London, UK – [27/10/26] – Virgin Atlantic has partnered with APEXX Global, a leading global payment orchestration platform, to support the continued development of payment capabilities across its airline and holidays businesses.
The first customer-facing capability delivered through the partnership is an Open Banking-enabled Direct Debit payment option for Virgin Atlantic Holidays customers in the UK. The new option allows eligible customers to pay directly from their bank account, providing a secure and convenient alternative when booking their holiday.
Delivered through APEXX Global’s platform, the solution supports Virgin Atlantic’s ambition to offer modern, customer-focused payment experiences while simplifying payment integrations and helping to manage acceptance costs and complexity.
“At Virgin Atlantic, we’re committed to offering payment options that reflect the different ways our customers plan, book and pay for their travel,” said Keli Sandeman, Senior Manager – Payments at Virgin Atlantic. “Partnering with APEXX allows us to seamlessly expand our payment capabilities and continue enhancing the customer journey from booking to boarding.”
Simon Hughes, Chief Commercial Officer at APEXX Global, added: “Virgin Atlantic is a globally recognised brand that shares our commitment to innovation and customer experience. We’re proud to support its wider payment ambitions and the launch of Open Banking payments for Virgin Atlantic Holidays customers, helping simplify the integration process and enabling them to deliver faster, more modern payment experiences to their customers.”
This collaboration marks a significant step in Virgin Atlantic’s broader work to modernise its payment infrastructure, expand the payment options available to customers and create a more seamless experience across its airline and holidays businesses.
About APEXX GLOBAL (www.apexx.global)
APEXX Global is a multi-award winning global payments orchestration platform that combines acquirers, gateways, shopping carts and Alternative Payments Methods into a single marketplace and one-stop solution for Enterprise/Tier 1 merchants. APEXX builds an integrated and transparent service that manages the authorisation, processing and optimisation of transactions.
APEXX takes an agnostic approach to partnerships, working with many different solutions providers across the payments industry. Our approach creates a more efficient and cost-effective solution that cuts through the complexity of e-payments and leaves behind legacy technology systems. Our mission is to help businesses grow by reducing unnecessary costs, increasing conversion rates and simplifying the payment execution process through advanced payment orchestration.
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2025, the airline was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the ninth year running in the
Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 9,250 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations throughout the year.
Alongside shareholder and partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023, as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing SkyTeam’s transatlantic network to and from London Heathrow and Manchester.
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age of 7.5yrs. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.
For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, X and Instagram @virginatlantic.
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