Virgin Atlantic launches AI Champion apprenticeship

Virgin Atlantic has introduced the AI Champion apprenticeship program, partnering with education technology firm Cambridge Spark to accelerate digital transformation across the organization.

The initiative aims to boost productivity, innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption by empowering non-technical professionals to harness AI solutions like Microsoft Copilot.

The inaugural cohort spans multiple critical departments across Virgin Atlantic.

Supporting AI-driven efficiency and innovation

The program is specifically designed to equip non-technical professionals with the skills and confidence to champion AI adoption within their respective teams, driving productivity, efficiency and innovation throughout the business, according to a press release.

By strategically placing AI champions across key departments including flight operations, engineering, finance and communications, the airline aims to create a powerful network of experts who can help colleagues leverage AI tools to solve business challenges and streamline everyday tasks.

By investing in practical AI capability across diverse business functions, Virgin Atlantic is establishing a strong foundation for continued innovation and operational excellence (OPEX).

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Creating a people-centric AI culture

“Virgin Atlantic has always been a people-first, purpose-led organization, driven by the belief that everyone can take on the world and we’re proud to be the first airline to invest in AI Champions through this groundbreaking program,” said Becky Woodmansee, chief people officer at Virgin Atlantic.

The apprentices will play a vital role in helping teams explore and embrace the benefits of AI in their day-to-day work, unlocking new levels of productivity and creativity, she added. “It's part of our wider strategy to empower our people with the tools and skills they need to thrive in a digital world.”

Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to developing practical AI capability across the organization sets a powerful example for the wider industry, said Dr Raoul-Gabriel Urma, founder and group CEO of Cambridge Spark. “By equipping their people to lead the way in AI adoption, Virgin Atlantic is creating a strong foundation for digital transformation that delivers real business impact.”

Soaring demand for AI-driven tools in aviation

Post Covid-19, air travel is seeing a surge in passenger numbers, exceeding pre-pandemic levels in some cases, according to Tom Fairbairn, distinguished engineer at Solace. “This has introduced significant operational challenges for the aviation industry. The growing ease and efficiency of flying, combined with seasonal surges during holidays, can overwhelm systems and create delays, inefficiencies and frustration for passengers and airline staff alike.”

To prevent travel chaos and improve efficiency, new technology is being brought to bear, he added. “One innovation is to use AI computer vision systems to count carry-on bags as passengers pass through the gate. When the overhead bins on the aircraft are likely to be at capacity, gate staff are notified so that they can start the process of checking-in carry-on bags.”

Innovations like this require IT agility while being able to integrate with many different systems. Traditional IT approaches are unable to provide this, which is why airlines, airports and service providers are adopting alternatives such as event-driven architecture (EDA) to enhance real-time responsiveness and streamline operations across various aviation systems, he said.

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