Virgin Atlantic has appointed Craig Kreeger as its new Chief Executive. He will take over the role on 1st February 2013 and joins from American Airlines, where he has held a 27-year career spanning commercial, financial and strategic roles in the USA and worldwide. Craig succeeds current Chief Executive Steve Ridgway, who is retiring from the airline. 
Craig joined American in 1985 as an analyst and was appointed senior vice president, customer in 2012. He spent six years in London as senior vice president, international and was responsible for American operations and sales throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific.
He has worked on American Airlines joint ventures with British Airways and Iberia across the Atlantic, as well as its partnership with Japanese Airlines in the Pacific.
Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic President, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Craig to Virgin Atlantic – he is the right person to succeed Steve Ridgway at this dynamic and challenging time for our airline. We believe Craig has the experience and passion to drive Virgin Atlantic forward and capitalise on the opportunities created by our new venture with Delta Airlines.”
