Virgin Atlantic’s Board has shared its succession plan for the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Shai Weiss. After an impressive seven-year tenure, Shai will step down as CEO and depart the airline on December 31, 2025.
Corneel Koster, a seasoned leader within the company, will assume the role of CEO on January 1, 2026.
Corneel Koster: A Proven Leader
Corneel Koster returned to Virgin Atlantic in 2019 as a Board Member and Chief Customer Officer. In 2020, he expanded his role to Chief Customer and Operating Officer.
His leadership has been vital in maintaining safe, reliable operations while championing the airline’s exceptional customer experience. Corneel played a key role in navigating Virgin Atlantic through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring the airline emerged stronger.
He led the introduction of the award-winning A330neo aircraft and drove digital transformation to enhance operations.
With three decades of experience in aviation, Corneel has held senior roles at Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Aeroméxico, and KLM. From 2010 to 2013, he served as Virgin Atlantic’s Director of Operations, Safety, and Security.
His deep industry knowledge and passion for travel make him an ideal choice to lead the airline into its next chapter.
Shai Weiss: A Legacy of Success
Shai Weiss became CEO in January 2019, guiding Virgin Atlantic through the turbulent pandemic years. Under his leadership, the airline achieved a remarkable transformation, posting record performance in 2024.
Shai joined Virgin Atlantic in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer and later served as Chief Commercial Officer. His tenure saw the airline return to profitability, earning top customer satisfaction ratings across the Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic was consistently named the UK’s only Global Five Star operator by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and ranked as the No. 1 Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek.
Leadership Comments
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic’s Founder, praised Shai’s transformative leadership. “Shai has done an outstanding job over the past seven years. His vision and passion have strengthened the airline and set a new standard in the industry.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome Corneel as CEO. His bold, curious spirit embodies the Virgin ethos, and I’m excited for what’s next,” Branson said.
Peter Norris, Chair of Virgin Atlantic, gave further comment. “Shai steered the airline through unprecedented challenges with remarkable skill. While we’re sad to see him go, he leaves Virgin Atlantic on a strong path to future success.”
“Corneel’s deep understanding of what makes Virgin Atlantic unique positions him perfectly to lead us forward,” Norris stated.
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, highlighted Shai’s partnership. “Shai has been a valued friend and leader in building our trans-Atlantic joint venture. We look forward to working with Corneel to continue transforming travel,” Bastian said.
Reflections and Aspirations
Shai Weiss expressed pride in his contributions. “I’m thrilled for Corneel’s well-deserved appointment. He’s the perfect person to lead Virgin Atlantic to new heights. I leave with immense pride, knowing we’ve transformed the airline into a stronger, more innovative company,” Weiss said.
Corneel Koster shared his excitement for the role. “Virgin Atlantic holds a special place in my heart. It’s an honor to lead this incredible team. We’ll continue delivering unmatched experiences for our customers and communities, staying true to our challenger spirit,” Koster said.
Virgin Atlantic is poised for continued success under Corneel Koster’s leadership. With a focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and the airline’s unique spirit, the future looks bright.
The Board thanks Shai for his transformative leadership and wishes Corneel and the team success in this exciting new era.
