Virgin Atlantic becomes latest A330 operator

Virgin Atlantic Airways, has for the first time in its history deployed a twin engine jet to serve on its transatlantic routes, using an A330-300 aircraft. The inaugural passenger flight between Manchester and Orlando, USA, is part of Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to invest in today’s greenest aircraft and to strengthen services from the UK to the US East Coast, East and West Africa, the Middle East and India. The aircraft is the first to be delivered from the ten A330-300s ordered in December 2009.

Julie Southern, Chief Commercial Officer for Virgin Atlantic said, “We are delighted to be welcoming the A330 to our fleet. The arrival of these new aircraft over the next two years marks a period of expansion for the airline. We look forward to increasing services on existing routes as well as adding new long haul routes with these new planes, whilst improving our fuel efficiency. These brand new aircraft will offer our customers high standards of service and comfort onboard.”

Virgin Atlantic’s first two A330-300 aircraft will operate on leisure routes and will have a two class configuration of 59 Premium Economy seats and 255 in Economy featuring the airline’s award winning cabin and service and a revolutionary new in-flight entertainment system. The new cutting edge system uses the latest touchscreen technology allowing passengers to scroll and swipe through over 300 hours of content quickly and easily.

“The A330 really is the aircraft of choice on medium to long haul routes. It offers airlines unparalleled productivity, low fuel burn and reliability, and passenger’s love it too,” says John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.“

Amb un autèntic fuselatge de cos ampli que permet uns estàndards de confort molt alts, l'A330-300 és capaç d’adaptar configuracions de seients i classes per adaptar-se a les diverses necessitats del client. Té un abast de fins a 5,600 nm / 10,400 km amb una càrrega típica de 300 passatgers. Molt eficient i optimitzat per al mercat de gamma mitjana-llarga, l'A330-300 ofereix el millor equilibri entre autonomia i cost. L'A330-300 segueix sent el mitjà més econòmic per volar més o menys 300 passatgers en rutes de mitjà abast, amb un veritable confort a llarg recorregut. Les comandes de l'avió superen els 480.