Virgin America Named Official Domestic Airline of SF Pride Parade's 42nd Celebration

SAN FRANCISCO, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, San Francisco's hometown airline, today announces its partnership with SF Pride, the nation's largest LGBT event, for the fifth year in a row.  As the "Official Domestic Airline of SF Pride," Virgin America will once again partner with the local LGBT Pride Celebration Committee for the world-famous, one-of-a-kind SF Pride Parade and Celebration - complete with a contingent of hundreds of Virgin America teammates celebrating the long tradition of inclusiveness in San Francisco on the airline's "The World is Your Runway" themed float.  In addition, Singer and San Francisco native Aubrey O'Day – formerly of  Danity Kane and most recently, Celebrity Apprentice, will take to the 'runway' to help Virgin America teammates celebrate atop the airline's float in the annual parade.  The float will also include a live DJ with music spun by local San Francisco DJ, Fifty Pound Note.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120622/AQ29406)

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

SF Pride Parade-goers will also be able to join in the fun by striking a pose in a Virgin America aircraft window cut-out for snapshots that will be featured on Virgin America's SF Pride photo album on Facebook. The airline is also inviting its followers around the country to tweet the airline a photo of their interpretation of Virgin America's "The World is Your Runway" theme using the hashtag #VXPride.

 "We've worked with SF Pride ever since our launch and this event is always one of the most popular with our teammates," said Luanne Calvert, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America. "As San Francisco's hometown airline, we couldn't be more proud to continue to be part of the incredible tradition and celebration that is SF Pride."

As the Official Domestic Airline of SF Pride, Virgin America has welcomed onboard those traveling to San Francisco from all over the country to take part in the festivities. Virgin America offers hip moodlit cabins and touch-screen personal entertainment systems (with 700 hours of entertainment content, on-demand food and beverage ordering, shopping and more). With WiFi on every flight, parade-goers can update their Facebook status or tweet about their journey on Virgin America – and even chat up fellow Pride-Paraders on their flight at 35,000 feet, via the airline's seat-to-seat chat system .

"SF Pride is the celebration of the best that is within us – the diversity and depth of the LGBT community," said Brendan Behan, Executive Director of the LGBT Pride Celebration Committee "We are excited to welcome back Virgin America as our official domestic airline sponsor.  Virgin America's commitment to make flying good again goes hand in hand with their partnership with the world-class event that is San Francisco Pride."

This year marks the 42nd Anniversary of SF Pride, which will be held this weekend.

Since its launch in August 2007, Virgin America has created 2600 new jobs and grown to serve multiple destinations across North America.  The airline has a fleet of 52 A320 Family Airbus aircraft – with 60 additional aircraft slated for delivery from 2013-2019.  Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. (Dulles), Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington Reagan National (as of August 14, 2012).  Known for friendly service, beautifully designed cabins and inventive amenities, like touch-screen entertainment at every seat, Virgin America has swept the major reader-based travel awards since its launch, including "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.

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 and 2011 '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 SFO's sleek and sustainable Terminal 2.  The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat. Virgin America was the first airline to offer Gogo™ InFlight Internet on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the U.S. skies, via the touch-screen Red™ platform.  For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com

SOURCE Virgin America