Richard Branson mulls new US airline

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 02:  Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson bring Business Speed Dating to Wall Street on October 2, 2012 in New York City.  (Photo by Craig Barritt/WireImage)

Virgin America might be coming to an end, but its founder, Sir Richard Branson, could be planning a new one.

Per Travel+Leisure, Branson floated the possibility of launching a new airline brand in an interview on Bloomberg TV recently, just a year after deciding to sell Virgin America to Alaska Airlines.

Branson said his future ventures would depend on the outcome of a dispute with Alaska Airlines over how long it’ll pay royalties for the Virgin America brand, given its recent decision to absorb the brand into Alaska Airlines and ditch the Virgin name.

“Watch this space,” was Branson’s response to the question on if he’s launch a new US carrier.

The Virgin founder, voted best boss in the world, indicated that Alaska Airlines should continue paying royalties “unless we decide to start another airline.”

“So, we’ll see what happens,” Branson added.

The Virgin founder said he believes he should be paid royalties through 2040, according to Bloomberg and T+L. By then, a new US airline could definitely be underway, if his previous entrepreneurship is anything to go by.

In his 11 secrets to success shared at a conference Travel Weekly attended, Branson’s number one motto was, “Screw it, just do it”.

Branson had previously called Virgin America the “best consumer airline” in the US, penning an open letter to his airline on the legacy it was losing as Alaska Airlines decided to retire the brand.

“Even if the industry ‘experts’ did not, you and your guests always believed that an airline can stay in business by delivering a better flying experience,” he wrote.

Alaska bought Virgin America for $2.6 billion in December 2016, announcing in March it would be retired by 2019.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Alaska Airlines richard branson virgin america

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