“It was a terrible, terrible time. But from our point of view, Virgin came out, if you look at it, our brand is now stronger than it was in 2019.
Branson does not hide much about his opposition to Brexit. In the past, he called it a “catastrophe of several generations.” However, he refrained from saying that the current crisis in the cost of living in the UK – with rising inflation outpacing the continent – is a “I told you” moment.
“I have made it clear that I believe that the United Kingdom will suffer because it is not part of Europe,” he said.
“I still believe that in order for that to be the case, we will just let history decide whether this is the case or not.”
At an event in downtown Austin the day after our interview, he could not stop annoying ministers over the forthcoming industrial action on British railways.
After being at the forefront of privatization, Virgin launched its last rail service in December 2019, after its offer to operate the West Coast line was deemed a breach of tender rules.
“We transformed the British rail network, the staff loved working for Virgin,” he said shortly after kissing the shoe of a British journalist whose Virgin Atlantic bag she had lost during the first flight. “I notice that the staff is on the verge of a strike … This would not have happened when Virgin was running it.”
These days, Branson is perhaps most outspoken about Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Earlier this month, he attacked French President Emmanuel Macron for calling for Russia not to be humiliated. Branson responded by calling the remarks “insensitive and wrong” on Twitter.
“I was critical of his word [Macron] used, “he says.” I was definitely surprised that he used that word because, you know, because I think when you’re in a military situation like that, everything has to be very clear.
“If you go back to World War II, if he lived in London, like De Gaulle, it was black and white: he wanted the Germans to leave France. And I think it should be black and white until the Ukrainians decide otherwise.
“What Putin has brought to the world is unforgivable. Not only Ukraine is threatened. This is Poland, there are so many potential countries that could be put at risk if we are not firm.
Branson says he has regular contacts with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
He hoped the Elders, a non-governmental organization founded by Nelson Mandela and funded by Branson, could prevent military outbreaks in the first place.
“I talked to him [Zelensky] before the invasion several times because we have an organization called The Elders that is trying to stop the conflicts.
“And I was just trying to see if there was, if there was anything we could do to try to help bridge the gap between Ukraine and Russia.
“I spoke to him the day after the invasion. He contacted us if we would think – I think at this stage he did not believe that Putin would go as far as he did – he wanted to know if we could do a concert in the Donbass region. And now we are looking to do something in Poland. “
Leaving Ukraine aside, Branson is clearly in a better position and determined to leave a few difficult years behind.
“This is one of the most satisfying moments in my life to have a team [at Virgin Atlantic] it confuses everyone, ”he says.
He suggests that the Virgin Atlantic, the cornerstone of Branson’s empire, is still flying, something to be proud of. Famous brands such as Pan-Am, Trans World Airlines and the British Caledonian have been on the sidelines since the first flight took off from Gatwick so many years ago.
“If I go back 38 years to the first flight of Virgin Atlantic and I just remember sitting there looking at the cockpit and my wife and daughter Holly sitting on my lap. And thinking, “Could this airline be as special in 20 or 30 years as it is today?”
“Every flight is just as good as it was on the first flight.”
“Yes, Virgin Atlantic and I were all attacked. But we all came out really strong. “
“I think we’ve proven that all critics are wrong,” he said, fixing his eyes again. Then he smiles.
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