Branson takes a swipe at BA – again!

IRREPRESSIBLE chairman of Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson, has commented on British Airways’ new First Class advertising campaign which he says is in direct response to the success of his airline’s Upper Class Suite. "We're delighted that BA is fighting back against Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class Suite with its first new First Class campaign in years. It shows clearly that BA and its passengers have accepted that Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Suite is a first class product - at a business class fare - and BA is desperately trying to stop its first class passengers switching to Virgin. “By charging the same as other airlines’ business class for this first class product, Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Suite is attracting BA’s former Concorde passengers and other airlines’ first and business class passengers in droves,” said Branson. Virgin’s new Upper Class Suite consists of a reclining leather seat for take off; a place to sit and eat a proper meal opposite one’s partner; the longest fully flat bed in any class with a proper mattress for sleeping on; a private onboard bar to drink at with friends; a private massage room and four limousines per return trip. (Miguel de Sousa)