AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER), the world’s largest aircraft lessor, has reached a significant agreement with Virgin Atlantic to finance six new Airbus A330-900 aircraft.
The transaction, structured as a purchase and leaseback, secures six jets from Virgin’s existing orderbook, with deliveries slated to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and run through late 2027.
The deal reinforces AerCap’s position as a primary financier for the A330neo, a fuel-efficient widebody that has become a cornerstone of long-haul fleet renewals.
For Virgin Atlantic, the move provides a capital-efficient path to completing its multi-billion-dollar fleet transformation.
The airline aims to operate the youngest, greenest fleet across the Atlantic, with the A330neo offering a 13% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to the A330-300s they replace.
The new aircraft will feature Virgin Atlantic’s latest cabin innovations, including expanded Premium and Upper Class cabins and the "Retreat Suite"—the airline’s most spacious seating option to date.