Virgin Atlantic Orders 10 A333

[afr022]

* Says deal worth $2.1 billion
* Five aircraft to be delivered in 2011, five in 2012

* Virgin Atlantic in talks with Airbus to buy 50 A350s

* Branson reiterates opposition to government bailouts (Adds Virgin in talks to buy Airbus A350s, changes dateline)

By John Bowker

LONDON, June 22 (Reuters) - Virgin Atlantic [VA.UL] will take delivery of 10 new Airbus A330-300 aircraft between now and 2012, and also is in talks with Airbus (EAD.PA) to buy 50 A350 aircraft from 2014.

The new deliveries will allow Virgin to expand while awaiting delivery of Boeing Co's (BA.N) 787 Dreamliner.

The 25-year-old airline, controlled by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, told Reuters ahead of an official announcement at Heathrow airport that the 10 aircraft were worth $2.1 billion.

"This will help us with future growth, taking us to new destinations such as Beijing and Vancouver," Branson told a news conference on Monday. "We have had some good years and have accumulated some cash."



http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSLM71154620090622

[G-BOAD]

Sounds good. I remember flying a Virgin A330 in Flight Sim a few years ago, and thinking how well those colors looked on that plane. Glad this order was made, and i cant wait to see it.
Anyone know how these plan to fit into Virgin's route structure?

[T-Bird76]

Whatever happened to "4 Engines 4 Long Haul?"

[Matt Molnar]

Whatever happened to "4 Engines 4 Long Haul?"
Replaced by "2 Engines 2 Save Loot!"

[T-Bird76]

Whatever happened to "4 Engines 4 Long Haul?"
Replaced by "2 Engines 2 Save Loot!"

Indeed

[Matt Molnar]

Are they still getting A380s? Or did they defer or cancel them? I don't remember.

[flyboy 28]

Are they still getting A380s? Or did they defer or cancel them? I don't remember.

I think they still have five or six on order.

[hiss srq]

I am not suprised by this move at all. I see these being used across the atlantic to east coast cities and to africa.