Virgin Atlantic Airways announced today that all of its flights between Manchester and Orlando will now offer the award winning Upper Class Suite for its Upper Class passengers. The aircraft also has an increased number of Premium Economy seats. The aircraft will operate the Manchester - Orlando route, which has recently increased to a daily service.

The Upper Class Suite consists of a reclining leather seat for take off, a place to sit and eat a meal opposite your partner, the longest fully flat bed in the world with a proper mattress for sleeping on, a private onboard bar to drink at with your friends and four limousines per return trip-all at a price thousands of pounds less than other airline�s First Class.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented:

�We are very proud that our award-winning Upper Class Suite is now going to be enjoyed by our passengers that travel between Manchester and Orlando and also our passengers on our upcoming Manchester - Barbados route which launches later this year.

�The Upper Class Suite has been a winner with our passengers and has received rave reviews and prestigious awards for its innovation and style.

�Since starting our operations in Manchester almost 9 years ago Virgin Atlantic has carried over 2.7m passengers. In the future we are looking at expanding our operations to include more destinations in the Caribbean or even to other popular routes in America like Las Vegas - routes which have proved hugely popular with our leisure passengers at Gatwick.�

Justin Bell, Station Manager for Virgin Atlantic at Manchester Airport said, �It has always been part of Virgin Atlantics ongoing commitment to Manchester to increase our operation, we have seen it grow from a summer season only operation to a 7 day a week , year round service. Also our airport and cabin crew staff have increased from 60 to almost triple this number. We are delighted to have a new aircraft and to be able to offer our passengers the award winning Upper Class Suite.�

Amanda Wills, Managing Director for Virgin Holidays commented, �This is fantastic news for Virgin Holidays customers. Orlando is our number one holiday destination and our customer numbers in the North have grown hugely since the launch of this service 9 years ago. The new Upper Class suite is an amazing product and will make the perfect start to any of our holidaymakers.�

The aircraft flying from Manchester will be configured with 14 Upper Class seats, 58 Premium Economy seats and 379 seats in Economy. Virgin Atlantic completed fitting the Upper class Suite to its London Heathrow and Gatwick based 747-400, A 340-600 fleet in February 2005.

Since being launched in November 2003, the Upper Class suite has won some of the industry�s most prestigious design awards, which are as follows:

IF DESIGN AWARDS IF Product Design Award

WALLPAPER AWARDS Most Life Enhancing Item

D&AD AWARDS Yellow Pencil (Silver Award) Product Design

IDEA AWARDS IDEA Gold Award � Transport Design

FX AWARDS Best Leisure Furniture Award

DESIGN WEEK AWARDS Best Industrial Product Design

ID ANNUAL REVIEW AWARDS Best in Category � Furniture

RED DOT AWARDS Best of the Best of High Quality Design

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For further information please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747373 or log onto www.virgin.com/suite