Virgin Atlantic Becomes First Airline to Launch AI Champion Apprenticeship

Thu 17 Apr 2025

Virgin Atlantic has become the first airline to launch an AI Champion apprenticeship, a bold step in its drive to accelerate digital transformation.

The initiative, developed in partnership with education technology provider Cambridge Spark, aims to embed AI fluency across all levels of the organisation.

The AI Champion programme is tailored for non-technical professionals and launched this week with its inaugural cohort spanning departments such as Flight Operations, Engineering, Finance, Communications, and the People Team. The goal is to create a network of employees equipped to drive AI adoption within their teams using tools like Microsoft Copilot, unlocking operational efficiencies and business innovation.

“Virgin Atlantic has always been a people-first, purpose-led organisation, driven by the belief that everyone can take on the world,” said Becky Woodmansee, Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic. “We’re proud to be the first airline to invest in AI Champions through this groundbreaking program. These apprentices will play a vital role in helping our teams explore and embrace the benefits of AI in their day-to-day work, unlocking new levels of productivity and creativity.”

The programme builds on Virgin Atlantic’s early adoption of Microsoft Copilot and complements its broader apprenticeship strategy, which already includes schemes across Data, Software Development, Sustainability, and Engineering.

“We’re thrilled to support Virgin Atlantic as the first airline to adopt the AI Champion apprenticeship. Their commitment to developing practical AI capability across the organisation sets a powerful example for the wider industry. 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,” said Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma, Founder and Group CEO of Cambridge Spark.