BABCCF Announces Premium Partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways and Delta Air Lines
The British American Business Council of Central Florida (BABCCF) is proud to announce a new premium sponsorship with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines. This partnership strengthens the BABCCF's mission to foster commerce and connections between Central Florida and the United Kingdom, leveraging the airlines' combined transatlantic leadership.
Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines' long-standing joint venture and transatlantic leadership make them an ideal partner for the BABCCF. The airlines have a proven track record of facilitating business and leisure travel between the U.S. and U.K., offering customers a world-class experience.
"We are incredibly proud to welcome Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines to our family of premium sponsors," said David Lenox, President of the BABCCF. "Their commitment to the transatlantic community and their premier airline services will provide tremendous value to our members and support our ongoing efforts to promote economic growth and cultural exchange in the Central Florida region."
A Partnership Built on Strong Ties
This collaboration highlights the powerful and long-standing relationship between the UK and Florida, supported by robust statistics:
Over 1.3 million British travelers visit Florida annually for both leisure and business with an estimated economic impact of $127.7 billion.
The UK is Florida’s #1 foreign investor, with 380 companies creating over 70,000 jobs across the state.
The UK is Florida’s #2 European trading partner, with $7 billion in annual bilateral trade.
Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines’ long-standing joint venture and proven track record of facilitating business and leisure travel make them an ideal partner for the BABCCF. The partnership will create new opportunities for BABCCF members, including networking events, business development initiatives, and access to the combined transatlantic network of the airlines.
BABCCF: Growing Transatlantic Collaboration in Central Florida
Since its launch in late 2024, the BABCCF has focused on creating a strong regional network to encourage further Central Florida/UK collaboration and foreign direct investment (FDI). The Council was officially launched in phases across the region:
November 2024: In Orlando at the National Entrepreneur Center.
January 2025: In Tampa at the University of South Florida.
July 2025: On the East Coast at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
With an impressive board of directors and a strategic plan for growth, the BABCCF serves as a vital link in the regional network. This partnership with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines further underscores the importance of robust international relationships for the Central Florida business community.
About the British American Business Council of Central Florida (BABCCF)
The BABCCF is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and strengthening trade, investment, and business relationships between the United Kingdom and Central Florida. The Council provides a robust platform for networking, information sharing, and business development for its members.
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2024, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the eighth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations across four continents throughout the year.
Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028. In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialization ahead of 2030. For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, X and Instagram @virginatlantic.
ABOUT DELTA AIR LINES
Through exceptional service and the power of innovation, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) never stops looking for ways to make every trip feel tailored to every customer.
There are 100,000 Delta people leading the way to deliver a world-class customer experience on up to 5,000 daily Delta and Delta Connection flights to more than 290 destinations on six continents, connecting people to places and to each other.
Delta served more than 200 million customers in 2024 – safely, reliably and with industry-leading customer service innovation – and was recognized by J.D. Power this year for being No. 1 in First/Business and Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction. The airline also was recognized as the top U.S. airline by the Wall Street Journal and as North America’s most on-time airline in 2024 and our people earned the Platinum Award for Operational Excellence from Cirium.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta operates significant hubs and key markets in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Boston, Detroit, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul-Incheon and Tokyo. As the leading global airline, Delta's mission to connect the world creates opportunities, fosters understanding and expands horizons by connecting people and communities to each other and to their own potential.