Virgin group founder Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss were part of a VIP delegation onboard the aircraft, named Billie Holiday.
The pair donned Tampa Bay Buccaneers (American football) and Tampa Bay Lightning (ice hockey) jerseys in a nod to the city’s sporting prowess.
Guests were served Cuban sandwiches and key lime pie as part of a Floridian spread, along with London-based brewery Two Tribes’ Florida IPA.
Virgin will initially operate the route on a four-times-weekly basis, before it goes daily from 28 November, complementing its existing Miami, Orlando and Austin flights.
