Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that it is considering buying ten new long-haul planes which would enter service around the time of the London Olympics.
The carrier says it is in talks with plane makers Boeing and Airbus over the possible order of new next-generation fuel-efficient aircraft which would operate from Gatwick airport, located just outside the nation's capital.
A spokeswoman for the company, owned by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, said that the order under consideration could "potentially be for ten aircraft".
She added that the planes Virgin Atlantic was considering could be from Boeing's 747-8 series, or Airbus A380s.
The spokeswoman said the company was looking for the new planes to enter service "around the time of the Olympics in 2012" and revealed that a decision about the aircraft would be made by May next year.
It is reported that the long-haul planes being considered by Virgin Atlantic would replace the eight 747-400s that it currently has stationed at Gatwick.
Virgin, which already has six A380s on order, announced in April that it was ordering 15 of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner planes, due for delivery in 2011.
Speaking about the order at the time Virgin Atlantic owner Sir Richard claimed that the Dreamliner symbolised "the environmentally-kinder aircraft of the future", pointing out that the plane would be cleaner, quieter and lighter than other craft.
Meanwhile the carrier has announced plans to introduce the world's fastest airport check-in.
Virgin Atlantic revealed yesterday that it is to open a new high-class wing for its passengers at Heathrow airport's terminal three, where it claims business travellers will be able to move "from limo to lounge in under ten minutes".
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