Branson to wear high heels after losing bet

KUALA LUMPUR: Book an AirAsia X flight from London on Feb 21 and you could find yourself being served by the richest “air hostess” on earth – airline owner Sir Richard Branson. The Virgin Atlantic founder is to dress up as a flight attendant after he lost a bet over which team would fare better in the last Formula 1 season. Branson, who owns the Virgin Racing Team, had bet that his cars would do better than the Lotus Racing team of Air Asia’s owner Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

Weighed and measured: Branson carrying an AirAsia stewardess at the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina circuit last month. He was, at that moment, being measured for a stewardess’ outfit by the stewardess. — Reuters

Fernandes, the Lotus Racing team principal, had challenged Branson to dress up as a flight attendant and serve on AirAsia if the tycoon’s Virgin Racing ended the season behind Lotus. Branson accepted, on condition that Fernandes would do the same on Virgin Atlantic’s London-Lagos route if the AirAsia boss lost. Branson lost his bet after his F1 Virgin Racing team ended behind Lotus Racing in the overall team rankings. “Branson will have to serve and even clean the toilets throughout the flight while wearing the high heels and the red AirAsia stewardess uniform,” he said.

Fernandes added that his rival would have to wear makeup and shave his legs as the budget airline did not allow “hairy stewardesses”. “However, he will be allowed to keep his moustache as it is his trademark.” The Virgin Atlantic boss has already received his AirAsia badge and had his uniform measured and tailored for the flight. The billionaire has been a good sport about the bet, added Fernandes.

-thestar online.