Virgin Atlantic: On a sustainable Mission
New aircraft, innovations, and routes keep Virgin Atlantic on track to a sustainable future
The new year is looking bright for Virgin Atlantic, as it’s long-term sustainable plan grows apace and more new, energy-efficient aircraft join its transatlantic fleet.
This is a feature from Issue 14 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
Reducing carbon emmissions
Sustainability remains at the heart of Virgin Atlantic’s plans and is most evident in its continued commitment to introduce new, cleaner aircraft across its fleet. Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has introduced seven new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to its streamlined fleet of 38 twin-engine aircraft. The B747-400s and A340-600s have been retired, so the fleet is transforming into one of the youngest, quietest and most fuel-efficient in the sky.
Currently, thanks to Virgin’s multi-billion dollar investment in
the fleet transformation over the past decade, 68% of its aircraft are next generation; by the beginning of 2027 this will increase to 100%.
Virgin passengers can take heart that they’re flying in aircraft with the most efficient engines and state-of-the-art technology designed to save fuel and reduce emissions. The headline figure is, so far, a saving of 20% in fleet carbon emissions, with a further 10% reduction due over the next decade. For example, the A330-900 neos are 11% more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300s they’re directly replacing. But not only that, they’re also 50% quieter at take-off and landing.
New Destinations
Virgin Atlantic’s fuel efficient aircraft will be flying new routes in 2023, building on its expansion that started in 2022 with direct flights from London to Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Launching in 2023 are direct routes from London Heathrow to two of the world’s most idyllic holiday destinations, the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, and the Turks and Caicos islands in the Caribbean Sea. Both offer simply stunning beaches and some of the best snorkelling and diving among the finest coral reefs in the world, along with a Utopian mix of relaxation and adventure and plenty of other watersports available too.
Both dreamy winter sun destinations, the three-times-a-week direct service to the Maldives launches on 22 October 2023, and is available to book now; the direct Heathrow to the Turks and Caicos route starts on 15 November 2023 and goes on sale on 11 January. Passengers will be flown on Virgin’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which have 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats.
This is a feature from Issue 14 of Charitable Traveller.
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