Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson will dress as an air stewardess after losing a bet to AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes over who backs the better Formula I motor racing team, officials said today.
Branson has pledged to shave his legs, serve drinks and even clean the toilets on Sunday’s special flight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur.
Some of the ticket sales and bar bills on the AirAsia trip from Australia to the Malaysian capital will go to children’s charity the Starlight Foundation.
“On my way to Perth to shave Sir Richard Branson legs and put him in a red uniform,” Malaysian-born Fernandes tweeted. “Anyone want a free flight up to Kuala Lumpur and be served by Richard Branson who lives in Perth. I got 2 to give.” Fernandes, who described the Briton as his mentor, used to work for Branson before setting up his own budget airline.
“As an AirAsia X’s flight attendant, he has to comply with our grooming standards and that includes shaving his legs, donning high heels, putting on some makeup and slipping into the AirAsia’s famous red uniform,” Fernandes said.
“He will be committed to carry out the responsibilities of a flight attendant, including offering coffee, tea and other food and beverages to guests on the special 6-hour Perth to Kuala Lumpur flight.” The businessmen wagered over which of their Formula I teams (then Virgin and Lotus) would finish higher in the standings in their debut 2010 season.
Team Lotus finished ahead of Marussia Virgin and so Branson was obliged to do a stint as a trolley dolly on an AirAsia flight.
“I’ve done some outrageous things in my time but this will be up there with the best of them,” Branson said. “I’ve just got to practice walking in high heels first”.