Virgin Atlantic has named its newest aircraft in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
The airline’s brand-new Airbus A330neo will have the name ‘Queen of the Skies’ with royal registration G-VEII.
The move marks the second time the Queen of the Skies moniker has been used on a Virgin Atlantic aircraft.
Back in 2004, the Queen unveiled an Airbus A340-600 with the same name at a ceremony in Toulouse.
The event was part of a state visit to France to celebrate the centenary of the Entente Cordiale.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer Officer said; “We hope that it serves as a fitting tribute to a much-loved monarch.”
The Queen of the Skies dedication sits above one of Virgin Atlantic’s famous flying mascots.
Virgin Atlantic has a long history of naming its planes after famous women, including ‘Diana’ in tribute to Princess Diana.
Accompanying ‘Queen of the Skies’ in Virgin Atlantic’s current fleet is a jet’ honouring Emmeline Pankhurst.
In 2019, Virgin Atlantic became the first UK airline to announce a firm order for up to 16 Airbus A330neos.
The airline currently operates three other A330neos.
