Virgin America Expands Flight Service To Palm Springs With New Nonstop JFK-PSP Flights

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing travel, today announces that it is bringing more of its upscale, low-fare flights to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) from both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).  Just in time for winter getaways, the airline is expanding its footprint at PSP, with a new 2012-2013 seasonal flight schedule that will include a new weekly Saturday nonstop flight from JFK to PSP – the only nonstop flight offered from the New York City area to Palm Springs.  The new nonstop flight will add to Virgin America's seasonal daily connecting flight schedule from JFK to PSP and its seasonal daily nonstop schedule from SFO to PSP.  Tickets are on sale as of today at www.virginamerica.com and 1-877-FLY-VIRGIN.* Fares start from $79** SFO-PSP and introductory fares from $149** JFK-PSP. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120925/AQ80636)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

"Since entering these Palm Springs markets, we've seen strong demand for our unique flight service.  We're pleased to be expanding in the market and offering a new nonstop option for travelers coming from New York to the desert this winter," said John MacLeod, Senior Vice President of Planning and Sales at Virgin America.  "With service that continues to sweep the travel awards, touch-screen entertainment at every seat and new aircraft that look like nothing else in the domestic skies, we think our flights are a great fit for the region.  We're thankful for the partnership and support of the airport, Mayor and tourism community in welcoming our new service and helping us grow."

"Virgin America's upscale flight service is a perfect match for travelers visiting our region, and we're pleased to see the airline spread its wings and expand here.  The new JFK service will be the only nonstop flight to the Northeast from PSP.  Virgin America's decision to grow its presence here is a testament to the appeal of our region as a global destination and the strength of our local tourism economy," said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.

Known for outstanding service, beautifully designed cabins and unrivalled in-flight entertainment, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards for the past four years and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past five years.  The airline first launched seasonal flight service into the Palm Springs market in December 2011 with a daily nonstop flight from SFO and a daily "same plane" through flight from JFK to PSP. Just weeks after launching its service into Palm Springs, Virgin America partnered with the Palm Springs International Film Festival as a premier sponsor.  In April 2012 the airline ramped up service during the Coachella Music Festival and hosted unique events for festivalgoers, including a flight with a live DJ spinning from the back of the plane. 

"We're thrilled to see Virgin America expand its award-winning service in our region.  Virgin America's fresh approach to travel is obviously striking a chord with travelers headed to and from the Coachella Valley," said Scott White, President and CEO of Greater Palm Springs CVB.  "Virgin America's added commitment to our region will help lower fares and improve service in our market, allowing more travelers to enjoy all that our dynamic region has to offer."

Palm Springs, and the other cities that make up the region, is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment. Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella offer streets lined with palm trees, the best in shopping, art galleries and museums and outdoor dining – all amidst breathtaking scenery.  In addition to luxury resorts and world-class golfing, the region has welcomed an influx of hip boutique hotels and landmark events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.  Palm Springs has a history as the holiday home of many Hollywood stars from the 1940s on – and is known as the center of "Desert Modernism" mid-century modern architecture.  For more, visit: www.palmspringsoasis.com

Virgin America's new fleet offers custom-designed mood-lit cabins and amenities like fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and personal entertainment at every seat.  The Red™ platform offers guests their own seatback touch-screen TV, with 25 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, a 4000 song library and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a cocktail or snack from their seatback any time during a flight.  In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seating with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, the airline's First Class offers plush white leather seating with 55 inches of pitch, 165 degrees of recline and lumbar massagers.  The carrier's Main Cabin Select option offers 38-inches of pitch, free food and cocktails, an all-access pass to media content, dedicated overhead bins and priority check-in/boarding.  This summer, Virgin America launched a suite of enhancements to its Elevate® frequent flyer program – including Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver status levels that offer perks such as:  priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; points earning bonuses; free checked bag allowances; enhanced digital/social rewards; private discounts; an expanded advance purchase upgrade window for the airline's exclusive eight-seat First Class; complimentary space-available upgrades to the carrier's premium Main Cabin Select service; and complimentary access to the best seat assignments within Main Cabin.

Virgin America's 2012-2013 nonstop PSP flight schedule is as follows:

Connecting flights are also available from PSP to Virgin America's New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Washington D.C. (IAD) cities. 

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html
For photos of Virgin America's 2011 Palm Springs inaugural flight with Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/palm-springs-launch
Broadcast quality video b-roll can also be downloaded at: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-company.html

Virgin America is the only airline headquartered in California. In just over five years flying, the airline has expanded to 19 airport destinations (including PSP) and has created 2,600 new jobs. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. (IAD), Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National (DCA). 

About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 'Readers' Choice' Awards  and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'World's Best' Awards.  The airline's base of operations is SFO's sleek new Terminal 2.  The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat.  Virgin America was the first airline to offer Gogo™ InFlight Internet on every flight.  For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com

*Any guest calling within the United States has access to a complimentary telecommunication relay service by dialing 711. For more information, go to: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/telecomm.asp

**Fare Terms and Conditions: All Main Cabin fares are one-way and require a 21-day advance purchase. For nonstop JFKPSP service, travel must occur between December 22, 2012 and March 2, 2013.  For connecting JFKPSP or nonstop SFOPSP service, travel must occur between October 18, 2012 and March 2, 2013. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm CDT September 26, 2012. Lowest sale fares are available only on certain itineraries and are not valid for travel on Fridays and Sundays.  2012 blackout dates are: 11/12, 11/15 through 11/26, 12/14, 12/15, 12/21 through 12/23, 12/26 and 12/30. 2013 blackout dates are: 1/2, 1/5, 1/6, 1/18, 1/21, 2/15, and 2/18.  Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $100 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $100 redeposit fee per guest. 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. Virgin America will accept up to ten pieces of checked baggage, up to 50 pounds each, per ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. The fee for each piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

SOURCE Virgin America

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