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Thursday, 6 February, 2003, 14:40 GMT
Love makes peace with Virgin
Sir Richard Branson and Courtney Love
Sir Richard and Love spent half an hour talking
Virgin Atlantic has agreed to fly Courtney Love back to Los Angeles after she met the airline's chairman, Sir Richard Branson, at a party.

The rock star was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday after cabin crew complained about her behaviour during the flight. She was let off with a police caution.

Love blamed her bad language on her arrest but said she was unhappy with her treatment by cabin crew.

Courtney Love
Love: "A little bit out of order"
Virgin founder Sir Richard said Love had apologised to him when they met at actor Kevin Spacey's Old Vic fundraising bash in London.

"Virgin Atlantic was built thanks to the rock industry so I like to think we are a bit more understanding than most airlines," he said.

"Courtney was a little out of order on the flight over and apologised to me. We are looking forward to flying her back to LA.

"Perhaps Virgin's new slogan should be that 'Rock stars swear by us'," he joked.

Virgin Atlantic was founded in 1984 with money from Sir Richard's record label and retail chain of the same name.

Love said the pair had got on so well he had offered her four first-class tickets to travel again with Virgin.

'Highly exaggerated'

Virgin Atlantic said it was happy to fly Love back home with her entourage, although her tickets had already been bought and were not free.

Love had flown to London from LA to take part in a charity concert organised by Spacey and Sir Elton John.

She was taken off the flight at Heathrow by officers after cabin crew had complained about her behaviour.

But she told waiting reporters the "brief verbal disagreement" had been "highly exaggerated".

Love said she had complained that staff did not let her friend sit in first class with her.

Courtney Love
Love has had a career marked with controversial antics

The crew said they tried to calm Love down but that she refused to sit in her seat and put her seatbelt on.

The captain called the airport as the plane, carrying 201 passengers and 20 crew, was on its approach to Heathrow.

Staff on the ground alerted police who were waiting for her as the plane touched down.

When asked how she felt about her treatment at the hands of the airline, the singer said: "I have been flying British Airways for a long time and I will continue to do so.

"This is my second time on Virgin and my first time wasn't so great either."

See also:

05 Feb 03 | Music
06 Feb 03 | Arts
06 Feb 03 | Arts
01 Oct 02 | Music
24 May 02 | Music
26 Apr 02 | Music
13 Dec 01 | Music
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