UK supports two full-service carriers unlike any other European country

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
January

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.

It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel

Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards

All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected

Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems

Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year

South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger

China Southern returns to Adelaide

Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025

EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights

Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks

A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game

TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks

2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK

EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer

Airlines not switching quickly enough to green jet fuel, study says

Alaska Airlines tech issue briefly grounds planes in Seattle, disrupts bookings on Cyber Monday

US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify

Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’

Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat

Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts

Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger

US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?

Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?

British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown

Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month

United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets

Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al

Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations

Global Industry News

UK supports two full-service carriers unlike any other European country

Policy

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic aircraft | Provided photo

By Sky Industry News

Jan 30, 2025

In the European aviation market, legacy carriers dominate with their extensive networks and membership in global alliances. Typically, each nation hosts a single legacy carrier, such as Lufthansa in Germany or Air France in France. However, the United Kingdom stands out as an exception with two major legacy airlines: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

British Airways is a long-established flag carrier of the UK and a member of the Oneworld alliance. It operates from its main hub at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), providing a wide range of short-haul and long-haul services worldwide.

On the other hand, Virgin Atlantic emerged from Richard Branson's Virgin Group as a significant player in the UK market. Despite lacking a short-haul network, it compensates through partnerships with SkyTeam carriers across Europe. Virgin Atlantic offers business-class cabins and lounges targeting business travelers and joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2023.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Virgin Atlantic's history began in 1984 when Randolph Fields and Alan Hellary founded British Atlantic Airways. After initial setbacks, they partnered with Richard Branson who rebranded it as Virgin Atlantic. The airline quickly gained traction, launching its first flight between Gatwick and Newark Liberty International Airport on June 22nd, 1984.

The rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic intensified when Virgin entered Heathrow's market. British Airways attempted to undermine Virgin's reputation through what became known as the "dirty tricks" campaign, resulting in a lawsuit that Virgin won.

Despite financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virgin Atlantic secured over $1.3 billion to avoid bankruptcy and introduced cargo operations for additional revenue. Today, it remains an influential legacy carrier alongside British Airways.

The success of both airlines highlights how competition benefits customers by offering more options and potentially lower fares.

Sky Industry News