The latest in-flight entertainment from Virgin Airlines: Improv comedy
More novel ideas from the airline that serves ice cubes in the shape of Richard Branson's face
Virgin Atlantic's creative team has said "yes" to some novel ideas over the years.
Last spring, the airline started using "Little Richard" ice cubes in cocktails on upper-class flights — that is, ice cubes made in the mold of Richard Branson's face. "While Richard would love to be able to sit and enjoy a drink with passengers, his schedule means that it simply isn't possible," Virgin's chief executive, Steve Ridgway, said at the time.
Now the company is bringing its off-beat amenities to Virgin Atlantic Little Red, the domestic carrier for the U.K. that was launched in March. The airline announced this week that certain flights from London to Edinburgh and Manchester will feature "in-flight gigs," meaning live music and improv comedy acts performed in the aisles.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Correction: Surprise live music and improv comedy acts. The airline will not divulge ahead of time which flights will feature shows, says Fast Company. The only scheduling information available is that comedy will be in August, music in September, and that the performers will be culled from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest arts festival.
CNN's Frances Cha isn't jumping to buy tickets. "We don't want to appear too cynical — anything that might make the chore of air travel better is worth trying — but in-aisle comedians?"
"For those of us who like to switch off, tune out and watch a movie or read a book on board, this could prove one laugh too far," says Cha.
Fast Company agrees: "We're guessing that business travelers, improv comedy, and a confined environment will be a volatile mixture, but that's just us."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Carmel Lobello is the business editor at TheWeek.com. Previously, she was an editor at DeathandTaxesMag.com.
-
Why more and more adults are reaching for soft toys
Under The Radar Does the popularity of the Squishmallow show Gen Z are 'scared to grow up'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published