Virgin america brings a breath of fresh airline to philadelphia

[theaveragejoe]

VIRGIN AMERICA BRINGS A BREATH OF FRESH AIRLINE TO PHILADELPHIA

New Airline Brings Fresh Competition to the City of Brotherly Love: Upscale, Low–Fare Flights Now on Sale from PHL–West Coast

 

San Francisco – January 17, 2012 – Virgin America, the California–based airline that is reinventing domestic travel, announces it will bring its low–fare, upscale service to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) later this year, with tickets on sale today for three daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting April 4, 2012, and two daily nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) starting April 10, 2012. Known for its outstanding guest service, beautifully–designed cabins and unparalleled in–flight entertainment, Virgin America has swept the major travel awards since its launch in August 2007. Most recently, the airline took top honors as “Best U.S. Airline” in both Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. In honor of its newest city, Virgin America is also launching a system-wide “The City of Brotherly Love: Just Got Lovelier” fare sale, with PHL–LAX fares from $129* and PHL–SFO fares from $149* (restrictions, taxes and fees applying). Tickets are available for purchase now at Plane Tickets, Flights And Airfares | Virgin America and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN.**

 

“When more airlines compete, consumers win – with lower fares and better service. Travelers deserve more options than just the typical legacy airline cattle car, and we hope our unique brand of low fares and inventive service will be a breath of fresh air for Philadelphians,” said Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush. “In addition to being a historic and vibrant city, this market has strong business and leisure travel connections to California – and we thank both Mayor Nutter and Philadelphia International Airport officials for welcoming our new service.”

 

At a time when most airlines are cutting capacity, Virgin America will bring much needed nonstop competition from California’s largest airports to PHL. Currently, only legacy carriers serve the West Coast–PHL routes nonstop. When entering markets that offer little low–fare competition, Virgin America has historically seen fares drop by up to one–third. In addition, 50 percent of travelers flying from PHL to the Los Angeles market now use connecting flights and 45 percent of those traveling from PHL to the San Francisco Bay Area are connecting passengers.

 

“This is a great development for the entire Philadelphia region, including northern Delaware, southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “New airline service not only lowers fares for travelers, but it is also a major economic driver – stimulating business travel, tourism and local job growth. Virgin America’s new flights also validate the strong and growing business travel link between our region’s innovation–based sectors and those on the West Coast.”

 

The Philadelphia region, including northern Delaware, southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania, is home to a robust pharmaceutical industry and is an important East Coast hub for biotechnology R&D. Virgin America’s WiFi–enabled flights will provide more options for business travelers who commute from PHL to Silicon Valley and Southern California.

 

“Virgin America is a dynamic, innovative airline that offers quality service to today’s air traveler,” said Rina Cutler, Deputy Mayor, Transportation and Utilities. “We are very excited that our airport customers will now have convenient access to this industry–acclaimed carrier.&rdquot

 

Virgin America’s new aircraft offer custom–designed mood–lit cabins, fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and the most advanced in–flight entertainment in the skies. Guests on Virgin America enjoy their own touch–screen entertainment platform with: 35 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, seat–to–seat chat, music videos, a 3000 song library, an on–demand menu and more. In addition to a Main Cabin that offers 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, dedicated overhead bins and priority check–in/boarding.

 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Virgin America to Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia International Airport Chief Executive Officer Mark Gale. “Philadelphia travelers will undoubtedly benefit from the increased competition – both through lower fares and the airline’s award–winning service. Today is truly a great day for the entire Philadelphia region.”

 

The PHL announcement was first shared with the carrier’s social media fans earlier today, via a video that spotted the beloved and mysterious ‘Greenman’ from the FX television show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” near a Virgin America aircraft. Visitors to the airline’s Facebook page can now enter for a chance to win*** roundtrip flights and the ultimate “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” fan pack, consisting of Seasons 1–6 DVDs, a Paddy’s Pub t–shirt, the official board game and a guide to the characters’ favorite haunts. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” the critically acclaimed hit comedy on FX, will enter its eighth season this fall.

 

PHL is the latest expansion for the growing carrier. In just over four years flying, the airline has expanded to 17 destinations (including PHL) and has created 2,200 new jobs. As one of the few growing U.S. carriers, the airline has launched service to Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta and Palm Springs in the past 12 months alone.

 

Connecting flights will also be available from PHL to Virgin America’s San Diego, Seattle and Las Vegas destinations.

 

Photos of Virgin America’s unique aircraft and broadcast quality video b–roll are available at: VIRGIN AMERICA BRINGS A BREATH OF FRESH AIRLINE TO PHILADELPHIA

 

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas–Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs and as of April 4th – Philadelphia.

 

Virgin America | Press Releases

[East New York]

Wow! I had no idea VA was entering the Philly market.:cool: