Virgin America looking at D/FW Airport

[canyonblue]

Virgin America looking at D/FW Airport

Wednesday January 11, 707 pm ET

British entrepreneur Richard Branson's splashy, U.S. startup Virgin America has named Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as one of 35 markets it may serve if allowed to begin operating.

Virgin named D/FW in its Dec. 9 filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT determines Virgin's ownership fitness, citizenship and airworthiness, said Stacy Geagan, a spokeswoman for Virgin. The airline also notified D/FW Airport that it may be seeking gates if allowed to start service. San Francisco-based Virgin is majority owned by investment group VAI Partners L.L.C., which in November supplied the airline with $177.3 million in financing. A minority interest is held by the U.K.-based Virgin Group companies, which is headed by Branson and includes Virgin Atlantic Airways, according to Virgin America's Web site.

Geagan said Virgin is considering D/FW and the 34 other potential markets because the carrier considers them underserved by low-fare carriers. Virgin hopes to offer low-fare service competitive with the handful of other low-fare U.S. carriers.

Of the 20 airlines now flying out of D/FW, six are low-cost carriers. D/FW has been laboring in recent years to expand its share of low-cost carriers. Fort Worth-based American Airlines Inc. offers some 80 percent of D/FW's flights, which has long had a reputation for high average fares.

Legacy carriers Continental Airlines Inc., based in Houston, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc., Fort Worth-based American and Elk Grove Township, Ill.-based United Airlines have all filed objections to Virgin's application with the DOT, Geagan said.

Because of that, the original DOT deadline to rule on the application has been extended, but Virgin hasn't been informed of the exact date, she said. The hope is to launch service this year, Geagan said.

A D/FW spokesman confirmed that D/FW Airport plans Thursday to file a letter with the DOT supporting Virgin's application to start domestic passenger service.
"We can confirm that the letter is going to be filed tomorrow in support of Virgin America opening up service as a low-cost carrier in the United States and hopefully, of course, becoming one of our low-cost carriers," said Brian Murnahan, an airport spokesman

 

[matt1.1]

SWA business cycle has reached it peak

The copying of the LCC business model and 60% of the legacy industry in bankrupcy has made SWA vulnerable in every city it serves.

And don't worry because if it not VirginUSA it will be the next LCC with full pockets backed with crazed IPO money burning a whole in is accounts that takes the bet.

The future of SWA looks dim.

Wondering why SWA stock is so flat with all the rosy 2006 industry forcasts?

$16 per share is all Wall Street wants to bet.

 

[On Your Six]

The introduction of Virgin America with its super-low fares, IFE, sexy stews AND ASSIGNED SEATS certainly couldn't help SWA's situation.

But in the end, SWA will be on of the few left standing...

 

[matt1.1]

SWA nightmare

The introduction of Virgin America with its super-low fares, IFE, sexy stews AND ASSIGNED SEATS certainly couldn't help SWA's situation.

But in the end, SWA will be on of the few left standing...

Yes, SWA will always be present. But the realities of the industry will effect SWA and it recent success will be blunted and decline will occur.

As you pointed out the product does matter especially when the price is less or the same.

 

[J3CubCapt]

Matt1.1, From what mountain top are you standing?

Sure competition will be tough, we know that. But the fact is we are standing our own and will continue to do our best. I do belive that we have the BEST managment of any airline out there and I for one am very happy to be here.

J3

 

[Mugs]

A D/FW spokesman confirmed that D/FW Airport plans Thursday to file a letter with the DOT supporting Virgin's application to start domestic passenger service.
"We can confirm that the letter is going to be filed tomorrow in support of Virgin America opening up service as a low-cost carrier in the United States and hopefully, of course, becoming one of our low-cost carriers," said Brian Murnahan, an airport spokesman__________________


It might be time for SWA to fire up at DFW to help counter this one.

 

[ATRCA]

Does Virgin have a website? How are they getting the word out on their plans? Hard to start an airline if no one knows about you.

 

[fngswa]

AA will protect it's territory

Southwest to D/FW? Because Virgin is "talking" about flying into the city. Last check, American flies numerous flights between SFO and DFW, they will hold their own. We (Southwest) didn't move to D/FW when Airtran moved in - i think American is winning that battle (Airtran decided on expansion plans at Midway NOT DFW). LCC applies to everyone right now competing on the same routes.

 

[Kugelblitz]

Virgin America is B.S.

We have 1000's of pilots out of work, and now our government wants to let a foriegn owned LCC come in and put more of us out of work. European protectionist gov's would never let a US carrier come in and threaten their national airlines in a similar manner. If some one in the US wants to try (ala Independence) so be it, but keep prima donna Branson out!

It isn't like he needs the money.The whole point of this is to attempt to put certain US air carriers that he opposed in the past out of business, hence the using of DFW as a 'possible' market. (Remember the NO BA/AA logos on the Virgin Atlantic planes sometime ago?)

Proof positive that your elected officials couldn't give a rats' butt about any of us, they are only looking for someone to line their pockets and Richard has plenty of money to do that.

 

[SWA/FO]

Matt1.1 - where did you come from?

 

[matt1.1]

Where? You tell me!

Matt1.1 - where did you come from?

So how many people have you pissed off here in the last week? I am just one of the many you annoyed. But then the list of those annoyed by you is probably so long you have lost track.

You do make SWA look bad.

Your paranoid and annoying!

 

[Mugs]

Southwest to D/FW? Because Virgin is "talking" about flying into the city. Last check, American flies numerous flights between SFO and DFW, they will hold their own. We (Southwest) didn't move to D/FW when Airtran moved in - i think American is winning that battle (Airtran decided on expansion plans at Midway NOT DFW). LCC applies to everyone right now competing on the same routes.

You missed the whole point. I'm glad Kugel was able to educate you.

 

[AA717driver]

We have 1000's of pilots out of work, and now our government wants to let a foriegn owned LCC come in and put more of us out of work. European protectionist gov's would never let a US carrier come in and threaten their national airlines in a similar manner. If some one in the US wants to try (ala Independence) so be it, but keep prima donna Branson out!

It isn't like he needs the money.The whole point of this is to attempt to put certain US air carriers that he opposed in the past out of business, hence the using of DFW as a 'possible' market. (Remember the NO BA/AA logos on the Virgin Atlantic planes sometime ago?)

Proof positive that your elected officials couldn't give a rats' butt about any of us, they are only looking for someone to line their pockets and Richard has plenty of money to do that.

Point #1. Virgin America will hire only U.S. pilots. The Chief Pilot is a former USAir pilot and MD ANG A-10 guy.

Point #2. The East Coast banks own UAL. Do you think they are any more responsive to YOUR desires than SRB would be?

Point #3. SRB will NOT be the majority owner. He is not the majority owner of Virgin Blue in Australia. I doubt he will take a majority stake if ALL the ownership requirements were removed tomorrow.

Point #4. Until we gave it up, TWA and PanAm had 5th Freedom rights in Europe. They could fly anyone anywhere at any time. In fact, until 1989, TWA and PAA had EXCLUSIVE rights to fly to West Berlin. Bet Lufthansa was REALLY pi$$ed about that one.

Point #5. SRB doesn't need the money? So what? This is still a free market capitalist society. You don't like it, move to Venezuela--sounds like you'd fit in just fine...

Point #6. HE'S trying to put someone in DFW out of business? I'm sure you were out picketing, protesting the AA/BA alliance.

Point #7. Proof positive that our elected officials are looking to line their pockets? I guess you vigorously opposed political campaign contributions by the legacy airlines in the past several elections. And, if this is what it takes to make you realize that politicians are a bunch of money-grubbing whores, you are incurably naive. Too far gone to be rehabilitated.

Stop whistling past the graveyard and HOPING things will go back to the way they were in DFW in 1985...TC

 

[Kugelblitz]

Yeah, they will only hire US pilots-with very low time and career expectations. I can see the kool-aide stain on your lips from here my friend.

We don't need any foreign owned air carriers in the US. Period. We have an over capacity of seats and it makes no sense to let an outside player we do not need to muck it up for the rest of us. We are not going to solve any problems by hiring 2000 pilots and put twice or more as much out of a job.

In reference to the TWA and Pan Am 5th freedom stuff, I suppose if you go back to the turn of the century when Louie Bleriot (a Frenchman) had the right to start an LCC anywhere in the US. I don't think any present day airline will get the rights that you referred to by the afore mentioned-nonexistent-airlines.

Correct me if I am wrong, and I may well be, but I don't believe that Virgin Atlantic boasts overpaid pilots. Guess what the US subsidiary can expect. Isn't it our capitalist economy, not Great Britains? If Richard wants to play in the US, come join us as a citizen. I say again, all the man wants to do is hurt extant air carriers in the US, he could give a rats a$$ about the level of surface Tex and Wilomena get on the flight from DFW to LAS.

As far as being incredibly naive, lay off that line dude, it is a bit over the top. Friend, I am ex TWAA, I am not naive about this business nor about politics. The point was this was another example of the reprehensible behaviour of our 'elected' officials cearly lining their pockets.

In fact I urge all of you out there who are in APA and SWA's inhouse union to petition your leadership to urge your company into action on this issue (i.e. throw some money at the powers that be). It truly may be life or death for some or all of you.

I really don't care to get into a tit for tat debate, I am not ambitious enough to check in frequently to do that. All the best to all of you.

 

[Halo_RJdriver]

Dfw???

The introduction of Virgin America with its super-low fares, IFE, sexy stews AND ASSIGNED SEATS certainly couldn't help SWA's situation.

But in the end, SWA will be on of the few left standing...

Anyone have any info on VirgAmer bases??? IF DFW is a base maybe they can hire some sexy stews from DFW area? That would be great mmmmmmmm k.

 

[inthewind]

Does Virgin have a website? How are they getting the word out on their plans? Hard to start an airline if no one knows about you.

They do have a website and are accepting resume's

 

[milehye]

Virgin's website........http://www.virginamerica.com

Pilot base is currently set for Burlingame (SFO)...Website currently shows that they are not yet accepting resumes for pilots of flight attendants, however for those of us that were smart enough to send in resumes prior to their filing on Dec 8th and updated website, their information is in Virgin's system.

As for those negative comments regarding Virgin and RB, I say think what you want, that's just one less resume to compete with.

 

[AA717driver]

Kugel--I'll keep bumping this for the next few months so you get a chance to read it when you surface.

As a fellow TWA'er, you should understand my motivation for supporting this venture. I haven't had any kool-aid...orally, that is. After what happened to you and your fellow TWA pilots, I'm a little surprised you are standing by AA and APA. What flavor of kool-aid were they dispensing when you imbibed?

I stated in the letter I sent to SRB in March '03 that I would be happy to work for him if it helped put AA out of business. Sorry, but my "be American, buy American" sentiment was running a little low that day seeing as how that's when I found out I was getting bumped out of my Captain's seat AND getting laid off within the year after having been continuously employed by the same airline for 15 years.

I guess I should support the good ole' US of A and stay laid off until AA deems it necessary to recall me to the bottom of the seniority list. (Boy, I sure hope they don't furlough again 6 months after I take the recall... )

Since VA will "only hire US-pilots with low time and low career expectations" I guess I need not apply. I don't have low time and I no longer have ANY career expectations after AA.

Keep on whistling past the graveyard. Everything will be jussssst fine...TC