Virgin America Launches New Service to Toronto

SAN FRANCISCO, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America today announces it will serve Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with daily flights from California's West Coast starting June 23, 2010.  The new service will launch with daily flights from both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Toronto (YYZ).  Virgin America offers business and leisure travelers a host of innovative amenities, including beautifully designed mood-lit cabins, fleetwide WiFi, standard power outlets near every seat and Red™ – the largest and most advanced personal touch-screen entertainment platform in the skies.  Since its 2007 launch, the airline has consistently swept the major travel awards, including "Best Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's 2009 Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2009 World's Best Awards.  

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In an unusual move, the airline today announces its expansion to Toronto via Twitter – without the support of traditional advertising.  The first 500 Twitter followers who receive the airline's expansion Tweet can score a 50 percent discount on flights to Toronto for travel June 23-November 17, 2010.*  Virgin America is the only airline based in Silicon Valley, and its inventive use of technology, social media and design has made it a favorite among tech-forward flyers.  For more: www.twitter.com/virginamerica or www.virginamerica.com/va/twitter.do

"Toronto is one of the largest cities in North America and a world-class travel destination – with strong ties to California – most notably in the entertainment and high-tech sectors," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.  "Our unique in-flight experience will be a perfect match for the diverse, tech-savvy flyers along the routes and we can't wait to start welcoming them."  

Toronto will be the first international destination in the airline's growing network.  Virgin America's SFO-YYZ fares start at $222 in Main Cabin and LAX-YYZ fares start at $212 one way in Main Cabin.**  Tickets are on sale today on Virgin America's Web site (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).*** The airline's Toronto schedule includes:

• SFO-YYZ:  one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight
• YYZ-SFO:  one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight
• LAX-YYZ:  one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight
• YYZ-LAX:  one nonstop daily flight and one daily through flight

"We are delighted to welcome Virgin America to Toronto Pearson," said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.  "Virgin America's expansion into Toronto is a testament to the strong business and tourism ties between Canada and the U.S.  These routes show the importance of continued growth in the North American market."

In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, the airline's First Class offers plush white leather seats 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 Red's countless entertainment options, dedicated overhead bins and priority check-in/boarding.   The airline's Red platform offers over 700 hours of entertainment content, including 25 films, live and premium TV, Google Maps, music videos, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, a 3000 MP3 library and an on-demand menu – so guests can order a cocktail or meal from their seatback any time during a flight.  In 2009, the menu was named best-in-class in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.    

"Virgin America's service is a great match for Toronto and we are thrilled to welcome them," said David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto. "California's sophisticated travelers coming to Toronto will find one of North America's most exciting urban destinations and Canada's entertainment and business capital."

With outstanding service and beautifully designed new planes, Virgin America has captured a loyal guest following and experienced significant growth since its launch.  In addition to Orlando and Toronto, the airline intends to announce at least three more new destinations in 2010.  For Virgin America's most recently reported quarter (the third quarter of 2009), the airline reported its first quarterly operating profit, a year-over-year revenue increase of 38 percent, record load factors and improved unit costs.  

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Orange County (ends May 26), Fort Lauderdale, Toronto (starting June 23) and Orlando (starting August 19).

EDITORS NOTE:  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 and launched in August 2007, Virgin America is one of the fastest growing start-up U.S. airlines of all time and currently employs over 1500 people.  Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features.  The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's International Terminal.  The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat for electronic gear.  Virgin America offers in-flight internet service on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the U.S. skies via its touch-screen Red™ seatback system.  Elevate is Virgin America's first-of-its-kind loyalty program, which offers guests the ability to redeem points for any unsold seat – on any Virgin America flight, at any time.  For more:  www.virginamerica.com

* Twitter Terms and Conditions: This offer ends and promo code must be used by 5:00pm PDT on 04.23.10. One time use promo code is valid for non-refundable Main Cabin fares for travel to and from Toronto (YYZ) only. Excludes fully refundable Main Cabin, instant upgrade to Main Cabin Select, Main Cabin Select and First Class fares. Travel must occur between 06.23.10 to 11.17.10. Blackout dates are 07.02.10, 07.05.10, 09.03.10 and 09.06.10. Promo code may only be used for bookings made on virginamerica.com and is only valid on itineraries of 2 guests traveling together on a single reservation. Decreasing the number of guests, splitting the itinerary or changing names will be subject to change or cancel fees and may result in the loss of the discount. Promo code may be used only towards newly booked travel and may not be applied to prior bookings. Promo code discount will be deducted off of base fare. Promo code may not be redeemed for cash. Offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offers. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. If travel is changed or cancelled, promo code discount will become invalid. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $75 fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website or a $100 fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Tickets purchased through Virgin America's reservation call center will cost an additional $15 per guest per itinerary; this amount is non refundable if travel is changed or cancelled. 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 service to and from Canada, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, U.S. APHIS fee of $5, and additional taxes/fees of up to $250 imposed by the Canadian government, including: Airport Improvement Fee, Canadian Security Fee, and Goods and Services Tax. Discounts will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Discounts are not applicable to check-through connecting flights for city pairs where direct flights are offered. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest. 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. Discounts, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice.

**Terms and Conditions for YYZ Fares: All Main Cabin fares are one-way and require a 7-day advance purchase. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT 05.04.10. Travel must occur between 06.23.10 and 11.17.10. Blackout dates are 07.02.10, 07.05.10, 09.03.10 and 09.06.10. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flight may not operate daily during off-peak periods. 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. 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 $15 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. 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. Fares shown are in USD and are valid for travel originating in the U.S. For service to and from Canada, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, U.S. APHIS fee of $5, and additional taxes/fees of up to $250 imposed by the Canadian government, including: Airport Improvement Fee, Canadian Security Fee, and Goods and Services Tax. Fares may include a surcharge. 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. 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