Virgin Atlantic chief says demand ‘getting a bit better’ after recent challenges

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss has revealed the carrier has welcomed slightly improved demand recently following a series of challenges, including global economic uncertainty and wars, adding that the UK market has been “relatively robust”.

Weiss cited US-imposed tariffs, economic uncertainty, the Ukraine-Russia war and the Iran-Israel conflict as factors which had had a “destabilising effect” on travel.

He also noted that the airline had spoken of signs of a softening in demand for transatlantic travel from the US during the carrier’s financial results call in March.

However, during an event in London last night, he said: “We’re seeing signs that things are getting a bit better.”

He added: “I’m not talking about something that’s dramatic here. Our expectations were that this would be another record year, but we’re tapering our expectations to be more flat year over year.”

He said the 12 months to May were the airline’s “best ever”, but noted: “We’re going to give a bit back over the next few months.”

He added: “It’s also impossible to predict what will happen, but it feels a bit better right now. 

“We’ll see what happens on multiple fronts – both war and economic possibilities. Having said that, the UK has been relatively robust.”

Weiss spoke to the press after revealing Virgin Atlantic would be introducing a series of customer experience enhancements, including a refit of its 787s, adding more premium seats in its A330neos and offering free Wi-Fi to all passengers.

He said he wished the airline had more slots at Heathrow, but added: “SkyTeam has allowed us to augment our long-haul travel with connectivity.”

Asked whether there was a possibility Virgin Atlantic would take back its Gatwick slots that it leases to easyJet, he said: “Never say never.”