Virgin in bid at attract business passengers

Richard Branson’s airline Virgin Atlantic today launched a three-year plan to attract more business passengers.

Virgin wants to increase the number of executives travelling on the airline by at least 10% over the next year.

The carrier also announced plans to improve services for its premium economy and economy passengers who could be getting bigger and more comfortable seats.

The plan was announced on the day Virgin began a new service between Heathrow and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Virgin plans include improving the check-in facilities at Heathrow and an extension of facilities for business passengers.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said today: “Our new growth plan has the needs of the business passenger at its core. With our focus on pioneering products and service quality, as well as new routes for business travellers, we are confident that Virgin Atlantic will deliver another strong, and profitable performance over the next three years.

“We have no doubt that we will become the airline of choice for the long-haul business traveller during that period.”

Later today, Branson will join passengers on the first Virgin London-Dubai flight. The airline will begin with a four-flights-a-week service to Dubai, rising to five-a-week on May 1 and daily on June 1.

Virgin is competing on the route with British Airways and Emirates Airlines. Dubai is now second only to New York as the most popular long-haul destination for carriers using Heathrow.