So, that's what First Class looks like, above

"I respect Virgin Atlantic’s brave and challenging attitude and the way it goes against the grain, so I jumped at the chance to be part of the first ever Gallery in the Air. We have created a completely original way of appreciating and buying art - a new frontier for the industry.”

Such is Eine's admiration of Branson, he even drew a not-for-sale portrait of the Virgin founder to hang in the London Heathrow Clubhouse.

Branson said: “We like to do things differently at Virgin Atlantic and are always finding new ways to surprise and entertain our customers. Our new Gallery in the Air is the first ever commercial art gallery in the sky and is a good example of this.

“I am a huge fan of Ben’s work and, like us, he does things differently and doesn’t follow the crowd. We’re delighted to be working with him, mixing things up a bit and having a bit of fun along the way.”

Virgin's in-flight Eine exhibition is set to be the first in a series of collaborations with high-profile artists.

Visionary or sell-out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or @StylistMagazine

Words: Anna Pollitt. Images: Rex Features, Virgin

World's first aeroplane art gallery set for take-off