Virgin Atlantic completes $17bn fleet transformation with new A330 order
Harry KembleVirgin Atlantic has placed an order for another seven A330-900s from Airbus, with deliveries starting in 2027.
The order means that by 2028, Virgin will operate a mixed fleet of 45 aircraft with an average age of 6.4 years.
It takes the airline’s total A330neo fleet to 19. Currently, the airline operates five A330-900s, which fly to New York, Boston and Miami, with a further three to be delivered later this year and four more by the end of 2026.
As part of its $17 billion fleet transformation programme, the airline plans to gradually retire its stock of A330-300 aircraft, starting this September. Virgin claims the A330-900 is 13% more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300.
In 2028, Virgin Atlantic plans to operate a fleet including 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s and 14 B787-9s.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said: “Today, we complete our multibillion-dollar fleet transformation, with the purchase of seven additional A330-900s.
"Flying the youngest fleet is the most significant lever towards decarbonising long-haul aviation – we are proud to operate one of the youngest and most fuel and carbon efficient fleets across the Atlantic.”
It comes just days after Virgin Atlantic decided to suspend its Heathrow-Shanghai route this autumn, less than 18 months after resuming direct flights to the Chinese financial hub.
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