Virgin takes pop at rival BA on social media
Virgin Atlantic has rekindled its decades’ old rivalry with British Airways, taking a swipe at the UK flag carrier on social media.
In a tweet early on Wednesday morning, Virgin suggested BA passengers might want to switch airlines following British Airways’ sudden decision to stop providing copies of the Financial Times.
Its tweet included a photo, apparently taken from the FT, stating that BA had decided to stop providing copies of the newspaper on flights, in lounges and at gates worldwide.
The statement went on: "We regret the inconvenience caused to our regular readers by BA’s abrupt decision to end its long-standing partnership with the FT. Of course, the world’s favourite business newspaper is widely available on a range of other leading airlines."
In its tweet, Virgin said: "Dear Readers of the @Financial Times, it’s not too late to change your airline."
It then posted a photo of a copy of the FT with a cup of cappuccino in Heathrow Terminal 3.
When one follower joked that Virgin was ‘trolling’, it responded saying it was ‘only having some fun’.
However, the joke wasn’t appreciated by one follower, called AllergyDad, who wrote: "It’s not too late for @virginatlantic to start caring for food allergic flyers by making announcements to other passengers…BA have a clear caring policy https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/travel-assistance/medical-conditions-and-pregnancy~… whilst Virgin Atlantic refuse to announce anything other than peanuts …"
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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