‘It’s sad to say goodbye’: Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly shares a sweet throwback snap of Virgin Atlantic’s first ever flight in 1984 as the airline retires its fleet of 747s
- Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly has shared a throwback childhood photo
- London-based businesswoman delighted her Instagram followers with the snap
- Holly captured sitting on her mother’s lap aged three for airline’s inaugural flight
Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly has shared a childhood photo of her and her parents onboard a Virgin 747 as the airline’s fleet of jumbos is retired.
The London-based businesswoman, 39, delighted her 93.6k Instagram followers with the throwback snap, which shows her alongside her billionaire father and her mother Joan Templeman.
Holly is captured sitting on her mother’s lap aged three for the airline’s inaugural flight in 1984 at London Gatwick, in a Boeing 747.
The airline’s jumbos are being let go to make way for a younger, more sustainable fleet of A350-1000s and B787-9s, with Boeing 747-400 G-VROY believed to have made its final departure from London Heathrow yesterday.
Sir Richard Branson’s daughter Holly has shared a childhood photo (above) of her and her parents onboard a Virgin 747 as the airline’s fleet of jumbos is retired
Taking to Instagram, Holly wrote (above): ‘I’ve had so many wonderful memories on @VirginAtlantic’s Boeing 747 planes throughout my life’
Taking to Instagram, Holly wrote: ‘I’ve had so many wonderful memories on @VirginAtlantic’s Boeing 747 planes throughout my life.
‘The Queen of the Skies is what launched Virgin Atlantic back in 1984, when I was 3-years-old, and it has taken us on so many adventures ever since!
‘It’s sad to say goodbye but looking forward to the exciting times ahead,’ she added.
Instagram users were quick to share their delight over the throwback picture, with one writing: ‘This is one of my favorite pictures from your dad’s book Holly. The pure joy on his face at making this a reality… love it!’
Reaction: Social media users were quick to share their delight over the throwback photograph
Another said: ‘I won’t fly on anything else! Don’t know what I’m going to do now. Love the 747’s – wonderful memories.’
A third added: ‘As crew for Virgin Atlantic based in Manchester, the 747 has been my home for the last 14 years. The Queen has kept me safe and I will treasure my time in her company – what a beauty she is.’
Virgin said that its new A350s and Dreamliners are on average 30 per cent more fuel-efficient than the four-engine aircraft they replaced.
The latest changes will apparently generate approximately another 10 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency in the firm’s fleet overall compared to pre-Covid-19.
Holly (pictured with Richard in 2019) is part of Virgin’s Leadership Team and chair of Virgin Unite. She is also founder of the Big Change Charity.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented: ‘The much-loved Boeing 747 has played an important role in Virgin Atlantic’s story.
‘It carried our first passengers to New York 36 years ago on our inaugural flight and over the years has transported countless millions of holiday-makers and business travellers safely around the world.’
Holly shares twins Etta and Artie, five, and Lola, one, with her investor husband of nine years Freddie Andrewes.
She is part of Virgin’s Leadership Team and chair of Virgin Unite. She is also founder of the Big Change Charity.