Virgin Atlantic axes in-flight beauty services

Virgin Atlantic has confirmed to Cheapflights that the carrier is eliminating in-flight beauty services. Unite, the United Kingdom's largest trade union, calls the move to cut the service: “a sign of increased competition within the airline business.” Unite represents more than 4,300 Virgin Atlantic cabin crewmembers.

That doesn't mean the in-flight beauticians are being laid off says Brian Boyd, the union's national officer. “Virgin have agreed to Unite's demand that there should be no compulsory redundancies,” he says. “The staff will have the opportunity to accept re-deployment within the company if they choose.”

Upper-Class passengers will still have access to beauty benefits, it's just that they'll be groundbound from now on. Virgin tells Cheapflights: “beauty services are being increased by 70 percent” at the carrier's London Heathrow (LHR) Virgin Clubhouse, an on-airport enclave for Upper-Class flyers.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler