The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, are to join the 25th birthday celebrations of Virgin Atlantic by performing a special flypast with the airline’s aptly named Boeing 747-400 ?Birthday Girl’, at the Biggin Hill International on Sunday 28 June, 1400hrs.

Led by Red 1, Wing Commander Jas Hawker, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows, the world-famous ?Diamond Nine’ will formate around the Virgin Atlantic aircraft as they join together over the English Channel.

The celebratory formation will then fly over Canvey Island to Biggin Hill - passing near Gravesend, Dartford, Croydon and Oxted on the way to thrilling an expected crowd of 100,000 spectators at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair, where the Red Arrows will release red, white and blue smoke to mark this unique occasion.

The occasion will bring to an end a week of celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the airline that was launched by Richard Branson in June 1984 at Gatwick Airport.

Red 1, Wing Commander Jas Hawker said:

"The team are very proud to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Virgin Atlantic at Biggin Hill to highlight the success of a world-renowned great British company."

"This is a welcome and valued honour for our 25th birthday and I am very proud that one of our fleet of Boeing 747’s will be performing a flypast at Biggin Hill with the world-famous Red Arrows team? says Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic.

Paul Charles, Director of Communications at Virgin Atlantic says:

"We are honoured and thrilled to take part in the flypast with the Red Arrows. Many of our pilots come from a Royal Air Force background and so it is a privilege for them to be involved in this way. We look forward to a fantastic flypast this Sunday."

For the latest news on the Red Arrows go to www.raf.mod.uk/reds.

For further information, please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747373 or log onto www.virginatlantic.com