24 OF 25 NEW YORK, NEW YORK

On June 22nd 1984 Virgin Atlantic's maiden flight took off from London heading for New York, starting a relationship with the city that has lasted for 25 years. Two years later at dawn on June 26th 1986 Sir Richard Branson left New York onboard Virgin Atlantic Challenger II as he rewrote the record books for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic in a boat. The following year he crossed the Atlantic again, this time in the Virgin Atlantic Flyer, the largest hot-air balloon the world had seen.

Fortunately a Virgin Atlantic flight to New York is quicker and far more comfortable than the balloon. 7 hours and 40 minutes sometimes feels like too short a time onboard particularly if you’re flying Upper Class. Today Virgin Atlantic flies between London Heathrow and Newark twice a day and Heathrow to and from JFK 3 times a day.

After 25 years of flying passengers to the Big Apple where else would we want to celebrate our big 25th birthday? If you’re out and about near New York on Monday 22nd June 2009 look out for the Virgin Atlantic birthday flight as it comes into land.

Each week we'll be telling you about a magic Virgin Atlantic moment from our 25 years in the skies. If you have a story to tell about how Virgin Atlantic has changed your life for the better and you don't mind us sharing it with everyone else on this website, let us know.