Virgin Atlantic Airways is a British airline that was established in 1984. The company’s co-founders, Randolph Fields and Alan Hellary, originally planned for it to fly between London and the Falkland Islands. However, shortly after changing the company’s name to Virgin Atlantic Airways, Fields sold his shares in the company due to disagreements with Virgin Group’s founder, Richard Branson, over how the company should be managed. The airline’s maiden flight from Gatwick Airport to Newark International Airport took place on 22 June 1984.

The airline is controlled by a holding company called Virgin Atlantic Limited, which is 51% owned by the Virgin Group and 49% by Delta Air Lines. The airline has two separate operating licenses from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which allow it to carry passengers, cargo, and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.