Virgin America Launches Codeshare Flights With China Airlines

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Oct 23, 2014, 11:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America today announces the implementation of a codeshare arrangement with China Airlines that will offer customers seamless bookings and travel between Taipei, Taiwan, elsewhere in Asia and multiple destinations across the United States. The new codeshare agreement, the fourth for the California-based airline, involves China Airlines placing its two-letter airline code (CI) on a range of Virgin America markets including flights between Los Angeles and/or San Francisco to Boston, Chicago, Dallas Love Field, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Newark, New York (JFK), Seattle and Washington Dulles (IAD). Starting today, China Airlines guests can book their journey across the United States with Virgin America via China Airlines' website and look forward to a convenient airport experience with one-stop check-in for boarding passes and checked bags. Bookings for flights can be made today for travel from 26 October 2014 via www.china-airlines.com, China Airlines' call center, the Global Distribution System (GDS) and travel agents.

"We are very pleased to launch our fourth codeshare partnership with one of Asia's leading carriers, China Airlines. Taiwan is both an important inbound and outbound tourism market for our airline and this arrangement will open up new opportunities to travel seamlessly between the United States and Asia through a simple one-stop booking and check-in process," Virgin America's Director of Network Planning, Adam Green said. "We look forward to welcoming China Airlines guests on board our flights and providing our award-winning guest service."

China Airlines' Spokesman Jeffrey Kuo said: "China Airlines began flying to California in the 1970s and we are thrilled to expand our reach from the state even further with San Francisco home-town airline, Virgin America. Starting October 26, our guests will have even more travel options from Taipei to 11 destinations in the United States with Virgin America's codeshare flights. "

China Airlines, with headquarters in and major flight operations from Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, flies to destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. China Airlines has a strong presence in Southeast Asia, East Asia, Northeast Asia and Greater China. The airline offers daily direct flights from Taipei to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and three flights per week to New York.

The codeshare partnership expands on the two airline's existing interline agreement, which commenced in May 2012. China Airlines is Virgin America's fourth codeshare agreement and enhances the airline's growing partner portfolio.

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft can be seen here. Broadcast quality video b-roll can also be downloaded 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's Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past seven consecutive years. Virgin America's airport lounge The Loft is located at LAX and its Elevate frequent flyer program offers no black-outs or restrictions on rewards seats with three levels of status including Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver. For more: www.virginamerica.com

About China Airlines: Founded in 1959, China Airlines is Taiwan's largest airline with a fleet of 88 aircraft and more than 11,000 employees worldwide. As one of SkyTeam airline alliance's 20 members, China Airlines offers passengers access to an extensive global network of more than 16,000 daily flights to 1,052 destinations in 177 countries. China Airlines has been named the "Best Airline in North Asia" by U.S.-based Global Traveler magazine. As part of the introduction of the B777-300 fleet, China Airlines will launch next-generation services in 2014 to continue promoting superior aviation safety as well as an eco-friendly, innovative and attentive service that provide travelers with a perfect travel experience. For more: http://www.china-airlines.com

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SOURCE Virgin America