Branson-faced ice cubes to be served on his Airlines

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Billionaire Richard Branson has created ice cubes in his own lifelike image to be served in the upper class of his airlines so that he can fly 'in spirit' with the passengers.

The cubes were designed so that his Virgin Atlantic passengers could experience what it may be like to have a drink with the entrepreneur.

So at 32,000 feet up on a luxury sleep suit one might be 'treated' to Branson's severed head in ice-cube form that looms into view from behind a wedge of lemon.

Virgin Atlantic upper class customers can look forward to a couple of 'Little Richards' in their bar drinks going forward, the Daily Mail reported. It took a team of four skilled designers six weeks to create the moulds for Branson's cubes.

They got exact measurements of Sir Richard's head using detailed photographic techniques and laser scanning technology.

And what a result, the ice cubes are uncannily lifelike, depicting the airline owner's goatee beard, grinning teeth and lustrous mane. The cubes are just one aspect of the airline's new on-plane bars, the longest in the sky.

"While Richard would love to be able to sit and enjoy a drink with all of our passengers, his schedule means that it simply isn't possible," Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic said."

"Now he is able to join our guests 'in spirit' on one of the upper class cabin's first flights as they raise a toast to their trip and the exciting times ahead," he added.

Of course those not so keen on the 61-year-old billionaire can enjoy watching his grinning effigy melt away into the abyss.