June 23rd 2024.
Malcolm and Jacqui King-MacKinnon, two cabin crew members for Virgin Atlantic, were in for quite the surprise when Sir Richard Branson himself showed up to their vow renewal ceremony. This couple's love story began 40 years ago, high above the clouds while working on Virgin's first trans-Atlantic route. It's a truly epic meet-cute that has now become a part of the company's history.
At the time, Malcolm and Jacqui were both working for Sir Richard's new venture, Virgin Atlantic, which was intended to shake up the airline industry. Despite working for the same company, they were unaware of each other's existence. But fate had something else in store for them. It all started when Malcolm saw Jacqui in the car park at London Gatwick, wearing the iconic red Virgin Atlantic uniform as she pulled her suitcase out of her car.
Their paths crossed again on one of Virgin's inaugural flights from Manchester in the UK to North America. Malcolm offered to help Jacqui with her luggage and they walked to the crew check-in together. It was at that moment that Malcolm knew he was smitten. He even went as far as to adjust his work schedule so he could be on Jacqui's next Miami trip from London. From that point on, he committed to taking every flight with her.
Malcolm, who is originally from Troon in Scotland, recalls, "It was love at first flight." Both he and Jacqui knew there was a spark between them, but Malcolm took things slowly, being the gentleman that he is. Jacqui, who was born in Wirral, explains how their unconventional job as cabin crew made it challenging to pursue a relationship. But they made it work, finding ways to spend quality time together during layovers and experiencing new places.
Their relationship blossomed while they were able to fly together two or three times a month, but things changed when Jacqui began training to become a flight service manager. As there can only be one FSM operating a flight at a time, they were no longer able to fly together. However, they remained a tight-knit "Virgin family through and through," as Malcolm describes it.
One of Malcolm's most memorable moments was working on the London to Newark route, which was the company's only route from 1984 to 1986. They operated with just one aircraft, a Boeing 747 Classic 200 series. Through the years, the couple welcomed two daughters, Niamh and Freya, and their love story became intertwined with their job at Virgin Atlantic.
To celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, Malcolm and Jacqui decided to renew their vows at the iconic Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. Little did they know, Sir Richard Branson had a few tricks up his sleeve. He surprised them by taking over from the Elvis impersonator and officiating the ceremony himself. It was a perfect way to mark Virgin's 40-year anniversary, as Sir Richard had gotten the idea for the company while trying to get to the British Virgin Islands to see his girlfriend.
Virgin Atlantic has always been known for its unique and individualistic approach to flying. In 2022, they even allowed staff to wear gender-neutral uniforms if they choose. This inclusivity has been a part of the company's culture since its launch in 1984. Over the years, Virgin's uniforms have been designed by renowned fashion icons such as Arabella Pollen, Elizabeth Emanuel, John Rocha, and currently, Vivienne Westwood.
In honor of their 40th birthday, Virgin Atlantic curated a stunning display showcasing five generations of their cabin crew uniforms at their London Heathrow Clubhouse. This exhibit featured timeless designs by legendary fashion icons, and before unveiling it, the crew had some fun trying on the different uniforms. It's a true testament to the company's commitment to staying stylish and innovative in the sky.
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