Virgin America Goes South of the Border, Celebrates First Flight to Los Cabos, Mexico

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the award-winning California-based airline, today announces its first flight south of the border to service San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD). The airline known for its upscale stylish amenities and low fares is offering direct flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to SJD. Los Cabos, Mexico will be Virgin America's second international destination after Toronto, Canada launched in June 2010, and the 13th destination in the new airline's growing network. The airline kicks off its new service to SJD today with a fiesta at the gate at SFO.

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

"We're so pleased to be able to offer our innovative and affordable service to Los Cabos for travelers looking to start their vacations right at take-off, " said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America. "We're happy to add another warm weather destination to our growing network and to offer low-fare service so that more travelers can discover all that the Los Cabos region has to offer."

"We are thrilled to welcome Virgin America to Los Cabos, and know that their guests will be pleased with the exciting sights and unique activities in this beautiful region," said Gonzalo Franyutti De La Parra, President of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau. "This new route serves as a testament to our destination's strong tourism economy and commitment to providing each visitor with an unmatched vacation experience."

Virgin America offers outstanding guest service and beautifully designed cabins with a host of high-tech amenities and entertainment choices at every seat. The Red™ touch-screen entertainment system offers 30 films, live TV, Google maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, a 3000 MP3 catalog (and the ability to build a custom play-list in-flight), a first-of-its-kind digital Shop section and an on-demand menu – so guests can order a cocktail or meal right from their seatback any time during a flight. Virgin America's live satellite television and WiFi are not available on the aircraft after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

The airline's SJD flight schedule is as follows:

Since launching, 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. 

In addition to flights to Los Cabos, Virgin America is also adding flights from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Cancun, Mexico beginning January 19, 2011 and SFO to Cancun beginning January 20, 2011. As part of the airline's celebration of these hot new Mexican destinations, Virgin America is running a Facebook promotion for fans to win two roundtrip Main Cabin tickets and a two-night hotel stay in Los Cabos or Cancun. Entry to the sweepstakes can be found on Virgin America's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/virginamerica) through January 18. **

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 starting January 19, 2011 Cancun, Mexico.

Tickets are on sale today and can be purchased via Virgin America's Web site (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474) ***. For high resolution photos and broadcast quality b-roll, please visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/los-cabos-launch

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California and launched in August 2007, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel, including in-flight internet service on every flight and the most advanced touch-screen entertainment platform in the skies. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport. In just three years flying, Virgin America has created 1,700 new jobs and has swept the major reader-based travel awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards ,"Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards as well as best-in-class in the Zagat Global Airline Survey for 2008, 2009 and 2010. For photos and more, visit: www.virginamerica.com

*Terms and Conditions

All Main Cabin fares are one-way, based on travel originating from the US, and require a 14-day advance purchase. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PST December 20, 2010. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.70 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. For international travel, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, and the U.S. International Arrival/Departure tax of $16.10 each way. For service to/from Toronto, fares do not include additional taxes/fees of up to $50, including: Airport Improvement Fee, Canadian Security Fee, Goods and Services Tax, and Harmonized Sales Tax. For service to/from Mexico, fares do not include additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel must occur between December 27, 2010 and May 11, 2011, unless specified otherwise.  LAX-CUN service begins January 19, 2011. SFO-CUN service begins January 20, 2011. Blackout dates are January 2-3, 2011; February 18, 21, 2011. Lowest fares are only available for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website (www.virginamerica.com) or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $75 redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancel 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 canceled 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 one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. and for free of charge for each ticketed guest traveling to/from Mexico or to/from Canada. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Entry period ends January 18, 2011.  To enter and for Official Rules, please visit www.facebook.com/virginamerica. 

***Any guest calling within the United States has access to a complimentary telecommunication relay service by dialing 711. For more information, go to: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/telecomm.asp

SOURCE Virgin America