Richard Branson is the owner of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America
. He's one of the world most successful entrepreneurs with his range of branded goods stretching from trains to condoms.
Branson is a self made man. He never got a degree and he gradually built up his company for nothing. For Branson it's all about the brand. Virgin's brand is on many goods around the including even Cola. Virgin Cola is virtually identical to Coca Cola, and it simply a rival. His airlines though are where the difference can really be seen. On flights from Edinburgh to Barcelona you may be lucky enough to fly Virgin Atlantic and enjoy the airline quality service. It is very well known for the quality of its customer service, and this is something it prides itself on, providing the very best to stand above its competitors.
It was on a flight that went a similar distance as flights from Miami to Belize Citythat Branson initially had the idea for Virgin Atlantic. He was stranded with some other passengers at airport and rather than waiting for a plane to come and pick them up, the businessman that he is saw a business opportunity. He chartered a jet back to Europe and sold seats to fellow passengers in order to reduce the expense he had to pay.
Branson's Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America service will likely spread its wings in future years to flights from Vancouver to Winnipegand other North American routes. He already has a festival in Canada bearing the Virgin name. So why not add a few extra routes. Interestingly, Virgin Atlantic is the only airline that wears the colours of the United Kingdom. The old state airline British Airlines may bear the name and the color scheme, but they don't fly the flag any longer.