The aircraft Virgin Atlantic decided to operate to Doha was not subtle.
In less than a week, the world's greatest sporting event will take place in the Middle East. Some of the country's social policies and laws, not to mention a World Cup ambassador for the country recently referring to homosexuality as "damage in the mind," have caused a fair amount of controversy surrounding the World Cup.
England's World Cup soccer team was flown on a charter flight by Virgin Atlantic. The A350-1000 with the registration code G-VPRD operated this flight.
It took the plane 6 hours and 16 minutes to fly from BHX to DOHA. Tonight it will fly to Manchester, but tomorrow it will go to London because it can't make it in time for the curfew.
It isn't a coincidence that Virgin Atlantic chose the specific A350 for this flight. A person and a flag are depicted in Virgin Atlantic's flying icons. They are painted near the front of the plane. In order to be more inclusive, the airline decided to change its name to "Flying Ladies." There is a name and message for each flying icon.
There is a plane named "Rain Bow" that is operating the charter to the World Cup for the LGBTQ+ community. There is a close-up of the flying icon.
Virgin Atlantic is not saying publicly that the aircraft choice was intentional.
“At Virgin Atlantic we believe that everyone can take on the world. Aircraft G-VPRD, also known as Rain Bow, which proudly displays our LGBTQ+ flying icon, will be flying the team to the tournament.”
During the World Cup, the captain of England's soccer team is expected to wear a "OneLove" rainbow wristband.
During the World Cup, other airlines are sending social messages. The message on the livery of the A330 is "Diversity wins." Germany's soccer team was going to go to a training camp in the sultanate of oman.
The plane that the team will be travelling on is not the one pictured.
It is likely that England's soccer team flew on the same plane as Virgin Atlantic. The picture underneath the cockpit depicts this, so it was subtle.
Virgin Atlantic did a great job on this. Virgin Atlantic has always been a pretty progressive airline and recently removed gendered uniform requirements for employees.
Virgin Atlantic chose a plane for the World Cup.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
