Virgin Holidays Celebrates 25 Years in Florida With First Ever Liveried Plane

LONDON, May 18, 2010 - Virgin Holidays, the UK's leading holiday company to Florida, is
celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010 with its first ever liveried plane.
The aircraft, a Virgin Atlantic 747-400, was officially revealed by Virgin
Chairman Sir Richard Branson at London Gatwick Airport today before departing
to Orlando with over 350 Virgin Holidays customers aboard.

In celebration of Virgin Holidays' status as the UK's official holiday
company to Universal Orlando Resort, home of The Wizarding World of Harry
Potter - which opens on 18th June and promises to be the hottest new travel
destination of the year - the plane features the official logo of the park
emerging from an atmospheric cloudscape.

Virgin Holidays began services to Florida with a charter service from
London to Miami in 1985. Since then, the company estimates it has flown in
excess of 10,000 return flights to the Sunshine State, carrying more than 2.5
million customers over 60 million miles. Last year, 100,000 travelled on
direct services from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow, enjoying, on average,
11.5 days of Florida's unrivalled mix of sun, beaches, theme parks and
leisure activities.

Amanda Wills, Virgin Holidays Managing Director comments that: "This is
an emotional day for us. Twenty-five years is a landmark for any company and
it is wonderful to be able to mark the anniversary with this bold statement
of our commitment to our founding destination. As the UK's leading tour
operator to Florida, our customers expect us to stay ahead of the game. This
aircraft, plus the special benefits our customers can enjoy from our alliance
with Universal Orlando Resort, again demonstrates our willingness to innovate
to ensure they experience something unique.

"Florida is a firm favourite of our customers and with the opening of The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter next month, there's never been a better time
to see the Sunshine State."

Speaking at the unveiling, Sir Richard Branson said: "Reaching 25 years
is a fantastic milestone for Virgin Holidays, and I am extremely proud to be
here to share in the celebrations. The travel industry is in the business of
creating special memories, and everyone at Virgin Holidays can look back a
successful quarter century of doing just that. Virgin Holiday's alliance with
Universal Orlando Resort is just one reason why our holiday makers can be
assured that there will be plenty more truly magical memories to come!"

Simon Presswell, Managing Director of Universal Parks and Resorts EMEA,
said: "We are thrilled to see this amazing new aircraft begin service to
Orlando in celebration of Virgin Holidays and Universal Orlando Resort's
fantastic alliance. With The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening soon,
our customers will experience unique and exciting benefits."

As the UK's official holiday company to Universal Orlando Resort, Virgin
Holidays customers will be able to take advantage of a number of exclusive,
spell-binding benefits when visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,
including…

    - Early park admission to experience The Wizarding World of
      Harry Potter rides and attractions
    - Free parking at Universal Orlando Resort for a full day
    - Complimentary breakfast
    - Commemorative free gift

For press images of this event, please contact
press.office@virginholidays.com.

Note to Editors:

Scheduled to fly on but not limited to…Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia,
Tobago, Grenada, Kingston, Montego Bay, San Juan, Havana, Las Vegas, and
Orlando from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow…so customers can spot
it around the world!

About Virgin Holidays

Virgin Holidays is the UK's leading Worldwide Holiday Company with
adventures to the USA, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle and Far East, the
Indian Ocean and Australasia. Prices start from GBP859 for a Thailand
adventure or from GBP699 for a seven night Mickey break Stateside.

As one of the top travel companies in the UK, Virgin Holidays strives to
deliver amazing holiday experiences to all customers. Formed in 1985
following the creation of Virgin Atlantic, and built on the Virgin principles
of excellent customer service, high quality and value for money, Virgin
Holidays offers maximum convenience and flexibility with an emphasis on fun
and excitement. The brand is particularly known for the 'magic touches and
'added sparkle' customers have come to expect whatever destination they
choose. Virgin Holidays has become synonymous with honesty and reliability,
delivered with a sense of fun and an innovative twist.

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA
Photowire. They can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Press Contact: kate.allan at virginholidays.com, +44(0)1293-744228