When Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 747 jumbo jet Maiden Voyager took off at 15:15 on June 22, 1984 from Gatwick to Newark Airport, it was the start of an eight-hour flight to the Big Apple...
and a 40-year journey around the world. Entrepreneur Richard Branson filled service VS 1 with celebrities, media and a vibrant, innovative attitude to shake up the aviation industry – and the airline has not looked back since. To mark the 40th anniversary, we’ve got the facts and figures from four decades of Very Special air travel.
.. JUNE 22, 1984: VS 1 (Maiden Voyager) takes off from Gatwick to New York Newark, the first Virgin Atlantic flight.
1985: Virgin Holidays launches, offering premium long-haul breaks. 1986: Miami route starts. 1987: Airline has now flown one million passengers.
1988: Route to New York JFK launched. 1989: First airline to introduce individual Sony Video Walkmans for passengers in Upper Class (business); Freeway, the first frequent flyer programme starts, later renamed Flying Club; and Tokyo service starts. 1990: Inflight beauty therapists introduced and remain on board for more than a decade; first airport lounge opens at Gatwick; LA route launches.
1991: Individual TV screens introduced, showing a choice of channels to passengers in all classes, an aviation first for wide-bodied aircraft; first UK airline to offer SMS texting and email at 38,000ft; Heathrow services commence; and Boston starts. 1992: World first Mid Class (later rebranded Premium) debuts,.
