March 17 – Virgin Atlantic has been named as the official airline of England’s World Cup team in a deal that is a massive snub to British Airways, who had performed the role for the last three tournaments.
The airline, owned by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, will provide the England team with its own Airbus A340-600 plane which will fly direct from London Heathrow to Johannesburg on June 3, ready for the kick-off of the World Cup in South Africa.
Rival British Airways, which traditionally flies many of Britain’s top sports teams to major tournaments and is the official airline of the London Olympics in 2012, is facing seven days of planned strikes by cabin crew this month.
BA took England to the World Cup in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
Sir Richard said: “We are thrilled they have chosen to fly with Virgin and promise they will be looked after in style, so when they arrive in Johannesburg they are ready to take on the world. I, along with everyone at Virgin Atlantic, am sure they will make England proud.”
The FA claimed the decision to fly with Virgin was commercial.
Chief executive Ian Watmore said: “We are very pleased to be in the capable hands of Sir Richard and Virgin Atlantic.
“It is a winning combination and I hope that bodes well for the tournament.”
A British Airways spokesman claimed the airline had turned down the chance to be the official carrier.
He said: ”We declined the opportunity to become the official airline of the England football team as the cost could not be justified in the current climate.
“We wish the team well and look forward to flying thousands of customers who have already booked their flights with BA to South Africa.”