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Virgin Atlantic Already Thinks 2009 Is "Depressing"

Tossing out hope for '09 so soon, Sir Richard? The mogul's right hand man and CEO of Virgin Atlantic Steve Ridgeway says the global financial crisis could make this year a tough one, despite the fact that the carrier will celebrate its 25th anniversary come June. Having to cut costs, shrink capacity and fight off British Airways when he should be planning parties? "It’s slightly depressing," Ridgeway tells Bloomberg.

Yet Virgin says its planning a batch of fare sales to help everyone forget about "the doom and gloom in the airline industry." (Details on those deals have yet to be announced.)

Better than the vague promise of low fares, though, is this new ad hyping the carrier's anniversary. Set in 1984, it's got the requisite giant cell phone, along with a Rubik's cube, incredible fashion, an awesome synth soundtrack and, is that Madonna? (We're resisting the urge to download a clone of Asteroids after seeing the arcade version in this clip!)

Related Stories:
· Virgin Atlantic Launches £6 Million Ad Campaign [UK Travel Weekly]
· Virgin Cuts Fares, May Shrink [Bloomberg]
· Despite Facebook Scandal, Virgin Atlantic Continues To Deliver [Jaunted]