Solange Knowles Hops The Pond At Lincoln; Virgin Atlantic Celebrates 15th Anniversary!

NORTHWEST -- Following in the footsteps of noted aviator Amelia Earhart, Virgin Atlantic has ferried more than 1.9 million passengers across the ocean since it first began servicing the transatlantic corridor between London and D.C. in 1996.

And on Thursday evening, the award-winning airline celebrated its 15th anniversary of connecting two of the world’s major travel hubs, with a guest list-only celebration for employees and friends at Lincoln Restaurant & Lounge.

“Washington, D.C. has become a major gateway for Virgin Atlantic and we are honored and privileged to connect the rich histories and cultures of these two iconic capitals, and serve the people of our nation’s capital,” said Chris Rossi, Senior Vice President, North America for Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic’s Chris Rossi addresses the crowd.
Escorted by uniformed members of Virgin’s cabin crew, guests to last night’s posh soiree were invited to walk the red carpet into Lincoln’s celebrated dining and lounge areas. There, amidst a sea of decorations that playfully blended the venue’s traditional presidential furnishings with elements of British culture, they were free to enjoy a menu of signature cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a towering dessert buffet.

In a nod to the airline’s hospitality roots, the restaurant’s wait staff even entertainingly used stainless briefcases in lieu of serving trays, with attendees visibly delighted by such cleverness!

Nevertheless, the main attraction of the evening had to be an hour-long DJ set performed by recording artist, actress, and model Solange Knowles. Escorted into the party by her stylist, Charles Wade, and warmly introduced by Rossi during his opening remarks, Solange was quick to setup shop inside the makeshift DJ booth – thoughtfully posing for photographs with fans in between select tracks.

Solange Knowles arrived at Lincoln escorted by her stylist, Charles Wade.
Not one to forget about its customers, yesterday also marked the start of a week-long sale to and from Dulles International Airport to London Heathrow, with rates priced as low as $266/each way (taxes, fees, and restrictions apply).

Washington Life Executive Editor Michael Clements, RMCI Web Design Team Lead Anchyi Wei, and Capitol File Editor-in-Chief Kate Bennett.
With complimentary limo service and fully flat beds in its Upper Class cabins, it’s no wonder Virgin Atlantic claimed Travel Weekly’s “Best International Airline” award for the third consecutive year in 2010.

William Lemer and Lincoln proprietors Alan Popovsky and Mel Estrin.
For Washingtonians, London remains just one luxurious airline hop away! Happy birthday Virgin Atlantic!