Virgin Atlantic Orders 10 Airbus A330s

Privately-owned airline Virgin Atlantic has placed an order for 10 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, the company said on Monday ahead of an official announcement at London's Heathrow Airport.

The 25-year old airline, controlled by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, said the deal was worth USD$2.1 billion.

Five of the wide-body aircraft would be delivered in 2011, the other five in 2012, Virgin Atlantic said.