A soon to be delivered Virgin Atlantic aircraft will have a special meaning for many.
In this post:
Virgin Atlantic dedicates plane to Queen Elizabeth II
Virgin Atlantic will be honoring Queen Elizabeth II with one of its planes that will be delivered in April. Specifically, Virgin Atlantic will take delivery of an Airbus A330-900neo that will be named “Queen of the Skies” (not to be confused with the Boeing 747), and it will also feature the registration code G-VEII, in honor of the late monarch.
The “Queen of the Skies” title will sit below one of Virgin Atlantic’s famous flying mascots, which consist of a diverse range of men and women representing modern Britain.
It’s expected that this A330neo will fly from London Heathrow to several destinations, including Miami, New York, and Tampa.
This will actually be the second time that Virgin Atlantic uses the “Queen of the Skies” moniker on one of its aircraft. In 2004, Queen Elizabeth II unveiled an Airbus A340-600 with the same name at a ceremony in Toulouse, which was part of a larger state visit to France.
Here’s how Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Customer and Operations Officer, describes this:
“Just like Queen Elizabeth during her historic 70-year reign, Virgin Atlantic is proud to fly the flag for the United Kingdom around the world. We’re delighted to soon be welcoming ‘Queen of the Skies’ to our fleet and hope that it serves as a fitting tribute to an unforgettable, much-loved monarch.”
Virgin Atlantic’s other special aircraft
This isn’t the first time that Virgin Atlantic is dedicating an aircraft to someone noteworthy. As a matter of fact, the airline has a history of doing this:
- “Diana” used to be an A340-300 in Virgin Atlantic’s fleet with the registration code G-VFAR, but it’s no longer flying
- “Lady Emmeline” is an A350-1000 in Virgin Atlantic’s fleet with the registration code G-VLIB, and it pays homage to women’s rights activist Emmeline Pankhurst
- “Fearless Lady” is an A350-1000 in Virgin Atlantic’s fleet with the registration code G-VEVE, and it celebrates the life of Richard Branson’s mother, Eve Branson
Virgin Atlantic’s three current Airbus A330-900neos are named Billie Holiday (G-VJAZ), Space Oddity (G-VTOM), and Eliza Doolittle (G-VLDY).
Bottom line
Virgin Atlantic is continuing its tradition of honoring influential people with its aircraft, as the airline will be introducing a jet in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. Not only will the plane be named the “Queen of the Skies,” but it will also have the registration code G-VEII. I’m looking forward to seeing this plane at an airport some day!
What do you make of this Virgin Atlantic jet?
It give happiness knowing Queen her Majestic is flying with us!
Well done very appropriate well tought through,I'm sure it will put a smile on some faces
A tasteless bit of hucksterism. We are not amused.
You're only speaking for yourself. Come on down from that high horse thinking you'd be speaking for anyone else...
Just another Branson-esque meaningless gimmick.
On seeing the header, I immediately thought of a few potential passengers who might consider themselves personally worthy of the name!
"Paging Mr. 1A in Oz!"
They should have used a Boeing Aircraft. The original aircraft was a 747. It really socks to use the Queen of the sky's on a airbuster aircraft. They are far inferior to Boeing jets. If airlines fly to the US they should use Boeing aircraft. Made in the USA.
Definitely knocked my socks off...
"Queen of the Skies" AND "Britain's Flag Carrier"... LOL
Kudos to whoever came up with the aircraft regs tags (the last three characters) for these special frames. Brilliant
I think the British Monarchy should just end and US should stop recognizing the Royal Family as the head of the commonwealth.
While it is a little surprising that the "Queen" is not the largest aircraft in Virgin's fleet, the A330-900 is a worthy airplane for the title.
The A330-900 continues to sell and compete very effectively as a lower acquisition cost competition to the 787-9 while delivering total costs pretty close to the 787.
Virgin Atlantic has done a good job on the interior of their A330-900s and that plane might be the first...
While it is a little surprising that the "Queen" is not the largest aircraft in Virgin's fleet, the A330-900 is a worthy airplane for the title.
The A330-900 continues to sell and compete very effectively as a lower acquisition cost competition to the 787-9 while delivering total costs pretty close to the 787.
Virgin Atlantic has done a good job on the interior of their A330-900s and that plane might be the first and closest common fleet and configuration between Virgin and partner/part owner/and now alliance partner Delta both of which will be using the -900 to/from LHR in increasing numbers.
Virgin aircraft are always worth taking a picture of and if someone is fortunate enough to board this particular aircraft by bus rather than jetway, the moniker should be all the more visible.
Shouldn't this say "below" instead of above?
The “Queen of the Skies” title will sit above one of Virgin Atlantic’s famous flying mascots,
@ Marco -- Indeed, thank you!
Why isn't BA screaming that they are "Britain's Flag Carrier".
Nice tribute but I wish it said something with “Elizabeth” in it. More specific. But nice tribute anyway.
"Virgin Queen" would've been a fun nod to Elizabeth I.
More than any of these, the one thing I’m most excited to see on a Virgin Atlantic aircraft is the SkyTeam logo, and I’m eagerly waiting to see how VS will un-VEII ;) a SkyTeam livery.
Perfect.