A.M. |access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref>--><ref name="Slots2">{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/40193024-9e8b-11e5-b45d-4812f209f861 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/40193024-9e8b-11e5-b45d-4812f209f861 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Virgin Atlantic lands Europe's first bond tied to airport slots |last1=Powley |first1=Tanya |last2=Jackson |first2=Gavin |date=10 December 2015|work=Financial Times}}</ref>

===Flybe takeover bid===
On 11 January 2019, Virgin Atlantic formed the [[Connect Airways]] consortium with [[Stobart Group#Stobart Aviation|Stobart Aviation]] and Cyrus Capital, to make a takeover bid for [[Flybe (1979–2020)|Flybe]].<ref name="fg-20190111">{{cite news |last1=Kaminski-Morrow |first1=David |title=Virgin Atlantic and Stobart link up to take over Flybe |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/virgin-atlantic-and-stobart-link-up-to-take-over-fly-454952/ |work=Flightglobal.com |date=11 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="fg-20190111-cuts">{{cite news |last1=Kaminski-Morrow |first1=David |title=Cuts likely as Virgin shapes Flybe-Stobart combination |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/cuts-likely-as-virgin-shapes-flybe-stobart-combinati-454957/ |work=Flightglobal.com |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> The deal would see the consortium combine Flybe and [[Stobart Air]] with Virgin Atlantic to create an integrated carrier operating under the Virgin Atlantic brand.<ref name="insidermedia-20190111">{{cite news |last1=Calder |first1=Simon |title=Consortium strikes takeover deal for Flybe |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northwest/consortium-strikes-takeover-deal-for-flybe |work=Insider Media Ltd |date=11 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Flybe and Stobart Air would however retain their own [[Air Operator Certificate]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dyson |first1=Momlly |title=Virgin Atlantic and Stobart agree Flybe take-over |url=https://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/1129764-virgin-atlantic-and-stobart-agree-flybe-take-over |work=buyingbusinesstravel.com |date=11 January 2019 |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175702/https://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/1129764-virgin-atlantic-and-stobart-agree-flybe-take-over |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 15 January 2019, Connect Airways announced an increased offer, which Flybe's board accepted.<ref name="atwonline-20190115">{{cite news |last1=Reals |first1=Kerry |title=Connect Airways raises takeover offer for Flybe |url=http://atwonline.com/airlines/connect-airways-raises-takeover-offer-flybe |work=atwonline.com |language=en}}</ref> On 21 February 2019, the Flybe Group confirmed that its operating assets, including the airline and the website, had indeed been transferred to Connect Airways, despite a last-minute rival bid.<ref name=cityam-20190221>{{cite news |last1=Warrington |first1=James |title=Flybe completes sale to Virgin-led consortium |url=http://www.cityam.com/273638/flybe-completes-sale-virgin-led-consortium-after-dramatic |work=cityam.com |date=21 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref> However, despite the investment of £135 million from Connect Airways into Flybe, the airline filed for administration and ceased operations with immediate effect in March 2020, following reduced demand that Virgin Atlantic attributed to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and the UK government failing to grant a £100 million loan.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/beleaguered-flybe-ceases-operations/137095.article |title= Beleaguered Flybe ceases operations |author= Alfred Chua |date= 5 March 2020 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref><ref name="Flybecollapse"/>

===Gender-neutral ticketing and uniforms===
{{further|Legal recognition of non-binary gender}}
In September 2022, Virgin Atlantic announced the introduction of two new sets of uniforms, designed by [[Vivienne Westwood]], as well as a new policy to embrace the concept of [[gender neutrality]]. She worked  closely with Richard Branson to design a uniform comprises a bright red [[skirt suit]] and [[high-heeled shoes]], and the other a [[burgundy (colour)|burgundy]]-coloured [[trouser suit]] with a grey [[waistcoat]], red tie and flat black shoes. Staff will be allowed to choose either uniform, and may also choose to wear a badge indicating their [[preferred pronoun]] of address. The new uniforms are for crew, pilots and ground staff.<ref name=clatworthy2022>{{cite web | url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/the-oz/news/let-them-wear-skirts-virgin-atlantic-introduces-genderneutral-uniforms/news-story/191f84422b97ae2eea4309e3e6f87f40| website= [[The Australian]]| title='Let them wear skirts': Virgin introduces gender-neutral uniforms| first=Ben|last= Clatworthy |others= [From] ''[[The Times]]''| date=29 September 2022| access-date= 1 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/aviation/virgin-atlantic-introduces-gender-neutral-uniforms-for-flight-crew-including-skirts-and-heels-for-men-c-8393504.amp | title='Let them wear skirts,' says Virgin in uniform revamp | date=29 September 2022 |first= Izzy |last=Lyons| others= [From] the ''[[Daily Mail]]''}}</ref>

At the same time, the company is making changes to its ticketing systems to allow those holding passports which indicate gender-neutrality to be entered as “U” or “X”, as well as offering a new title of address, “Mx”, on their reservations. At this time, not all countries offer this option on passports; those that do include the United States, India, Pakistan,<ref name=clatworthy2022/> Nepal, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, Ireland, and Iceland.<ref name="The Economist 2022">{{cite news | title=Which countries offer gender-neutral passports? | newspaper=The Economist | date=11 April 2022 | url=https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/04/11/which-countries-offer-gender-neutral-passports | access-date=1 October 2022}}</ref>