Virgin Atlantic To Add Five 747s

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

CONTACT: SHARON POMERANTZ
(203) 750-2570

VIRGIN ATLANTIC ANNOUNCES PLANS TO ADD FIVE BOEING 747s

Norwalk, CT (November 9, 2000) - Virgin Atlantic Airways fleet expansion plans
continue with its announcement to purchase five new Boeing 747-400 aircraft to
its fleet, in a deal exceeding $800 million.The new aircraft will be delivered directly
from Boeing between March and June 2001, and powered by General Electric
CF6 engines to ensure consistency with the rest of Virgin Atlantics 747-400 fleet.

The new aircraft will enable the airline to increase its route network and frequency
to existing destinations. Virgin Atlantic currently has 32 aircraft, 17 are 747s,
and six of which are 400s.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic welcomed the news:

This fantastic deal will add real impetus to Virgin Atlantics growth plans.
Having added destinations as far apart as Las Vegas and Delhi in the last year,
I look forward to announcing the new routes which these aircraft will enable us
to open up over the next two years.

Branson added, While other carriers are shrinking in size and cutting their network,
passengers can look forward to Virgin offering more seats to more destinations than
ever before."

Virgin Atlantic Airways turnover has grown by more than 15 percent annually in
recent years. The airline has added four new routes to its network in the last year -
Chicago, Cape Town, Las Vegas and Delhi - while increasing frequency on two
routes - San Francisco and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic, one of the worlds most-acclaimed carriers, received top honors
in 2000 as Best Transatlantic Airline" by Conde Nast Travelers readers for the
third consecutive year; and Best of the Best" by the Robb Report.

Virgin Atlantic Airways serves London from 10 U.S. gateways: New York (JFK),
Newark, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington (Dulles),
Miami, Boston and Las Vegas. From London, the carrier serves South Africa,
Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, China and India. For reservations
and inquiries, please call your travel agent or Virgin toll-free at 800-862-8621,
or visit the Virgin Atlantic web site at www.virgin.com.

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