Virgin America wins ATW's passenger service award

Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic travel, took top industry honors for Passenger Service at Air Transport World's Industry Achievement Awards for the airline's superior service in the skies. Air Transport World (ATW) is a monthly magazine covering the global airline industry and began its awards program in 1974.

ATW's editors noted that Virgin America was the first airline to equip its fleet with Aircell's Gogo in-flight WiFi (as of May 2009, the carrier offered WiFi on every flight) and has installed one of the industry's most-advanced in-flight entertainment systems. Other factors taken into consideration by the editors included Virgin America's commitment to a strong operating performance. The airline achieved an 85.5% cumulative A-14 on-time ranking for January-August 2010, a 99.6% flight completion factor and a baggage handling rate of just 0.89 mishandled bags per 1,000 customers. Although Virgin America does not yet meet the size threshold to be classified a "major" carrier by Department of Transportation (DOT), the airline tracks its on-time performance, baggage handling and other operational statistics in advance of DOT's requirement to report.

Since its launch in 2007, Virgin America has stood out for its unique service and in-flight experience which offers mood-lit cabins, power outlets near every seat and the Red™ platform. The Red touch-screen platform offers 30 films, live and premium TV, Google Maps, music videos, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, a 3000 MP3 library, on demand food menu and a first-of-its-kind digital Shop section -- so guests can take care of last minute shopping from their seatback any time during a flight.

The awards will be presented on February 8 in Washington, D.C., at ATW's gala dinner and celebration at the Renaissance Hotel.
Since its August 2007 launch, Virgin America has captured a list of industry best-in-class awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards as well as best-in-class in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Zagat Global Airline survey.
Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos and beginning January 19, 2011 -- Cancun.

Virgin America places firm order of 60 new Airbus 320

Virgin America today announces a firm order for 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered starting in 2013, including 30 of the A320neo aircraft  the first commercial order for the new eco-efficient engine option. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment made at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010. Today's announcement of the new fuel-saving A320neo is a new development in that deal. Virgin America is the launch customer for the new eco-efficient Airbus A320neo aircraft, which promises to be one of the most fuel and carbon-efficient commercial aircraft in the world. With today's order and growth from other sources, Virgin America's fleet will more than triple in size – from its current 34 aircraft to 111 aircraft by 2019. To celebrate its growth, the airline today launches a "Sweet 60" sale on flights across its network with fares from $60, restrictions, taxes and fees applying.

The 30 current technology A320s are slated for delivery from 2013-2016. The neo option was launched in late 2010, and the 30 neo aircraft are slated for first delivery in early 2016. The A320neo will offer 15 percent gains in fuel efficiency, along with the accompanying improvements in carbon efficiency  including double digit reductions in NOx emissions. The A320neo offers reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range. Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin America President and CEO David Cush, today join Airbus CEO Tom Enders and Airbus COO Customers John Leahy, to make the announcement alongside one of the new aircraft during the Airbus annual press conference at Toulouse, France.

Virgin America orders upto 60 A320's

British entrepreneur Richard Branson provided a closing flourish to the Farnborough Airshow by doubling the size of his Virgin America airline fleet by video link from the Caribbean on Thursday.
The founder of airline Virgin Atlantic announced an order for 40 Airbus A320 single-aisle jets worth $3.3 billion plus options for 20 more. It was reported that the Branson will be celebrating his 60th birthday in a weeks time and to mark his 60th birthday he has placed orders for 60 brand new aircrafts.