Virgin America: fliers win
 

You know, I've really got to ask if there is a possibility that VA might buy United. Isn't United looking for a merger/buyout. Virgin would have deep enough pockets would they not?

Here they come. . .
 

San Francisco, Calif. – Aug. 29, 2007 – Virgin America, the newest U.S. start-up airline, today will launch service between New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports. With twice daily non-stops between America’s two entertainment capitals, Virgin America continues to expand its network after launching service on August 8.
“Today marks another celebration for Virgin America, as we expand our business, adding cities and routes across the country,” said Virgin America CEO Fred Reid. “The response to our new airline has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to bringing some fun back to flying for guests in new cities in the very near future.”

In Los Angeles, airport officials will join minority investor Virgin Group’s founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson and Virgin America CFO Bob Dana as they hold a special ribbon cutting and breakfast reception at the departure gate. Upon landing in New York, Virgin America CEO Fred Reid will greet guests before they are whisked away to Virgin America’s “Hollywood to Broadway” launch party in Manhattan.

“With the latest release movies, 18 channels of satellite TV, over 3,000 music files, videogames and even onboard chat, we are offering travelers the best in-flight content the entertainment world has to offer,” Reid added.

“Virgin America has taken the spirit of the Virgin brand and is forging new ground in America,” said Sir Richard Branson. “People want to be entertained while traveling and these planes offer the best entertainment package I’ve seen.”

Virgin America now has three daily flights between its home base of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and JFK, and five daily flights between SFO and LAX. A fourth SFO to JFK flight will be added on September 9. On September 16, Virgin America will add a third flight between JFK and LAX.

Twice daily service between SFO and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) will commence on September 26; between SFO and Las Vegas (LAS) on October 10 with three daily flights; and between LAX and IAD on October 24 with two daily flights. All flights are non-stop, however connections are available beginning October 10 between LAS and both JFK and IAD.

Tickets can be purchased via www.virginamerica.com <http://www.virginamerica.com> and by calling 1-877-FLY-VIRGIN (877-359-8474.)

Show me the $
 

Has VA ever decided to pay their pilots competitively or is their future still looking bleak? I know they are entering as a LCC but times are going to change in the next five years if you haven't noticed the hiring trend!

T-1

I think UA pilots would prefer Branson over Tilton any day although, while Branson could afford UA, VA can't. Point being, VA went to great lengths to "prove" that they were a majority US owned company. Under the current VA structure there doesn't appear to be the capital to go on a buying spree.

That said, take a look at this video and see if you think that Branson got the memo that he doesn't own VA :)

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/web_v...070809245.html

watching the vidoe he says "the big carriers are not CATIII" where is he getting that from???

i like when he was asked if with a ticket costing $44 ticket and oil at $78 a barrel the airline could make money. he did a great job beating around that bush and not answering the question at all.

Want to make a small fortune in the pax airline business? Start with a large fortune.

Precisely. And the Virgin Group has.