Virgin Atlantic has been introducing Airbus A350-1000s which are gradually replacing the operator's A340-600s and 747s, and it is also set to acquire A330-900s. The airline says its fleet will comprise 36 twin-engined aircraft, including Boeing 787s, from summer 2022.

The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 fleet, affectionately known as the "Queen of the Skies," was fully retired in December 2020 and has been replaced by more modern, fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft. The primary successors are the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. These newer models offer significantly better fuel economy—reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 30%—and a much quieter cabin experience. Virgin Atlantic has also introduced the Airbus A330neo to its fleet, with one specific aircraft (G-VEII) even named "Queen of the Skies" as a tribute to the late monarch and the legacy of the 747. The transition allowed the airline to modernize its cabin products, introducing the "Upper Class Loft" on the A350 and "The Retreat Suite" on the A330neo. This shift away from four-engine jumbos is a trend across the global aviation industry, prioritizing the lower operating costs and "point-to-point" range capabilities of the latest wide-body jets.