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Video: Virgin America Launches Service to John Wayne Airport

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 January 2009, 12:40 CST

Award Winning Airline Expands Service on the West Coast

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California based airline that is reinventing domestic air travel, today announced its plans to launch service to John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California. Beginning on April 30, 2009, Virgin America plans to fly five daily flights from its home base at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to SNA, with low introductory fares starting at $59*. SNA will be the ninth destination airport in the airline's growing network.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/virginamerica/36796/

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO )

"As the only airline headquartered in California, Orange County is an enormously important travel market for us. We couldn't be more pleased to be partnering with John Wayne Airport to bring our unique, award-winning service to the region," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "With low fares and new planes that offer a totally different flying experience, from cabin moodlighting to touch-screen seatback entertainment -- we think our service is a perfect match for Orange County's discriminating travelers."

Tickets are on sale today on Virgin America's website (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474). SFO-SNA one way fares start from $59 in Main Cabin, $145 in the carrier's new Main Cabin Select premium service, and from $209 in the First Class cabin*. Virgin America will also offer connecting flights from SNA to Seattle (SEA), Boston (BOS), New York (JFK) and Washington Dulles (IAD).

"We're pleased to welcome Virgin America to Orange County," said SNA Airport Director Alan Murphy. "Competition brings more options for travelers, and we think Virgin America's competitive fares and fun, innovative in-flight amenities will be a popular choice for our visitors and residents."

Launched in August 2007, Virgin America has won a list of travel industry awards including "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Readers' Choice Awards and in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards. Virgin America's brand new Airbus A320-family fleet is one of the most fuel efficient and quiet in the U.S.

Virgin America offers low fare flights that appeal to today's tech-savvy business and leisure travelers. The airline offers power outlets and touch-screen Red(TM) entertainment platforms at every seat. The Red system allows guests to control their own in-flight experience, with a touch-screen food menu, live TV, movies, seat-to-seat chat, a play-list of thousands of MP3s, videogames, and more. Already launched on five aircraft, by the second quarter of 2009 the carrier will be the first U.S. airline to offer in-flight internet on every flight.

"Our business model is focused on smart growth in 2009, with an emphasis on population centers where our stylish, attractively priced flights will resonate with savvy travelers. Orange County is an ideal fit for Virgin America's upscale service and a natural extension of our LAX-SFO routes," added Cush.

The airline's Main Cabin offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch. The airline's premium Main Cabin Select features 38-inches of seat pitch, complimentary food and cocktails, an all-access pass to Red's(R) countless entertainment options, and priority check-in and boarding. First Class offers international-grade amenities like white leather seats with 55 inches of seat pitch and lumbar massagers.

The airline's conveniently timed schedule for service is as follows:

Flight Leaves Arrives Flight Leaves Arrives SNA SFO SFO SNA ------ ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ 801** 6:45am 8:30am 800** 6:30am 8:00am 803 8:45am 10:15am 802 9:45am 11:15am 811 12:00pm 1:30pm 804*** 12:40pm 2:10pm 805*** 2:55pm 4:25pm 810 5:10pm 6:40pm 815**** 7:20pm 8:50pm 814**** 8:15pm 9:45pm

In addition to SNA, the airline offers flights from SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, SFO to SEA, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, LAX to SEA, JFK to LAS and from Feb. 12, 2009 - BOS to SFO and BOS to LAX.

About Virgin America: Launched in August 2007, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets for electronic gear. To learn more about Virgin America, visit: www.virginamerica.com.

About SNA: John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a self-supporting enterprise, owned and operated by the County of Orange. Located just 35 miles south of Los Angeles between Irvine, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, it is the only commercial service airport in Orange County. In 2008, the Airport served 8.9 million passengers. For more information, visit www.ocair.com.

*Terms and Conditions: All fares are one way. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets must be purchased by 2/14/09. Travel must commence on or after 4/30/09 and be completed by 6/10/09. Blackout dates do not apply. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee, plus any increase in fare if applicable. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call centers will cost an additional $15 per guest per itinerary. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Fares, routes, fees 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 $3.60 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. Fares are not applicable to check-through connecting flights for city pairs where direct flights are offered. Virgin America will accept one piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds free of charge for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for a second checked bag up to 50 pounds is $25.00, and for each additional checked bag of up to 50 pounds is $50.00. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply. Flight may not operate daily during off-peak periods.

**This flight will not operate on Sundays

***These flights will not operate on Tuesday and Wednesdays until 6/28/09

****This flight will not operate on Saturdays

SOURCE Virgin America

Source: PR Newswire

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