Latest news with #A330neos
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Cebu Pacific becomes PH's first carrier with 100-strong fleet
Gokongwei-led budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Friday announced its latest historic milestone as it becomes the first local carrier to operate a 100-strong fleet after receiving the delivery of its latest aircraft — a brand new A330neo. 'Reaching 100 aircraft is more than a milestone — it reflects our unwavering commitment to make air travel accessible to more Filipinos,' said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer. 'With a larger fleet, we're able to operate more efficiently, enhance connectivity across the country and the region, and pass on the benefits of scale through even lower fares,' said Lao. The airline's 100-aircraft milestone came amidst increasing demand for air travel. In June alone, Cebu Pacific said it flew a total of 2.2 million passengers, up 7.9% from the same month last year. From January to June 2025, the airline said it has flown 13.9 million passengers, up 21% from 11.5 million in the first half of 2024. Cebu Pacific said the latest A330neo aircraft is also the 12th aircraft of its kind to join its fleet, reinforcing the airline's position as the largest A330neo operator in the Asia-Pacific. The 459-seater aircraft, which arrived in Manila from Airbus' facility in Toulouse, France, is the second of four A330neos expected to join Cebu Pacific's fleet this year — the first of which arrived on March 28. The airline is expecting a total of seven aircraft to be delivered in 2025. Cebu Pacific's fleet is diversified with a mix of 12 Airbus A330s, 40 Airbus A320s, 26 Airbus A321s, and 22 ATR turboprop aircraft. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Virgin Atlantic to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi across entire fleet by 2027
Virgin Atlantic has become the first UK airline to announce free, fleet-wide in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink, SpaceX's low Earth orbit satellite network. The high-speed, low-latency internet will be offered across all cabins on Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s, and A330neos starting in Q3 2026, with full rollout expected by the end of 2027. 'The new service allows our guests to create a home away from home experience, allowing customers to connect seamlessly, from the moment they board the aircraft, enjoying the same quality in the air as they do on the ground,' said Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Experience Officer at Virgin Atlantic, according to a press release by company. The service will be entirely free for Flying Club members. Passengers will be able to use multiple devices—phones, tablets, and laptops, simultaneously throughout the flight. The airline says the enhanced connectivity will also allow for streaming live sports, shopping online, and keeping in touch with friends and family in real time. 'In a first for any UK airline, we'll soon have free, streaming quality, unlimited, fleet-wide Wi-Fi. Together with Starlink, we are delighted to provide our guests with the best connectivity in the skies,' Fitzpatrick added. The announcement comes amid Virgin Atlantic's ongoing fleet transformation. In 2024, the airline confirmed a $17 billion order for seven A330-900neos. By 2028, the carrier will operate a next-generation fleet of 45 aircraft.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Inside Virgin Atlantic's multi-million makeover: Comfier seats, new planes & big news if you watch Netflix on flights
VIRGIN has revealed its huge multi-billon plans in the next decade. The airline has already invested $17billion (£12.5billion) into upgrading their fleet, which will see 45 aircraft by 2028. 5 More business and premium economy seats will be onboard 5 It will be the first airline in the UK to have streaming quality WiFi onboard And new major plans include a full retrofit of the Boeing 787-9 fleet, including the first Retreat Suite business class. More Not only that, but they are to be the first UK airline to have streaming-quality Using Starlink, all Flying Club members will be able to use it, with it being rolled out from next year and finished by 2027. Read more on Virgin Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Experience Officer, Virgin Atlantic, explained; "In a first for any UK airline, we'll soon have free, streaming quality, unlimited, fleet-wide Wi-Fi . "Together with Other updates include an upgraded app, as well as a new AI concierge to help with booking holidays or on-holiday assistance. Millions of pounds are also being invested into airport lounges after the launch of the LAX Clubhouse in the US. Most read in News Travel Both The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will also let all passengers earn points, which don't expire. I tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise with 2am pizza parlours, rooftop bars and karaoke sessions-I tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise with 2am pizza shops & rooftop bar 5 The 787's will get a huge retrofit like the A330neos Credit: Virgin Atlantic 5 Airport lounges are also being upgraded Flying taxis connecting airports to city centres were also announced with electric air taxi Joby, along with new toiletries onboard offered by Votary. Shai Weiss, CEO of "The first UK airline to have free, streaming quality, fleet-wide Wi-Fi; more premium cabins and a full retrofit of the 787 fleet; alongside a new app featuring the world of Virgin Atlantic in your pocket, all delivered by our amazing teams. "The best is yet to come.' Next year, Virgin Atlantic is From March 29 next year, daily flights will link the UK to the Korean city. Other new Virgin flights include to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, as well as increase flights to India to celebrate 25 years flying there. And here is 5 The airline has just completed its multi-billion fleet orders Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Inside Virgin Atlantic's multi-million makeover: Comfier seats, new planes & big news if you watch Netflix on flights
Millions of pounds are also being invested into the airport lounges worldwide ON THE UP ON THE UP Inside Virgin Atlantic's multi-million makeover: Comfier seats, new planes & big news if you watch Netflix on flights Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VIRGIN has revealed its huge multi-billon plans in the next decade. The airline has already invested $17billion (£12.5billion) into upgrading their fleet, which will see 45 aircraft by 2028. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 More business and premium economy seats will be onboard 5 It will be the first airline in the UK to have streaming quality WiFi onboard And new major plans include a full retrofit of the Boeing 787-9 fleet, including the first Retreat Suite business class. More premium economy and Upper Class seats are being added on the A330neo plans too, with plans for double the amount. Not only that, but they are to be the first UK airline to have streaming-quality WiFi onboard, meaning you can watch your Netflix from your phone. Using Starlink, all Flying Club members will be able to use it, with it being rolled out from next year and finished by 2027. Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Experience Officer, Virgin Atlantic, explained; "In a first for any UK airline, we'll soon have free, streaming quality, unlimited, fleet-wide Wi-Fi. "Together with Starlink, we are delighted to provide our guests with the best connectivity in the skies, further elevating our onboard experience." Other updates include an upgraded app, as well as a new AI concierge to help with booking holidays or on-holiday assistance. Millions of pounds are also being invested into airport lounges after the launch of the LAX Clubhouse in the US. Both London Heathrow and JFK will see upgrades lounges, along with new lounges in other destinations. The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will also let all passengers earn points, which don't expire. I tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise with 2am pizza parlours, rooftop bars and karaoke sessions-I tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise with 2am pizza shops & rooftop bar 5 The 787's will get a huge retrofit like the A330neos Credit: Virgin Atlantic 5 Airport lounges are also being upgraded Flying taxis connecting airports to city centres were also announced with electric air taxi Joby, along with new toiletries onboard offered by Votary. Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic, said "We are investing billions to fly the youngest fleet across the Atlantic. "The first UK airline to have free, streaming quality, fleet-wide Wi-Fi; more premium cabins and a full retrofit of the 787 fleet; alongside a new app featuring the world of Virgin Atlantic in your pocket, all delivered by our amazing teams. "The best is yet to come.' Next year, Virgin Atlantic is launching flights to Seoul in South Korea. From March 29 next year, daily flights will link the UK to the Korean city. Other new Virgin flights include to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, as well as increase flights to India to celebrate 25 years flying there. And here is what it is like to go on a Virgin Voyages cruise holiday.
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Virgin Atlantic is swapping onboard bars for high-end suites as the luxury travel boom funds a major overhaul
Virgin Atlantic has announced a host of upgrades with a view to winning over the wealthiest passengers amid a Transatlantic luxury travel arms race. "There is an insatiable demand for premium travel," CEO Shai Weiss told attendees at a launch event in London on Tuesday. He added that more than 90% of seats in its premium and upper-class cabins are filled, "so we know we have the ability to provide more of it." Since the pandemic, travellers have been more interested in flying premium, prompting several airlines to invest in upgrading their business- and first-class suites. Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways have all recently announced larger and more luxurious first-class suites. Air France's La Première takes up the length of five windows while Lufthansa's Allegris has floor-to-ceiling walls and 43-inch TVs. United Airlines has also upgraded its Polaris class, including Studio suites that are more like first class. Virgin Atlantic isn't launching any completely new seats but expanding the size of its cabins and rolling out more Retreat Suites — its business-class-plus option. Transatlantic travel, in particular, has soared post-pandemic, providing a prime opportunity for the airline, given that it emphasizes such routes. This spells a transformation from its original focus on economy passengers when it was founded in 1984, shaking up UK aviation by challenging the dominance of British Airways. "I think not just Virgin Atlantic started with a heavy focus on economy, but travel has evolved so dramatically over the past 41 years — and especially over the last five — and I think we are here to show that we can do all these things expertly well," Weiss told reporters on the sidelines of the event. The UK flag carrier is undergoing a $17 billion fleet transformation, which is expected to be completed by 2028. 10 Airbus A330neos being delivered from the third quarter of next year will have 16 more upper-class seats and 10 more in premium class, while the economy cabin will shrink by about 30% to 128 seats. Plus, Virgin Atlantic is retrofitting its Boeing 787s, adding 13 more upper-class seats and 21 premium seats, while economy will be cut from 192 to 127 seats. Its 787 upper class has sometimes been derogatorily known as "coffin class" because the suites are narrow, and they lack privacy in a herringbone layout. But they'll soon be updated to modern designs like those on its A330neos. However, Virgin Atlantic will remove its famous bar to accommodate the extra seats. Instead, the airline says its spacious and swanky Retreat Suites can also function as social spaces, as an in-suite ottoman allows them to fit two people. The new A330neos will have six instead of two such suites, while the retrofitted 787s will have eight in total. "I love the bar, and we do love a social space, but the extension of the social space on the 787 will be the Retreat Suite," CEO Shai Weiss told reporters. Free high-speed WiFi Virgin Atlantic also announced a partnership with Elon Musk's Starlink, becoming the first British airline to offer streaming-quality WiFi for free. Business Insider previously tried out Starlink on a Qatar Airways flight last year, and found speeds of up to 215 Mbps — faster than most home internet connections. Installation is expected to be completed across the Virgin Atlantic fleet by the end of 2027. To use Starlink, you'll need to sign up for Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club loyalty program. The airline is working on key changes here, too, seeking to recognise passengers who don't fly frequently enough to move up the tiers but have been loyal to the airline for several years. Virgin is also partnering with OpenAI and to introduce an AI concierge to help with travel ideas and navigating airports. A demo at the event drew laughter from the crowd when the user mentioned that rival BA also flies to Mexico, and the concierge responded: "It's pronounced Virgin Atlantic, not BA," with a winky-face emoji. The airline's increased focus on premium will also see it invest millions in refurbishing its lounges at London Heathrow and New York JFK. Funded by a record 2024 "Everything we're gonna be telling you today will not be possible if our financial performance had not improved," Weiss said at the start of Tuesday's presentation. Last year saw Virgin Atlantic post record results, with revenues of £3.3 billion ($4.5 billion) and profits of £230 million ($313 million), which were up fourfold from 2023. The airline said this was fueled in part by continued demand from premium travelers, albeit more from those flying for leisure rather than work trips. "Although business travel has not yet recovered to the extent we thought it would have done by now, we have been happy with the strength of consumer demand for premium leisure travel," Virgin Group Chairperson Peter Norris said in the airline's annual report. Weiss told reporters that results for this year are likely to be similar, as uncertainty from tariffs and wars has damaged the hope of setting more records.
