Executive Traveler reported on Thursday that Virgin Airlines was saying goodbye to its in-flight bar. The airline’s iconic bar stemmed from its founder, Richard Branson’s, desire to bring back a level of class to air travel and make flying fun again.
The outlet reported that Virgin introduced the bar on its Airbus A340 and Boeing 747s. Flight attendants trained in bartending would serve passengers classic cocktails under purple lighting. The airline was adding bars to the Boeing 787-9s that joined the fleet in 2014 — even though it was a sized down version.
Yet it appears Virgin is now leaning into function over form, to focus on increased seating. The airline is adding a function to its A350s, offering a version of a conversation pit called The Booth, which offers “a luxurious spot just for two.”
The airline shares that it offers luxury wine tasting experiences, romantic dinners, and more. The last bars are supposed to be completely removed by 2028, according to The Independent.
“At Virgin Atlantic, people love a bar,” said Virgin’s Chief Executive Shai Weiss, according to The Drinks Business. “It’s a very emotional word here. I love the bar and a lot of people love a bar. But the world has moved on. You can’t stand still. We’ve made the decision, it’s a bold decision, to try to make more of that space.”
Admittedly, Branson waffled back and forth on removing the bars from the airline known for irreverence and cheeky fun. The Independent reported that in June 2024, Branson claimed it was a “dreadful mistake.” The airline founder said that he would be “bringing back the bar as soon as [we] possibly can.”
Though Branson did not answer why the airline was getting rid of its bar, he was all about accountability.
“If we make a mistake, let’s own up to it quickly and sort it,” he said in a statement to The Times. “That’s what we’ll do.”
Why Alcohol on Planes Can Lead to Problems
Though Virgin shares that its reasoning for removing the iconic bar appears to be based on practical reasons, other factors may be at play.
In April, The Seattle Times reported on the link between air rage and alcohol. The outlet reported that Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary claimed that overconsumption of booze leads to an increase in violent incidents in the air, and suggested a two-drink limit when travelers drink in the skies.
Data appears to back this up, and the outlet cited a study done by the University of Texas at Dallas, which claimed that passenger intoxication is a huge reason for the misconduct that occurs on planes.
“In a number of instances that we reviewed, people were already intoxicated as they were boarding the aircraft, and gate personnel are not necessarily on the lookout for intoxicated passengers,” said Dr. Sheryl Skaggs in a study published within the journal Deviant Behavior. “I think more personnel to monitor those situations where passengers are demonstrating signs of intoxication would help.”
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