Virgin Atlantic's New Upper Class Suite example essay topic

Virgin AtlanticMarketThe airline industry was affected more than most by the tragic events of September 11th 2001. There was an immediate and significant reduction in passenger demand, particularly across the North Atlantic, and a number of airlines became bankrupt. 9/11 was quickly followed by further challenges of SARS and the effects of the Gulf War. The industry is slowly rebuilding passenger confidence and recent traffic figures show signs of a recovery from 9/11.

However, it is clear that in order to survive and compete in this challenging environment, it is vital for airline companies to adapt and evolve, focusing on capturing the market with an ever-improving range of services. Airlines with strong brand leadership, like Virgin Atlantic, should be most likely to emerge from the challenge strengthened. Achievements The brand's achievements have been recognised by a number of prestigious award schemes. In recent years the airline has won a huge number of well respected awards including the Best Long Haul Business Airline at the Business Travel Awards and FX and Design Week awards for the Upper Class Suite. In 2003, Virgin Atlantic won the Business Superbrands Awards for 'the brand that most values its employees'.

In 2002, the airline won an array of awards including Best Business airline at Cond'e Nast Traveller Awards; The Guardian and Observer Awards; Best Transatlantic Airline at the Travel Weekly Awards and in 2001 Virgin Atlantic won OAG Airline of the Year. In addition, the brand has been consistently voted as a Superbrands and in 2001 was given Cool Brand Leader status by the Superbrands organisation. Despite tough trading conditions in 2003 Virgin Atlantic achieved a turnover of lb 1.4 billion and carried almost four million passengers. History In the early 1980's, transportation - rather than customer care - appeared to be the top priority of the airline industry. When Virgin Atlantic burst on to the scene offering not only better service and lower costs for passengers but a commitment to put the customer first, the effects were radical.

The company was set up in 1984 when an Anglo-US lawyer called Randolph Fields approached Richard Branson - the young and unorthodox chairman of the Virgin Group -with an idea for a new airline that would fly between the UK and the US. Better known at the time as the leading light in the world of pop and rock music, Branson was enthusiastic about the opportunity to diversify. His characteristic energy and enthusiasm meant that within three months the airline began to lease its planes and June 22nd 1984 marked Virgin's inaugural flight from London to Newark. From those early days the airline has gone from strength to strength. Now based at both London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports, it operates long haul services from Heathrow to New York (Newark and JFK), Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Washington, Miami, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Shanghai, Lagos and Delhi.

Virgin also operates services from Gatwick to Orlando, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Las Vegas, Grenada, Tobago and Port Harcourt. Virgin Atlantic has also introduced a service from Manchester airport to Orlando. In January 2003, the airline began twice-weekly services to Port Harcourt in Nigeria and in May 2003 the airline commenced services between Gatwick and Tobago and Grenada bringing its total number of destinations to 22. Plans have also been announced for new routes between London Heathrow and Sydney to start at the end of 2004 and London Gatwick and Cuba and The Bahamas to commence in summer 2005. On December 20th 1999 Richard Branson signed an agreement to sell a 49% stake of Virgin Atlantic to Singapore Airlines to form a global partnership.

The cost of the transaction to Singapore Airlines was lb 600.25 million, which included a capital injection of lb 49 million and values Virgin Atlantic at a minimum of lb 1.225 billion. The deal was finalized in early 2000. Virgin Atlantic has pioneered a range of innovations setting new standards of service, which its competitors have subsequently sought to follow. Virgin Atlantic has introduced a string of firsts including individual seat-back televisions for all economy passengers and the introduction of automatic defibrillators. Despite Virgin Atlantic's growth the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation. Product Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class has changed the face of business travel by offering limousine pick-up and Drive-Thru check-in.

Virgin Atlantic also has Clubhouses, Virgin lounges for Upper Class passengers, at many of its destinations. The Virgin Clubhouses are deliberately designed to challenge the conventions of the airline industry and to create a different travelling environment. In 2003 Virgin Atlantic launched its revolutionary Upper Class Suite product. The product consists of a reclining leather seat for take off, a place to sit and eat a proper meal opposite your partner, the longest fully flat bed in the world with a proper mattress for sleeping on, a private on-board bar to drink at with your friends, a private massage room and four limousines per return trip - all at a price thousands of pounds less than other airlines' First Class.

By charging the same as other airlines' business class for this first class product, Virgin Atlantic's new Upper Class Suite is not only attracting former Concorde passengers but BA's and other airlines' first and business class passengers as well. The Upper Class Suite has already proved to be a massive success winning the airline all-important market share along with an impressive array of prestigious awards. The 'Freedom' meal service was introduced in 1999 which means passengers can eat 'what they want, when they want'. Virgin Atlantic's unique in-flight beauty therapy service, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2002, has a dedicated area on-board the plane. Virgin Atlantic also opened its first arrivals lounge called Revivals at Heathrow airport. Revivals is designed to provide everything a passenger could need to awaken, revitalize and prepare for their day ahead after a long haul flight.

Virgin Atlantic also operates 'flying club', one of the most generous frequent fly er programmes available. flying club was re-launched at the end of 1999. As well as restructured membership levels, flying club has even more partners with the introduction of more airlines and hotels than ever before. Premium Economy was first introduced in 1992. It is a service aimed at the cost conscious business traveller who, for budgetary reasons, travels economy but still requires extra space in which to work or relax.

Premium Economy features 38's eat pitch, complimentary champagne at take-off and a fully flexible ticket. Virgin Atlantic's Economy class was the first to provide every passenger with a seat-back TV screen. It now provides the most advanced inflight entertainment system available with up to 300 hours of video and audio on demand along with a huge selection of computer games. Virgin Atlantic also gives out 'K-ids Packs' to children on-board and amenity kits containing useful items like socks and toothbrushes as well as more unusual items such as eye gel and lip cream. Recent Developments Virgin Atlantic continues to launch several new routes. In summer 2002, the airline took its newest delivery becoming the launch customer for the A 340-600 - the longest plane in the world.

In total, ten aircraft will be delivered by 2006 in a deal worth US$1.9 billion. The aircraft was named 'Claudia Nine' by supermodel Claudia Schiffer in front of an audience of media and VIPs. In 2004, the Queen named one of Virgin Atlantic's new A 340-600's during a state visit to France. The aircraft was named 'Queen of the Skies' in commemoration of the centenary of the Entente Cordiale. The new aircraft offers passengers many new on-board features including a redesigned on-board bar and in-flight beauty therapy area in Upper Class and new seats for both Premium Economy and Economy passengers.

The aircraft has the most advanced in-flight entertainment system in the world which provides passengers with up to 300 hours of video on demand, fourteen audio on demand channels, fifteen computer games including multi-player games, on-board SMS text messaging service and a quick find search facility. In 2003 the airline commenced new services to Port Harcourt, Nigeria in February and Grenada and Tobago in May. Early in 2004, Virgin Atlantic Airways Chairman Richard Branson announced that the airline is embarking on a period of sustained growth which will feature the launch of a series of new routes including Australia, Cuba, and The Bahamas, an increase in services to the US, Caribbean, Asia and the Far East, orders for two more A 340-600 aircraft and the recruitment of 1,400 staff over the next year. Promotion The greatest and most well known advertisement for Virgin is Richard Branson himself. Branson is often perceived as the consumer's hero, an entrepreneur operating in a style all of his own, and Virgin's brand values emanate from his personality. At the same time as being one of Britain's most admired businessmen, Richard Branson's daredevil antics, such as ballooning across the Atlantic, have given the Virgin brand additional publicity.

Branson also keeps a shrewd eye on promotional opportunities: when he heard of British Airways' decision to remove the Union Jack from their plane exteriors, for example, he capitalized on the change by introducing the Union Jack onto Virgin planes. Virgin Atlantic has proved an astute advertiser over the years. Its logo is highlighted on all its goods and services and is a highly protected property. Virgin Atlantic has implemented an integrated media strategy to promote its brands, including television, newspapers, posters, promotions, direct mail and the internet, often to wide acclaim. The 'Grim Reaper' ad, for example, won numerous marketing awards and creative accolades including a Golden Lion in the Travel Transport and Tourism category at the Cannes International Advertising Festival; a Silver in the British TV Advertising Awards, a Solis award for Travel & Air Transport TV at the International Tourism & Leisure Festival as well as winning the Travel category in the London International Advertising Awards. In 1999 it won The Guardian Newspaper Recruitment award for Best Commercial Advert and Best Written Advert.

Recent television advertisements have been centred around the Upper Class Suite. In addition, a selection of strip advertisements emphasis ing Virgin Atlantic's services and fares have featured in the UK press and won several marketing awards. During 2004, Virgin Atlantic is launching the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer record attempt to be piloted by Richard Branson's former record breaking partner, Steve Fossette. The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer aims to be the first solo piloted aircraft to fly non-stop and without refueling around the world. With this attempt, Virgin Atlantic is going back to its roots.

Back in the 1980's when Virgin Atlantic was launched, the airline had limited marketing budgets and by attempting (and setting) a number of marine and aviation records Virgin Atlantic was put firmly on the map. Brand Values Virgin Atlantic strives to provide the best possible service at the best possible value. It is a distinctive, fun-loving and innovative brand, which is admired for its intelligence and integrity. Judging from the results of a poll conducted by research agency NOP the public also associates it with friendliness and high quality. Virgin Atlantic also recently won an NOP World Business Superbrands Award for the 'brand most perceived to keep its promises'. Things you didn't know about In 1999 Richard Branson received a knighthood for his services to entrepreneurship.

Virgin Atlantic employs over 200 Inflight Beauty Therapists to give Upper Class passengers beauty treatments in the air. Virgin Atlantic serves approximately 2.5 million ice cream bars and 120,000 bottles of champagne each year. The average age of Virgin Atlantic's fleet is around five years old - one of the youngest fleets in world aviation. Virgin Atlantic has recently spent two years and lb 50 million developing its award-winning new Upper Class Suite..