The history of Virgin Atlantic: How a record executive took on the airline establishment and won.

Benjamin ZhangJul 26, 2024, 16:57 IST

Sir Richard Branson, pictured on air stairs drinking from a bottle of champagne ahead of the inaugural flight of Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1984.Terry Disney/Getty Images<ul class="summary-list"><li>Virgin Records founder Sir Richard Branson started Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1984.</li><li>The airline survived growing pains and financial strife to become a major transatlantic carrier.</li></ul>In June 2024, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virgin-atlantic-business-class-flight-experience-photos-worth-it-2023-9">Virgin Atlantic Airways</a> celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first flight.Since its founding in 1984, the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/richard-branson">Richard Branson</a>-led carrier has weathered its fair share of growing pains, financial challenges, and underhanded tactics from its biggest rivals to become one of the industry's most innovative and visible airlines.Today, as one of Great Britain's two flag carriers, along with <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-first-class-suite-review-photos-2023-7">British Airways</a>, Virgin Atlantic and its instantly recognizable livery are mainstays at major airports around the world."Richard Branson has said what sets this company apart is an immense and obsessed focus on making our customers smile and having the best team in the sky," Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss told Business Insider in an interview. "Today, we are more mature (as a company) and continue to lead from the front."Here's a closer look at the 40-year history of Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Before entering the airline industry, Sir Richard made his money in the record business.

Sir Richard Branson, seen here standing inside his Virgin Mega Store in London in 1979.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Branson's first foray into the airline business was an impromptu charter flight in the British Virgin Islands in 1978.

Necker Island is Branson's private island and home in the British Virgin Islands. Virgin Limited Edition

The bankruptcy and liquidation of Laker Airways in 1982 gave Branson the opportunity to officially enter the airline industry.

A Laker Airways DC-10 pictured flying over the Severn estuary in 1973.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Before signing on to the new airline, Branson sought advice from Laker Airways founder Sir Freddie Laker.

Sir Freddie Laker (Left) is pictured with Sir Richard Branson holding a bottle of Champagne in 1992, celebrating the christening of a Boeing 747 named "Spirit of Sir Freddie" in Laker's honor.Neil Munns/PA Images/Getty Images

Less than a month after being approached to become an investor, Branson agreed to join the project with the caveat that the airline be renamed Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Capt. Alan Hellary, Richard Branson, and Randolph Fields pictured announcing the creation of Virgin Atlantic in 1984.Express/Getty Images

Branson and company got to work with the goal of getting the airline in the air by June of 1984 to take advantage of the summer travel season.

Branson, pictured on board his houseboart weeks before Virgin Atlantic's maiden flights with a Boeing 747 model.Tom Stoddart/Getty Images

Virgin Atlantic was finally ready for its maiden flight.

Sir Richard Branson posing in front of Virgin Atlantic's first Boeing 747 before the airline's inaugural flight in 1984.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Branson called Virgin Atlantic's maiden flight an eight-hour party.

Branson pictured on board Virgin Atlantic's maiden flight in 1984 sitting beside his wife Joan with their daughter Holly.Virgin Atlantic Airways

Virgin Atlantic continued to grow over the next few years.

A group of Virgin Atlantic Airways flight attendants from early in the airline's history posing for a photograph in the first-class cabin of a Boeing 747.Virgin Atlantic Airways

In late 1987, British Airways acquired British Caledonian.

A British Airways Airbus A320 parked on the apron at Newcastle Airport in February 1989.Mirrorpix/Getty Images

In 1991, Virgin Atlantic was finally granted clearance to operate from Heathrow Airport, London's primary international gateway.

Branson, pictured on the apron at London Heathrow, welcomed Virgin Atlantic's first flight to the airport in 1991.Victor Crawshaw /Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Virgin Atlantic also pioneered some unique service offerings during its early years.

Richard Branson pictured in 1992 on board a Virgin Atlantic 747 receiving a massage from one of the airline's inflight beauty therapists.Neil Munns - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to offer a premium economy cabin.

The modern version of Virgin Atlantic's premium economy cabin launched in 1992. Virgin Atlantic Airways

A decade later, Virgin Atlantic debuted its innovative business-class suite.

Virgin Atlantic Upper-Class Suites on board an Airbus A340-600.Hollis Johnson

In early 1991, a TV special about the competition between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic kicked open what would become the 'Dirty Tricks' campaign.

A British Airways Boeing 747-400 painted in the airline's retro livery from the late 1980s and 1990s. Benthemouse / Shutterstock.com

Branson turned to his mentor, Sir Freddie Laker, for advice.

British airline entrepreneur Freddie Laker (1922 - 2006), relaxed on one of his Laker Airways planes in 1978.John Williams/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Despite the court judgment, the damage from the campaign's financial pressure was already done.

Branson pictured in 1992 standing next to Thorn EMI Chairman Sir Colin Southgate who is spraying champagne after acquiring Virgin Music.Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images

Until the mid-90s, Virgin Atlantic's fleet consisted exclusively of older, secondhand Boeing 747-100/200s.

An Airbus A340-300, similar to ones owned by Virgin Atlantic, on final approach for landing in 1995.SSPL/Getty Images

New Boeing 747-400s followed, joining the Virgin Atlantic fleet in 1994.

Virgin Atlantic Airways 747.Virgin Atlantic Airways

In 2002, the A340-600 joined the Virgin Atlantic fleet.

An Airbus A340-600 operated by Virgin Atlantic.Stefan Irvine/LightRocket/Getty Images

In the early 2010s, the A340-300 was gradually replaced by the Airbus A330-300.

A fleet of Virgin Atlantic A330-300s parked at the gate. Bradley Caslin/Shutterstock

Branson sold a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic to Singapore Airlines in late 1999.

Flight Attendants for Virgin Atlantic (R) and Singapore Airlines pictured in 1999 at a press conference in London announcing SIA's acquisition of a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic.Michael Stephens - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

And in December 2012, Delta Air Lines acquired Singapore's 49% equity stake in Virgin Atlantic.

Then Delta CEO Richard Anderson pictured in 2012 onstage at a news conference in New York announcing the purchase of a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic.Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Unfortunately, not all of Virgin Atlantic's endeavors have been as successful as its Delta joint venture.

Sir Richard Branson pictured in 2013 arriving at Edinburgh Airport onboard a Virgin Atlantic Airways Airbus A320 wearing a Harris Tweed Kilt.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Virgin Atlantic filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

A Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Virgin Atlantic Airways

Today, Virgin Atlantic remains an underdog fighting its way to the top.

A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330 pictured landing at JFK International Airport in New York in February 2024.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

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