NewsagentAutumn 2010

Top award for vtravelledDescribed as ‘the greatest prize in new media’, vtravelled is celebrating winning ‘Best in Travel 2010’ at the New Media Age Effectiveness Awards. Vtravelled is designed to engage and inspire travellers, and showcases destinations through personal insights, stunning photography and quality editorial. Find out what all the excitement is about at vtravelled.com

App-solutely brilliant!With our two new iPhone and iPod Touch Apps, your customer’s journey is about to get even more pleasurable. The Jet Lag Fighter App helps the body to adjust to a new time zone and is available for just £1.19 (or $1.99). The Virgin Atlantic Flight Tracker allows you to check the latest arrival and departure times, check Flying Club tier points and link to iPhone friendly pages on the V-Flyer website. Oh – and it’s app-solutely free! Download both Apps from the Apple Store.

DisneyIt doesn’t matter what age you are, Disney brings out the kid in all of us. That’s why we’re super excited to have teamed up with The Disney Channels to bring our younger passengers a selection of Disney’s best programming onboard. There’s a mix of The Disney Channel, Disney XD and Playhouse Disney. So whether it’s the classic magic of Mickey Mouse, fun and frolics with Phineas and Ferb or action and adventure with Aaron Stone, there’s something for everyone.

Cuban medical coverSince 1 May, Cuban authorities have been asking passengers to present a copy of their medical insurance policy when they arrive at immigration. All non-Cuban nationals need to make sure their medical insurance policy is fully comprehensive – this is due to the escalated costs of medical treatment in Cuba. If a policy is not comprehensive, passengers will be asked to purchase additional cover on arrival.

Delhi turns 10!We’re delighted to be celebrating 10 years of flights to Delhi. Check out page 5 for our full destination guide to this extraordinary city, which is soon to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games!

Excess baggage onlinePlease let your passengers know that online charges for excess baggage have changed. When paying online, the cost is now £32 ($48) for the first bag and £72 ($112) for subsequent bags, regardless of date of booking.

This applies to all bags up to a maximum weight of 23 kilos (32 kilos for Upper Class passengers). Any baggage weighing over 23 kilos (32 kilos for Upper Class passengers) will incur an additional charge to be paid for at the departing airport. All fees will be converted into the local currency at check in.

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While the rest of the world seems to be accelerating out of recession with passengers numbers recovering strongly, global leisure destinations such as the Caribbean are lagging behind with passenger numbers still down on last year. We are confident that recovery is on the way which is why we’re delighted to be adding additional flights into Grenada, Tobago, Cuba and Barbados next year!

We have been focussed on trying to make it easier and more rewarding for you to sell Virgin Atlantic and have taken a number of initiative such as revamping our thru fares beyond London (not only on VS to VS connections but using partner airlines out of LGW!), we have a great Upper Class golf offer out of Barbados and we now have a dedicated member of staff managing our Agents Rewards program to ensure that all your points are up to date! Christmas is just round the corner and so now is a great time to be earning Agents Rewards points to buy Christmas gifts by encouraging travellers to book Virgin to London and beyond!

We know you are all working really hard on our behalf and I’d like to thank you all for your on-going support. Happy Selling!

Nick ParkerRegional Manager - Caribbean

a note from Paul WaitTough times for Caribbean...

02 Hot news

03 Engineering excellence

05 Destination: Delhi

09 Crew view

10 Fantastic thru fares

1 1 Passengers get free golf offer

12 New Group Info

13 Congrats to our 12th Anniversary Winners

Contents

A note from Nick Parker

Engineering a better future

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It may not be the sexiest job in the world, but Virgin Atlantic engineers are celebrating 21 years of success. Newsagent took a peek inside the engineering department to find out how it all ticks…

In 1989, Virgin Atlantic had been in the air for just five short years and a small group of dedicated engineers looked after a fleet of just three 747-Classics. Since then the department has moved to become a world-class engineering organisation in its own right, looking after a fleet of 38 aircraft and boasting an 800 strong team of dedicated individuals.

Life in engineering hasn’t always been easy. Adapting to ever-more regulation, dealing with global disasters and responding to market changes have proved very challenging, but the team have always acted quickly to ensure the airline stays at the forefront of the aviation industry.

To celebrate 21 fantastic years, the engineering department recently held an exhibition at The Base, our state of the art training facility near London Gatwick. Everyone who visited was amazed by the department’s passion and achievements and as one visitor exclaimed, “I never knew tyres could be so fascinating!”

Congratulations to everyone in engineering and we think you’ll agree that your customer’s are in the best engineering hands available!

Virgin Atlantic’s Engineering Division is born! They take responsibility for three Classics and push-back for the first time in May.

Second engineering base opens at Heathrow. Training school opens and delivers first technical trainings.

Engineering apprenticeships begin.

Undergraduate engineering scheme starts, giving students the opportunity of one-year placements.

The long-awaited hangar at Heathrow is unveiled. Launch customer for the A340-600.

Gatwick hangar opens.

In recognition of the successful undergraduate scheme, Engineering wins ‘Best Work Experience Providers Over 250 employees – long term placements (4-12 months).

Order is placed for 10 twin-jet A330-300s. A new and exciting era!

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21 years and what a lot we’ve achieved! Here are some of our best bits...

Steve Ridgway, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Executive Officer sent a letter to the engineering team congratulating them on their 21st birthday. In it he said,

“Your hard work and dedication have without doubt helped Virgin to be successful. I know you’ll continue to do your bit as you carry on striving to be the best in the world and continue to find ways to offer us even more services”.

‘Do one thing’Welcome back to our ‘Do one thing’ feature, where we choose one highlight of one destination to help you and your customers on their journey to a successful business or leisure trip. This year, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary of flights to Delhi and our top pick from the Indian capital is . . .

Old Delhi bazaars

Delhi is like a giant open air museum, where the old Islamic world meets new Imperialism in an incredible melting pot of rich, poor, ancient monuments, frothy cappucino’s and some of the world’s most hair-raising streets.

The good news is that it’s possible to dip into both worlds in a short space of time, but one Delhi adventure not to miss are the bustling bazaars of Old Delhi.

Encourage your customers to amble down the streets branching off Chandni Chowk, which run south of the mosque, where they’ll find lively and exhilarating markets of all kinds, each concentrating on one particular trade.

Chor Bazaar is tucked behind the Red Fort, and comes to life on Sundays to trade a mix of secondhand goods. In the Kinari Bazaar, the shops overflow with bright wedding finery, and in October (the month of Ram Lila) these shops stock props for the annual theatre productions - bows and arrows, cardboard swords and fake heads for the evil nine-headed King Ravana.

The Spice market on Khari Baoli, near Fatehpuri Masjid, is clouded with the fine dust of flour and spices, and the whole area is heavy with rich, heady aromas. Here you’ll find the best nuts, spices and dried fruits in Delhi. For something distinctively Islamic, check out the intoxicating Meena Bazaar, where you can buy everything from burquas, dupattas, topis, caged chickens, bangles, kebabs, sticky sweetmeats and devotional pictures for shrines!

The Chawri Bazaar is also well worth a look and is named after the Marathi word chawri (meeting place). Once famous for its dancing girls, the bazaar today specialises in copper and brass Buddhas, Vishnus, Krishnas, bells, lamps, ashtrays, masks and boxes.

Happy shopping!

Did you know? India is the largest democracy in the world,

the 6th largest country in the world

and one of the most ancient and living civilizations (at least 10,000 years old).

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Discover the delights of Delhi

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Did you know?

This October,

Delhi will be hosting theXIX Commonwealth Games

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Eat DelhiDelhi is one of the most important culinary capitals of the world. Whether your customers prefer a swanky hotel or a roadside kebab, the city offers a unique blend of world cuisines, all served up with signature flair and enthusiasm.

For lunch, it’s hard to go past the Kahn market, and we suggest a kebab at ChaCha’s, a small store on the inside alley of the U-Shaped market. For Mughlai food, head straight to Karim’s, which is a legendary eatery dating back to 1913. Primarily a place for meat lovers, don’t miss the restaurant’s mutton burra kebabs, the butter-cooked chicken (makhani murgh) or the badshahi badam pasanda, which is mutton cooked with blended almonds, yogurt and fragrant spices.

If meat is not your thing, then head to Connaught Place and find a seat at the English Dairy – originally a milk shop, there’s actually nothing terribly English about this popular and inexpensive eatery – while the ambience is nothing to write home about, it’s one of a handful of purely vegetarian restaurants and it won’t break the bank.

A restaurant that has often found a place among the best rated in the world is Bukhara. Located in the ITC Hotel Maurya Sheraton & Towers, Bukhara offers sophisticated yet ethnic Indian fare amidst rustic interiors. Famed for its succulent kebabs and rich creamy black lentil Dal Bukhara, it’s a great place for a special occasion and you can even watch your meal being prepared through the open display kitchen.

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January: Lohori Festival – celebrating the end of winter

February: Kite flying festival – participants from all over India

March: Maha Shivratri Hindu festival - rituals, prayers and fasting

July: Mango festival – enjoy over 1,000 varieties

October: XIX Commonwealth Games

November: Diwali – the Festival of Light

December: Delhi Horse Show – outside the walls of the Red Fort

Travel DelhiIf you’re heading to Delhi for the first time, there’s something you should know. It’s definitely not a city for pedestrians, so think instead about an auto-rickshaw, taxi, bus or the new metro system. Taxis are great for some of Delhi’s more far-flung destinations, but do negotiate a rate before you head off or you could be in for a very rude shock.

If you’re in a hurry, auto-rickshaws (or three-wheeled scooters as they are sometimes known) are definitely the way to go. They’re great for shorter trips, can seat three people and you can hail one on the street – though again, haggle for a good rate and hold onto your hats as they don’t have doors!

The bus system tends to be extremely crowded and if you can, avoid it during rush hour and board either at the end or the beginning of a route – no really – Delhi buses make London ones look positively deserted! If you have a choice, go for a DTC bus. They stop less frequently and are generally less crowded. Three lines of the new Delhi Metro are now open and provide a cheap, quick, hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city. The system pretty much works like any other major city’s train network and is easy to navigate your way around.

Delhi: Sell itVirgin Atlantic flies daily to Delhi from London Heathrow. Flight VS300 departs Heathrow at 2200 arriving at 1145 the following day.

Why not make your customer’s journey to Delhi even more enjoyable by recommending an exit row or extra legroom seat?

When flying from London Heathrow, your Upper Class passengers can take advantage of our Private Security Channel, where they’ll whizz through security and be relaxing at the Clubhouse in no time!

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Delhi diary

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Crew view

Every month in Newsagent, we’ll be asking a member of Virgin Atlantic crew to give us their top tips on a particular destination. This month, Siobhan Farrelly gives us the lowdown on Delhi.

Tell us something we don’t know about Delhi

If you have a favourite item of clothing, take it with you and have it re-made! Tailors will usually come and meet you at your hotel, collect your garments and deliver them back before you leave. As crew, our layover is usually 24 hours and tailors have returned items to us within that time and can be really cheap. I’ve known other crew to have curtains and settee cushions made, so bring some measurements with you!

Where’s hot and where’s not?

Delhi has a large variety of restaurants and cuisine from all over the world. If you’re looking for local food, a firm crew favourite is the Punjabi by Nature restaurant. If Indian food is not your thing, The Yum Yum Tree is a popular Chinese and Sushi restaurant and serves fantastic cocktails.Wherever you eat, be careful of the water and salads to avoid the dreaded Delhi belly! If you visit Delhi (particularly during the summer months), definitely visit one of the city’s brilliant museums. If you’re keen on modern art, the National Gallery of Modern Art is a must and it will give you some much-needed relief from the city heat!Some areas of Delhi can be unsafe, so try to avoid travelling on your own.

What’s the weirdest experience you’ve ever had in Delhi?

On a recent trip to Delhi, after a long and busy night flight I treated myself to a full body massage, which was reasonably priced. I was a bit surprised during my massage when I was asked to turn over and the masseur went to massage my chest area! I advise any women having a massage to wear a bikini top, as its normal practice in India to massage the chest!

Give us your top Delhi travel tip

The easiest way to get around the city is by taxi or auto rickshaw (also known as the tut- tut). A tut-tut is a small yellow motorised vehicle that weaves in and out of the heavy traffic, so if you choose to travel in one hold on tight as you’ll be in for a bumpy ride! To avoid being overcharged, negotiate your fare at the beginning of your journey.

What essential items do travellers need in Delhi?

Temperatures of 45 degrees are considered normal during the summer months, so wear a hat, slap on a high factor sunscreen and never leave your hotel without a bottle of water!

If you were a travel agent, which one attraction would you recommend to customers?

There’s a lot to do and see in Delhi, but the one place you must go and visit while you’re there is the Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders The World, the Taj Mahal is breathtakingly beautiful so make sure you bring your camera and enjoy the tiny details that you can only appreciate in person. It can take up to 4 hours to get from Delhi to Agra, so consider leaving first thing in the morning and allow at least the whole day to explore the monument and surrounding attractions. I’ve been told that the Taj Mahal is particularly beautiful at night, so consider visiting the monument at sunset.

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Europe

We’re always looking for ways to evolve and Virgin Atlantic have been in the German market for some years. Heidi Gaber is our European Sales Manager for Germany and is a seasoned travel sales and marketing professional who maintains excellent relationships with the German trade. We also have a new European Sales Manager for Austria and Switzerland. Julia Mandl is working to improve our brand awareness in the region and source new business opportunities so your customers can enjoy even more choice and better service.

We’re delighted to announce a new code share with our partner British Midland on flights from Berlin and Vienna.The new codeshare connection offers passengers in both cities a new alternative to fly with British Midland and connect to the Virgin Atlantic route network, via London Heathrow. That’s a whole world of destinations like New York,San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dubai, Sydney, Hong Kong and many many others.

Fabio Maran is Head of Virgin Atlantic Sales in Europe. He’s very excited about the new codeshare, “In the past, Virgin Atlantic has offered business and leisure travellers a distinctive alternative. We’re pleased to deepen existing relationships in the German speaking market and at the same time increase brand awareness of Virgin Atlantic.”

Virgin Atlantic works closely with codeshare partners to ensure passengers have short connection times and that luggage is checked through to their final destination (subject to customs regulations).

You can book Berlin and Vienna (as well as Hannover) codeshare flights via the usual GDS systems.

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Connecting Berlin and Vienna to the world!

Wow – imagine if your customers in Berlin and Vienna could easily hop on a flight and grab a connecting one to any of Virgin Atlantic’s amazing 33 destinations? Well now they can!

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Give your passengers a real gift...valued at US$250We are offering all return BGI/LGW/BGI Upper class tickets (J, D, R and Z - except if using Z with miles plus money reward) a free round of golf at the fabulous Royal Westmoreland golf club. From 5th October every time your sell a return upper class from Barbados to Gatwick your passenger can simply call Royal Westmoreland on 419-7246 and speak to Simone Durant or email her at Durant@royal-westmoreland.com to book their t-times. They then simply turn up at Royal Westmoreland with a copy of their ticket and ID to link their name to the ticket. This offer is valid on tickets sold from 5th October to 31st December 2010 and golf can be redeemed up to end of March 2011.

So if you have a passenger wanting to go to London upper class – then be sure to offer them Virgin Atlantic and tell them about the golf offer.

Virgin Atlantic Thru Fares:AccraCape TownDehliDubaiHong KongJohannesburg

LagosNairobiShanghaiSydneyTokyo

Virgin Atlantic and Other AirlineThru Fares:Dublin, Shannon and Cork with Aer Lingus (EL).Dubai with United Arab Emirates (EK).Beirut with United Arab Emirates (EK).Damascus with United Arab Emirates (EK).

Connecting to the world

We have just revamped all our thru fares to destinations beyond London, so be sure to check out our fares before going back to your passengers:

Passengersget free golfoffer

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Artist impression of the livery design for the A330

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Agents who sold the most tickets in each island and win an all inclusive weekend for their family in a Virgin Holidays all inclusive local resort are:

Barbados….Lisa Venezia - St James TravelBarbados .…Kimmelle Inniss – Destinations Travel

St Lucia….Neldra Thomas – Carib Travel (Castries)St Lucia….Mary-Ann Mathurin – Carib Travel (Vieux Fort)Antigua….Stella DaSilva – Carib World TravelAntigua….Jemima Leonard – Carib World Travel Grenada…Alice-Ann Adolphus- Going PlacesGrenada….Nicol Edwards – Maps Travel

And in Jamaica...6 agents who are going on a FAM trip to England in October are:

Carol Beadle - Travel Connections Lisa Henry - Trafalgar/Compact Elizabeth Lopez - Total Travel Paula McGregor - Trafalgar Travel Joanne Wai Hang - Trafalgar Travel Patricia Broomfield - Global Travel

and the runner up if none of these can attend is:

Simone Chin - Total Travel

And your passengers who have won the 12 golden tickets are:

Mr. Jordan Brown – International Travel – Antigua – Locator AYY05ZMr. Andre Hill – Wadadli Travel – Antigua – Locator BDEQYQMr. Lionel Burton – Barbados – Travel House – Locator GRKV7HMs Tracey Lamb – Barbados – St James Travel – Locator ET5T4GMr. Antoine Joseph – Carib Travel – St Lucia- Locator CFVY3TMs Shelia Hyacinthe – Solar Travel – St Lucia - Locator EVPHGMMr. Eugeneleny Gabriel – Going Places – St Lucia – Locator FYPZTEMs. Alberta Henderson – Whitchurch Travel – Dominica – Locator GR6K94Ms. Doris Flash – Trafalagar Travel – MBJ, Jamaica – Locator CFT055

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New GroupInformation

12th AnniversaryWinners

The new procedure for bookings groups is as follows:

Contact our office with your group request. Email is best 1. using caribgroups@fly.virgin.com.Jacqui Maloney who is our Group Coordinator will process the 2. group using our automated system.Once the fare quote has been obtained, a Group Letter, Group 3. Booking Confirmation, Group Commitment Authorisation and a Group Sales Contract will be sent for your signature.Deposit will be required as per your contract.4. Commitment to names or final payment will allow you to 5. issue the tickets.

For more details please contact us using the email address above or telephone 1 246 228 4886 or 1 800 744 7477

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With immediate effect we will now allow agents to request and take full responsibility for their own groups. We are also offering some great incentives for your groups:

10% of the passengers of each group will be allowed 1 extra piece of baggage e.g. a group of 100 means 10 passengers will be allowed an extra piece in economy.

Space available upgrades will be put in for one cabin higher for the Group Leader and one companion on groups over 30.

If your group is over 40 in size and requires ‘fundraising’, please contact Beverley.layne@fly.virgin.com who may be able to offer some assistance.

Double Agent Rewards points – for every group you bring to us we will double the number of agent points you would normally earn for the group.

JOB NAME: 002901_BED_245x245.qxd CLIENT: VA SIZE: 245 x 245 mmDATE: 09.09.10 PAGE: 1 CREATOR: Willis PROOF: 01FINALCREATIVE TEAM: TBA TALENT: Willis SENT: 09.09.10 PDFLOCATION: Pictures AGENCY NO.:

PUBLICATION(S): Newsagent Live

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Je ne sais quoi. Defined.

The intangible. That certain something.

The elusive ‘it’. We’ve got a good idea

what it is. It’s being chauffeur driven from

door to door with our complimentary limo

service. It’s an award-winning Clubhouse

at Heathrow. It’s an undisturbed night’s

sleep in a business class seat that turns

into one of the longest fully flat beds

in the sky. It’s all this, but at a business

class fare. To discover a lot more visit

virginatlantic.com/experience

Your airline’s either got it or it hasn’t.

Limo not available on all Upper Class fares, restrictions apply - see website for details. Excludes Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.