Branson's crewsgo on a diet

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Sep 24, 2006 | by JAMES HARPER

SIR Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic crews have gone on emergency diets... because they were worried they were getting too fat.

Staff have voted to bin fatty food and sweet treats from their in- flight food.

Gone are high-calorie roasts with all the trimmings - replaced by WeightWatchers ready meals and fat-free yoghurts.

An insider said: "The staff get separate catering on flights to the passengers.

"It used to be comfort food and chocs - now it's all healthy stuff.

"This is good news for everyone. The cabin crew are the public face of the airline - and that means they need to look the part.

"Having overweight people wobbling up and down the aisles wouldn't really fit the bill."

A Virgin spokeswoman said its staff had asked for the change.

"We decided to review the food that crew were given on board," she said.

"The crew have been fully involved in the process.

"The new food includes items such as individually-wrapped fresh sandwiches, jacket potatoes and fresh fruit."