Virgin Atlantic appoints Don Langford as new CIO

Langford replaces interim David Smith, and before him David Bulman, as the firm's new senior VP of technology

Virgin Atlantic has appointed American Airlines' vice president of customer care, Don Langford, as its new senior VP of technology - the equivalent of a CIO.

Langford will be responsible for leading the technology team at the British firm and he will oversee all the technology initiatives at the firm, including the implementation of a new passenger service system dubbed Air4, which is to be introduced next year.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Keeper said he was "delighted to welcome Don to the leadership team".

"With extensive experience in the airline industry, Don is very well placed to lead some of the very exciting technology initiatives we have underway here at Virgin Atlantic. Don is someone I have worked with in a variety of roles in the past and I am certain he will help us deliver against our plans for long-term success," he said.

Langford has over 30 years' experience in the airline industry, and in his most recent role he was responsible for 12 contact centres and 81 airports where he led over 8,000 employees across the globe.

"To be working with a group of fantastic people during this time of business transformation is an exciting opportunity," Langford said of his appointment.

He will replace the interim senior VP of technology, David Smith, who had joined Virgin Atlantic from Delta Air Lines.

He was filling the role left vacant by David Bulman, who departed in February and thereafter joined charitable foundation the Wellcome Trust as its interim CIO.

Bulman ran initiatives at Virgin Atlantic including the trial of Google Glass and Sony Smartwatch wearable technology in an effort to improve customer service.