Virgin Atlantic Operates Pride Flight to New York

On 28 June 2019, we operated a special Pride Flight from London Heathrow to New York Newark, bringing passengers to the city for WorldPride celebrations and the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Organised in partnership with Virgin Holidays, NYC & Company and the Alliance for Downtown New York, the flight was staffed entirely by pilots and cabin crew from our LGBTQ+ community. Operating as flight VS69, the service turned a transatlantic journey into a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. Actor and singer Tituss Burgess hosted the flight, with entertainment from DJ Jodie Harsh, drag performers and special guests. Passengers included Courtney Act, MNEK, Munroe Bergdorf and Tree Sequoia, who had witnessed the events surrounding the Stonewall Uprising. The flight carried around 300 passengers, with activities ranging from live performances to games and opportunities for travellers to meet one another. The flight was also intended to support LGBTQ+ causes beyond the celebrations themselves. A portion of ticket sales was allocated to the Attitude Magazine Foundation, with further fundraising activities planned onboard. For our colleagues, the event provided an opportunity to represent the airline openly as members of the LGBTQ+ community and to celebrate the progress made towards greater equality, while recognising the work still to be done.