Accessibility Board Member

At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world. And we've got a clear mission - to become the most loved travel company. In our milestone 40th year of flying, we're spreading our wings into new and exciting destinations, and taking our service to the next level.


We are excited to announce the launch of our new Accessibility Advisory Board, dedicated to enhancing our accessibility offering. This board will play a pivotal role in shaping the development of new products and empower our customers to live their lives and take on the world.


In a nutshell


We are looking for three individuals who have lived experience of disability to collaborate with us by joining our Virgin Atlantic Accessibility Board (VAAB). The members will act as ambassadors, drawing on their own experience of travel by air to review our processes and products and help craft our future development to benefit all customers. In the role we expect you to engage with our Disability Engagement Network (DEN) colleagues, internal peers, and industry gurus to improve and implement changes in air travel.


This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure a seamless travel experience for customers with disabilities and access requirements, giving them the confidence that their travel will be dignified, comfortable, and consistent. We are excited to connect with community members, disability advocates, and those looking to develop their understanding of Accessible Aviation to help improve our end-to-end customer experience whilst helping cultivate the member's networks and developing their knowledge of an airline operation.


Day to day


We've always championed individuality because we know difference is a strength. Because being brilliantly different is what we do. It's who we are. And we wouldn't have it any other way!


This independent panel will comprise of individuals with both visible and non-visible disabilities, and they will come together every few months to provide invaluable feedback and discuss and review new initiatives. Each individual will receive a day's payment for their work and a chance to travel on our aircraft to help support us in ensuring accessibility and inclusion are features in all our designs and processes.


The role is a fantastic opportunity for disabled advocates to gain knowledge about the aviation sector, using this to help then bring about change across the industry. The board is to be made up of members with both a high degree of aviation and advocacy knowledge and those just starting on their journey to foster development and the growth of new ideas. Meetings will be a mix of virtual and in-person at our head office in Crawley, West Sussex, so a degree of travel will be required.


About you


We are on the lookout for individuals to join our Accessibility Advisory Board to provide expert advice on air travel and disability.


In addition to the above, we're looking for the following:n


•Knowledge of accessibility standards

•Lived experience with disabilities to help us learn and guide us to a universal outcome. This lived experience may be gained from travelling yourself with a disability or from your role as a carer

•Proven track record to advocate for the needs and rights of people with disabilities

•Background in contributing to or developing policies that improve accessibility

•Strong skills in articulating accessibility issues and solutions effectively to diverse audiences

•Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of partners, including airlines, regulatory bodies, and passenger advocacy groups

•The capacity to understand relevant parts of a complex industry and how this may affect the eventual outcome

•Creative approach to identifying and addressing accessibility challenges in aviation

•The right to work in the UK as we're unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.


Be yourself


Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That's why we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.


To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you'd like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team, (recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we've got your individual considerations covered.