Red Velvet Takes to the Skies on its First Commercial Service to New York City

VIRGIN ATLANTIC'S first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, G-VLUX, Red Velvet takes to the skies for the very first time, flying customers from London Heathrow to New York JFK on the VS153 and the VS138 on the return. With a totally redesigned Upper Class cabin complete with Loft area as well as tailcam and new in-seat ordering feature, this new aircraft is revolutionizing travel.

The new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft's five new “Flying Icons” will adorn the fuselage of the brand new A350-1000 fleet. Virgin Atlantic has ordered a total of 12 Airbus A350-1000, with them all scheduled to join the fleet by 2021 in an order worth an estimated $4.4 billion (list price.) The first four A350s, Mamma Mia, Red Velvet, Rain Bow and Queen of Hearts, will join the airline’s fleet by the end of 2019 and all four aircraft will initially fly between London Heathrow and New York JFK.  Los Angeles will be the second Virgin Atlantic destination to receive the airline’s new A350, from next year.

All of the airline’s initial A350 deliveries will be based at London Heathrow.  The final five planes will offer a leisure configuration and will operate routes to Florida and the Caribbean from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport.   These deliveries will take place in 2021 as the airline beings to retire its 747 fleet.