Virgin Atlantic Cargo has been carrying record volumes using new Airbus A350-1000s on key trans-Atlantic routes.
The airline has taken delivery of three A350-1000s as part of a $4.4 billion order for 12 aircraft.
A fourth A350-1000 will join the fleet in December followed by phased deliveries throughout 2020 and 2021.
On London Heathrow – New York JFK routes, the A350 has increased average cargo capacity to 27 tonnes but broke this figure with 36.7 tonnes then 41.1 tonnes a few days later.
Dominic Kennedy, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo says when the A350-1000s were order, the cargo division knew it had great potential for passengers and cargo.
He says: “It is already more than living up to this expectation and is going to be a fantastic asset for us and our customers on our busiest trans-Atlantic route, especially when we see higher cargo volumes and more demand returning to the market, as well as on other prime cargo routes in our network from summer 2020.”
Virgin Atlantic will be rolling out A350-1000s on routes throughout 2020, including seven of 17 Los Angeles flights, daily services to Johannesburg, and flights to San Francisco and Lagos, Nigeria.
The airline’s fleet transformation programme will see all aircraft replaces over a 10-year period, with 14 Airbus A330-900s being ordered in June, with the option for another six.
