The Royal Air Force Museum (RAF Museum) based in London, England has announced that it has entered into a new commercial partnership with UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic, naming the airline as the museum’s official airline partner.
The new partnership will see Virgin Atlantic transport RAF Museum representatives between the UK and the US, enabling them to attend events hosted by the RAF Museum’s American Foundation that support the RAF Museum’s fundraising opportunities in North America.
According to a statement issued by the RAF Museum announcing the deal, “The collaboration between the RAF Museum and Virgin Atlantic highlights a shared dedication to inspiring everyone with the RAF story while preserving and celebrating aviation history and strengthening transatlantic connections.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Virgin Atlantic as our first Official Airline Partner,” said Edward Sharman, Head of Development at the RAF Museum. The airline joins us in our mission to inspire everyone with the RAF story, the people who shape it, and its place in our lives.”
“Virgin Atlantic’s strong connections between the UK and the US will significantly enhance our engagement with supporters in the United States. As a registered charity, this additional support for the Museum will help ensure the continued care of our exhibitions and collections. With a shared passion and dedication to aviation, I am very excited about the benefits this partnership will bring as the Museum continues to grow and honor the legacy of the RAF,” he added.
The deal between the RAF Museum and Virgin Atlantic, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in June 2024, was finalized during a recent visit by Virgin Atlantic staff to the RAF Museum’s London site.
The Virgin Atlantic Corporate Team received an extensive tour from the Museum’s volunteers and made use of the Museum’s meeting facilities. As part of the new partnership, Virgin Atlantic employees will gain access to exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, public events, venue hire discounts, and corporate volunteering opportunities at the RAF Museum sites in Hendon, North London, and its second site at Cosford in the UK Midlands.
“The US is Virgin Atlantic’s heartland, so we’re delighted to support the RAF Museum as its Official Airline Partner, flying guests across the Atlantic in style,” said Thomas Maynard, Director of Global Corporate Sales at Virgin Atlantic.
“Our mission is to inspire everyone to take on the world and our partnership will further enable the RAF Museum to educate guests about the RAF’s incredible history and its role in the fascinating world of aviation,” he added.
The RAF Museum in London features six hangars full of aircraft, objects, and immersive experiences that represent 100 years of Royal Air Force operations in the UK and around the world. Visitors can also experience flight simulators and listen to stories of those who have served in the RAF and those who have lost their lives in service.
The RAF Museum’s attractions also include aviation artwork and offer special activities for children and families as well as special events and exhibitions, all commemorating the long history of the RAF over the decades.