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Virgin Atlantic Selects EDS, an HP Company, for Next-Generation Airline Reservation System

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 1, 2008

EDS, an HP company, and Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced they have signed a new information technology (IT) services agreement that extends the companies’ 25-year relationship.

EDS has provided IT services for Virgin Atlantic since its inaugural flight in 1984.

New to this five-year agreement, EDS will provide the next generation of its airline reservations solution, EDS Reservation Services, a part of EDS’ Transportation Applications that EDS hosts and maintains on behalf of its clients. New features included in the solution are Electronic Miscellaneous Documents (EMD), which allow Virgin Atlantic employees to electronically capture and account for ancillary sales, and Ticket Re-issue and Refund (TRR) software that automates a formerly labor-intensive function and improves customer service.

“We are impressed with EDS’ vision for their new reservations platform and how this will enable Virgin Atlantic to exploit a service-oriented architecture (SOA) to provide improved customer services, greater agility and lower costs,” said Mike Cope, IT director at Virgin Atlantic. “This builds on our long-standing partnership with EDS during which time Virgin Atlantic has grown to become Britain’s second-largest airline serving the world’s major cities.”

Also new to the agreement, EDS will use its airline service-oriented architecture (AirlineSOA) that connects software and systems to better integrate Virgin Atlantic’s operations and help meet the airline’s unique market needs. Each of these new functionalities helps Virgin Atlantic lower core reservations services costs and add new revenue opportunities.

EDS will continue to provide passenger-processing services that include applications development and hosting of EDS Reservation Services, which handles approximately 6 million revenue passengers boarded annually for Virgin Atlantic.

“We have built a strong relationship and mutual trust with the Virgin Atlantic team over the last 25 years,” said Jim Dullum, vice president of Global Transportation Industry at EDS, an HP company. “Taking advantage of EDS’ latest technology, software development and delivery expertise and industry knowledge creates the right mix of IT innovation to support Virgin Atlantic’s continued success.”

EDS Agility Alliance partner Microsoft will provide select tools, software and resources to EDS in support of Virgin Atlantic. Together, EDS and its Agility Alliance partners collaborate to design, build and run a market-leading services platform and develop technology-based services to deliver tangible client results. EDS Agility Alliance partners include Cisco, EMC, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Sun Microsystems and Xerox.

As a leading transportation IT services provider, EDS’ end-to-end capabilities encompass air carriers, airports, cruise lines, logistics and modal providers, hotel companies and major reservations networks. EDS brings world-class technology solutions and infrastructure to help transportation and travel-related clients sustain competitive advantage in a highly dynamic global market.

About Virgin Atlantic Airways

Since it was founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways has become Britain’s second largest carrier serving the world’s major cities. Now based at both London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports, it operates long haul services to 30 destinations world-wide as far apart as Las Vegas, Sydney and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic has enjoyed huge popularity, winning top business, consumer and trade awards from around the world. The airline has pioneered a range of innovations setting new standards of service, which its competitors have subsequently sought to follow. Despite Virgin Atlantic’s growth the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation.

Virgin Atlantic currently has a fleet of 38 aircraft which includes thirteen 747s and six A340-300s and nineteen A340-600s.

About EDS

EDS, an HP company, is a leading global technology services provider, delivering business solutions to its customers. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 46 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology, applications and business process outsourcing services to customers in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries, and to governments around the world.

About HP

HP, the world’s largest technology company, provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. HP completed its acquisition of EDS on Aug. 26, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.


This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

EDS and the EDS logo are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.

HP is an equal opportunity employer and values the diversity of its people. © 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.


Editorial contacts:

Jennifer Harbour, EDS, an HP company: jennifer.harbour@hp.com

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