Sir Richard Branson dropped out of school in his teens, and began his career by starting a national magazine called "Student." In 1970, Branson initiated his Virgin group of companies, earning a reputation for audacity and success. In 1984, he established Virgin Atlantic Airways, a highly competitive air carrier that has won Britain's Airline-of- the-Year award four times. Branson's Virgin Express operates Boeing 737s throughout Europe as a single-class, non-smoking airline. This structuring eliminates multiple ticketing with its simplified low-fare operation. Branson also engaged in record-setting balloon flights. He and world- renowned balloonist Per Lindstrand were first to fly the Atlantic in a hot-air balloon in 1990 and first to fly the Pacific in 1991. Commercially, Branson's Lightship Group operates internally illuminated airships for advertising and promotional venues in over 50 countries. Branson has also applied aviation resources to humanitarian purposes. During the Gulf War, he used the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747s to supply refugees and also to evacuate foreign nationals from Baghdad. In 1997, Virgin took over London's emergency helicopter service, leasing the helicopter back to the city for free. Richard Branson was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on March 30, 2000.
Inducted in 2000.
Portrait Location: Hall of Fame Hallway

Induction Video