Topic: Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.

Caribbean nations get caught in China-Taiwan tug of war

More than half the countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan are in Central America and the Caribbean.  Some, like Grenada, are finding that switching allegiances can be expensive. 

Airline travel: life in first class is getting cushier (but not back in steerage)

US airlines, profitable again after a disastrous decade, are spending almost $2 billion to upgrade amenities for their highest-paying customers. "There is a war going on for the profitable passenger," says one analyst.

Yao Ming, Richard Branson team up to stop shark fin trade

Yao Ming and Richard Branson are teaming up to help put an end to the cruel trade of shark fins for use primarily in shark fin soups in China.

After London riots, some bemoan damage to city's image ahead of 2012 Olympics

Olympians and businessmen express concern that a week of riots have hurt the city's image as a safe, world-class venue for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

After the space shuttle, astronaut corps awaits a new mission

NASA's once-iconic astronaut corps will shrink but still play a vital role as the space shuttle era comes to an end.

Airport outrage: Will airlines be fined for three-hour delays on tarmac?

The US Transportation Department can fine airlines that force passengers to wait in an airplane on the tarmac for more than three hours. The blizzard aftermath could be a test case.

Richard Branson bemoans 'overeducated,' risk-averse entrepreneurs: WikiLeaks

In a January 2008 meeting with Chinese businessmen, billionaire Sir Richard Branson agreed 'that British entrepreneurs are overeducated and that schooling does not prepare one for entering the business world.'

Will space tourists be Earth polluters? Scientists sound a warning.

As firms prepare to launch the space tourism business, one study warns that the soot from the suborbital crafts' hybrid rocket motors could collect in the stratosphere and warm the poles.

Air travel: Are there greener ways to fly?

Airlines and airplane manufacturers are working to make air travel greener. Meantime, consider taking a bus or train.

Virgin Atlantic nightmare: Passengers stuck on grounded plane for 4+ hours

Virgin Atlantic passengers say they were kept on the runway for more than four hours. Virgin Atlantic passengers say three people fainted

Volcanic ash cloud: Where is it now - May 18?

The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland dissipated today and a British Airways labor strike was canceled, allowing Europe's airports to return to near-normal operations. But the British Met Office is taking fire for its volcanic ash cloud forecasts.

Virgin's Richard Branson takes on peak oil

A report out of Britain funded by Virgin Airlines owner Richard Branson and other British business leaders warns that peak oil is looming in 2015. The controversial idea that growing oil demand will soon outstrip more finds is capturing the attention of governments.

Will planes be fueled by flowers in the future?

The summer of staying close to home

For cash-strapped vacationers, time off this years means exploring ... locally. A report from Europe, Japan, and the US on the return of the road trip, backpacking with a burro, and growing beets.

Greener travel? Japan tests pond scum as jet biofuel

Sparks fly over ethics of air travel

Why some say travelers should think twice before boarding.

Sparks fly over ethics of air travel

Is this trip necessary? A jet lands in Montreal. Proponents of air travel tout its importance to the global economy. Detractors say per-passenger emissions carry too high a cost.

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Ponte City – a South African landmark – rises again

Hijacked by gangs and buried in trash, Africa's tallest apartment building gets a new look: out with the orange shag rugs, in with "Global Fusion."