Branson, who turned 72 in July, said he was still physically able to “pick up ladies” – traditionally along the wing of a Virgin jumbo jet – but that “times have moved on”. In Tampa, Florida, to promote the first direct service from Heathrow, the businessman jet-skied alone across the bay, admitting to onlookers that he would once have someone along for the ride. The outcry surrounding Branson’s appearance at Tampa International Airport on Thursday, on the steps of his arriving Virgin Atlantic plane wearing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football jersey, remained low-key compared to past sex-related displays. In 2005, in one of his most tabloid-friendly publicity stunts, Branson carried and flipped a choking Pamela Anderson onto the wing of a Virgin jumbo at New York’s JFK airport. Others who donned the regulation red stilettos and high heels to strike acrobatic poses with Branson at airports include British supermodel Kate Moss, who was carried aloft by the billionaire at Heathrow in 2009. Another famous ‘wing walk’ saw Branson , then 59, carrying burlesque star Dita Von Teese in a Virgin jumbo in Las Vegas in 2010. He said such exploits are now a thing of the past. “There is no doubt that in the early days of Virgin, society was very different. I doubt you’ll see me flipping girls or picking up ladies today, whereas 38 years ago, if I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t be in the paper.” Branson’s last believed public reversal of a female model, wearing a bikini and a Russian hat, was in 2012 to promote scheduled flights to Moscow. By 2014, he was already building his own form in Edinburgh at the launch of Virgin’s ill-fated domestic airline, Little Red. He said: “You just adapt with the times. And I might soon reach an age where I could make a record.” Brunson stressed he was still in good shape after just climbing Mt Kenya, adding: “I can still do the girls upside down. But times have moved on.” The airline has made a number of changes to its statement policy in recent years, including removing requirements for female cabin crew to wear make-up, allowing crew to have visible tattoos and in September announcing that people could wear any uniform Virgin desire, regardless of gender. . A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said at least two non-binary staff on its planes were now choosing to wear burgundy trousers instead of the traditional red skirt and jacket. According to the airline, applications for employment have soared following campaigns to promote an inclusive workplace. Subscribe to Business Today Get ready for the business day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The pinups of the Varga girls painted on planes when Branson founded the airline in 1984 have been gradually replaced by a variety of fully clothed figures since 2019 – including Billie Holliday on the new Airbus A330neo plane operating the Tampa route. Branson said he still thinks of the airline as a “daughter,” adding, “It’s growing into a wonderful, diverse, happy company. People can be how they feel comfortable, dress how they feel comfortable and can deliver with our customers much better.” Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said: “The world has moved on and so has Richard Branson. Would I turn people upside down? That’s not my style. But we all know that the world has changed. Get attention, sell tickets and make everyone laugh – and there are different ways to do that today.”
- Virgin Atlantic provided the Guardian’s trip to Tampa
