Virgin Atlantic eyes new longhaul jets

Virgin Atlantic is considering buying 10 longhaul aircraft worth about US$3 billion ($4.07 billion) to enter service around 2012.

"Virgin Atlantic is in talks with Boeing and Airbus about ordering next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft to operate Virgin Atlantic services from [London] Gatwick airport," the company said on Thursday.

Virgin said it would make its choice by next May and the planes would replace eight of Virgin's older 747-400s at Gatwick, serving high-capacity leisure destinations in the US and Caribbean.

- NZPA