Virgin Atlantic Brings Live Comedy and Music to Flights in the United Kingdom

While most airlines have scaled back on everything from pillows to free snacks, the British operator is upping the ante for in-flight entertainment

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Sick of the canned movies and months-old TV episodes aired on most airlines? Soon, customers on Virgin Atlantic will be entertained by live musicians and comedy acts instead. The shows will be featured primarily on the airline’s Little Red flights, which service the domestic UK.

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In August, comedians traveling to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (which runs through August 26) will get to practice on passengers before they reach the event. In September, the jokes will be replaced by live music that promises to pay tribute to the “rich music scenes in Scotland and Manchester.”

The Telegraph reports that the airline will not reveal in advance which flights will feature the live entertainment, but will post the full line-up on its Facebook and Twitter. The flights with the live acts will run from Heathrow to Manchester and Edinburgh, according to the newspaper.

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“In true Virgin Atlantic spirit we’re doing something a little different and providing our passengers with a line-up of gigs to ensure we offer a truly unforgettable flying experience on Little Red,” Virgin CEO Richard Branson told the paper.

Branson has offered unusual amenities to passengers flying his planes in the past. Back in February, he introduced an airborne art gallery for Virgin Atlantic’s premium customers. Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic’s American counterpart, also introduced an in-flight “dating service” earlier this year. And in May, the flamboyant CEO even entertained passengers himself when he dressed up in a flight attendant’s uniform and served drinks to passengers on a flight from Perth, Australia to from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

WATCH: Richard Branson in Drag as Flight Attendant