Virgin Atlantic has been appointed official airline of Team GB for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, bringing to an end a British Airways association with the national team that has lasted two decades. The carrier will also fly ParalympicsGB, and its Virgin Atlantic Holidays arm becomes the official holiday partner for both teams.
For UK business travellers the announcement carries more than symbolic weight. Los Angeles is one of the busiest transatlantic corridors out of Heathrow, and the Games will push demand for seats, hotel rooms and ground transport in southern California to a peak during the summer of 2028. Companies with commitments in the city will be competing for capacity with athletes, officials, media and fans.
The deal covers flying athletes and support staff from both teams to and from the Games, which open in less than two years. Virgin Atlantic will also take part in team announcements and in the celebrations that greet athletes on their return to the UK.
Sir Richard Branson, the airline’s founder, marked the announcement by taking on gymnastics and cycling challenges alongside Team GB gymnast Jake Jarman and ParalympicsGB cyclist Kadeena Cox.
“I’ve always loved a challenge and Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes certainly know a thing or two about stepping up to the plate,” Branson said. “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!”
A twenty-year British Airways run comes to an end
British Airways has held the official airline role since the Beijing 2008 Games, a period that coincided with the most successful spell in the history of both Team GB and ParalympicsGB. Losing the partnership to its closest long-haul rival at Heathrow is a notable setback for the carrier.
Virgin Atlantic, by contrast, gains a high-profile platform on a route where it has invested visibly. The airline opened a new Clubhouse lounge at Los Angeles International and has been rolling out free Starlink wi-fi across its fleet, both relevant to corporate flyers choosing a carrier for the West Coast.
What the Virgin Atlantic Team GB deal means for corporate flyers
The most immediate practical consideration is availability. Olympic host cities routinely see fares and hotel rates climb sharply around the Games, so any business with a reason to be in Los Angeles in summer 2028 should be thinking about booking windows well before the usual corporate horizon. Travel managers may also want to review whether existing agreements with either airline still offer the best value on the London to Los Angeles route.
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.”
Accessibility commitments for ParalympicsGB
Beyond transporting the teams, the partnership includes a commitment to make air travel more accessible, an area where travellers with disabilities have long reported inconsistent experiences.
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.”
Virgin Atlantic Holidays, meanwhile, will offer curated trips to California for supporters, giving UK companies looking to combine client hospitality with the Games a packaged option alongside the airline’s Flying Club loyalty programme.
