Virgin America’s Richard Branson: “We Won’t Let American Airlines Drive Us Out of Business”

Posted on December 2nd, 2010 3:31pm by Glenn Hunter
Filed under Business, Local News, Transportation

Skeptics say the upstart Virgin America airline will have a rough time competing at D/FW Airport, whereRichard Branson IMG_9292 American Airlines has a take-no-prisoners record of domination. But Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, says Virgin America will be different, in part because his Virgin Atlantic Airways has competed successfully against American in other markets for 25 years.

“We’re as different as chalk and cheese,” the British billionaire said in Dallas last night, pointing to Virgin America’s upscale ambience, among other things. “Once people try us, they stay with us.” So just how long is the newbie prepared to compete in North Texas, profitability concerns aside? “We’ll do whatever it takes to stay here,” said Branson (pictured). “We’re not going to let American Airlines drive us out of business.”

8 comments

  1. About time, I will support BA anytime. American has taken advantage of all DFW passangers for years. Go BA Go.

    I cannot wait!

    @ 6:18 pm on December 2, 2010

  2. Sir Richard doesn’t have a lot to do with Virgin America’s operations – merely a minority stakeholder. Don Carty and David Cush, both former AA guys, are calling the shots.

    @ 6:24 pm on December 2, 2010

  3. Wasn’t Don Carty running AA when they and their lawyers buried Lengend Airlines at Love Field?

    @ 7:47 pm on December 2, 2010

  4. Not to overstate this, but Richard Branson is the coolest human being on Earth. He is, quite probably, Batman.

    @ 9:59 am on December 3, 2010

  5. Of course no one mentions the monopoly at love field.

    @ 12:03 pm on December 3, 2010

  6. Glad to hear of Virgin’s arrival in DFW. Great airline who I’ve had the pleasure to fly a few times on international routes. As a multi-million mile flyer of American Airlines (who rarely flies them anymore), competition is something they truly need to improve the quality of their airline.

    @ 2:17 pm on December 3, 2010

  7. I don’t really care. But I do wish Branson would donate funds to go towards the DART rail line to DFW to make it easier and less expensive to take a flight out of DFW. The current project is delayed due to funding and Virgin Atlantic, other airlines and the DFW airport board could make a deal with DART for incentives to get this project going. SouthWest does indeed have a monopoly at Love field but cheaper parking and convenience. If AA fights competition from another airline like Legend from Love field again, they should be required to stay at least 10 years or otherwise it’s predatory.

    @ 1:54 am on December 4, 2010

  8. Esteban, what does BA have to do with Virgin America or Sir Richard Branson?

    @ 12:25 pm on December 4, 2010

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