Log On To www.virgin-atlantic.com To Fly Free for Life! - Virgin Unveils Its First Global Online Promotion

Business Wire, August 24, 1999

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 1999--

Virgin Atlantic Airways today unveiled its first-ever global online promotion to celebrate the launch of its new Internet site. The competition gives surfers the chance to fly free for life by winning a pair of roundtrip economy tickets to any Virgin destination for each winner every year for the rest of their lives!

Internet users need only log on to the Virgin Atlantic website and play a simple game. Players have fifteen seconds to spray paint the tailfin of a Virgin plane with obstacles making the task more difficult. Once successful, they will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win the grand prize. Virgin will select one winner from each area -- US, UK, South Africa and China. The winner from the US will be eligible for flights from any of Virgin's North American gateways. This online initiative will be running for two weeks from August 24 until September 5th.

Steve Ridgway, Managing Director for Virgin Atlantic Airways said:

"Virgin Atlantic has long recognized the growing importance of the Internet and that's why we relaunched our website in June. The 'Fly Free For Life' competition is a great way of attracting people to our newly revamped website.

"We believe that this prize will really capture the public's imagination. Flying free for life is simply a dream for many people. With our new competition we will enable winners from all over the world to make this dream come true."

The Virgin Atlantic website was relaunched in June offering full electronic booking capabilities and comprehensive product information. The new site is designed to take the airline into the millennium, offering users greater flexibility, the ability to book seats, and destination information provided by Time Out.

Virgin Atlantic is one of the world's most-acclaimed carriers. Last year, Virgin has named "Best Transatlantic Airline" by Travel Weekly for the ninth consecutive year, from 1988 to 1998, and Virgin Freeway won the Freddie Award for "Best International Frequent Traveler Program" by InsideFlyer. Virgin's Upper Class was voted "Best Transatlantic Business Class" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler in 1998, "Best International Business Class" in 1997 by SmartMoney, and "Best Business Class" by OAG/Executive Travel magazine for the ninth consecutive year, from 1988 to 1997. Virgin's Economy service also was named "Best Transatlantic Coach Class" for the third consecutive year from 1996 to 1998 by Entrepreneur magazine, and by the esteemed Egon Ronay critics in 1998.

Virgin Atlantic serves London from eight U.S. gateways: three times daily from New York (JFK); twice daily from Newark, Los Angeles and Orlando; and daily from San Francisco, Washington (Dulles), Miami, and Boston; with daily Chicago service scheduled to commence later this year. From London, the carrier serves South Africa, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, the Caribbean and Shanghai. For reservations and inquiries, please call Virgin toll-free at (800) 862-8621, or visit the Virgin Atlantic web site at www.virgin-atlantic.com.