Key facts
- Virgin Atlantic is the new official airline of Team GB for the LA 2028 Olympics.
- This partnership ends British Airways' 20-year sponsorship of Team GB.
- Virgin Atlantic will transport athletes and staff to and from the Games.
- Virgin Atlantic Holidays will offer curated trips to fans for the Olympics.
- Sir Richard Branson stated his enthusiasm for supporting the athletes' journey.
- Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of Team GB, expressed excitement about the new partnership.
Virgin Atlantic has secured the role of official airline for Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the upcoming LA 2028 Olympic Games, marking an end to British Airways' two-decade-long sponsorship. The agreement will see Virgin Atlantic responsible for transporting athletes and support staff to and from the Games. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic Holidays has been appointed as the official holiday partner, planning to offer curated travel packages to fans wishing to attend the event in California.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic, conveyed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the dedication and hard work of athletes and expressing his commitment to supporting their journey. He noted that the check-in for the LA28 Games is officially open.
Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of Team GB, welcomed Virgin Atlantic, highlighting the significance of the partnership in supporting the team's travel and enhancing fan engagement on the road to Los Angeles. David Clarke, CEO of ParalympicsGB, also expressed delight, pointing out the collaborative efforts to make air travel more accessible and inclusive.
The end of British Airways' long-standing partnership, which began with the Beijing 2008 Games and coincided with periods of significant success for both Team GB and ParalympicsGB, represents a notable shift in sports sponsorship.