Virgin Atlantic is reportedly in talks with potential partners in the United States about plans to set up a budget airline.
The Guardian reports that the proposed carrier already has the working title Virgin USA and could be in operation by the middle of next year. The newspaper states that Virgin will use some of the money raised by the forthcoming flotation of Virgin Blue, the Australia-based no-frills carrier.
Sir Richard Branson reportedly said that talks were ongoing with potential partners, and that he hoped that other investors would provide the bulk of the cash needed to set up a new airline.
Sir Richard was speaking before the launch of Virgin’s Upper Class suite, which the carrier is already claiming has lured several high-profile passengers away from British Airways.
