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Virgin America Launches Service From San Francisco to Seattle

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 09:00 CDT

SAN FRANCISCO, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the new U.S. airline aimed at making flying good again, today launched service between its home base of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Beginning today, Virgin America will offer three daily flights to SEA. Convenient connecting flights are also available to SEA via SFO from New York's JFK International, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Washington Dulles International airports. In addition, three daily roundtrips between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and SEA will begin on April 8, 2008, with a fourth roundtrip starting on May 11, 2008.

"We're thrilled to now link two of the West Coast's most beautiful cities and to bring the next generation of technology and in-flight entertainment to the tech-savvy Seattle market," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "With moodlighting, custom-designed leather seats, plugs to charge your electronic gear and a video touch-screen at every seat, we're excited to see how Seattle travelers respond when they step on board our new planes."

Virgin America's SFO-SEA fares start at $77 one way in the Main Cabin and $177 one way in First Class.* LAX-SEA fares start at $99 one way in the Main Cabin and $199 one way in First Class.*

Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is a brand new U.S. airline that offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at making flying good again. The Red(TM) In-flight Entertainment system features a video touch-screen at every seatback that offers travelers 25 on-demand movies, live TV, a food ordering system, the ability to create a playlist from 3,000 MP3s, videogames, interactive Google Maps and a seat-to-seat chat feature.

The celebration begins at Gate A12 at SFO's International Terminal, with plenty of Seattle's finest coffee, a grunge music soundtrack at departure and a ribbon-cutting by Virgin America President and CEO David Cush to welcome the first SFO-SEA guests. The VIP treatment continues during the flight, with guests receiving Virgin America's signature "Vir-million" champagne cocktails and organic, artisan chocolates from San Francisco's Charles Chocolates.

"We're very pleased to welcome Virgin America to Seattle," said Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton. "The airline offers some unique, next generation in-flight amenities for travelers, and in coming to Seattle, will provide job and economic development opportunities for the Puget Sound region and the state."

Upon arrival at Gate A6 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the plane will receive a traditional water-cannon salute, followed by a champagne brunch welcome reception with local elected officials and community leaders. Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD and now SFO to SEA.

Media Contact: Abby Lunardini (650) 533-7576 / abby.lunardini@virginamerica.com

About Virgin America:

Virgin America is a brand new U.S. airline that will serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation, and up to 30 cities within five years. Virgin America has no connection to Virgin Atlantic, although Virgin Group (led by Virgin Group Chairman and Founder Sir Richard Branson) is a minority-share investor in the airline. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern, spacious and convenient International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, plugs for laptops and other electronic devices and a host of other innovative features aimed at making flying good again. In Zagat's 2007 Global Airlines Survey of frequent fliers, the airline was ranked #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First/Business Class and #2 for quality in Main Cabin. To learn more: http://www.virginamerica.com

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline with no relation to Virgin Atlantic. The Virgin Group is a minority share investor in the airline.

*All Main Cabin fares are one way. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets must be purchased by April 8, 2008. Fares require a 21-day advance purchase. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $40 fee, plus any increase in fare if applicable. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call centers will cost an additional $10 per passenger per itinerary. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. The start dates for certain non-stop services are as follows: SFO-Seattle, March 18, 2008; LAX-Seattle, April 8, 2008.

*All First Class fares are one way. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. All fares require a 7-day advance purchase. Tickets must be purchased by April 8, 2008. Changes or cancellations can be made without a fee, but any increase in fare will apply. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call centers will cost an additional $10 per passenger per itinerary. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. The start dates for certain non-stop service are as follows: SFO - SEA on March 18, 2008 and LAX - SEA on April 8, 2008. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket.

Virgin America

CONTACT: Abby Lunardini of Virgin America, +1-650-533-7576,abby.lunardini@virginamerica.com

Web site: http://www.virginamerica.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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