adjacentidea

Here is a link to a boingboing article on VA's inaugural passenger flight. Pics, too.

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/08...h_with_ri.html

N570UP

Sure beats traveling on cr@p carriers like SWA.

Congratulations to the traveling public, they are the biggest winners.


Go VX!

Thedude

That article really did say that much other than hearlding why one should fly Virgin.

tincan

Oh where is Velocipede now? I dissagreed with almost everything he said, but I haven't seen his antics on VA for months now. I'll bet he is with VA now, or better yet Skybus...

FLYBOYMATTHEW

Cool stuff. I just wonder what they will do when all of the technology starts to become dated. The electronics must cost a fortune to repair and replace. Do the other Virgin fleets worldwide have this type of tech as well?

Another thing that came to mind with all of this superfluous wiring and gadgetry was Swissair 111. Remember the MD-11 that crashed into the Atlantic killing everyone on board after a fire ignited in the IFEN (In-Flight Entertainment Network) wiring in the overhead panel?

captjns

Good for VA. Hopefully the VA product will be on a par with their big brother counterpart and treat their crews and passengers with dignity. The true test will come when a cancellation, diversion, or lengthy delay occurs.

Nortonious

Dude, what's up with that?!! ****. I guess everyone is entitled to an opinion, just wondering what we did to earn your scorn.

Anyway, I found the following article quote to be somewhat interesting:
If WX and/or ATC delays were the major cause of the writer's dissatisfaction, then I'd say it's naive to think VX will be immune to their effects. If it's regarding customer service, then WN usually does well in that arena and hence has low complaints. Regardless, we are certainly geared to keep this rep in the face of competition from any/all carriers.

I suspect VX will be a worthy opponent on many levels. Nothing like a little competition to refocus the troops.

Saabstory

Not fair. Two different airlines, with different approaches. SWA does what they do VERY well, if you want to argue that, you haven't been awake for the last 30 years. VX is not attempting to look much like SWA, but wouldn't mind having the same financial success! The public will make their choices based an several factors, most on $$, some on "extras". I hope Virgin America establishes itself as a serious choice in the marketplace & that it gains a favorable reputation from the public & those of us "in the business"...time will tell. In the meantime; you won't hear me bad-mouth Southwest.

captjns

It seems that VA's fares, be it introductory or not, are better than the competition. Even their Trans-con first/business class fares are less expensive than AA, UAL or DAL. Perhaps with the war chests rebuilt since 9/11 the legacy carriers will once again regain the respect of the travelling public... provided however they start treating the travelling public with respect they deserve.

As for SWA and JB... they provide good, efficent, and couteous service at reasonable prices.

B757200ER

I agree. Different carriers, different cultures and not comparible.