Virgin Atlantic Takes Flight to LA28 as Official Airline Partner for Team GB and ParalympicsGB Olympic Journey

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

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September 5, 2026 3:54 PM

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Virgin Atlantic has been named the Official Airline Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while Virgin Atlantic Holidays will serve as the Official Holiday Partner for the global sporting event.

With the countdown to LA28 officially underway, Virgin Atlantic has launched its Games journey alongside athletes, crew members and supporters. Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson joined Team GB gymnast Jake Jarman, ParalympicsGB athlete Kadeena Cox and airline colleagues at London Heathrow to mark the official opening of “check-in” for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Virgin Atlantic begins official LA28 journey with Team GB and ParalympicsGB

The partnership will see Virgin Atlantic provide extensive travel support to Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes as they prepare to compete on the world stage in Los Angeles. The airline will support athletes, coaches and team members travelling on its three daily services between London and Los Angeles, ensuring teams have the assistance required throughout their journey.

Support will include dedicated airport and check-in arrangements, additional baggage allowances and specialist handling for sporting equipment and accessibility requirements. These services aim to ensure athletes can travel smoothly with the equipment and resources needed for elite competition.

Virgin Atlantic Holidays will also support the partnership by offering fans specially designed holiday packages and travel experiences, allowing supporters to experience the excitement of LA28 while exploring California during the Games.

Airline to connect athletes, fans and communities ahead of LA28

The partnership will extend beyond flights, creating opportunities for Virgin Atlantic customers and employees to engage more closely with Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes throughout the build-up to Los Angeles 2028.

As part of the collaboration, Virgin Atlantic will host athlete-focused events, customer experiences and team announcement activities. The airline’s cabin crew will also contribute to official programmes, including the Flagbearer initiatives that recognise athletes selected for one of the most prestigious roles at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following the conclusion of the Games, Virgin Atlantic will welcome returning athletes at Heathrow through special “Welcome Home” celebrations. The airline will work with Team GB and ParalympicsGB to recognise the achievements of athletes as they return to the UK after competing internationally.

Virgin Atlantic introduces athlete-inspired travel recovery experience

The partnership will also focus on improving the travel experience by combining elite sporting performance knowledge with passenger wellbeing initiatives.

Virgin Atlantic will collaborate with athletes and customer experience specialists to explore new ways to help travellers arrive feeling refreshed, prepared and ready after long-haul journeys.

As part of this ambition, the airline will introduce a new recovery programme at its Heathrow Revivals Lounge in November. Developed with 3 Peaks Health (3PH), the initiative will feature the Lumati Recharge Portal, which will make its airport debut through the Virgin Atlantic partnership.

The 15-minute recovery treatment combines light therapy, vagus nerve stimulation and molecular hydrogen technology. It is designed to support passengers dealing with common challenges after long-distance flights, including tiredness, disrupted sleep patterns, body stiffness and travel fatigue.

The programme will also include compression boots to help customers recover after flying. The experience has been developed with Dr Mark Mikhail, co-founder of 3PH and an Imperial-trained doctor specialising in longevity and performance medicine, with experience supporting elite athletes.

Virgin Atlantic and ParalympicsGB strengthen accessible travel commitment

A major focus of the partnership will be improving accessibility across the travel journey.

Virgin Atlantic and ParalympicsGB will work together on a dedicated accessible travel programme designed to provide greater confidence, support and independence for travellers with disabilities.

The initiative will use feedback from ParalympicsGB athletes, accessibility experts and people with lived experience to improve areas such as colleague training, travel guidance and passenger support.

The programme builds on Virgin Atlantic’s wider commitment to making travel more inclusive and ensuring passengers of all abilities can travel with confidence.

Virgin StartUp launches innovation challenge for future travel solutions

The partnership will also support innovation through Virgin StartUp, as Virgin Atlantic searches for emerging entrepreneurs who can help shape the future of travel.

A nationwide innovation challenge will be launched in early 2027, inviting entrepreneurs across the UK to develop new ideas aimed at improving the customer journey.

The challenge will focus on solutions across areas such as accessibility, wellness, performance and passenger experience. Entrepreneurs will be encouraged to create practical ideas that could transform how people travel and help make journeys more comfortable, inclusive and efficient.

Through the LA28 partnership, Virgin Atlantic aims to bring together aviation, sport, innovation and customer experience to create a stronger connection between athletes, fans and travellers ahead of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Group Founder said: “I’ve always loved a challenge and Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes certainly know a thing or two about stepping up to the plate. 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!”

Dame Katherine Grainger, Team GB Chair, 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.”

David Clarke, ParalympicsGB CEO, 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.”