In your new role, what are your priorities? 

There’s never been a more exciting time to join Virgin Atlantic. I’ve spent my first few weeks listening and learning what matters most to our partners and exploring how we can keep pushing the industry forward.

Business travel is evolving, and we’re determined to stay one step ahead. That means deeper partnerships and delivering premium experiences customers love us for. I have an incredible team and exciting investments on the horizon.

Now it’s about turning that ambition into action and earning our customers’ trust every time they fly with us.

How are business travellers’ expectations changing? 

Today’s business travellers expect more than simply getting from A to B – they want every journey to work around them. As more customers combine business and leisure travel, they expect travel to be intuitive, reliable and tailored to their needs.

That’s why our focus is on delivering a seamless experience, underpinned by premium service, greater personalisation and flexibility.

How is Virgin Atlantic responding to these changes? 

We’re investing where business travellers will feel the greatest difference. We’re reconfiguring our next 10 A330neos and completely refurbishing our 787-9 fleet, introducing more Retreat Suites and increasing Upper Class and Premium seating by 30%.

We’re refreshing our Clubhouses and rolling out free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. Together, these investments are creating a more premium, personalised and connected experience that reflects the way today’s customers want to travel.  

What does your JV bring to the corporate proposition?

Partnerships are one of our greatest strengths. Through our transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, we offer customers greater choice, connectivity and flexibility across key global markets.

What our corporate customers value most is the way we show up as one team. We work hand in hand every day – commercially and operationally – to deliver a consistent experience.

For corporate customers and travel managers, that means simpler travel planning, greater confidence and the reassurance of a trusted network working together for every journey.

How is AI enhancing your corporate experience? 

AI is already helping us make the customer experience faster, simpler and more personalised. Our AI Concierge is integrated into our new app and has supported over 500,000 conversations, helping customers get the answers they need quickly.

But I see technology as only part of the story. The real opportunity is using technology to allow our people to spend more time doing what they do best: helping customers, solving problems and creating those personal moments that make Virgin Atlantic different. That’s always been what sets us apart.

What’s coming next? 

Increased capacity in key markets, product consistency and continued investment in our Clubhouses are strengthening the premium experience our customers expect.

We’re also making progress on our NDC journey. We’re taking a measured approach and, when the time is right, we’ll engage closely with our corporate customers and TMC partners. Our goal is simple: to deliver the best retailing solutions and make it even easier to access the products and services that matter most. 

For me, the biggest opportunity is bringing it all together. By combining innovation with the warmth, personality and service we’re known for, we’ll keep giving customers every reason to choose Virgin Atlantic.

virginatlantic.com

Anthony Uphill joined Virgin Atlantic in May as Vice President Sales and is responsible for the airline’s sales performance, with direct accountability for corporate and agency sales and working closely with joint venture partners Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM.

He will also explore new revenue growth opportunities with SkyTeam and other partner airlines across Virgin Atlantic’s global portfolio.