Virgin America And Uber Team Up To Share The Love In Dallas

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline known for making flying fun again, today announces a co-branded "Share the Love" digital promotion at www.ShareTheLoveDallas.com, with the revolutionary technology company Uber and HotelTonight. To kick off the airline's Dallas Love Field launch in style, the  companies have partnered to offer up to 25 percent off* a future flight to or from Dallas Love Field, free uberX (up to $30) or UberBlack service (up to $40) **and a chance to win a trip onboard Virgin America's first flight into Love Field on October 13^th *** hosted by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, with a live acoustic performance by Grammy Award-winning country music star, Kacey Musgraves – at 35,000 feet.  The airline's first flight into Love Field will be the "ultimate Uber ride," a Virgin America "Downtown Express" flight from DFW to the airport most convenient to Downtown Dallas.  To get the lovefest started and enter for a chance to win a seat on board, Virgin America is asking fans and flyers to share what they love via social badges on Facebook and Twitter. Examples include,  "I love taking moodlit selfies" and "I love flying coach that feels like first class" – and will include one very special badge in support of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Dallas-Fort Worth. For every share, $5 will be donated**** to the KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth's first ever music program for elementary school students. The "Share the Love" digital promotion launches today, September 18^th, and runs through October 6^th, 2014. Travelers at DFW on October 13^th will also have a chance to catch a ride on the "Downtown Express" flight. 

"When we thought about how to take the Virgin America experience to the next level, Uber instantly came to mind," said Luanne Calvert, Chief Marketing Officer at Virgin America. "Both of our brands know how to for shake up the status quo, reinvent our categories and have a bit of cheeky fun while we're at it. What better way to celebrate our launch than to come together to share the love with those who helped us to free Love Field – and of course, in a nod to the Virgin brand's music roots – we found a way to bring live music to the skies on our Downtown Express flight." 

In May 2014, Virgin America's presence at Love was secured via the airline's public advocacy campaign at www.FreeLoveField.com, where more than 27,000 travelers voiced their support of free market competition, low fares and more choice at Love Field.  This October, Virgin America will launch its new business-friendly flights from Dallas' Love Field (DAL) to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). 

Fans and flyers who enter for a chance to win at www.SharetheLoveDallas.com, will receive 15 percent off a future flight* and up to 25 percent of a future flight* if they enter and share what they love on Facebook and Twitter via the social badges.  Elevate® frequent flyer program members who enter the sweepstakes will automatically score a second entry. Five Share the Love grand prize winners will win a trip to Dallas with their own special love and a seat on the "Downtown Express" flight, an invitation to Virgin America's star-studded red carpet evening bash at House of Blues Dallas, a luxury hotel stay compliments of HotelTonight – and free UberBlack service.***

"We are excited about partnering with Virgin America because they are a like minded brand in so many ways," said Uber General Manager, Leandre Johns. "We're both innovative companies with a passion for thinking differently, elevating the consumer experience and opening up airports to more competition that will lower fares for both ground and air travel. It's a perfect match."

"HotelTonight is excited to partner with Virgin America and Uber, two companies that share our love of traveling in style," said Marc St. Pierre, General Manager - Texas at HotelTonight. "And we're thrilled that Virgin America is now serving Dallas Love Field, with their fun in-flight amenities, no doubt it will encourage even more people to travel, more often."

Virgin America's service is tailored to the modern business traveler, making it a perfect fit for Dallas-based and Dallas-destined travelers choosing to fly from Love Field's central location. With mood-lit cabins, fleetwide WiFi, custom-designed leather seating, power outlets, personal touch-screen entertainment platforms, assigned seating and new, quieter aircraft with three classes of service, Virgin America has attracted a loyal following of business travelers for its "office in the sky" amenities. In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seating with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, the airline's international-grade First Class cabin offers plush white leather seating with 55 inches of pitch, 165 degrees of recline and lumbar massagers. The carrier's Main Cabin Select service offers 38-inches of pitch, free food and cocktails, an all-access pass to media content, dedicated overhead bins and priority check-in/boarding. The airline's Express service offers preferred seating, priority security access and advance boarding. The Red™ in-flight entertainment platform offers guests their own seatback touch-screen TV, with more than 20 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, a 6,000 song library and an on-demand menu, which allows flyers to order a cocktail or snack from their seatback any time during a flight. In 2012, Virgin America opened its first airport lounge, The Loft at LAX, and rolled out enhancements to its Elevate frequent flyer program — including status levels.

Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has created more than 2,800 jobs and expanded its network to include Austin, Boston, Cancun, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth (ends October 12, 2014), Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Los Cabos, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, Palm Springs (seasonal), Philadelphia (suspends October 6, 2014), Portland, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. (IAD and DCA). Later this fall, the carrier will launch service from Dallas Love Field (October 13, 2014) and New York's LaGuardia Airport (begins October 28, 2014).

Photos of Virgin America's "Downtown Express" plane and the airline's unique aircraft can be found here and broadcast quality b-roll can be found here.

About Virgin America: Known for its mood-lit cabins, three beautifully designed classes of service and innovative fleetwide amenities — like touch-screen personal entertainment, WiFi and power outlets at every seat, Virgin America has built a loyal following of flyers and earned a host of awards since launching in 2007 — including being named both the "Best U.S. Airline" in Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards for the past six consecutive years and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards for the past seven consecutive years. For more: www.virginamerica.com

About Uber:
Uber is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through its platform, Uber make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more small business opportunities for drivers. From Uber's founding in 2009 to its launches more than 200 cities in 45 countries today, Uber's rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer. www.uber.com

About HotelTonight:
HotelTonight is the only booking app that is made-for-mobile. Available for free in the Apple App Store and Android Market, HotelTonight offers the best pricing for last-minute deals at top hotels vetted personally by HotelTonight staff. Perfect for business travelers, leisure travelers and locals alike, HotelTonight deals are currently available in 25 destinations. www.HotelTonight.com

About Kacey Musgraves:
Texas-native and Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Kacey Musgraves released her Mercury Records Nashville debut album, Same Trailer Different Park, in the spring of 2013 to massive critical acclaim and recognition.  The album, which she co-produced with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart making her the first solo female in five years to open at No. 1 with a rookie release, and just seventh in the 22-year Nielson SoundScan era.  The gold-certified album includes her top 10, platinum-selling single "Merry Go 'Round," "Blowin' Smoke," gold-certified "Follow Your Arrow," and "Keep It To Yourself."  She's received CMT Music Award and Teen Choice Award nominations, and has taken home the award for "New Artist of the Year" at 2013's CMA Awards.  Musgraves also won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song ("Merry Go 'Round") and Best Country Album (Same Trailer Different Park) and this past April took home the ACM Award for Album of the Year (Same Trailer Different Park).  She has performed on "CMT CROSSROADS: Katy Perry & Kacey Musgraves," "Today Show," "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "Late Show with David Letterman," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "2013 CMT Music Awards," "2013 Billboard Music Awards" and the "56th Annual Grammy Awards."  Musgraves recently wrapped up her opening spot on Katy Perry's Prismatic World Tour and will kick off her headlining tour, Same Tour Different Trailer, at the end of September. 

*Terms and Conditions – DAL Share the Love - up to 15% off:
This offer ends on October 20, 2014 at 11:59pm PT. This offer is valid only for nonstop or connecting travel; offer is not valid for any multi-city itineraries. Travel must occur between October 13, 2014 and February 11, 2015. Travel to DAL-LGA must occur between October 28, 2014 and February 11, 2015. Tickets require advance purchase of 14 Days. Promo code is valid for Main Cabin round trip fares. Discount is only valid for round trip itinerary to/from DAL only. Promo code is valid for 15% discount off on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and 10% discount off Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, off the base fare for travel. Blackout dates are 11/6/14 – 11/11/14, 11/19/14 – 12/3/14, 12/12/14 – 1/7/15, 1/15/15 – 1/20/15. Promo code is not valid for refundable Main Cabin, Main Cabin Select and First Class fares. Promo code may be used only towards newly booked travel and may not be applied to prior bookings. Promo code discount will be deducted off of base fare. Base 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 $4.00 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. For service to/from Mexico, base fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, the U.S. Customs processing fee of $5.50, a U.S. International Arrival/Departure Tax of $17.50 each way and additional taxes/fees of up to $70, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Promo code may not be redeemed for cash. Promo code may only be used for bookings made on virginamerica.com and is only valid on itineraries of up to 2 guests. Offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers. Promotion code is not eligible for Elevate points redemption bookings. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. If travel is changed or cancelled, promo code discount will become invalid. For travel solely between points in the Western Region (LAS/LAX/PDX/PSP/PVR/SAN/SEA/SFO/SJD only) changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. For all other itineraries, changes or cancellations can be made for a $150 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be placed in a guest's travel bank, good for travel on Virgin America for one year from date of issue. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $100 redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancellation prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. For Main Cabin Select, Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds free of charge for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. For First Class, Virgin America will accept two (2) pieces of checked baggage up to 50 pounds for free of charge for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the third (3) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

Terms and Conditions – DAL Share the Love - up to 25% off:
This offer ends on October 20, 2014 at 11:59pm PT. This offer is valid only for nonstop or connecting travel; offer is not valid for any multi-city itineraries. Travel must occur between October 13, 2014 and February 11, 2015. Travel to DAL-LGA must occur between October 28, 2014 and February 11, 2015. Tickets require advance purchase of 14 Days. Promo code is valid for Main Cabin round trip fares. Discount is only valid for round trip itinerary to/from DAL only. Promo code is valid for 25% discount off on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and 15% discount off Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, off the base fare for travel. Blackout dates are 11/6/14 – 11/11/14, 11/19/14 – 12/3/14, 12/12/14 – 1/7/15, 1/15/15 – 1/20/15. Promo code is not valid for refundable Main Cabin, Main Cabin Select and First Class fares. Promo code may be used only towards newly booked travel and may not be applied to prior bookings. Promo code discount will be deducted off of base fare. Base 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 $4.00 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. For service to/from Mexico, base fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, the U.S. Customs processing fee of $5.50, a U.S. International Arrival/Departure Tax of $17.50 each way and additional taxes/fees of up to $70, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Promo code may not be redeemed for cash. Promo code may only be used for bookings made on virginamerica.com and is only valid on itineraries of up to 2 guests. Offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers. Promotion code is not eligible for Elevate points redemption bookings. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. If travel is changed or cancelled, promo code discount will become invalid. For travel solely between points in the Western Region (LAS/LAX/PDX/PSP/PVR/SAN/SEA/SFO/SJD only) changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. For all other itineraries, changes or cancellations can be made for a $150 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be placed in a guest's travel bank, good for travel on Virgin America for one year from date of issue. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $100 redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancellation prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. . For Main Cabin Select, Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds free of charge for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. For First Class, Virgin America will accept two (2) pieces of checked baggage up to 50 pounds for free of charge for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the third (3) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

**Uber Offer: Book in MC: The first 1,000 Elevate members to book a DAL flight in Main Cabin by October 28, they will be emailed a unique promo code good for (1) free ride with uberX to the airport, up to $30 off, once our DAL service launches on October 13 (SFO, LAX, LGA, DAL or DCA) or October 28 (NYC). Codes valid through 6/1/15 and are limited to 1 per user. New Uber users are invited to signup for their account today at uber.com/go/VXALOVE. Book in MCS/FC: The first 300 Elevate member books a DAL flight in Main Cabin Select or First Class by October 28, they will be emailed a unique promo code good for (1) free ride with Uber Black to or from the airport, up to $40 off, once our DAL service launches on October 13 (SFO, LAX, LGA, DAL or DCA) or October 28 (NYC). Codes valid through 6/1/15 and are limited to 1 per user. Please allow 7 – 14 business days to receive your unique promo code. New Uber users are invited to signup for the service at uber.com/go/VXLOVE or download the app to your smartphone and enter code 'VXLOVE' to get started.

*** Share the Love Sweepstakes Official Rules: No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. 21 and Older. Void where prohibited. Ends 10/6/14. For Official Rules, which govern and complete details, visit: http://vgn.am/ShareLove

**** Donation to KIPP DFW: Virgin America will donate $5 per share on Facebook or Twitter of a "Share the Love" graphic from www.ShareTheLoveDallas.com  (in both cash and in–kind tickets) to KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Dallas-Fort Worth, in support of their new music program (with total donation value not to exceed $25,000) from September 17, 2014–October 6, 2014 at 3:00pm ET.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO

SOURCE Virgin America

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