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Virgin Atlantic has been named the official airline partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ending British Airways’ 20-year hold on the role.
Under the agreement, Sir Richard Branson’s carrier will fly athletes and support staff from both teams to and from the Games, which take place in less than two years’ time. Virgin Atlantic Holidays has also been named official holiday partner and will offer fans curated trips to California for the Olympics.
British Airways had held the official airline partnership since the Beijing 2008 Games. Team GB’s own announcement of the Tokyo 2020 renewal described that deal as BA’s fourth consecutive Games as official airline for Team GB and ParalympicsGB. That period coincided with the most successful eras in the history of both teams.
According to ParalympicsGB, the partnership covers the two years leading up to the Games. Virgin Atlantic operates three daily flights between London and Los Angeles, and the airline has committed to tailored airport check-in support, additional baggage provisions and specialist handling for sporting and accessibility equipment.
Virgin Atlantic will also take part in team announcements and in celebrations marking the athletes’ return to the UK, which ParalympicsGB described as red carpet Welcome Home events.
Separately, Virgin Atlantic and ParalympicsGB said they will develop an accessible travel programme drawing on athlete insight, disability specialists and lived-experience groups, with the aim of improving colleague training and accessibility guidance across the airline.
“I’ve always loved a challenge and Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes certainly know a thing or two about stepping up to the plate,” said Branson.
“I’m thrilled that Virgin Atlantic gets to be such an important part of their journey to the Games. We’ll be backing them all the way, from check-in and take-off to what I hope will be a very special journey home. What I love about sport is seeing what brilliant people can achieve when they dream big, work hard and have a great team behind them.
“The Games might be two years away, but it’s the years of dedication, preparation, passion, and support that come before that make all the difference. So, as far as we’re concerned, check in for LA28 is officially open!”
To mark the partnership, Branson took part in gymnastics and cycling challenges with Team GB’s Jake Jarman and ParalympicsGB’s Kadeena Cox.
Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of Team GB, said: “Getting Team GB to a Games is a huge team effort long before competition begins, so having Virgin Atlantic with us on the journey to Los Angeles is incredibly exciting.
“From supporting the team’s travel to helping us celebrate the moments and people that make a Games so special, we’re looking forward to bringing fans even closer to Team GB on the road to LA28.”
David Clarke, chief executive of ParalympicsGB, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic as an official airline partner and gold partner of ParalympicsGB.
“Not only will we work together to take our team to and from the games, but crucially, the partnership will see our teams working closely together to help make air travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone.”
The two carriers have competed directly for the same customers before. Virgin Atlantic has previously targeted British Airways Executive Club members with a status match offer, while British Airways has signed its own sponsorship agreements, including a founding partner deal with the redeveloped Olympia in west London.
Financial terms of the Team GB partnership were not disclosed in the announcement.
