In 1984, Branson assumed leadership at British Atlantic Airways. Within three months of the announcement, Virgin Atlantic Airways made its first transatlantic flight. The airline flourished in the 1980s and carried more than one million passengers.
Branson dedicated profits from the 1992 sale of Virgin Records to Virgin Atlantic Airways. Airline expansion continued with the launch of economy class services and the purchase of extra aircraft. In 1999, Branson sold a 49% share of the airline to Singapore Airlines in a deal valued at more than 1.2 billion British pounds.
Virgin Atlantic Airways continues to develop customer service with innovations such as the Virgin Clubhouse at London's Heathrow Airport and airplane "Upper Class Suites" that includes beds. The airline recently experimented with the use of bio-fuels and invested in the fuel-efficient Boeing 787. In 2009, Virgin Atlantic Airways carried more than 5 million passengers.
