Virgin Holidays Is Launched

In 1985, we launched Virgin Holidays, expanding the Virgin Atlantic business beyond air travel into the long-haul package holiday market. Established as the leisure travel arm of the Virgin Atlantic Group, Virgin Holidays was created to offer customers complete holiday packages, combining flights with accommodation and other travel arrangements. The new business built on the airline's early transatlantic operations, providing a convenient way for customers to plan and book their holidays through a single provider. Our approach was to bring the same emphasis on customer service, value for money and a more enjoyable travel experience to the holiday market. By combining air travel with carefully selected accommodation and flexible holiday options, Virgin Holidays offered an alternative to traditional package holiday providers, with a particular focus on long-haul destinations. The launch broadened our involvement in the travel industry, allowing us to serve customers beyond their time on board our aircraft. It also established a dedicated holiday business within the Virgin Atlantic Group, bringing together airline services and leisure travel under the Virgin brand.