Virgin Atlantic Orders Seven More Airbus A330-900s in Fleet Shake-Up
LONDON, UK — Virgin Atlantic is turbocharging its fleet with an order for seven new Airbus A330-900 planes, due to arrive from 2027. This move builds on its initial 2019 A330neo order, cementing Virgin Atlantic as the first UK airline to snap up this model. The airline’s A330neo family will soon grow to 19 aircraft.
New Routes and More Efficiency
Virgin currently flies five A330-900s to hotspots like New York, Boston, and Miami. Three more are set to join later this year, with an extra four following by the end of 2026. These cutting-edge jets form the backbone of Virgin’s fleet renewal, promising sharper fuel economy and lower emissions. The new A330-900s boast a 13% boost in fuel and carbon efficiency, helping Virgin ditch older A330-300 models starting September 2024.
Targeting a Young, Green Fleet by 2028
By 2028, Virgin Atlantic plans a slick fleet of 45 next-gen aircraft, including 19 A330-900s, 12 Airbus A350-1000s, and 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The average aircraft age will dip to just 6.4 years. Plus, lease extensions with AerCap mean seven Boeing 787-9s will keep flying popular routes across the Caribbean, North America, India, and new destinations such as the Maldives and Bengaluru.
CEO Shai Weiss Speaks Out
“Today, we complete our multi-billion-pound fleet transformation with seven more A330-900s. Our customers and crew love these planes,” said Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss. “Operating one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets is our strongest weapon in cutting carbon emissions on long-haul flights.”
This fleet revamp signals Virgin Atlantic’s bold commitment to customer comfort and slashing its environmental footprint. A new era is on the horizon for the UK airline giant.
