Virgin Atlantic has been named the official airline associate of Staff GB and ParalympicsGB for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Video games, ending British Airways’ 20-year maintain on the function.
Underneath the settlement, Sir Richard Branson’s service will fly athletes and help workers from each groups to and from the Video games, which happen in lower than two years’ time. Virgin Atlantic Holidays has additionally been named official vacation associate and can provide followers curated journeys to California for the Olympics.
British Airways had held the official airline partnership for the reason that Beijing 2008 Video games. Staff GB’s personal announcement of the Tokyo 2020 renewal described that deal as BA’s fourth consecutive Video games as official airline for Staff GB and ParalympicsGB. That interval coincided with probably the most profitable eras within the historical past of each groups.
In keeping with ParalympicsGB, the partnership covers the 2 years main as much as the Video games. Virgin Atlantic operates three day by day flights between London and Los Angeles, and the airline has dedicated to tailor-made airport check-in help, further baggage provisions and specialist dealing with for sporting and accessibility tools.
Virgin Atlantic may even participate in crew bulletins and in celebrations marking the athletes’ return to the UK, which ParalympicsGB described as pink carpet Welcome Residence occasions.
Individually, Virgin Atlantic and ParalympicsGB stated they are going to develop an accessible journey programme drawing on athlete perception, incapacity specialists and lived-experience teams, with the intention of enhancing colleague coaching and accessibility steering throughout the airline.
“I’ve all the time liked a problem and Staff GB and ParalympicsGB athletes definitely know a factor or two about stepping as much as the plate,” stated Branson.
“I’m thrilled that Virgin Atlantic will get to be such an essential a part of their journey to the Video games. We’ll be backing all of them the best way, from check-in and take-off to what I hope might be a really particular journey dwelling. What I really like about sport is seeing what sensible folks can obtain once they dream massive, work arduous and have a fantastic crew behind them.
“The Video games could be two years away, nevertheless it’s the years of dedication, preparation, ardour, and help that come earlier than that make all of the distinction. So, so far as we’re involved, verify in for LA28 is formally open!”
To mark the partnership, Branson took half in gymnastics and biking challenges with Staff GB’s Jake Jarman and ParalympicsGB’s Kadeena Cox.
Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of Staff GB, stated: “Getting Staff GB to a Video games is a large crew effort lengthy earlier than competitors begins, so having Virgin Atlantic with us on the journey to Los Angeles is extremely thrilling.
“From supporting the crew’s journey to serving to us rejoice the moments and those that make a Video games so particular, we’re trying ahead to bringing followers even nearer to Staff GB on the highway to LA28.”
David Clarke, chief government of ParalympicsGB, stated: “We’re delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic as an official airline associate and gold associate of ParalympicsGB.
“Not solely will we work collectively to take our crew to and from the video games, however crucially, the partnership will see our groups working carefully collectively to assist make air journey extra accessible and inclusive for everybody.”
The 2 carriers have competed straight for a similar prospects earlier than. Virgin Atlantic has beforehand focused British Airways Government Membership members with a standing match provide, whereas British Airways has signed its personal sponsorship agreements, together with a founding associate take care of the redeveloped Olympia in west London.
Monetary phrases of the Staff GB partnership weren’t disclosed within the announcement.
Amy Ingham
Amy Ingham is a reporter at Enterprise Issues, masking UK enterprise information with a concentrate on breaking information, enterprise coverage, late funds and insolvency. She joined the journal in 2026 after finishing the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at Harlow Faculty’s journalism college. Her current reporting consists of British Metal’s nationalisation and its affect on SME suppliers, the decline in late funds by giant companies, and Insolvency Service director disqualifications. Attain her at aingham@cbmeg.co.uk.
