The British flag carrier, Virgin Atlantic airlines is planning big for its customers on the Nigerian route as it has concluded plans to deploy an A350-1000 aircraft, the largest member of the A350 family on the Nigerian/British route.
Though the airline officials in Lagos could not disclose when the new sophisticated aircraft will touch down on Nigerian soil, but the information gathered indicated that the development will take place early 2019.
The coming aircraft from Virgin Atlantic will offer a superlative level of customer experience, a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption versus equivalent aircraft, and ambient mood lighting to reduce the effects of jet-lag.
Speaking on the patronage the airline enjoys from Nigerian market, Samuel Lindsfied, the Country Manager for Virgin Atlantic airline in Nigeria and West Africa declared “Of all the countries that we fly to, Nigeria has the highest proportion, exceptional goodwill in Nigeria. And also we have a big emotional attachment with Nigeria; we have flown in the air over a decade, so that is not something we are going to walk away from. In any business, there is the good and bad times, so we have had some challenging times and we have the good times now, so we are glad we stucked it out and we are more committed.”
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“We (Virgin Atlantic) recognise the loyalty and the goodwill that customers show us in Nigeria and we are humble. It is a powerful economy delight which recognises people who pay more, weigh more. Economy delight offers more leg room, party boarding, party checking; party boarding particularly as a Nigerian, you get more locker space easier. So that economy delight services are great for Nigerians.
Though Virgin Atlantic airline will soon deploy A350-1000 plane on the route, but Lindfield attributed reasons for still using the A340-600 presently being used to its reliability saying “One of the key reasons why we use the aircraft is because it’s operation is extremely reliable in the business and this year, we have not had a single cancellation from Nigeria to UK as a result of bad aircraft. It is still seem one of the quietest aircraft in size which means more sleek, peaceful and restful cabin.
“Also, it is a big aircraft that can meet the demand in Nigeria so we can take more passengers and also it is a big cargo marking between Nigeria and the London and not forgetting all the bags that we carry as well with passengers cover space. It is a perfect space from Nigeria to the Uk.”
and then