Virgin America Launches New Flights to Palm Springs

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America is bringing its stylish, low-fare service to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) as of December 15, 2011:  with tickets on sale now for its new nonstop seasonal flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to PSP and same-plane through-flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to PSP.  Known for its reputation as "Hollywood's Playground," an enviable desert climate, world-class resorts and golfing, shopping, special events and modern and mid-century architecture, PSP will be the sixteenth destination in the award-winning airline's growing network.  As the only California-based airline, Virgin America will bring its unique brand of low-fare competition to the PSP market with a seasonal daily flight schedule operating from December 15, 2011-April 30, 2012.  Virgin America will offer daily nonstop intra-California flights from SFO to PSP and daily same-plane through-flights from New York to PSP.  To mark its expansion to the ultimate winter getaway, today the carrier also launches a "Get Some Playtime" fare sale with SFO-PSP fares from $99* and JFK-SFO-PSP fares from $199.*

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"As the only California-based airline, we're pleased to launch seasonal service to one of our state's most popular getaway spots – Palm Springs and the surrounding desert resort cities," said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America.  "Our expansion to the region will inject some much-needed competition into the air travel market.  With low fares and a quality of service that is unrivalled in the domestic skies, we hope our new flights will be a welcome breath of fresh air for Bay Area and New York travelers looking for an affordable escape to the desert oasis this winter.  The destination also allows us to add seasonal capacity from our California base, as we continue to grow our network."

Known for outstanding service, new aircraft with beautifully designed and comfortable cabins, and a host of high-tech amenities, Virgin America has swept the major travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.  The airline offers custom-designed mood-lit cabins and inventive amenities like fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and touch-screen entertainment at every seat.  The Red™ entertainment platform offers guests their own nine inch touch-screen TV with 35 on-demand films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, a 3,000 track MP3 catalog and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a cocktail or snack right from their seatback any time during a flight.

"Virgin America is a world class brand and Palm Springs is a world class destination and we are thrilled to join together and provide this new air service at Palm Springs International Airport," said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.

"We work hard to deliver a high caliber airport to all of our tenant airlines and we are confident that Virgin America and its guests will be very pleased with the service provided at PSP Airport," said Thomas Nolan, Executive Director of the PSP Airport.

In honor of its newest destination, Virgin America is offering a system-wide "Get Some Playtime" fare sale. "Get Some Playtime" fares are now available for purchase at www.virginamerica.com and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN.** Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 23, 2011.  Main Cabin short-haul fares start from $49* and new SFO-PSP fares start from $99* (restrictions, taxes and fees apply).  

"Known for our weather, unrivalled golfing, world class resorts and globally-recognized festivals like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the Palm Springs market is a perfect fit for Virgin America's chic new flight service," said Scott White, President and CEO of Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities CVA.  "The airline's new nonstop and through flights from both SFO and JFK will lower fares and improve service in our market – and allow more travelers to enjoy all that our unique region has to offer."

Palm Springs, California and the other cities that make up the Desert Resorts destination, is the ultimate desert oasis playground for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment.  The desert climate guarantees sunny weather and the cities are nestled at the base of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains.  Palm Springs, Coachella, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert offer streets lined with palm trees, the best in shopping, art galleries and museums and renowned outdoor dining – all amidst breathtaking scenery.  In addition to luxury resorts and world-class golfing, the region has in recent years welcomed an influx of hip boutique hotels and landmark events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.  Palm Springs has a history as the holiday home of many Hollywood stars from the 1940s on – and is known as the center of "Desert Modernism" mid-century modern architecture.  For more on the region, visit: www.PalmSpringsUSA.com

In just four years flying, the San Francisco-based Virgin America has expanded to 16 destinations (including PSP), created 2,100 new jobs and swept the major travel awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards.  The carrier's new aircraft offer a host of upscale amenities, including custom-designed seating, mood-lit cabins, power outlets and the Red platform – the most advanced in-flight entertainment system in the skies.  In addition to a Main Cabin that offers each guest a personal TV, power outlets and a leather seat 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.  For photos of the airline's unique aircraft: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html

With seasonal service from December 15, 2011-April 30, 2012, Virgin America's daily PSP schedule is as follows:

Connecting flights will also be available from PSP to Virgin America's Fort Lauderdale and Washington D.C. destinations.

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

About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  In just four years flying, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 World's Best Awards.  The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport (SFO).  In April 2011, the airline became an anchor tenant at SFO's new sleek and sustainable Terminal 2.  Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun,  Chicago, Puerto Vallarta (as of Dec. 2, 2011) and Palm Springs (as of Dec. 15, 2011).  For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com  For photos/video of the airline's new aircraft and high-tech interiors, visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html

* Terms and Conditions:  PVR service is subject to government approval. All Main Cabin fares are one-way, based on travel originating from the U.S., and require a 7-day advance purchase. For travel to/from PVR, travel must occur between December 2, 2011 and March 14, 2012. For travel to/from PSP, travel must occur between December 15, 2011 and February 15, 2012. For all other routes, travel must occur between September 27, 2011 and December 15, 2011. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. PDT September 23, 2011. Lowest sale fares are available for travel through November 8, 2011 and for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only. For travel to/from PVR, blackout dates are December 16, 2011 through January 4, 2012, February 17, 2012 and February 20, 2012. For travel to/from PSP, blackout dates are December 16-17, 2011, December 23-24, 2011, December 26, 2011 and January 2, 2012. For all other routes, blackout dates are November 18 through November 29, 2011. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, the September 11th Security Fee 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 service to/from Mexico, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, a U.S. International Arrival/Departure Tax of $16.30 each way and additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. 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 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 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 50 pounds (70 pounds for travel through October 28, 2011) for $25 for each ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. and for free of charge for each ticketed guest traveling to/from Mexico. 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.

**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