Virgin Atlantic announced at the Farnborough Airshow 2024 that it has ordered seven additional Airbus A330neo aircraft. This brings the total number of A330neo aircraft in the airline's fleet to 19. This measure is part of Virgin Atlantic's comprehensive fleet conversion, which aims to improve economic efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions.
The announcement was made on board Virgin Atlantic's newest A330neo, named "Ruby Rebel." This order marks the 40th anniversary of the airline, founded in 1984 by Sir Richard Branson. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, emphasized the importance of the modern fleet for the decarbonization of long-haul air travel and the high level of comfort for passengers.
Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, praised Virgin Atlantic's decision, highlighting the A330neo's operating costs and sustainability. The new aircraft feature the award-winning Airspace cabin, which offers passengers more individual space, larger overhead bins and state-of-the-art entertainment systems.
The A330-900 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and can fly up to 13.300 kilometers non-stop. The A330 Family has received 2024 firm orders from more than 1.798 customers worldwide through June 130.