Britain has two flag carriers when it comes to its aviation market. British Airways, an ex-nationalised carrier that can trace its routes back to 1919, and Virgin Atlantic, an airline established in the 1980s by disgruntled millionaire Richard Branson who had become fed up with the state of the airline industry. 

Despite its much smaller size Virgin has competed closely with BA throughout its existence, mainly across the Atlantic. Using provocative advertising techniques and unique taglines, Virgin entered the market with a bang and offered passengers a completely different experience. British Airways on the other hand had just completed the process of privatisation and was one of the biggest and most successful airlines in the world and didn't worry too much about the elusive threat of Virgin Atlantic.

The competition was civil, until the abolition of the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules, which gave Virgin access to the prestigious London Heathrow. This put them in direct competition with British Airways. Angry, chairman Lord King commissioned a slander campaign against Virgin Atlantic. All this and more coming up this week, on Aircraft Grade.

00:00 - Introduction 

00:33 - Background 

01:58 - Origins of British Airways  

09:37 - Origins of Virgin Atlantic 

14:33 - Close Competition 

16:36 - Dirty Tricks 

23:10 - Modern Day 

34:20 - Final Words 

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