US certifies Virgin America Airlines for service...starts SFO transcon in August
Jul 11, 2007, 1:56 pm
#1
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US certifies Virgin America Airlines for service...starts SFO transcon in August
This worked so well for America West a few summers ago...let the fare wars begin.
US certifies Virgin America Airlines for service
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:36:54 PM (GMT-04:00)
WASHINGTON, July 11 - U.S. aviation authorities on Wednesday granted Virgin America Airlines, the low-cost carrier with marketing ties to British entrepreneur Richard Branson, the operating permits necessary to begin service, the company said.
The carrier plans to start flying in August from its San Francisco base. Virgin America will operate a fleet of new Airbus A319s and A320s and plans to serve up to 10 cities within a year of starting operations.
Virgin America won regulatory approval of its business plan in May after agreeing to restructure its financing and agreeing to change its executive leadership to satisfy a U.S. law that limits overseas influence in domestic airlines.
nWAT007865
US certifies Virgin America Airlines for service
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:36:54 PM (GMT-04:00)
WASHINGTON, July 11 - U.S. aviation authorities on Wednesday granted Virgin America Airlines, the low-cost carrier with marketing ties to British entrepreneur Richard Branson, the operating permits necessary to begin service, the company said.
The carrier plans to start flying in August from its San Francisco base. Virgin America will operate a fleet of new Airbus A319s and A320s and plans to serve up to 10 cities within a year of starting operations.
Virgin America won regulatory approval of its business plan in May after agreeing to restructure its financing and agreeing to change its executive leadership to satisfy a U.S. law that limits overseas influence in domestic airlines.
nWAT007865
Last edited by cerealmarketer; Jul 11, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Jul 11, 2007, 2:11 pm
#2
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If you have already seen it, check out their first class product; it's quite classy.
It almost looks like they used the same seat CO uses (but with white leather) and they have a foot rest, IFE (nose to tail) and as much pitch as BF (55").
It almost looks like they used the same seat CO uses (but with white leather) and they have a foot rest, IFE (nose to tail) and as much pitch as BF (55").
Jul 11, 2007, 2:15 pm
#3
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HP was not competing with a premium product that easily shredded the F cabins of its competitors.
Am not including UA P.S. in this equation...
Am not including UA P.S. in this equation...
Jul 11, 2007, 2:17 pm
#4
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Hmmm... will HOUSTON be one of their destinations, I wonder? 
Jul 11, 2007, 2:19 pm
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Jul 11, 2007, 2:19 pm
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If you have already seen it, check out their first class product; it's quite classy.
It almost looks like they used the same seat CO uses (but with white leather) and they have a foot rest, IFE (nose to tail) and as much pitch as BF (55").
It almost looks like they used the same seat CO uses (but with white leather) and they have a foot rest, IFE (nose to tail) and as much pitch as BF (55").
Jul 11, 2007, 2:20 pm
#7
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Jul 11, 2007, 2:24 pm
#8
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Jul 11, 2007, 2:27 pm
#9
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I just get misty eyed at the days of the ATA transcons...and the friendly $200 fares from CO to take care of that little 'problem.' Those were the days: $200 fare, and...anyone remember this...Silvers getting regular upgrades on trranscons because First Class fares were still well into the four figures.
Jul 11, 2007, 2:32 pm
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Even the coach cabin in VX looks awesome compared to CO. VX definitely will be getting some of my WAS-SFO business.
Jul 11, 2007, 2:39 pm
#11
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I will keep my hopes modest. If VX grows and puts pressure on the premium offerings of competitors, perhaps CO will refresh domestic F a bit. Adding something as simple as footrests (not necessarily legrests) would make a huge difference. The CO F seat is Okay, but it's not the softest or most ergonomically designed offering out there. The little lumbar support lever is a joke, and does not provide adequate comfort (at least to me) on longer flights.
Jul 11, 2007, 2:40 pm
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This worked so well for America West a few summers ago...let the fare wars begin.
US certifies Virgin America Airlines for service
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:36:54 PM (GMT-04:00)
WASHINGTON, July 11 - U.S. aviation authorities on Wednesday granted Virgin America Airlines, the low-cost carrier with marketing ties to British entrepreneur Richard Branson, the operating permits necessary to begin service, the company said.
The carrier plans to start flying in August from its San Francisco base. Virgin America will operate a fleet of new Airbus A319s and A320s and plans to serve up to 10 cities within a year of starting operations.
Virgin America won regulatory approval of its business plan in May after agreeing to restructure its financing and agreeing to change its executive leadership to satisfy a U.S. law that limits overseas influence in domestic airlines.
nWAT007865
US certifies Virgin America Airlines for service
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:36:54 PM (GMT-04:00)
WASHINGTON, July 11 - U.S. aviation authorities on Wednesday granted Virgin America Airlines, the low-cost carrier with marketing ties to British entrepreneur Richard Branson, the operating permits necessary to begin service, the company said.
The carrier plans to start flying in August from its San Francisco base. Virgin America will operate a fleet of new Airbus A319s and A320s and plans to serve up to 10 cities within a year of starting operations.
Virgin America won regulatory approval of its business plan in May after agreeing to restructure its financing and agreeing to change its executive leadership to satisfy a U.S. law that limits overseas influence in domestic airlines.
nWAT007865
Jul 11, 2007, 2:44 pm
#13
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Moving on, I do like their product and think they've got something solid. The only ones I would consider (assuming I was shopping on product alone) would be UA's PS F, AA's 767 or CO's 752.
Jul 11, 2007, 2:51 pm
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They said within 5 years.
http://www.virginamerica.com/informa...php?article=34
Virgin America expects to serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation and up to 30 cities within five years of service. Additional cities under Virgin America’s consideration include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Portland, Ore., Raleigh-Durham, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Jose, Calif., Sarasota, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and West Palm Beach.