British airline Virgin named its aircraft “Queen of the Skies”, after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
1. Queen of the Skies
The airline’s brand new Airbus A330neo is the second of Virgin Atlantic’s aircraft to be named Queen of the Skies. Back in 2004, her late majesty unveiled an Airbus A340-600 with the same name at a ceremony in Toulouse. Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022, was a frequent traveller during her reign, visiting more than 120 countries.
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.
Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic chief customer and operations officer
“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,” said Corneel Koster, chief customer and operations officer at Virgin Atlantic.
2. Tribute to notable women
The airline has occasionally named its planes after notable women in history, including British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst, singer Billie Holiday and Diana, Princess of Wales. Other examples include Fearless Lady, which celebrates the life of Eve Branson, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson’s late mother. During World War II, Eve enlisted in the WRENS taking gliding lessons disguised as a boy and working as a pioneering hostess on the treacherous British South American Airways routes.
3. Growing fleet
While announcing the latest purchase to join its fleet, the company said it has ordered 12 more Airbus A330neos. Queen of the Skies is the fourth Airbus A330neo to join Virgin Atlantic’s fleet, the airline said. The other three are Billie Holiday, Space Oddity and Eliza Doolittle.
