Virgin Atlantic Announces Chairman Transition
Josh Bayliss, Virgin Group CEO, appointed Chair of Virgin Atlantic from 1 June 2026
London, 14 May 2026 – The Virgin Atlantic board announced today that Peter Norris will step down as Chair on 31 May 2026, after 14 years in the role. He will be succeeded at Virgin Atlantic by Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group.
Peter has served as Chair of Virgin Atlantic since 2012, guiding Virgin Atlantic through one of its most important defining periods. He has worked with successive management teams to shape the airline’s strategy, strengthening its partnerships and championing its distinctive brand, service and people.
During his tenure, Peter played a pivotal role in forging strategic partnerships, including the establishment of the leading transatlantic Joint Venture with shareholder Delta Air Lines and with Air France-KLM; entry into the SkyTeam alliance, and development of the partnership with Virgin Red, the Virgin rewards club and loyalty partner. He led the board through the unprecedented impact of the pandemic, overseeing restructuring and recapitalisation, ensuring the airline emerged focused, resilient and ready for the future.
Corneel Koster, CEO, Virgin Atlantic said: “Peter has been an insightful and forward-thinking Chair for many important years in Virgin Atlantic’s story. Both in times of growth and faced with extraordinary challenge, his leadership provided clarity, calm conviction and deep commitment to our people, our brand and our business. We are hugely grateful for his enduring contribution, establishing the strategic foundations on which we will continue to build and challenge the status quo. I’m looking forward to working closely with Josh as the new Chair and to building the next chapter of Virgin Atlantic together.”
Peter Norris said: “It has been my great privilege to work alongside this team. Virgin Atlantic has survived and prospered despite extraordinary challenges. We have introduced innovations which have greatly benefitted customers and we remain committed to the core values established at our inception. We will serve our customers better, and we will make it rewarding and fun for them, and for all our colleagues and partners.
“I leave with the conviction I started with: our greatest strength is our people - their dedication to our customers and one another, and their unrivalled spirit. I am proud of all we have achieved together. Josh is an exceptional leader and I know he will continue to foster our culture and values. A bright future lies ahead.”
Josh will take up the role in June, bringing extensive leadership experience from Virgin Group, where he has been CEO since 2011, leading on Group strategy, with a focus on the Virgin brand and diversifying the Group’s investment portfolio.
“Peter has been a remarkable leader who has left an indelible mark on the history of the airline. Virgin Atlantic enters its next chapter with real momentum, powered by an excellent team and an exceptional brand. I’m looking forward to working with the Board, Corneel and the leadership team, as well as the wonderful people at Virgin Atlantic who deliver the exceptional premium experiences our customers rightly expect from us,” said Josh Bayliss.
Peter will continue in his roles as Chair of Virgin Group and Virgin Hotels.
ENDS
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the ninth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 9,250 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations throughout the year.
Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.
For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.