Virgin Atlantic boss says he never meets BA chief just because of fear of ‘dirty tricks’

Virgin Atlantic’s boss has revealed he never meets his British Airways colleague alone because he “doesn’t want to get caught”.

Shai Weiss said he has “professional respect” for Sean Doyle but is cautious because of the dirty tricks scandal.

In the early 1990s, British Airways was accused by Virgin Atlantic of hacking its computer data so that it could obtain its passengers’ data and try to take it.

A long legal affair ended when British Airways had to pay Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson large damages and legal costs.

Mr Weiss was asked on stage at the Airlines 2024 conference in Westminster on Monday about his relationship with Mr Doyle.

The 56-year-old said: “I’ve never met Sean in person, it just doesn’t happen.

“I remember the British Airways dirty tricks campaign. I won’t get caught.

“I have professional respect for him, we work together when necessary, and we try to kick them into the market.”

Mr Weiss said Britain is “privileged to have two very strong airlines”, and believes both airlines are “better” because of the competition they provide with each other.

He cited the example of airlines working together to combat fare increases at Heathrow Airport.

He continued: “In Europe there are no (other) countries with two national airlines, and that does wonders for the service that consumers in Britain get, for the fact that we are always trying to be better, and that from time to time Until then we actually work together.

“I respect British Airways, but our job is to keep ourselves fresh, stay ahead of the competition and keep them guessing.”