7000 pilots? jetBlue was going to have 200 Airbuses by now, too. Projections are just that...projections. Usually they have no basis in reality.

I think the uniforms are great.................I would love to be able to walk through the airport completely incognito.

Maybe it's just me, but I think the doubters may be in for a surprise. Seems that Sir Richard knows a thing or two about building an airline AND making a little bit of money.

Virgin Atlantic is owned 49% by Singapore airlines and 51% by the virgin group. has 6 a340-300 and 13 747-400 hardly an impressive 7,000 pilot airline. they made a profit of 31 mill pounds lat year, cargolux made 64 mill with 14 747-400.

virgin atlantic is a small operation.

virgin blue is not controlled in any way shape or form by the virgin group, but by toll holdings which is Australia's largest transportation company including operations by sea, air and land. the virgin group help found the airline with Toll holdings but thy do not have a majority stake nor do they have any say on day to day operations. they have 52 737, again hardly a 7,000 pilot force

virgin express was a turd operation started in 1996 that nver had more than 10 737's which end up merging with SN Brusssel airlines in 07 because they could not make it.

V Australia is the virgin blue operation that will start flying long haul between the US and Australia , operation run by Toll holdings.

Virgin Nigeria has 9 aircraft and it is a deal by virgin group and nigerian investor with approval of the Nigerian government to replace the defunct air nigeria.

so, let's get one thing straight, Virgin group , regardless of publicity, has never been as successful in aviation as SWA, Ryanair or even JB , and it has never threatened BA the way they think they have.

but hey, one thing they all have in common, they do pay less than their competitors.

Hey Greedy, Are these airlines that Branson starts up serious investments for him of just pet projects that entertain him? What is Branson's exposure regarding VA in particular?

I wouldn't imagine a Billionaire would be a Billionaire long by throwing cash around investing in ventures that didn't pay off, but we all have our weaknesses.

Where did he make his fortune?

Branson made his fortune on records with the virgin label and mega stores. he is a very savvy marketeer and loans the virgin name to other enterprises . short of like a royalty deal. he is personally not even a board member of virgin Atlantic anymore.while he is still head of the virgin group, he personally does not invest on airlines, the virgin group and other venture capitalist do. then, like they did with virgin blue, they sell ( like neeleman did with JB which netted him over 100 mill)to the other principal investors.

I'm not saying he is not a great entrepreneur, but just that none of his airlines have ever come close to the 7,000 pilot mark and he personally does not run any of them. as a matter of fact the virgin group has less invested on virgin america than on any other airline they help start. furthermore none of his airlines has been as profitable as any of the other non airlines ventures of the group.

Very well said. Puts Branson in perspective for what his true talents are...which is not running airlines.

Thanks GAE.

Hey, Virgin America Guys and Gals,...

Just curious on this one... At Spirit, the rumor of 2008 is that VA purchased us... Wht are you hearing?

I think the Independence Air guys believed that Virgin/Branson was going to buy them at some point also.

RCAC