Virgin America Expands Flight Service With Launch Of New Saturday Nonstop JFK-PSP Flight

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., December 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Award-Winning Airline Begins Weekly Roundtrip Nonstop JFK- PSP Service Today, Just in Time for Winter Getaways

Virgin America, the San Francisco, California-based airline that has swept the prestigious travel awards in its five years of operations, announces that it is expanding its offering of upscale, low-fare flights with today's launch of new weekly nonstop service between Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).  Virgin America first launched seasonal flight service into the Palm Springs market in December 2011 with a daily nonstop flight from SFO and a daily "same plane" through flight from JFK to PSP. Just in time for winter getaways, the airline is now expanding its schedule with the only nonstop flight service between PSP and the New York area. Since it launched Palm Springs service, the airline has created local jobs, lowered fares and provided a fresh new flight option for Desert travelers.  Tickets are on sale at http://www.virginamerica.com/ and 1-877-FLY-VIRGIN.  One-way JFK-PSP fares start at $145 * (taxes and fees included and restrictions applying). 

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

In honor of the first nonstop service linking PSP to the Big Apple, guests arriving onboard the inaugural JFK to PSP Virgin America flight will receive a red carpet treatment at the PSP arrival gate with music, cocktails, food and a warm welcome from Palm Springs local leaders and airline representatives.

"Our low-fare, inventive flight service has been well-received by those traveling to and from the Palm Springs region - and we're pleased to launch additional new service to meet guest demand," said Virgin America's President and CEO David Cush.  "The convenience of nonstop service is something that was missing from the New York market, so we're pleased we can offer this additional option for Northeasterners needing a winter escape to the Desert."

"Palm Springs has long been a popular winter getaway for those trying to escape colder weather," said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet. "We're excited that an airline of Virgin America's caliber is providing service not only to those looking to enjoy our beautiful weather, but also convenient New York departure options for folks who call Palm Springs and the Desert region home."

Known for outstanding service, beautifully designed cabins and unrivalled in-flight entertainment, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards for the past four years and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past five years.  Virgin America's new fleet offers custom-designed mood-lit cabins and amenities like fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and personal entertainment at every seat.  The Red™ platform offers guests their own seatback touch-screen TV, with 25 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, a 4000 song library and an on-demand menu - so flyers can order a cocktail or snack from their seatback any time during a flight.  In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seating with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, the airline's First Class offers plush white leather seating with 55 inches of pitch, 165 degrees of recline and lumbar massagers.  The carrier's Main Cabin Select option offers 38-inches of pitch, free food and cocktails, an all-access pass to media content, dedicated overhead bins and priority check-in/boarding. 

"Greater Palm Springs' nine cities together provide world-class attractions that have become a big draw for visitors from all parts of the U.S.," said Scott White, President and CEO, Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau.  "From music and arts festivals and sports tournaments to celebrations of fashion or architecture, guests from New York City and the surrounding region can now easily enjoy everything we have to offer with the convenience of Virgin America's nonstop JFK-PSP roundtrip service."

Palm Springs and the other cities that make up the region are the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment.  Known for its reputation as "Hollywood's Playground," a desirable desert climate, world-class resorts and golfing, shopping, special events and modern and mid-century architecture, the region has welcomed the arrival of hip boutique hotels and landmark events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.  

As the only California-based airline, Virgin America will continue to bring its unique brand of low-fare competition to the PSP market with a new Saturday nonstop flight from JFK to PSP - the only nonstop flight offered from the New York City area to Palm Springs.  The new nonstop flight will add to Virgin America's seasonal daily connecting flights schedule from JFK to PSP and its seasonal daily nonstop schedule from SFO to PSP.

Virgin America's 2012-2013 nonstop JFKPSP flight schedule is as follows:

 
        New York (JFK) - Palm Springs         Palm Springs (PSP) - New York
                    (PSP)                                 (JFK)
 
      Dep      Arr    Freq   Start date      Dep     Arr     Freq  Start date
                      Sat                                    Sat
    10:55 AM 2:00 PM  only    22-Dec-12    2:55 PM 10:45 PM  only   22-Dec-12

The new weekly JFK-PSP nonstop roundtrips build on Virgin America's existing current PSP schedule, which currently includes a daily roundtrip between SFO and PSP.  For more schedule information, visit www.virginamerica.com/

Connecting flights are also available from PSP to Virgin America's New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Washington D.C. (IAD) cities. 

In just over five years flying, the airline has expanded to 20 airport destinations and has created 2,600 new jobs.  Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. (IAD), Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington D.C.'s Reagan National (DCA).  And on April 2, 2013, Virgin America will launch service between both SFO and LAX and its 20^th airport destination, New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This summer, Virgin America launched a suite of enhancements to its Elevate® frequent flyer program - including Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver status levels that offer perks such as:  priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; points earning bonuses; free checked bag allowances; enhanced digital/social rewards; private discounts; an expanded advance purchase upgrade window for the airline's exclusive eight-seat First Class; complimentary space-available upgrades to the carrier's premium Main Cabin Select service; and complimentary access to the best seat assignments within Main Cabin.

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html

Broadcast quality video b-roll can also be downloaded at: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-company.html

About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Condé Nast Traveler 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'Readers' Choice' Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'World's Best' Awards.  The airline's base of operations is SFO's sleek new Terminal 2. The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat.  For more, visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/

* Terms and Conditions:

All Main Cabin fares are one-way. Main Cabin fares for JFK-PSP require a 21-day advance purchase and travel must occur between January 12, 2013 and March 20, 2013. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm CST December 24, 2012. Lowest sale fares are available only on certain itineraries. Lowest sale fares for JFK-PSP are valid only for non-stop travel on Saturdays.  2013 blackout dates are: 1/18, 1/21, 2/15 and 2/18. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $100 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be placed in a guest's travel bank, good for travel on Virgin America for one year from date of issue. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $100 redeposit fee per guest. Guests who no-show without a change or cancellation prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be cancelled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept up to ten pieces of checked baggage, up to 50 pounds each, per ticketed guest travelling within the U.S. The fee for each piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled and operated airline and is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

SOURCE Virgin America