Virgin Atlantic claims British Airways passengers prefer to fly with them

The battles continue between Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.  Virgin Atlantic said this morning that it has profited from British Airways.  When terminal five opened at Heathrow Airport it created numerous delays and chaos at the airport.  Virgin Atlantic has said that customers of British Airways that grew tired of the chaos at terminal 5 turned to Virgin Atlantic for their flying needs instead.  Virgin Atlantic has said that their profits have risen nearly 8 per cent over the course of the last year.

British Airways disputes this claim that customers are still turned away over any issues that might have occurred because of the opening of Terminal 5.  A spokesperson for British Airways said “We do not recognize Virgin’s claims. It was well documented that there were problems at Terminal Five shortly after its launch, but we have seen no lasting effect. Indeed, the number of customers using it has risen by 25,000 since April so we’re obviously more than happy with this progress.”  British Airways also said that passenger volume at terminal 5 has increased to 65,000 people a day.

Branson also commented during the announcement that “It’s ironic that just as regulators are breaking up one monopoly – BAA – British Airways and American Airlines are trying to create another.  Our results prove that consumers want choice on transatlantic routes. Unless the regulators block the proposed BA/AA monopoly, consumers will lose out – and they’ll pay higher ticket prices for the privilege.”

www.britishairways.com

www.virgin-atlantic.com