LV Air Lift Looms Later This Year

LAS VEGAS, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LV Air, the new wide-bodied luxury carrier bringing casino players and vacationers to Las Vegas, is now signing leases for jetliners, raising additional capital, partnering with gaming resorts and examining which airports it will fly from later this year.

"The new public charter carrier will provide Boeing 767 non-stop jet service between McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas and John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York and several other U.S. cities, starting in autumn 2011," says spokesman Bryan Glazer, President of JetPlane Public Relations.

"Our first class seats will be fully reclining for the 5.5 hour flight between New York and Las Vegas," says LV Air Founder and Chief Marketing Officer Sean Smith. "The cabin will include mood lighting, club music, celebrity holographic video safety briefings, Wi-Fi, intra-seat text messaging, at-seat TV monitors and three-course Las Vegas-style gourmet meals prepared by some of 'Sin City's' most-renowned chefs."

In addition to its non-stop JFK-LAS flights, the company is also planning possible service from numerous other airports in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia."

Glazer adds, "Some of these airports have placed an 'open call' in published news stories trying to entice a carrier like LV Air to start service to Las Vegas from their communities." He adds, "These enticements include assisting new carriers with local marketing efforts and waiving take-off, landing, gate and terminal space fees."

U.S. Airports

"My office has made contact with some of the below-listed airports to determine the level of demand for non-stop flights to Las Vegas," says Glazer. "LV Air executives expect to speak with these airports' officials next month."

• Chicago-Rockford International Airport, IL
• Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, KY
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport, MI
• Dulles International Airport, VA (Serves Southern Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport, NY
• Lakeland-Linder Central Florida Regional, FL (Serves Orlando/Tampa Bay Area)
• Lambert-St Louis International Airport, MO
• Louisville International Airport, KY
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN
• Niagara Falls International Airport, NY (Serves Buffalo/Toronto)
• Palm Beach International Airport, FL
• Philadelphia International Airport, PA
• Pittsburgh International Airport, PA
• Portsmouth-Pease International Airport, NH (Serves Boston/Portsmouth/Portland, ME)
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport, NC
• St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, FL (Serves Clearwater/Sarasota/St. Petersburg/Tampa)

Please note that LV Air has not had formal communications with all of these airports. Some have simply received this news release.

Las Vegas Lift Problems

According to recent statistics, due to the nation's sluggish economy, Las Vegas is loosing as many as 8 million guests annually compared to lodging figures for 2007. Furthermore, the recession and rising fuel prices have contributed to airline flight reductions, service cutbacks and carrier consolidations causing Las Vegas to lose upward of 20,000 airline passengers daily.

"LV Air plans to fill the gap left by the major airlines by offering a unique in-flight, luxurious Las Vegas experience," says Smith.

Las Vegas Luxury Flights

"In addition to airborne high-tech video and internet gadgets and gourmet meal service in all three cabins, LV Air passengers will be provided with cushiony pillows and thick-blankets and complimentary snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and a choice of 4,000 movie titles," says Smith.

"The carrier is currently consulting with numerous casino designers to construct unique cabin interiors accentuating a Las Vegas flair," says Smith.

"LV Air is not a low-cost carrier trying to compete with airlines that already offer Las Vegas flights," emphasizes Smith. "Instead, we are a company committed to returning luxury to Las Vegas air travel by providing cross-country comfort, attentive in-flight service, delicious onboard dining and airport-to-casino stretch limousine ground transportation for first class passengers, among other things."

Smith explains, "Whether you are receiving a complimentary casino paid-for-flight or you are purchasing your ticket on-line, you will get a full Las Vegas experience at 35,000 feet."

Casino Comps and Public Fares

"LV Air is working with several resort-casino owners on devising internal reservations systems, which will allow clients and hotel guests to book flights directly through the properties' marketing departments," says Smith.

He adds, "LV Air will offer complimentary and discounted first class, business class and premium-economy class fares through its member-casinos.

Complimentary fares are typically offered to "proven players" and "frequent guests" through casino rewards and "comp" programs.

Seats will also be available to the general public for purchase via the company's website, www.FlyLVAirNow.com.

"LV Air will offer a limited number of special introductory one-way premium-economy class fares for as low as $100, plus taxes and fees, on selected inaugural fall flights," says Smith.

On average, one-way premium-economy class fares will cost $400, plus taxes and fees, according to Smith.

"While this is a competitive price in some markets, it is not the lowest price," stresses Smith. "We are not about just getting you there; we are about getting you there in style."

"Passengers purchasing their tickets online at www.FlyLVAirNow.com will neither pay so-called 'junk fees' nor baggage charges. The total fare includes everything," explains Smith.

Certain travel agencies will also be authorized to book seats on LV Air, according to Glazer

He says, "The company is also ironing-out intra-carrier agreements with several overseas airlines that fly to JFK."

Aircraft Leases

Later this week, LV Air Founder and Chief Marketing Officer Sean Smith and Chief Executive Officer Kent Smith (no relation) will meet with Dynamic Air in Dallas, Texas to work-out final details of lease agreements for 767 jets and flight crews, according to Glazer.

"Three other licensed carriers have submitted lease proposals to LV Air," says CEO Kent Smith. "All leases are being negotiated through Worldwide Charter Services, which is a full service charter procurement company."

Capital Investment

CEO Smith adds, "Throughout April, LV Air will meet with several interested financiers and investor groups." He continues, "We have already received substantial financing to lease aircraft. Additionally, during the next few weeks we expect an infusion of even more capital that will empower LV Air to take-off in the next few months."

LV Air is also meeting with aircraft designers and engineers within a licensed mechanical facility to review interior and livery options, according to CEO Smith.

Contact: Bryan Glazer of JetPlane PR, +1-212-673-4400, or cell, +1-561-374-1365, [email protected], or [email protected]

SOURCE LV Air