Virgin Atlantic turns 40 this year (on 22nd June), a landmark Ruby anniversary occasion which the airline is marking by paying homage to its founder, Sir Richard Branson. The airline’s fifth Airbus A330neo, which will enter service from May, will be named Ruby Rebel in his honour, and feature the appropriate registration of G-VSRB.
The A330neo will also feature a new ‘flying icon’ (a figure holding the Union Jack, to signify the airline being the second British flag carrier), has been inspired by Sir Richard. The artwork has features inspired by Holly Branson (his daughter and a senior figure in the Virgin group of companies), with nods to Sir Richard’s career and business ventures, such as Virgin Records pin badges, a Tubular Bells charm bracelet, a Virgin Galactic rocket on the belt buckle, and a Virgin Voyages anchor on the boot. The caricature also wears a bracelet featuring the letters J, S, and H as a gesture to his wife Joan and children Holly and Sam. The icon’s punk styling reflects the airline’s Vivienne Westwood uniform, which is still worn by its cabin crew today.
Ruby Rebel symbolises Virgin Atlantic’s enduring desire to do things differently, beginning in June 1984, when its first aircraft, Maiden Voyager, departed London for New York. The airline’s focus has always been to deliver the best customer experience in a slightly different way. Examples include being the first airline to introduce seat back IFE displays, the Premium cabin and fleet-wide wi-fi, to flying the first world’s first Pride flight and the first 100% SAF-powered transatlantic flight.
Sir Richard Branson, founder and president of Virgin Atlantic, said of the celebration: “When starting Virgin Atlantic, I went against everyone’s advice – and on paper they were right. They knew we’d be a tiny airline against much bigger players. But my attitude is that if you can create something that’s better than what everybody else is offering, then you have a chance of succeeding.
“Virgin Atlantic was created to provide a bright red, fun, friendly, fabulous choice that made flying better for everyone. We worked out in 1984 all the things we could do differently, from our planes, our Clubhouses, our in-flight experience and most importantly our people. Now, 40 years later that rebellious spirit lives on and will continue to drive us forward as we shake up the aviation industry for the next 40 years and beyond.”
