Corneel became Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic on 1 January 2026, where he’s responsible for leading the British flag carrier on its journey to becoming the most loved travel company. He re-joined Virgin Atlantic in 2019 as Chief Customer Officer, expanding his remit to Chief Customer and Operating Officer in 2020. Since 2017, Corneel has served as a Board Member of Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited.

Corneel has been instrumental in driving operational excellence and delivering the award-winning customer experience that Virgin Atlantic is renowned for, with safety and security always top of mind. As a member of the Leadership Team, he played a pivotal role in guiding the airline through the pandemic, ensuring it emerged thriving and reliable. He also led the introduction of the award-winning A330neo aircraft and delivered digital operational transformation.

Spanning three decades, Corneel has extensive leadership experience in the sector, holding senior operational and commercial roles at Virgin Atlantic and partners Delta Air Lines, Aeroméxico and KLM, contributing to his deep understanding and passion for travel and aviation.

Before rejoining Virgin Atlantic in 2019, he served as Delta Air Lines’ Senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI), overseeing all commercial activities and partnerships across the region. Prior to that, as Chief Operating Officer for Grupo Aeroméxico, Corneel was responsible for the operational excellence and service delivery of the national flag carrier of Mexico and its regional feeder airline, as well as the company’s cargo and ground-handling subsidiaries. Between 2010 and 2013, he held the position of Director of Operations, Safety and Security at Virgin Atlantic, following a series of commercial leadership roles in passenger, ground handling and cargo businesses at KLM.

Originating from the Netherlands, Corneel holds an MSc (drs.) in Business Administration from the University of Groningen. He has lived in Malta, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Mexico and now resides with his family in the UK, in the beautiful South Downs in East Sussex.