VIRGIN PRIDE FLIGHT CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF

? This afternoon theVirgin Holidaysand Virgin AtlanticPride Flight departsLondon Heathrow for WorldPride 2019 in New York City

? The flightwill includea performancefrom Tituss Burgess, star of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt;a set from superstar DJ Jodie Harsh and a host of drag queen games

? A full LGBTQ+crew will be looking after passengers including stars such asentertainer Courtney Act; Grammy-winning singer songwriter MNEK; Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard; model and activist Munroe Bergdorf;television darling Scarlett Moffatt;and singer of the official London Pride song Saara Aalto

? Working with NYC & Company and the Alliance for Downtown New York, Virgin willdeliver a full Pride itinerary including an unforgettable party at the One World Observatory in New York City.

New Delhi, 28th June:Virgin Holidaysand Virgin Atlanticare taking Pride celebrations to new 

heights withthe UK’s first Pride Flight set to take off this afternoon, celebratingWorldPride2019 and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

Passengers will be treated to six hours of Pride extravagance including a performance from Broadway musical icon and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidtstar Tituss Burgess, a troupe of drag queens leading games, interseat dating and a set from DJ Jodie Harsh who will keep revellers dancing all the way to the streets of Pride. 

Also on board isa star-studded line up of celebrities including entertainer Courtney Act; Grammy-winning singer songwriter MNEK; Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard; model and activist Munroe Bergdorf; television darling Scarlett Moffatt; and singer of the official London Pride song Saara Aalto.

Organised at an international level to celebrate Pride for those countries where LGBTQ+activity is still illegal or repressed, WorldPride 2019marks the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. 

To mark the occasion, Virgin will celebrate diversity within its business and beyond, with a a one-of-a-kind party at 38,000 feet, crewed entirely by LGBTQ+ Virgin Atlantic staff, onboard flight VS69, which takes its name from the year of the riots. 

Making a special journey for the momentus occasion is 80-year old Stonewall veteran, Tree Sequoia, who recalls the night of the Stonewall Uprising and how the world changed after the demonstrations. A true LGBTQ+ hero, Tree still works as a bartender at the Stonewall Inn in New York which stood at the site of the 1969 demonstrations. 

In partnership with NYC & Company and the Alliance for Downtown New York, the flight is just the beginning of Virgin’s WorldPride 2019 itinerary with guests set to take part in a host of activities including a party at the One World Observatory.

Tituss Burgess, broadway star and co-host of Pride Flight, commented: “Pride is the ultimate celebration of diversity and inclusivity, and what better way to celebrate it than with a party to fly the rainbow flag above the clouds?The Virgin Pride Flight is ready for take off!”

Jodie Harsh, DJ and co-host ofPride Flight, commented:  “This year’s WorldPride is a hugely important one, marking 50 years since the Stonewall uprising. Although progress has been made to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, there is still work to be done and WorldPride is a chance tomake our voices heard.”

Mark Anderson, Global LGBTQ+ Lead for Virgin Group, added:  “At Virgin, we take our commitment to diversity and inclusion seriously. We also know how to put on a seriously fun party.To mark this momentus anniversary in the history and future of LGBTQ+ rights, we wanted to do everything possible to give customers the Pride experience of a lifetime. The doors are set to automatic, and welcome drinks have been poured as the Pride Flight is finally set for take-off!” 

Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, commented:  “We have declared 2019 the Year of Pride, to not only celebrate WorldPride and Stonewall 50 but to acknowledge the perpetual spirit of New York City's vibrant LGBTQ community. Enjoy Pride Flight and we look forward to welcoming everyone to this momentous WorldPride being held for the first time in the US.'”

Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic have long been committed to pursuing diversity and inclusion policies. In 2016, Virgin Holidays launched a three-year plan to become one of the most inclusive companies in travel with a programme addressing employees, customers and the destinations it serves.

Raffles and fundraising activities will take place on-board the flight with all proceeds donated to The Attitude Magazine Foundation to advance community Pride initiatives here in the UK.

The flight departs this afternoon (Friday June 28th 2019) from London Heathrow, flying direct to Newark Airport.

For more information visit virginholidays.co.uk/prideflight or virginatlantic.com/pride.

-ENDS-

For more information and interview opportunities please contact tom.bacon@onegreenbean.com or 0203 196 8289

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ABOUT VIRGIN HOLIDAYS:

Virgin Holidays is the UK’s favourite worldwide holiday company. Founded in 1985 on the Virgin principles of excellent customer service, value, reliability, responsibility and a sense of fun, it has used its entrepreneurial heritage and passion for innovation to benefit customers and communities around the world.  The brand is particularly known for the ‘magic touches’ it has brought to market.  From the world’s first dedicated airport leisure lounges to the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean, Virgin Holidays puts its customers and the communities it works with at the heart of its commitment to do things differently. In 2015, it was voted Best Large Holiday Company to the USA, Canada and the Caribbean for the fifth consecutive year at the prestigious, consumer-voted, British Travel Awards.

ABOUT VIRGIN ATLANTIC:

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson 35 years ago with innovation and customer service at its core. Today Virgin Atlantic carries 5.4 million customers annually, and was recently voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX two years running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic employs over 10,000 people worldwide and operates a fleet of 46 aircraft serving 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside joint venture partner Delta Air Lines they operate a leading transatlantic network - offering up to 38 flights per day between the UK and US with onward connections to over 200 US and international cities. In 2019 Virgin Atlantic will take delivery of their first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft - helping to transform the fleet into one of the quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky. Virgin Atlantic recently achieved the highest sustainability ranking of any airline globally with an A- Leadership rating in the 2018 Carbon Disclosure Project performance assessment.

ABOUT NYC & COMPANY:

NYC & Company is the official destination marketing organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nycgo.com.