Virgin tossing between Airbus and Boeing for B747 replacements

[LONDON] Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd said it's ready to assess options for replacing an ageing fleet of Boeing Co 747 jumbo jets that form the heart of its long-haul leisure operation from London's Gatwick airport.

Virgin has seven 747-400s coming off lease around 2019 and aims to choose replacements in the next 12 to 18 months, with Airbus Group NV's A330 and A350 vying with Boeing's 787 stretch and 777, chief executive officer Craig Kreeger said.

"Any of those would be in the consideration set," Mr Kreeger said on Tuesday in an interview in London at the unveiling of the UK carrier's new crew uniforms, adding that an order would also need to include "some options to grow".