In order to properly welcome the new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to the fleet, Virgin Atlantic is retiring its iconic mascot and introducing five new faces to adorn its new aircraft.
Flying Lady is being retired in favor of five new Flying Icons. The new icons were created to better represent the airline’s customers and workforce. The new icons will go on four new aircraft this year and eight more in 2020.
The current Flying Lady was designed based on figureheads that traditionally adorned ships.
The change represents broader changes by Virgin Atlantic. “Virgin Atlantic has made a pledge to tackle its gender pay gap and increase diversity and inclusion across the business, and this is mirrored in the look and feel of the brand. The airline is aiming to have a 50:50 gender balance in leadership roles, as well as at least 12 percent black, Asian and minority ethnic group (BAME) representation across the company, by 2022,” the brand said in a statement.
The airline has worked toward this goal tangibly. Last year, it was a founding member of Women in Aviation and Aerospace and was a signatory of the United Kingdom’s Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure charter.
“The saying goes ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ and that has never been truer than the aviation industry’s glamourous image in the past. We have been working for a number of years to tackle our gender pay gap, create an inclusive workplace and increase the diversity of our workforce, through the development of our Springboard program for women, as well as the launch of engineering apprenticeships. By introducing our new Flying Icons, I hope it encourages people from all backgrounds to feel at home flying with us, but also working with us,” said Nikki Humphrey, senior vice president, Virgin Atlantic.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 24, 2026Bathhouse to Open First Philadelphia Location at The Bellevue
New York City-based social wellness brand Bathhouse, beloved for its modern take on sauna culture, celebrated its first expansion beyond the Big Apple with its debut in Center City Philadelphia at The Bellevue.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Moments, Made to Keep
The Excellence Collection offers a curated collection of luxurious resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean, promising exceptional experiences for every guest and taste. From upscale suite concepts to a plethora of gourmet dining options, from wellness experiences to curated activities, The Excellence Collection guarantees all this and more.
Daily
Sep 23, 20264 Ways to Spend a Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio
Whether an adventure seeker, culturally curious or a lover of all things music, Cleveland, Ohio, is the perfect weekend getaway for all types of personalities and travel styles.
Daily
Sep 23, 2026Delve into a Curated Journey for Mexico City Art Week with Trip Whisperer
During Mexico City Art Week 2027 (Semana del Arte), Trip Whisperer founder Jessica Parker will lead Mexico City Art Week Salon, a small-group expedition to explore the city’s fascinating art, design, culinary and luxury lodging offerings. For five nights, Feb. 2–7, 2027, participants will lodge with creatives and like-minded travelers in Casa Amsterdam, a private Mexico City villa located in the La Condesa neighborhood. After daytime forays to explore the festival’s events, this group will return to the villa to enjoy mezcal tastings, chef-prepared dinners and evening activities.
Sponsored Content
Global Traveler Hosted Trip on the Transcend Connect
JOIN GLOBAL TRAVELER ON ITS NEXT TRIP!
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 23, 2026Review: Sage Lodge Resort & Spa
Set on more than 1,200 acres in Montana’s Paradise Valley, Sage Lodge sits just 30 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, with the Yellowstone River running for more than a mile along the property.
eFlyer Deals
Sep 23, 2026Celebrate Raffles Boston’s 3rd Anniversary with Special Offer
This month, Raffles Boston turns 3 years old, and, to celebrate, the brand’s first U.S. property has a generous offer available for a limited time.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
eFlyer Lead
Sep 23, 2026The Rise of Hotel-Branded Residences: Fad or Here to Stay?
Branded residences may seem new, but the first official hotel-branded residence actually dates back to 1927 when Sherry-Netherland Hotel in New York City offered permanent residential apartments with hotel amenities and services. The current concept of branded residences can be traced to Boston, where Four Seasons debuted its first modern branded residences in 1985.



ShareThis