Virgin Atlantic has been announced as the Official Airline Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Virgin Atlantic Holidays as the Official Holiday Partner.
With LA28 two years away, the journey starts today. Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson joined athletes Jake Jarman and Kadeena Cox and cabin crew at London Heathrow to declare check in for LA28 officially open.
Check in for LA28
For Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes, the moments that matter in Los Angeles will be shaped by years of dedication, preparation, passion, and support. Virgin Atlantic will be part of that journey to help teams arrive ready, by providing extensive travel support for Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes and their teams travelling on the airline’s three daily flights between London and Los Angeles. This includes tailored airport and check-in support, additional baggage provision and specialist handling for the sporting and accessibility equipment that comes with flying world-class teams on tour.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays will become the Official Holiday Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, helping fans to make memorable Games moments with curated itineraries to make the most of being on the ground in California.
The partnership will also bring Virgin Atlantic customers and colleagues closer to the action. On the road to LA28, the airline will work with athletes at customer and colleague events and co-host team announcement moments. Virgin Atlantic crew will play a role in programmes on the ground including the teams’ Flagbearer programmes, celebrating the athletes chosen for one of the most iconic honours of the Games.
Once the competition is over and the teams’ bags are coming home a little heavier, Virgin Atlantic will roll out the red carpet at Heathrow, working with both Team GB and ParalympicsGB on special Welcome Home moments for returning athletes.
Evolving the travel experience for all
Virgin Atlantic and ParalympicsGB will work together on an accessible travel programme designed to help everyone feel confident, understood and empowered to travel. The programme will draw on insight from ParalympicsGB athletes, disability-inclusion specialists and lived-experience groups to inform areas including colleague learning, accessibility guidance and the wider travel experience, building on Virgin Atlantic’s purpose to ensure everyone can take on the world.
Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Group Founder said: “I’ve always loved a challenge and Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes certainly know a thing or two about stepping up to the plate. I’m thrilled that Virgin Atlantic gets to be such an important part of their journey to the Games.
“We’ll be backing them all the way – from check-in and take-off to what I hope will be a very special journey home. What I love about sport is seeing what brilliant people can achieve when they dream big, work hard and have a great team behind them.
“The Games might be two years away, but it’s the years of dedication, preparation, passion, and support that come before that make all the difference. So, as far as we’re concerned, check in for LA28 is officially open!”
Dame Katherine Grainger, Team GB Chair, said: “Getting Team GB to a Games is a huge team effort long before competition begins, so having Virgin Atlantic with us on the journey to Los Angeles is incredibly exciting. From supporting the team’s travel to helping us celebrate the moments and people that make a Games so special, we’re looking forward to bringing fans even closer to Team GB on the road to LA28.”
David Clarke, ParalympicsGB CEO, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic as an Official Airline Partner and Gold Partner of ParalympicsGB. Not only will we work together to take our team to and from the games, but crucially, the partnership will see our teams working closely together to help make air travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone.”