Virgin America Touches Down in Orlando

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the low-fare airline with stylish service and fun amenities for kids and parents alike, today celebrates its new nonstop service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) from both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).  The airline toasts its expansion to the newest city in its growing network, with a festive Orlando gate celebration to welcome guests on one of its first flights.  Upon touchdown in Orlando, guests will receive a red carpet "family vacation" themed welcome party hosted by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Florida Mayor Richard T. Crotty, Virgin America CEO David Cush and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson.  

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"Orlando is a strong year-round tourist and convention travel destination.  We couldn't be more pleased to be here and thank the airport, City and County for welcoming us with open arms," said David Cush, Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer.  "With a totally unique service that offers the best in comfort, design and entertainment – we hope our flights will encourage travelers to kick off their vacations a few hours early."

To mark its new service to the capital of family fun, Virgin America has teamed up with Awkward Family Photos  to encourage families to upload their "most awkward" vacation photos for a chance to upgrade to the ultimate family getaway.  The public can vote on their favorite photos until 11:59pm PDT tonight at: http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/virginamerica.  By voting, visitors get a 33.3 percent discount off their next family booking on Orlando flights (parties of three to six people, restrictions, taxes and fees apply).* An early winning family joins the celebratory flight today (decked out in their family vacation finest), and will enjoy accommodation compliments of Hilton, located in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort hotel.

"We are delighted to welcome Virgin America Airlines to Orlando," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.  "Virgin America's daily nonstop flights from Orlando to San Francisco and Los Angeles further strengthen our position as the world's premier vacation destination.  Equally important, these nonstop connections to the West Coast give our residents more flight options, help us attract new companies to Orlando and help fuel the continued diversification of Central Florida's economy."

Today, family winners and commercial flight guests are being whisked in style from Los Angeles to Orlando under Virgin America's signature moodlighting, treated to food and cocktails from the airline's award-winning menu and entertained by the largest in-flight entertainment platform in the skies.  Upon touch-down in Orlando, guests will be welcomed by Sir Richard Branson – who will be getting into the Orlando family vacation spirit, decked out in tourist attire – while marshalling in the new Airbus A320 aircraft.  After arrival, flight guests will enjoy a red carpet celebration event – complete with a photo booth at the gate to capture those very first vacation moments.  

Virgin America's new service links the West Coast to The City Beautiful via daily nonstop flights from both San Francisco (SFO-MCO) and Los Angeles (LAX-MCO).  Virgin America's Orlando service started on October 6, 2010, but the official celebration of the service occurs today – October 13, 2010. The airline is offering low fares from $119 (restrictions, taxes and fees apply) on its Orlando flights.**

"I am very pleased to hear of Virgin America's decision to establish direct flights from Orlando International Airport to San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.  Direct flights to important destinations provide the traveler with an enhanced level of service.  Both the travelers to Orlando and to the West Coast will benefit from the new service as they will not have to deal with the frustrations of flight connections in other cities.  On behalf of the travelers I say 'thank you' to Virgin America!" said Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty.

Virgin America offers custom-designed leather seats, an award-winning on-demand menu, beautifully designed moodlit cabins and touch-screen entertainment at every seat.  Virgin America is the only U.S. airline to offer a touch-screen kid's entertainment platform at every seat with videogames, music, movies and even the ability for parents or flight crew to set G-rated parental controls.  The touch-screen Red™ platform offers 30 films, live and premium TV, Google Maps, music videos, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, a 3000 MP3 library, a first-of-its-kind digital Shop section and an on-demand menu – so guests can order a cocktail or meal from their seatback any time during a flight.  In May 2009, Virgin America became the first airline to offer in-flight internet on every flight.  

As of today, Virgin America is also offering "first time" flyers one more reason to try out its new service:  a twenty percent off offer on all its Orlando flights now through October 31, 2010.***  Travelers can visit www.virginamerica.com/promotions/orlando to score the discount.  Once there, they can also enter the "Beginners Get Lucky" contest by sharing why they want a first-time flight.  The contest will run from October 14-October 31, 2010, and one cheeky winner a day will score a free Virgin America flight over the next two weeks.

"The addition of Virgin America to the services offered at Orlando International Airport helps us solidify our standing as the Florida airport with the most domestic nonstop services. We are honored and pleased to be a part of Virgin America's growing network of destinations, which with the inclusion of Orlando, brings their total to twelve with more on the way," said Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has swept the major reader-based travel awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards.  

"The addition of Virgin America to the Orlando air service mix provides greater options for our business and leisure travelers.  And the unique experience that they provide to their customers fits well with Orlando's focus on the traveler's overall destination experience," said Gary Sain, President and CEO of the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Virgin America continues to experience major growth with the addition of four new destinations in 2010.  In July, the airline announced plans to order 40 additional new aircraft.  Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth (starting December 2010), Los Cabos (starting December 16, 2010) and Cancun (starting January 19, 2011). Virgin America's fleet is one of the youngest in the U.S. – and is up to 25 percent more fuel efficient than the average fleet operating domestically.  The airline currently operates 29 Airbus A320-family aircraft.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. owned, controlled and operated airline.  It 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 and launched in August 2007, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel, including in-flight internet service on every flight and the most advanced touch-screen entertainment platform in the skies.  The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport.  In just three years flying, Virgin America has created 1,700 new jobs and has swept the major reader-based travel awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008 and 2009 Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards.  For photos and more, visit: www.virginamerica.com ; http://www.facebook.com/VirginAmerica; or http://twitter.com/virginamerica

About Awkward Family Photos: With just ten photos and a mission to celebrate the awkwardness of family, childhood friends Mike and Doug launched AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com in May 2009. Within a week, the site was receiving millions of visitors a day and thousands of submissions from around the world. Since then, the site has been featured on The Today Show, The View, The Tonight Show, and was named one of the top 10 comedy websites by CNN.com. The official Awkward Family Photos book was released on May 4th by Random House and debuted at #3 on The NY Times Bestseller List.  

* Terms and Conditions: This offer ends and promo code must be used by 11:59pm PDT on October 31, 2010. Travel must occur between October 6, 2010 and February 16, 2011. One time use promo code may only be used for bookings made on virginamerica.com and is valid for travel only between Orlando and Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle/San Diego. Promo code is valid for non-refundable Main Cabin fares only and excludes fully refundable Main Cabin, instant upgrade to Main Cabin Select, Main Cabin Select and First Class fares. Blackout dates are November 24, 27, 28, 29, 2010, December 23, 24, 26, and 30, 2010 and January 2 and 3, 2011. Promo code is only valid on itineraries of 3 guests or more, up to a maximum of 6 guests, traveling together on a single reservation. Decreasing the number of guests, splitting the itinerary or changing names will be subject to change or cancel fees and may result in the loss of the discount. 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 only and does not extend to the government taxes and fees. Promo code may not be redeemed for cash. Offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers. 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. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee per change if changes are made on Virgin America's website or a $100 fee per change through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Tickets purchased through Virgin America's reservation call center will cost an additional $15 per guest per itinerary; this amount is non refundable if travel is changed or cancelled. 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 $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares may include a surcharge. 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 (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. 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. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice.

**Terms and Conditions: All Main Cabin fares are one-way and require a 7-day advance purchase. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fare sale starts at 7:00am PDT October 13, 2010. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT October 15, 2010. Travel must occur between October 20, 2010 and February 15, 2011. Blackout dates are November 24, 2010; November 27-29, 2010; December 17-18, 2010; December 23-24, 2010; December 26, 2010; December 30, 2010; and January 2-3, 2011. Lowest fares available for travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. Higher fares available for travel on other days of the week. 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 $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website (www.virginamerica.com) or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $75 redeposit fee.  Guests who no-show without a change or cancel 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 $15 per guest per itinerary.  Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. 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 $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 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.

***Terms and Conditions: This offer ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time on October 31, 2010. One time use promo code is valid for non-refundable Main Cabin fares only and only for travel between Orlando and Los Angeles/San Francisco/Seattle/San Diego. Travel must occur between October 14, 2010 and February 16, 2011. Blackout dates are: November 24, November 27-29, December 17-18, December 23-24, December 26, December 30, 2010 and January 2-3, 2011.  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. 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 2 or less. Offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. If travel is changed promo code discount will become invalid. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website (www.virginamerica.com) or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $75 redeposit fee.  Guests who no-show without a change or cancel 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 $15 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. 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 $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares may include surcharges. 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 one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 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.

Launched in August 2007, the San Francisco-based Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  In just three years flying, the airline has won a list of travel industry best-in-class awards including, "Best Domestic Airline" in Condé Nast Traveler's 2008 and 2009 Readers' Choice Awards and in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Orlando (starting October 6, 2010), Dallas-Fort Worth (starting December 1, 2010), Los Cabos (starting December 16, 2010) and Cancun (starting January 19, 2011).

SOURCE Virgin America

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