FEATURE/Virgin Atlantic's Passenger Care Takes On A New Dimension With Global Telemedicine Services.

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--July 21, 1998--One of the last things anyone expects is to become ill while traveling. But it happens, and Virgin Atlantic isn't willing to take any chances with its passengers' care. Virgin, the first airline to carry defibrillators onboard, is now equipped with satellite technology to assist in the immediate diagnosis of passenger illnesses.

Crew members on all Virgin Atlantic long-haul flights can now make immediate contact, via the flight deck, with the MedLink emergency telemedicine services of MedAire, based in Phoenix, AZ. This allows them, no matter where in the world their flight is positioned, to speak directly to one of 16 board certified emergency physicians about any type of medical situation onboard their flight.

MedAire is the aviation industry's leading provider of medical services. Its MedLink physicians, who have handled more than 5000 remote emergency calls, make diagnoses, advise crew members on initial treatment, and assist the captain in deciding whether or not a diversion should be made.

"This is an extension to the already high level of care and medical preparedness with which we surround our passengers," said Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic. "We were the first airline to look after our passengers by training our crew and equipping our entire long-haul fleet with defibrillators in the event of an in-flight heart attack. And we're looking even further into other assistive technology. This second phase could include remote vital sign monitoring devices which read passengers' oxygen levels, heart beat and blood pressure. These readings would assist a doctor's diagnosis further still."

Virgin Atlantic first introduced defibrillators on all its long-haul aircraft in 1990. All senior cabin crew receive regular training in resuscitation and defibrillation techniques. Also, 02 Fly concentrated oxygen is carried on board and provided at no cost to the passenger.

Virgin's extensive onboard medical programs ensure ill passengers are correctly diagnosed, which is not only re-assuring for the passenger concerned but also means other passengers avoid unnecessary diversions or delays.

Additionally, Virgin Atlantic is taking the MedLink services even another step further. Gate agents for the carrier also will have direct access to the emergency physicians whenever there is concern for a passenger's condition before a flight.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to serve Virgin Atlantic and its customers," said MedAire President, Joan Sullivan Garrett. "Our companies share a similar vision of leading through innovation, and succeeding through customer service in the extreme. We are in the business of providing 'peace of mind', and that's exactly what our physicians will bring to Virgin flight deck and cabin crew should anyone need medical assistance."

If a situation is serious enough to warrant a diversion, the MedLink Telemedicine Centre maintains a database of airports around the world with detailed information on medical resources in their proximity. This information will assist Virgin Atlantic's pilots in selecting a diversion site with the appropriate quality medical resources needed to properly care for a passenger's specific situation.

Additionally for Virgin, MedLink will contact, coordinate and mobilize all ground-based medical resources that may be needed to assist a passenger once the aircraft has landed. The passenger's progress will be monitored until they are discharged from the care of local medical care providers.

Virgin Atlantic serves London from eight U.S. gateways: four times daily from Newark; twice daily from New York (JFK), Los Angeles and Orlando; and daily from San Francisco, Washington (Dulles), Miami and Boston. From London, the carrier flies to South Africa, Greece, Japan and Hong Kong. In September, Virgin will introduce service to London from the Caribbean (Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua). For reservations and inquiries, please call [phone] or visit the Virgin Atlantic web site at www.fly.virgin.com.

Editor's notes: MedAire is a worldwide pioneer in providing emergency telemedicine care to people in remote locations. Since 1986 it has been setting the standard in providing a wide range of medical expertise and is used in more than 30 countries by corporate flight departments, commercial airlines and government agencies. For more information on MedAire and MedLink you can e:mail [e-mail]. or check MedAire's website at www.medaire.com.

CONTACT: Gareth Edmondson-Jones

Virgin Atlantic Airways 

[phone]

or

Joan Sullivan Garrett

MedAire

[phone]