Virgin Atlantic to use larger aircraft on key routes

Virgin Atlantic has announced that it will use larger aircraft on key routes this Christmas to help passengers affected by industrial action due to be taken by British Airways' cabin crew.

The airline said that around 1,600 extra seats will be made available during the festive period.

Larger planes will be used to operate flights to key destinations including New York, Boston, Delhi and Washington.

These routes will be served by an Airbus A340-600 rather than an A340-300, providing 68 extra seats per flight.

Commenting on the planned action by British Airways staff, Virgin president Sir Richard Branson said: "It is a nightmare for passengers and you have to feel for them at Christmas time.

"Any strike would obviously be extremely damaging to everybody - the company, employees and most importantly the travelling public."

British Airways announced yesterday (December 15th) that it was seeking a legal injunction to prevent the industrial action, claiming that it had found irregularities in the strike ballot carried out by the Unite union.

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