AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- The skies over Britain are still friendly enough, but the planes are getting pretty patriotic.
Virgin Atlantic unveiled a new paint job making prominent use of the Union Jack on its jet fleet Monday, a day after rival British Airways -- ridiculed for the "world images" it put on its planes' tailfins two years ago -- said it would repaint the beloved British banner on half of its aircraft.Announcing the changes at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Virgin boss Richard Branson revealed the new look on a Boeing 747-400 that featured silver metallic paint and the Union Jack on the wings and fuselage.
The airline also introduced a new corporate logo as well as a "twin seat" design in business class that transforms into a double bed.
"Virgin Atlantic is now Britain's flag carrier," Branson said. "We're a young, dynamic, innovative British company, and our new livery and corporate identity fully reflects this."
He said the new colors would give Virgin Atlantic jets "a striking new look for the new millennium."
British Airways was the first to announce new colors. The airline announced Sunday that it was reverting to the Union Jack, replacing the ethnic logos that former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once described as "awful."
That announcement came two years after BA first introduced its "world images" tail fins featuring designs ranging from Delft pottery to Chinese calligraphy. About half of BA's 340-strong fleet used those designs, but 160 aircraft -- including the airline's supersonic Concordes -- retained the Union Jack logo. All new aircraft will sport the patriotic look, the airline said.
"It's what our customers want. It is as simple as that," said British Airways chief executive Bob Ayling. "People in Britain want an image which they can respond to as part of their culture."