Sir Richard Branson, the colorful owner of Virgin Atlantic airlines, is hot on Detroit. Or at least he says so in his blog as he talks about the new daily route for his airline, Virgin Atlantic: Detroit to London's Heathrow Airport.
On Thursday, around 1:15 p.m., Branson, wearing a "Detroit Hustles Harder" t-shirt, landed at Metro Airport on his airline as part of a celebration flight to note the new route. The airline began flying daily to Detroit on June 1.
Guests onboard the flight Thursday included the cast of Motown: The Musical, which entertained customers.
The route is part of a partnership between Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines.
Branson, who spoke at a press conference after his arrival, commented:
“I am fascinated by this city and personally really looking forward to exploring it. It’s had some tough times but it’s on its way back up and everyone at Virgin Atlantic is delighted to be part of the city’s future. The creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Detroit and its people is something very close to my heart. I’m looking forward to meeting some aspiring businessmen and women while I’m here and learning about what they are looking to do and trying to help in any way I can”.
Earlier in the day, he wrote on his blog:
I'm looking forward to heading to Detroit today on Virgin Atlantic’s inaugural flight to the Motor City. Detroit is one of the new destinations I am most excited about us beginning services to.
With its rich heritage in music, manufacturing, arts and innovation, Detroit is the kind of entrepreneurial city we're sure Virgin flyers will embrace with open arms.
Branson has some things planned during his stay in Detroit, including hosting an event at the College for Creative Studies in which four Detroit start-ups will make pitches to him and some other Detroit business people.
He'll also go on a bike tour, according to a company press release, and host an event at The Fillmore Detroit on Woodward Avenue and throw out the first pitch at the Tigers - Indians game at Comerica Park on Friday.
On his blog, Branson talks about a local poet, Natasha.
He writes on his blog:
I recently blogged about Shinola, one of the companies helping to rebuild Detroit's rich, creative history to help shape an exciting new future for the city and its people.
When I met with the team, they showed me this moving video of local poet Natasha, reading a poem about her love for the Detroit. As she puts it, this is a city that continues to call the world's bluff.
Watch the video below.
