Richard Branson Surprise Officiates Virgin Atlantic Crew Members' Vegas Wedding for Airline's 40th Anniversary (Exclusive)

Sir Richard Branson has another surprise gesture up his sleeve!

The billionaire entrepreneur, 73, marked Virgin Atlantic���s 40th anniversary by surprise officiating the wedding of two airline crew members, Malcolm and Jacqui, at Las Vegas’ famous Little White Chapel on Monday, June 10.

The couple — who met during the company’s first year nearly 40 years ago — were renewing their vows with an Elvis impersonator when the Virgin Group founder snuck in to surprise them. 

Branson opened up to PEOPLE about why being part of such a special moment was important to him, in addition to marking the airline’s 40th with an all-new route.

“It's great to be here in Vegas celebrating a new route between Manchester and Vegas on Virgin Atlantic, and also to be here to surprise two of our crew who are from Manchester who are getting married today. Well, they're getting married for the second time,” he tells PEOPLE.  

The businessman also revealed why he wanted to reunite with the couple and help them celebrate their big day. 

“Malcolm and Jacqui have been working with us for 40 years,” he says. “I've been lucky enough to get to know them and meet them many times over the last 40 years. And it's just lovely that they wanted to renew their vows. It's lovely to be able to surprise them.”

Branson adds, “40 years of Virgin Atlantic, it's so good to be here celebrating that.” 

The company started flying out of the U.K. in 1984 and currently offers direct flights to destinations all over the world from Shanghai to San Francisco. The Virgin Group has since expanded its empire through the launch of its own cruise line, Virgin Voyages, with its newest ship Brilliant Lady set to embark on a North American tour in September 2025.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

In the spirit of surprising people, Branson hopped on a flight operated by Delta (a Virgin Atlantic partner) heading directly from Atlanta to San Juan in February. Once on the plane, he announced that every single Delta SkyMiles member on the plane (over age 18) would receive a free cruise aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady. 

“I love to surprise people,” Branson tells PEOPLE of his recent gesture. “I think one of my favorite mottos in life is, be the reason that someone smiles today and that's what I hope we'll make them do.”