Chapter 4
Virgin Takes to the Skies

Richard was driven to put the Virgin name on even more companies. He believed having many different businesses made sense. When one company was going through a bad time, another would most likely be doing well. In this way, Virgin would never lose a lot of money at once. But being interested in new things was also a part of Richard’s personality. He liked to explore new ideas and take on new challenges. The thought of doing the same thing over and over bored him.

With their increasing wealth, Richard and Joan bought a cottage close to the Manor recording studio. They also bought a new home in London, and in 1984, they completed their dream home on Necker Island in the Caribbean. Richard cherished the island as a place where friends and family could come to relax.

That same year, Richard took on his biggest challenge ever. In February 1984, an American lawyer named Randolph Fields tempted Richard with a new idea. Fields wanted him to help pay for a new airline that would fly between London and the United States. Richard wasn’t really sure about Fields’s idea. Airlines need large amounts of money to buy planes and fuel. And Great Britain already had British Airways, a large company that offered many flights around the world. But as Richard later wrote, “The idea of operating a Virgin airline grabbed my attention.”

Within a few days, Richard decided to take the risk. He thought he could make money by repeating what he had done with his record business. He would offer customers low prices and give better service. Richard called Simon Draper to discuss the idea.

“You’re crazy,” his cousin said.

“I’m serious,” Richard replied.

Richard had already done some research. He could rent a plane from the airplane-maker Boeing for one year. If the new airline wasn’t profitable, Virgin could simply close the business after the first year. He argued with Simon and others in the company that Virgin could afford to give the airline business a try. More money was flowing in thanks to the international success of new artists, like Phil Collins and Culture Club, on the Virgin Records label. Besides, he told his colleagues, “It’ll be fun.”

Despite the questions Simon and the others raised, Richard charged ahead.

Just a few months later, in June 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways was ready for its first flight. Richard greeted passengers wearing a pilot’s uniform. Joan, his daughter Holly, and some friends were on board, along with reporters and entertainers. Richard turned the flight into a party, playing music over the loudspeakers and offering everyone drinks and chocolate ice cream.

Although the first flight went smoothly, Richard still knew that running an airline would not be easy. But he was determined to make Virgin Atlantic just as successful as his record company.