Workforce turbulence | Virgin Atlantic crew claim airline used COVID as excuse to fire older workers

Hundreds of long-serving Virgin Atlantic cabin crew are currently taking legal action against the airline, claiming that it used the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to unfairly dismiss older staff.

An employment tribunal in London is set to examine more than 200 cases next month, where former crew members will argue that Sir Richard Branson’s airline targeted experienced, higher-paid employees while retaining cheaper, less-experienced new hires.

The controversy stems from March 2020, when the onset of the pandemic led to global lockdowns and travel restrictions, grounding most of Virgin Atlantic’s fleet.

In response, the airline swiftly cut 3,000 jobs, eventually reducing its workforce by over 40%. Virgin Atlantic established a “holding pool” for staff made redundant, intending for these employees to be rehired as flights resumed.