For Immediate Release
March 28, 2018

Contact:
Charles H. Pannunzio
(424) 646-5260

Sir Richard Branson enjoys a moment of levity on Wednesday afternoon after accepting his plaque as a member of the Flight Path Aviation Walk of Fame.

(Los Angeles, CA) Entrepreneur, philanthropist and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson was inducted into the Flight Path Aviation Walk of Fame during a ceremony held on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center on Wednesday afternoon.

The businessman, who counts Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Virgin America airlines among more than 400 businesses he has had a role in creating or managing, is the 54th inductee in the Walk of Fame, which was created in 1995 and features plaques along Sepulveda Boulevard in Westchester, just north of the airport.

“I’ve been fascinated by flight ever since I was a little boy looking up to the skies,” Branson said, accepting the plaque during Wednesday’s ceremony. “I’ve had the privilege of meeting and often working with many of the geniuses of flight, the inventors, the adventurers, the daredevils and the dreamers. What they all have in common is the desire to make the world a better place and see it from a different angle.”

Los Angeles World Airports CEO Deborah Flint gives a tribute to Sir Richard Branson during Wednesday's induction ceremony.

Branson, 67, has connections to aviation that run well beyond the three airlines that bear the Virgin name. Going back to the oldest form of flight, he holds records in long-distance ballooning, while Virgin is on the cutting edge of space with one of its latest additions, Virgin Orbit, which was spun off of Virgin Galactic last year and is developing the orbital launch vehicle LauncherOne.

LAX is the only airport in the world served by the trio of Virgin airlines, and many of Wednesday’s speakers noted Branson’ influence on commercial passenger travel.

“He is an adventurer, a dynamic businessman, and, what I believe, is one of the original disrupter throughout industries,” said Deborah Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). “You make dreams and realities very possible through the work that you have done. Indeed, Virgin and Sir Richard Branson are an indelible part of our story and our history here at LAX.”

Wednesday's induction ceremony for Sir Richard Branson drew a large crowd to the tarmac outside the Flight Path Museum.

“We have a lot of customers, but Sir Richard is one of our favorites,” said Monty Oliver, Vice President of European Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Today’s recognition is very much deserved as we celebrate a great pioneer in aerospace who continues to push the boundaries for what’s possible in commercial travel.”

“Richard, you are a well-deserved recipient of this award,” Steven Udvar-Hazy, the Executive Chairman of the Board at Air Lease Corporation, told Branson. “Your airlines have made a major contribution to the California economy; your innovation, creativity in airline service and customer focus is unequalled. We’ve very proud of what you’ve achieved.”

Branson was presented with his plaque by Flight Path Museum Board of Directors President Lynne Adelman and Vice President Lori Keir. He joins a distinguished group of past inductees – pioneers and individuals who helped ensure Southern California’s world leadership in aviation/aerospace – including the first man to break the sound barrier, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager; entrepreneur, pilot and airline founder Howard Hughes; and Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad. Other honorees include Orville and Wilbur Wright, Charles A. Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, entertainer Bob Hope and astronaut Sally Ride.

Sir Richard Branson poses with employees of the Virgin Group's airlines and the plaque that will be installed on Sepulveda Boulevard as part of the Flight Path Aviation Walk of Fame.

** High resolution photos available upon request. **

About Flight Path Museum and Learning Center
Flight Path Museum and Learning Center is a nonprofit, community-based museum honoring aviation pioneers, showcasing the importance of Southern California and LAX to the aviation and aerospace industry as well as encouraging youth to pursue education and careers in aviation-related fields. The Flight Path Museum gallery exhibits are filled with memories of aviation’s golden years and houses one of largest collection of vintage flight attendant uniforms in the Western United States. Flight Path Museum is located on the LAX runway at 6661 West Imperial Highway, open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm, admission and parking are always free.

About Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation airports, as well as aviation-related property in Palmdale. Both play an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Both airports make a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.