Branson not hands-on in America
Virgin’s Richard Branson has little direct involvement in his planned American startup, says CEO Fred Reid.
“Richard is an ideas guy, a creative guy, but he’s not on the board. He does not get involved in the financials or the governance,” he told journalists from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Plans for a Virgin-branded airline in the US are currently being evaluated by the Department of Transportation.
US airlines are objecting to the application.
Virgin Group owns 49% of the airline and has 25% of the voting rights, which is in keeping with American law, according to Mr Reid.
The new airline, if approved, will be based on San Francisco.
The airline will operate Airbus 319s and A320s. The airline promises in-flight entertainment that will feature the “largest back-of-seat screen of any US carrier.”
The inaugural route is planned for San Francisco to New York’s JFK.
There is no precise launch date.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025