SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Virgin America, the San Francisco based airline on a mission to make flying good again, today announced that as a proud sponsor of San Francisco Fleet Week 2008, the carrier will perform the first-ever fly by of a commercial airline at the annual event. San Francisco Fleet Week is one of California's largest annual spectator events and brings together the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in a week-long celebration of the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces. Joining the United States Navy Blue Angels, a Virgin America Airbus A320, in a safe but entertaining flight maneuver, will swoop to 200 feet and soar over an estimated one million spectators on the Marina Green, as part of Fleet Week's air show activities on Oct. 10-12, 2008.
The Virgin America Airbus A320 will make its Fleet Week debut at 1:30 pm PT on October 10th, 11th, and 12th. Interested media are invited to attend. Please RSVP to the contact details below.
Launched in August 2007 and headquartered in the Bay Area, Virgin America has grown to more than 1200 teammates, seven destination cities, and over 80 flights a day, with a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including "Best U.S. Business Class" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Business Travel Poll and "Best Domestic Airline" in the Travel + Leisure Annual World's Best Awards.
"We're the only airline headquartered in San Francisco and this community has supported us from day one, so we couldn't be more honored to fly alongside this country's most talented military pilots and to take part in such a proud hometown tradition, as both a sponsor -- and a performer," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "Our goal was to bring this region's entrepreneurial, innovative spirit to the skies and we're pleased that in just one year flying we've done just that, with a list of travel industry best-in-class awards."
Fleet Week San Francisco 2008, runs from Oct. 9-14, 2008 all along the San Francisco waterfront. The air show portion of Fleet Week will take place from October 10-12th, and will feature a Virgin America Airbus A320 commercial aircraft, U.S. F-16 Viper West, and Patriot jet demonstration teams, as well as the United States Air Forces' newest lighter aircraft -- the F-22A Raptor A-10 and the U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter.
Virgin America's brand new planes offer guests mood lighting, custom-designed leather seats, and the Red In-flight Entertainment(tm) system which allows guests to control their on-board travel experience. Guests can order food, watch one of more than 25 on-demand movies or satellite TV, play a videogame, create a personal play list from over 3,000 MP3 music tracks, or instant message with other guests -- all from a 9-inch video touch-screen and qwerty keyboard/remote control at every seat.
Virgin America operates the newest fleet of commercial aircraft in the U.S., which is up to 30 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the average fleet flying domestically. The airline has built sustainability practices into its training and operations since its launch.
Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, SFO to SEA, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, LAX to SEA, and non-stop JFK to LAS.
EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled and operated airline that is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.
About Virgin America: Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is a California-based airline that offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern and convenient International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets for electronic gear. In September 2008, Virgin America was rated the "Best U.S. Business Class" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Business Travel Poll. In July 2008, the carrier was named "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. In Zagat's 2007 Global Airlines Survey, the airline was ranked #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First Class. To learn more: www.virginamerica.com
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