Virgin Atlantic and Historic London Pub at Heathrow

Several years ago, a business friend invited me to a restaurant in Belgium for lunch, and for the occasion, he took his prized 1928 Rolls-Royce out of his garage. It was a short drive in the magnificently maintained vehicle, complete with shiny waxed wood panel doors and the real silver-plated logo, called “Spirit of Ecstasy” or “Silver Lady” on the front of the bonnet. It was a very special experience, and I was reminded of it when flying for the first time on Virgin Atlantic non-stop from Miami to London Heathrow Airport and back in Premium Economy Class. Outside my window was the Rolls-Royce logo with the distinct double “R” displayed on the red casing of one of the engines of our Airbus A330-900 aircraft. Sir Richard Branson and his airline have come a long way since a 16-year-old kid with dyslexia and ADHD abandoned school.

The check-in at Miami Airport was swift and efficient. The airline uses the Delta Lounge for its clientele in Business Class. Our Premium Economy tickets did not allow access, but my status with Delta did.

I can only guess how disconcerting it must be for the airline to have to use this mediocre partner airline lounge. It only magnifies Richard Branson’s philosophy on how not to treat his passengers. The only service available was at the bar, careless and with little attention paid to passengers. The overall atmosphere was a far cry from what the airline offers at their home base at Terminal Three in London’s Heathrow Airport (see further into my story).

Entering the aircraft was a very positive experience as staff on board were dressed in their impeccable uniforms, women in perfectly fitted red and white outfits, and the men in white and grey, or burgundy, originally created by designer Vivienne Westwood, who passed three years ago at age eighty-one. She designed the Virgin Atlantic uniforms with the lively style and “joie de vivre” Richard Branson always promoted. Twenty-five percent of the material used for the outfits was made of recycled plastic bottles to make a point in doing her small part in trying to save our world. Virgin Atlantic crew members have unusual freedom in choosing from a wide variety of designer uniforms. Female flight attendants are free to wear makeup or not. Without exception, every one of them was smiling and offering to assist with carry-on baggage. The separate seating section for Premium Economy was located behind their “Upper Class” (business class). Seats were roomy and comfortable with an acceptable pitch and a movable footrest. And before take-off, we were offered a beverage. The in-flight service was stellar. Cocktails and wine were always available. Dinner was tastefully presented and much better than we have experienced on other airlines in the same class of service. The meal trays included miniature salt and pepper shakers in the form of little silver airplanes.

Sir Richard Branson became the ultimate entrepreneur and adventurer. In 1989, he married Joan Templeman after a long courtship and welcomed two children. Richard met her in 1976 outside a Virgin Records recording studio. She worked at a nearby antique shop, where Richard found excuses to visit her while buying old metal signs he hung up in his houseboat, his home at the time. It is also where Joan, then his girlfriend, told her she was pregnant with their child, Holly, in 1981. Sam came four years later in 1985, but Richard and Joan did not get married for another four years. It is said that when Sam was seven years old, the family went to a friend’s wedding and Sam remarked, “They can’t get married, because they haven’t had children yet.” Richard and Joan have now been partners for fifty years and married for thirty-six and he commented: “Joan is the love of my life.”

It is said that earlier in 1979, Richard’s flight from San Juan to the British Virgin Islands was cancelled as American claimed there were not enough passengers. According to the story, he chartered a plane and sold seats to his fellow passengers for $39. Jokingly, he called it “Virgin Airlines.” Like so many other projects, this flight became the idea for an airline that was different, hip, and very upbeat. The immense popularity of the Virgin Music label was used to promote his idea, and Virgin Atlantic was formed in 1984. One of its early innovations, new in the industry, was nine-inch TV screens in every backseat of his aircraft featuring games and advertising it as “nine inches of pure pleasure.”

Soon, Virgin Holidays followed. Richard got involved in all kinds of daredevil stunts, gaining a lot of additional publicity. He piloted his boat, Virgin Challenger II, across the Atlantic, proving his tenacity and showmanship in record time. In 1987, Virgin Balloon Flights took off, and in 2014, the cruise line, Virgin Voyages, became a reality. In the year 2000, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed on him the Knighthood for his philanthropy and entrepreneurship. Four years ago, Virgin operated their first space flight into orbit. And today, there are at least twenty additional companies and numerous non-profits formed by the Virgin business empire all over the world.

Returning to Miami from London Heathrow, we arrived too late in Southampton to make it on time for our flight that same day, so we had to stay overnight at an airport hotel.

At Heathrow, we stayed at the very conveniently located Marriott Renaissance property at the first stop of a Terminal bus service, that was “coldly ugly” on the outside but provided very friendly and efficient service. But our discovery was the “Three Magpies,” less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. This typical old-English pub was opened twenty years before Heathrow Airport existed and has remained as the only historical corner, flanked by a runway behind their outside seating area, fronted by a major road, and surrounded by the typical high-rises of the airport. It was a true find with a wide variety of beers on tap and an extensive menu. The only staff outside the kitchen was a personable female bartender who managed to serve everyone with a wide smile and friendly chatter.

The next morning, we made our way to Virgin Atlantic check-in at Terminal Three, and it was amazing that we could be surprised once again. The agent could not have been friendlier and had us whisked upstairs through Priority Lanes and into the “Virgin Club House,” an exclusive lounge that must be at least three times the size of Delta’s largest lounge at their headquarters in Atlanta. Two separate levels with divisional decor promoted a serene feeling of privacy. There was ample space, despite a lot of departing flights from Virgin and their partners. There are so-called “quiet” rooms with dimmed lighting and soft color walls, as well as individual yoga and relax space. Full service is offered by amiable hostesses throughout the lounge. An ordering system at each table guarantees impeccable service. Or one has the option to inspect most of the offerings at beautifully presented counters. Again, no self-service as smiling staff are always available. It was a superb beginning to another comfortable flight, followed by the same excellent service onboard.

Sir Richard Branson has proven time and time again how to organize his world, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. At the age of 75, I am sure he is not done with innovative ideas and helping to make our world a better place. He bought Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands back in 1977, and it is now his permanent home. Hopefully, he will also have enough time to enjoy his gorgeous hideaway away from his extensive corporate world. He and Joan have certainly earned it!