As Virgin Atlantic prepares to launch its Airbus A350-1000 later this summer, Airliner World’sGordon Smith was invited to check out what passengers can expect on board the carrier’s new flagship.
Virgin Atlantic has turned up the heat on its rivals by unveiling details of its highly anticipated Airbus A350-1000. The carrier constructed an impressive mock-up of the new jet at its Crawley headquarters, complete with to-scale fixtures and fittings. While the primary role of the replica is to support crew training, Virgin seized the opportunity to showcase its latest innovations to invited guests at an exclusive industry and media event.
The carrier is due to take delivery of 12 A350-1000 examples between this year and 2021, in an order worth US$4.4bn at list prices. Four will be leased and eight purchased directly, with the first jets due for delivery this summer. Bosses at the airline have announced that once testing and training is complete, the first A350 – named Red Velvet – will make its debut on the flagship Heathrow to New York/ JFK route in August, with Atlanta/ Hartsfield–Jackson expected to follow soon after.
Red Velvet will also be the first aircraft in Virgin At…
