Virgin America to Launch First In-Flight Social Network: Geo-Location Technology Allows Flyers To Connect With Fellow Business Travelers At 35,000 Feet

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing the flying experience, and Here On Biz, the app that ensures entrepreneurs never miss an opportunity to connect, have teamed up to launch the first in-flight social network – rolling out on all domestic Virgin America flights by the end of February.  With a growing following of always-connected, tech-forward business travelers, Virgin America will offer guests on flights nationwide the opportunity to "network on the fly" at 35,000 feet.  Travelers can download the free Here On Biz app from the Apple App store before their flight and use it in the air to locate LinkedIn connections on their Virgin America flight, at the airport or en route to a conference.  Relying on the airline's fleetwide Gogo In-Flight WiFi network and purpose-built APIs that identify an aircraft's location in the air, Here On Biz's geo-location technology offers travelers the chance to connect via the app with guests on their specific flight, guests on other Virgin America flights in the air, or fellow travelers at their destination.  This month through July 2014, guests on all domestic Virgin America flights can access the Here On Biz app for free through the Gogo network.  App users can manage their privacy settings, so that travelers can shut off or limit their visible connections to others onboard.  For more: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/networking-with-here-on-biz

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

To kick off the new program, today the carrier is launching a "Network on the Fly" fare sale with Main Cabin fares from $69* for travel March 4-29, 2014 (restrictions apply).  Tickets are on sale today on the airline's website (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN.**  Main Cabin Select business class fares start from $99*** (restrictions apply).

"When we surveyed our business travelers, we were surprised to learn that the ability to connect with other Virgin America travelers in-flight or en route to a destination was a frequent request. Given our home in Silicon Valley and network of tech-focused cities as well as the fact that our guests often choose us because they need to stay connected via our fleetwide WiFi, it makes sense.  The best business connections often happen unexpectedly, and we've heard many stories of partnerships and start-up ideas being born on our flights," said Luanne Calvert, Virgin America's Chief Marketing Officer. "Although geo-location apps abound, bringing mobile location to 35,000 feet is unique – and we hope this is an interesting, easy way for entrepreneurs to take advantage of downtime in-flight to build or renew their professional connections."

"This partnership allows flyers to take advantage of those serendipitous travel moments where people with complementary business interests are in the same place at the same time – even if that place is on a plane somewhere 35,000 feet above the U.S.," said Nick Smoot, CEO & Co-Founder of Here On Biz. "With our iOS app and this partnership with Virgin America, you can find your next big connection in seat 4C – or even just a row away from you."

Today, Virgin America is also launching a Twitter promotion that invites flyers to share their dream business travel connection and describe how they would break the ice in 140 characters using the hashtag #PlanePitch.  A weekly winner will receive a complimentary Gogo WiFi pass and one Grand Prize winner will win Virgin America Elevate Gold status, six Main Cabin Select business class flights and an annual Gogo pass, so they will never miss a "connection" on the fly.**** Through July, flyers who download the Here On Biz app can also score a 25 percent discount to the Virgin America Loft at LAX.***** For more, visit: www.planepitch.biz

"The Here On Biz app is another great example of how companies are leveraging Gogo's in-flight platform to create engaging experiences for passengers in the air," said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo's Chief Commercial Officer. "We continue to empower cutting edge digital companies to develop applications that can be incorporated into the platform that will help inform, engage and entertain travelers.  Virgin America has been at the forefront of offering these services to its guests."

In 2013, Virgin America surveyed a portion of its top Elevate frequent flyers in its New York, San Francisco and Dallas markets.  The ability to network in-flight with other Virgin America flyers was a suggestion that came out of these focus group sessions.  The Here On Biz app allows users to see business professionals nearby who are interesting and allows users to chat with those they are connected to.  The app provides the real time location of a user's contacts through LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and those in the user's address book who use the app.  In a unique partnership with Gogo and Virgin America, the app is now taking networking to 35,000 feet. 

How the Virgin America-Here on Biz In-Flight network works:

1. Download the new Here On Biz iOS app from the mobile app store before your flight.
2. Register a new account using your LinkedIn profile.
3. Rolling out to all domestic flights by the end of February, guests can start connecting when they log in at a gate or onboard at 35,000 feet via Gogo on Virgin America. App users will be able to connect with other Virgin America guests traveling on their particular flight, other travelers on any Virgin America aircraft currently airborne, or fellow Virgin America guests at their destination.

In May 2009, Virgin America became the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi and today remains the only U.S airline to offer WiFi on every flight.  In 2011, the airline became the first carrier to launch Gogo's improved ATG-4 WiFi service on select flights.  The ATG4 technology increases WiFi capacity by approximately four times the current performance through the addition of directional antenna, dual-modem and EV-DO Rev. B technologies.  The airline intends to complete its fleetwide installation of ATG-4 in 2014.  Virgin America is further investing in the connectivity of its fleet as the launch partner for Gogo's next generation Ground to Orbit satellite WiFi technology. With power outlets at every seat, Virgin America regularly sees more than one-third of guests logging on to in-flight WiFi on its more popular long-haul flights.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley and known for its innovative amenities, Virgin America has built a loyal following of tech-forward flyers and earned a host of awards since launching in 2007 – including both "Best U.S. Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past six consecutive years.  In 2012, Virgin America opened its first airport lounge - The Loft at LAX - and launched a suite of enhancements to its Elevate^® frequent flyer program, including Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver status levels that offer: priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; free checked bag allowances; 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 in Main Cabin.  With a variety of perks for entrepreneurs, Elevate Inc., is Virgin America's rewards program for small to medium size businesses. 

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft, WiFi and the Here On Biz app in-flight: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/here-on-biz-photos

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled and operated airline and is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has swept the airline industry's most coveted travelers' choice awards. For a full awards list click here. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport sleek and sustainable Terminal 2.  Virgin America offers Gogo^™ WiFi on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the North American skies via the touch-screen Red^™ platform. The airline's Red^™ in-flight entertainment platform offers every traveler a seatback touch-screen with on-demand films, live TV, interactive Google Maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, a 4,000 MP3 library and an on-demand menu – so guests can order a cocktail or meal from their seatback at any time during the flight.  The airline recently added the ability for guests to send a menu item via the touch-screen menu to fellow travelers in another seat.  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. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Washington D.C. (IAD and DCA), Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs (seasonal), Philadelphia, Portland, San Jose, and Austin.  For more: www.virginamerica.com.

About Here On Biz: Here On Biz started as a simple idea of maximizing your travels, conferences, and downtime with a geo aware app for business professionals. Features like the geo-aware Rolodex, alerts of suggested nearby professionals, and secure chat have landed Here On Biz in lists like "The 100 Most Brilliant Companies of 2013" from Entrepreneur Magazine and "The 7 Must Have (Free) Apps To Do Your Job Better" from LinkedIn. Here On Biz is quickly becoming the network of choice for business men and women looking to maximize both their mobile devices capabilities and their professional connections. The apps ability to turn any plane, hotel, or enterprise into a unique mobile, geo-aware social network has become a key part of their future. The app is now available in the Apple App Store. Follow @hereonbiz on Twitter and like the company on Facebook at facebook.com/hereonbiz. To learn more, please visit www.HereOnBiz.com.

*Fare Sale Terms and Conditions: All Main Cabin fares are one-way and require a 21-day advance purchase. Travel must occur between March 4, 2014 and March 29, 2014.  Lowest sale fares are available only on certain itineraries. Lowest sale fares are only valid for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. No Blackout dates.  Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. For travel solely between points in the Western Region (LAS/LAX/PDX/PSP/PVR/SAN/SEA/SFO/SJC/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 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.

** 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

***Main Cabin Select Fare Terms and Conditions: Instant Upgrade to Main Cabin Select fares require a 14-day advance purchase and travel must commence on or after February 12, 2014.  Lowest sale fares are available only on certain itineraries and for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. For travel solely between points in the Western Region (LAS/LAX/PDX/PSP/PVR/SAN/SEA/SFO/SJC/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 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. For Instant Upgrade to 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. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

****Contest Official Rules can be found here: http://www.virginamerica.com/html/pdf/140206_Official_Rules_Plane_Pitch_Contest.pdf

*****Loft T's + C's: Terms & Conditions: LAX Loft Promotion: This offer ends at 11:59pm PT on July 31, 2014. This offer is valid only for guests in the Virgin America Loft at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Guests can only buy the $30 day pass on the day of their requested visit with proof of Here on Biz application download to their smartphone at the VX Loft Welcome Desk. Loft visits must occur between February 4 and July 31, 2014. No promo code is necessary to make the booking. The cost of 1 Virgin America Loft Day Pass is $40 without the Here On Biz application, no taxes or fees applicable. Offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers. Virgin America Loft space is limited and, subject to availability, and may not be available on all days of the promotion. No changes or cancellations can be made once the discounted day pass has been purchased. Virgin America Loft hours, services, fees and amenities are subject to change without notice. Click here for more details on the Loft at LAX and complete rules.

SOURCE Virgin America

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