Virgin America getting closer

[HighSpeedClimb]

Virgin America Debuts First Aircraft, Jefferson Airplane, at SFO
Wednesday October 11, 4:00 am ET
Grace Slick, Gov. Schwarzenegger, and Mayor Newsom to Unveil With 'Champagne Christening'

BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Virgin America, the new U.S. start-up airline which plans to launch domestic air service early next year, pending government approval, will debut its first aircraft at San Francisco International Airport today. The aircraft will be named Jefferson Airplane, in tribute to the legendary Bay Area rock band.
Jefferson Airplane epitomized the San Francisco scene of the mid-to-late Sixties, and in 1996 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was their free spirit and connection to San Francisco that inspired Virgin America to name its first plane after their legacy.
The aircraft will be officially dedicated at a special ceremony culminating in a ``champagne christening'' led by Jefferson Airplane's lead singer Grace Slick, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and Virgin America Chief Executive Officer Fred Reid.
``When I ran for governor in the recall, I vowed to turn the economy around and help turn California back into a job creating machine. Since I took office, California has added more than 635,000 jobs,'' said Gov. Schwarzenegger. ``But I am always looking for more opportunities for California. I remember how excited I was when I heard that the Virgin brand was going to be expanding in America. What's making me happiest of all is that Virgin America is choosing San Francisco as its hub. That means 1,700 new jobs in California and that is music to my ears.''
``San Francisco is so pleased that Virgin America will make our city its home base,'' Mayor Newsom said. ``With 1000 new local jobs each year, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of new visitors that will come to our city, this airline will be an important contributor to San Francisco's future growth.''
``I went to Grammar School in San Francisco -- and I've been arrested several times in San Francisco,'' said Ms. Slick. ``If it wasn't for San Francisco, I wouldn't be able to say all of the above. Virgin America -- the only airline based in California: Git 'er done!''
``As a big Jefferson Airplane fan, I'm thrilled we're naming our first aircraft after the band. I grew up in San Francisco and spent a lot of time at the Fillmore at a lot of Jefferson Airplane concerts,'' said Mr. Reid. ``We are inspired by this city and by the band and are trying hard to take the spirit of the '60s to the air. Once the DOT grants us permission to fly, we plan to bring loads of music and caring onboard for our guests.'' Jefferson Airplane is the first of 34 Airbus A320 family aircraft the airline will put into service. Based at San Francisco International Airport, the airline plans to make its first flights to New York's JFK.

 

[HighSpeedClimb]

Press Release
Virgin America is Looking for a Few Good Names
Wednesday October 11, 12:00 pm ET
Online Name Game Asks for Public Suggestions for Next 33 Planes
BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Knee-deep in the hoopla, Virgin America today debuted its first aircraft at San Francisco International Airport, named Jefferson Airplane in tribute to the legendary Bay Area rock band. Now it's up to the public to name the rest of the fleet.
Name Our Planes is an interactive, web-based program that allows users to submit their favorite names for the airline's fleet of new Airbus A320 family aircraft. Jefferson Airplane is the first of 34 brand-new planes of which the airline will take delivery. Winners will be chosen based on originality, wit and ``smile value'' and receive an airplane model decaled with their submission. Hosted on http://www.virginamerica.com, the name game not only gives users the opportunity to register their selection, but also to see how their choices compare with other players and how they are connected via profile links to other ``namers'' based on star sign, gender and other lifestyle answers. A special 'flying art' area will provide instructions to build paper planes emblazoned with their chosen names. ``We're building an airline we hope people will love,'' said Spence Kramer, Virgin America's vice president of marketing. ``We're looking at the airline business from top to bottom and are trying to take a fresh approach to improve the overall experience. For us, entertainment is as important as service, as advertising ...as anything we do for the consumer. Name Our Planes is emblematic of just one way we'll seek to connect with our future guests every step of the way.''

 

[mynameisjim]

...when I heard that the Virgin brand was going to be expanding in America...

but remember kids, this airline is not controlled by foriegn interests

 

[Old School 737]

I got a few names they can use!!!!

 

[AAflyer]

And they need another 50million in cash for continued legal expenses. I don't see Virgin gaining much altitude......

AAflyer (my.02)

 

[Dizel8]

The man behind the curtain pulling the lever is not Richard Branson, I repeat not Richard Branson

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

Even with all the hoopla, Virgin America is about 3 years too late. UAUA is out of bankruptcy and will defend its territory firmly. I understand that their PS service is actually pretty good on the transcons. Remember, Virgin isn't doing so great in the LCC market in Europe either... They are just too late and they've got two winners in management in Grienstien and Carty...

 

[koko nw]

Yippee!!! Can't wait.
More low paying pilot jobs to undercut pilot jobs which used to pay. Exactly what the doctor ordered.
But I'm sure they'll be no shortage of pilots willing to fly there for next to nothing a year as an Airbus 320 captain .

 

[General Lee]

Even with all the hoopla, Virgin America is about 3 years too late. UAUA is out of bankruptcy and will defend its territory firmly. I understand that their PS service is actually pretty good on the transcons. Remember, Virgin isn't doing so great in the LCC market in Europe either... They are just too late and they've got two winners in management in Grienstien and Carty...

Not Greinstien------Fred Greed. He loves RJs, and he bought 400 of them ON CREDIT for us---and we lost $15 billion in 5 years..... He sure is a genius. He and Carty are trying to figure out right now how much they can stash away in the Caymans...


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[VeeOne]

With a rumored 80K a year top pay for an A320 captain, I hope like hell the majors go for blood if that disaster ever does get off the ground. Does 80K in California buy a double wide or something???

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Does 80K in California buy a double wide or something???

Maybe an 8 foot camper for your 79 F-250 - 10 footer if you are REALLY lucky.

 

[amt]

Just landed in SFO and saw a A320 painted with Virgin America logo.
I guess it's really happening now !

 

[Green]

With a rumored 80K a year top pay for an A320 captain, I hope like hell the majors go for blood if that disaster ever does get off the ground. Does 80K in California buy a double wide or something???

where in god's name did you hear that number????!!!

 

[Bobby Orr 4]

Keep in mind W and McCain are both in favor of foriegn ownership of airlines.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Virgin America getting closer..........................

to what??????????
........................ an enema?
........................ being put down like a rabid dog?
........................ getting their nuts caught in a combine?
........................ dying a horrible death?
........................ paying ********************ty wages?
........................ adding more service to the already overcrowed airspace?
........................ having it's pilots lose the rest of their self respect?
........................ to getting Stewie to kill Lois?
........................ to pissing on a spark plug?

 

[hyflyt560]

Virgin America getting closer..........................

to what??????????
........................ to pissing on a spark plug?

Nice one! I love it. We need to start a thread of, "Unusual and/or useful qoutes." In fact, if we do, "I'll jump up and down and shoot sparks out my ass."

 

[HighSpeedClimb]

Call VA what you want, as a business, they seem to be a competent entity. Our US airlines will have a fight in front of them and I hope they can crush this Operator! I'm not going to hold my breath though.


Virgin America to Ink Deals With Disney, Fox, Paramount and Warner Brothers
Wednesday October 11, 3:00 pm ET

BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Virgin America, the new U.S. start-up airline with pending government approval plans to start domestic service early next year, today announced a collection of launch studio partners for its inflight entertainment (IFE). The airline has reached individual agreements with Disney, Fox, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Brothers to provide major theatrical content at every seat and on every flight.
Although details of the deals are not being disclosed, the agreements will provide Virgin America's guests with the best in motion picture and television entertainment. The airline's industry leading onboard entertainment will offer its customers 'pay-per-view' movies, live TV via satellite, a wide array of audio music entertainment including the ability to compile individual audio playlists, a broad selection of popular electronic games, and even meals on-demand.
``Our partnerships with Disney, Fox, Paramount, and Warner Brothers are helping us redefine the traveling experience as it exists for airline customers today,'' said Charles Ogilvie, Virgin America's Director of Inflight Entertainment & Partnerships. ``Our guests will be able to pick from the latest and greatest Hollywood has to offer and enjoy their entertainment selections on their own schedule from the comfort of their seat.''
``Disney is happy to be part of the Virgin America team's challenge to redefine the inflight entertainment experience,'' said Linda Palmer, Senior Vice President -- Non-Theatrical Distribution at Disney. ``All arms of this studio are excited about Virgin America taking flight!''
``Fox Inflight's mission is to stay on the leading edge of the industry,'' said Neal Rothman, Executive Director, Digital Exhibition & Non-Theatrical Licensing at Fox. ``We know we're doing that as members of Virgin America launch content team.''
``Interactive entertainment is a space that Paramount is excited about. Being members of the Virgin America launch team is something that we are excited about and is an important milestone as the U.S. domestic industry progresses toward more interactive inflight entertainment,'' said Joan Filippini, Senior Vice President -- Non-Theatrical Distribution at Paramount.
``Nothing is more exciting than participating in this truly unique Virgin America experience,'' said Jeff Crawford, Senior Vice President -- Non-Theatrical Sales at Warner Brothers. ``Warner Brothers is committed to delivering its finest content on-demand and cabin-wide.''
The airline previously announced entertainment partners including CoKinetic Systems Corporation, IMS, Inflight Canada, Pace Communications, Panasonic Avionics, Spafax, and Wunderman. A new addition to team is the New York-based Anomaly agency.
Anomaly's charge together with other IFE team members is to identify cross-platform integrated partnership opportunities. This team has found innovative ways to structure partnerships that find value for all stakeholders and allow the inflight entertainment to be used as a unique touchpoint.
Wunderman's digital marketing team based in Irvine, California has spent the last two years as Virgin America's partner, building the graphical user interface (GUI) that Virgin America guests will see on the inflight entertainment system, an interactive environment that rivals some of the most cunning, sleek, cutting-edge ground-based and portable user experiences.
``The Virgin America IFE team's agency members, Wunderman and Anomaly, have been instrumental in building an interactive experience that incorporates an unprecedented navigational system with integrated partnership opportunities that have all never been done before,'' said Mr. Ogilvie. Virgin America anticipates announcing additional IFE team members, content relationships and strategic partners in the near future.

 

[AA717driver]

where in god's name did you hear that number????!!!

Someone pulled it out of their a$$, like many posts here.

VA will pay what the market will bear. In Australia, VB pays more than JetBlue and I believe they're a little higher than AirTran.

Everyone's just whistling past the graveyard because a whole lot of people are working for or laid off by airlines that are or have been in Ch. 11 and don't need another LCC sucking revenue out of their company.

I've applied to VA. If the pay's too low, I'll not go for it. If the pay is ok, why not? Or, I could wait to be recalled to the bottom of the list at AA (maybe to get laid off again...) and jerk gear for some former Ozark guy who's going to tell me about how bad he had it being laid off for a year after TWA bought them. Or worse, be based in LGA...

Frankly, after EVERY former ALPA legacy carrier rolled over and took what the company shoved across the table at them, I don't see where anyone here has a right to bitch about VA.

"We've already determined what you are. Now, we're just haggling over the price." ALPA's new motto. TC

 

[Don Carty]

Virgin America is going to rock, with industry leading payscales... on the low end. Richard studied under Borman and Lorenzo in a Shao-lin monastery in northwestern China. While there, he underwent advanced training... think of the Bud Light commercials.

Without huge elaboration, we will attract surplus labor by inspiring awestruck low-timers with crisp, new RJ's, and have them sign a PFT contract. The overall net effect is we are paid by our own cp crews. Initial quick advancement will stall, and at the precise moment, all assets of VA will be sold. Frank, Frank, and Don will all bail out with suitcases full of cash.

The pilots -- let's simply say they will have learned a harsh lesson. But hey, the "professional pilot mills" are churning out fresh low-timers dying to fly your work for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Master Shake]

Virgin America is going to rock, with industry leading payscales... on the low end. Richard studied under Borman and Lorenzo in a Shao-lin monastery in northwestern China. While there, he underwent advanced training... think of the Bud Light commercials.

Without huge elaboration, we will attract surplus labor by inspiring awestruck low-timers with crisp, new RJ's, and have them sign a PFT contract. The overall net effect is we are paid by our own cp crews. Initial quick advancement will stall, and at the precise moment, all assets of VA will be sold. Frank, Frank, and Don will all bail out with suitcases full of cash.

The pilots -- let's simply say they will have learned a harsh lesson. But hey, the "professional pilot mills" are churning out fresh low-timers dying to fly your work for pennies on the dollar.

You for got to end your statement with "So sayeth the Don".