India's TCS partners with Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic to modernise the airline's core systems

India's IT giant Tata Consultancy Services has signed a seven-year extension of its partnership with Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic to accelerate the UK airline’s digital transformation, marking a deeper integration of AI and cloud technologies aimed at operational resilience and customer experience.

Under the renewed agreement, TCS will overhaul Virgin Atlantic’s technology backbone by introducing a cloud-first, AI-powered architecture that is expected to unify its digital estate and bolster scalability. The program will see the development of a Technology Command Centre, co-created by the two companies, that offers real-time operational insights, enabling faster decision-making across functions from ground staff to cabin crew.

Virgin Atlantic, which carried more than five million passengers to over 30 destinations in 2024, is seeking to align its systems with the evolving demands of modern airline retailing. The new technology estate aims to enhance hyper-personalized travel experiences and streamline backend operations spanning crew, cargo, engineering, and enterprise platforms. 

TCS said it will deploy its proprietary solutions including TCS Cognix and AI WisdomNext to support Virgin Atlantic’s journey toward what it calls a “sustainably profitable” digital core. These systems are designed to improve service delivery and increase automation across critical airline processes.

TCS also said the work will be carried out by a dedicated onsite team with contextual knowledge of the airline’s business environment.

Oli Byers, Chief Financial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said, "We exist to make our customers smile, it’s that simple. As we look ahead to this next phase of our digital transformation, technology will enable us to deliver smarter, simpler, and more memorable experiences. TCS has been a partner for more than two decades and together we’ll continue to build towards our vision of becoming the most loved travel company, powered by AI technology to modernize our systems, drive efficiency and deliver for our customers.”

The agreement builds on over 20 years of collaboration between the two companies. TCS has previously worked on Virgin Atlantic’s digital programs across crew management, engineering systems, and enterprise platforms.

Amit Kapur, Country Head - UK & Ireland, Tata Consultancy Services said, “At TCS, we believe being perpetually adaptive is a necessity in today’s dynamic business landscape. Our two-decade partnership with Virgin Atlantic is a testament to a shared vision. By combining our deep aviation expertise with advanced capabilities in data, AI, and engineering, we’re helping Virgin Atlantic build intelligent, scalable digital ecosystems and redefine the future of travel.”