Virgin Holidays and Virgin Atlantic are taking Pride celebrations to new heights with the UK’s first Pride Flight took off on June 28, celebrating WorldPride 2019 and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
Passengers will be treated to six hours of Pride extravagance including a performance from Broadway musical icon and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Tituss Burgess, a troupe of drag queens leading games, interseat dating and a set from DJ Jodie Harsh who will keep revellers dancing all the way to the streets of Pride.
Organised at an international level to celebrate Pride for those countries where LGBTQ+ activity is still illegal or repressed, World Pride 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. To mark the occasion, Virgin will celebrate diversity within its business and beyond, with a one-of-a-kind party at 38,000 feet, crewed entirely by LGBTQ+ Virgin Atlantic staff, onboard flight VS69, which takes its name from the year of the riots.
Making a special journey for the momentus occasion is 80-year old Stonewall veteran, Tree Sequoia, who recalls the night of the Stonewall Uprising and how the world changed after the demonstrations
Mark Anderson, Global LGBTQ+ Lead for Virgin Group, added: “At Virgin, we take our commitment to diversity and inclusion seriously. We also know how to put on a seriously fun party. To mark this momentus anniversary in the history and future of LGBTQ+ rights, we wanted to do everything possible to give customers the Pride experience of a lifetime. The doors are set to automatic, and welcome drinks have been poured as the Pride Flight is finally set for take-off!”
Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, commented: “We have declared 2019 the Year of Pride, to not only celebrate World Pride and Stonewall 50 but to acknowledge the perpetual spirit of New York City’s vibrant LGBTQ community. Enjoy Pride Flight and we look forward to welcoming everyone to this momentous WorldPride being held for the first time in the US.’”
