Goodbye Flybe...

Tuesday 15 October 2019

Flybe is no more – today, the airline revealed that it would be entering a “new era” as ‘Virgin Connect’.

The name change marks the first major rebrand in 17 years for the airline, which provides lifeline routes to the mainland for Jersey and Guernsey customers.

In 1979, it took flight as ‘Jersey European’ before becoming ‘British European’ in the millennium.

That name was further shortened to ‘Flybe’ in 2002, as it attempted to reposition itself in the market as a low-cost airline.

Excited to announce that in 2020 we will be joining the #VirginFamily as Virgin Connect, your new go-to name in regional flying

Find out more at https://t.co/gNMNGNUxND pic.twitter.com/cFUDZ2LMS6

— Flybe ✈ (@flybe) 15 October 2019

CEO Mark Anderson unveiled the 40-year-old airline’s new identity, which will be rolled out next year, to over 200 Flybe leaders today.

Despite the new look, he said that Virgin Connect would “remain true to our heritage and reason for being, which is offering essential regional connectivity to local communities.” 

He continued: “At its heart, Virgin Connect will be passionately focused on becoming Europe's most loved and successful regional airline. It will offer travel that is simple and convenient with the personal touch. 

“Our customers will naturally expect the same exceptional travel experience as they do with other Virgin-related brands. Whatever their reason for flying, we want our customers to feel loved and know we will always put their needs first in every decision we take.”

Pictured: CEO Mark Anderson.

The airline has since launched a new website, which says in its Q&A section that flight booked with Flybe will not be affected by the rebrand. Flights can also still be booked via Flybe's website.

Under the heading 'What changes will you see?', the airline writes: "We'll be saying goodbye to purple and hello to red."

it continues: "We'll also be offering our customers an enhanced customer experience, whilst continuing to connect the regions and our passengers to what matters most."

The announcement follows the flight provider’s acquisition earlier this year by Connect Airways – a consortium comprising Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital – following a period of financial turbulence.

Pictured: The holding page on the new Virgin Connect website.

It also comes just under after a month after Virgin announced plans to link Jersey Airport with Heathrow once the third runway opens. 

The London airport’s expansion is expected to be finished by 2026 – and the airline said it could serve up to 84 new locations as a result.

Among the dozens of proposed new routes was a Jersey-Heathrow direct link – something that a number of operators, including BMI and British Airways, have struggled to establish over the years – and one with Guernsey.