Stephen Goulding joins Virgin Atlantic as country manager, Canada

Stephen Goulding has joined Virgin Atlantic as country manager for Canada, effective Jan. 6, 2025.

Goulding will support the airline’s strategic growth in Canada, most immediately with the launch of its daily service between Toronto and London Heathrow and in connecting markets across the world.

He has “driven growth and revenue in the travel, tourism, facilities, and technology sectors for more than 25 years and will continue to do so at Virgin Atlantic,” the airline wrote in a press release Tuesday (Jan. 7).

He has also held various leadership roles at the WestJet Group, where he achieved record revenue growth, enhanced loyalty program adoption, led market expansion across North America, and worked closely with Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic’s joint venture partner.

READ MORE: “Something different”: Virgin Atlantic reveals its plans for Canada

“I am thrilled to join the North American team at Virgin Atlantic and expand the airline’s footprint in Canada,” said Goulding in a statement. “Alongside our joint venture partners at Delta and the team at WestJet, we look forward to successful growth and customer acquisition in the Canadian marketplace driving excitement for travel with Virgin Atlantic to London, India and beyond.”

Simon Hawkins, vice-president of the Americas at Virgin Atlantic, added that Goulding will be “instrumental in driving our Canadian growth and development.”

“As we continue to champion our premium, personalised experience and London as a destination, we believe there is no one better suited to build excitement and ambition around our product for Canadian customers. We look forward to seeing all he’ll bring to our Americas team,’ Hawkins said.

Virgin Atlantic at YYZ

Virgin Atlantic will launch a new direct route between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and London Heathrow (LHR) beginning May 30, 2025, marking the airline’s expansion in North America and into Canada’s financial hub.

The route will reinforce the airline’s commitment to the Indian subcontinent and its third largest market with optimal onward connectivity for Canadians travelling to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, as well as Tel Aviv, Lagos, and Johannesburg via London Heathrow.

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