Virgin America Launches First Domestic Lounge: The Virgin America Loft at LAX

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Virgin America, the California-based domestic airline, launches its first domestic lounge with the opening of the stylish new Virgin America Loft at Los Angeles International Airport's (LAX) Terminal 3.  Not to be confused with sister-branded airline Virgin Atlantic's premium international Clubhouses designed for longer-haul travelers, the new Virgin America Loft will offer Virgin America's guests a sleek and modern retreat within LAX.  In keeping with the airline's mission to reinvent the U.S. travel experience, the new Virgin America Loft was designed to offer the amenities today's travelers demand within a space that reflects the look and feel of the airline's next generation mood-lit aircraft and overall design aesthetic.  The Virgin America Loft extends the airline's signature cabin experience into the airport space with amenities like a cocktail bar and dining experience with a Virgin twist – including a "Lofty Libations" artisanal cocktail selection.  As the only airline to offer both power outlets near every seat and in-flight WiFi on every aircraft, the Virgin America Loft is equipped with ample power sources and complimentary WiFi.  High-resolution photos and a video tour of the Virgin America Loft are available at: www.virginamerica.com/vx/lax-loft-photos.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121212/AQ28340)

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

"We're proud to unveil our first lounge space at LAX, which was designed for our growing base of loyal business and leisure travelers," said Jim Davis, Vice President of Airports and Guest Services at Virgin America.  "Elevating the journey for travelers beyond just getting from point A to Point B is what Virgin America is all about – and the Virgin America Loft at LAX extends that philosophy into the airport space."

Access:  Elevate® Gold and Elevate Silver members of Virgin America's Elevate frequent flyer program receive a select number of complimentary day passes each year* to the Virgin America Loft and day passes can also be purchased for $40 each through online check-in, at the airport upon check-in and through the Virgin America call center at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (877.359.8474).**  Travelers on Virgin America's airline partners may also purchase passes to the Loft.  For more details, including rules and restrictions on Virgin America Loft access see:  www.virginamerica.com/vx/lax-loft. Today, the airline is also launching a "12 Days of #VXLoft Passes" giveaway on social media through December 23 – where 12 lucky people will score a free day pass to check out the new Virgin America Loft in 2013 for themselves. Travelers can follow the airline on Twitter for a chance to score a day pass to the Virgin America Loft.

Location:  The Virgin America Loft is located past security at Terminal 3 of LAX on the second level – conveniently near the Virgin America gates. You can access the Virgin America Loft by taking the stairs or elevator, both located near the food court.

The Virgin America Loft was designed to create a space where travelers can relax, refresh and recharge before their flight:

RELAX:  In addition to re-charging at conveniently placed power charging stations and enjoying complimentary WiFi, the Virgin America Loft provides space to disconnect, have private conversations and enjoy runway views. 

REFRESH:  Virgin America offers its award-winning seasonal food menu crafted using fresh locally-sourced ingredients and artisan breads in a Breakfast and Light Bite lunch and dinner selection such as a fresh fruit salad wrap, Otsu Soba noodles, and an assortment of fresh sushi as well as "Lofty Libations" – Virgin and aviation-themed cocktails like the Virgintini and the Runway Ruddy Mary – all complimentary at the Virgin America Loft. 

RECHARGE:  Guests will be able to enjoy a social lounge within the Virgin America Loft perfect for socializing, watching Live TV, and meeting someone new.  

"Travelers seek out Virgin America for the stylish, upscale experience onboard – and we hoped to create a lounge that reflects the modern and sleek design of our planes and our unique brand style," said Jesse McMillin, Creative Director at Virgin America.  "Travel can be the most transformative experience and we wanted to design the space to help bring that excitement and sense of style back to the airport experience."

The eight-month Virgin America Loft design project was led by McMillin and the airline's Facilities and Marketing teams and includes unique design elements like flaming red Vitra sofas, Frank Gehry tables, Alessi tableware and unique art installations.  Furniture was hand-selected for the space from design partners such as Propeller Modern, Design Within Reach, Zinc Details, Stanhope Company, Golden Gate Sign Company and Blue Skies Consulting.  Local Los Angeles photographer, Dennis McGrath, was commissioned to create exclusive pieces for the Virgin America Loft, which capture a voyeuristic glimpse of the City's gritty, urban landscape.  The black and white photography will add a graphic contrast to the clean aesthetic of the furniture and overall Virgin America Loft design.  For a video tour of the Virgin America Loft given by Virgin America's Creative Director, Jesse McMillin see: http://youtu.be/yKkzg4b6kg4.

Known for its sustainable best practices as well as its inventive design, Virgin America incorporated flooring that consists of 85 percent post-consumer recycled material into the new lounge space.  In 2011, the airline opened its new home at SFO's Terminal 2 – the first major LEED® Gold-certified airport in the nation.  Just this year, Virgin America's further investment in its "Virgin Village" teammate lounge at SFO helped secure the highest possible LEED® Platinum-certification for the carrier's own T2 office spaces. Both the Gold and Platinum levels are the first such certifications for a major commercial airport in the U.S.

With outstanding service, beautiful design and a host of inventive amenities, Virgin America has built a loyal flyer following since its 2007 launch.  The airline has swept the major travel awards for its focus on design and service, including "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.  The airline's Red™ in-flight entertainment platform offers guests their own seatback touch-screen TV, with 25 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, a 4,000 song library and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a cocktail or snack from their seatback any time during a flight. The airline is the first domestic carrier to offer both standard power outlets at every seat and in-flight WiFi on every flight. In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper pitch, the carrier's premium Main Cabin Select service offers guests 38" of seat pitch – about 6 inches more legroom than Main Cabin, unlimited complimentary cocktails and snacks from the airline's award-winning menu, an all-access pass to in-flight media content (including free movies and premium TV like HBO and Showtime and content from partners like Virgin Produced), priority security access/boarding, dedicated overhead bin space and one free checked bag.  Virgin America's First Class features international-grade amenities and plush white leather seating with 55 inches of pitch, 165 degrees of recline and lumbar massagers. 

Continuing to invest in its product is a priority for the airline – which unveiled a new uniform design just this summer and launched a suite of enhancements to its Elevate frequent flyer program – including new Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver Status levels that include perks such as: points earning bonuses, priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; 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.  Virgin America's latest advertising campaign offers a digital experience that brings the airline's unique cabins to life – through the eyes of a few of its most frequent travelers: http://experiencevirginamerica.com.

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 starting April 2, 2013 - Newark. 

High-resolution images and video of the new Virgin America Loft can be found at: www.virginamerica.com/vx/lax-loft-photos.

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 Conde 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.  For more, please visit: www.virginamerica.com.

*Elevate Gold members receive three complimentary Virgin America Loft day passes per year and Elevate Silver members receive two complimentary day passes per year to the Virgin America Loft.

**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