Virgin America Named Top U.S. Airline In Conde Nast Traveler's 2013 Readers' Choice Awards

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing air travel, took top honors as "Best U.S. Airline" in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler's 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. Launched in August 2007, Virgin America has won the acclaimed award for the sixth year in a row. The results of this year's Readers' Choice Awards will be reported in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine and online at www.CondeNastTraveler.com/rca.  This year, Conde Nast Traveler had a record-breaking 79,268 readers participate in the survey, close to double the number of survey takers in 2012.  These savvy travelers cast 1.3 million votes for more than 16,000 properties around the world. To thank guests for voting the airline best in America for the sixth straight year, Virgin America today launches a "This Counts as a Long-Term Relationship" fare sale with fares starting from $46* (restrictions apply). 

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

"We're proud to once again be honored as the top airline in America by Conde Nast Traveler readers," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "This feedback from some of the most discerning travelers in the world is a testament to not only our innovative product, which continues to lead the domestic industry, but also our teammates' commitment to delivering excellence in guest service.  This award is a credit to their hard work and belief that we can reinvent the domestic flying experience - one guest at a time."

"This Counts as a Long-Term Relationship" fare sale tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. CDT tonight, October 15, 2013. Fares start from $46* in Main Cabin (restrictions apply). Travel on 14-day advance purchase fare sale tickets must occur between October 29, 2013 and February 28, 2014.  Travel on a 21-day advance purchase tickets must occur between November 5, 2013 and February 28, 2014.  Tickets are on sale today on the airline's website (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN.**

Last month Virgin America also won top honors as "Best Premium Class" among domestic airlines in Conde Nast Traveler's 2013 Business Travel Poll. Final scores (out of 100) represent the percentage of readers who rated a hotel, airport, or airline "excellent" or "very good." Virgin America's unique flight experience was ranked number one among all domestic carriers, with an overall score of 86.5. For full survey results visit here.

With topnotch service, beautiful design and a host of high-tech amenities, Virgin America has built a loyal business-flyer following since its 2007 launch. The airline offers business travelers an "office in the sky" with fleetwide WiFi, power outlets and personal entertainment at every seat. 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, complimentary offerings 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), 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. 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.

In 2012, Virgin America opened its first airport lounge -- The Loft at LAX -- and launched a suite of enhancements to its Elevate frequent flyer program. The perks of Gold and Silver Elevate status include: priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; points-earning bonuses; 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.

In just over six years of flying, the airline has expanded to 23 airport destinations and has created 2,600 new jobs. Virgin America currently flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Washington D.C. (IAD and DCA), Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs (seasonal), Philadelphia, Portland, San Jose, Austin and Anchorage (seasonal).

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft: www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html 

Broadcast quality video b-roll can also be downloaded at: https://www.virginamerica.com/html/39049.zip About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. With topnotch guest service and beautiful design, Virgin America has earned a host of industry awards since launching service in 2007. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport (SFO)'s beautiful and sustainable Terminal 2. With one of the youngest fleets in the U.S., Virgin America offers Gogo^™ WiFi, interactive in-flight entertainment systems with the largest media library in the North American skies via the touch-screen Red^™ platform and power outlets near every seat. For more:  www.virginamerica.com

*Fare Sale Terms and Conditions:  All Main Cabin fares are one-way and require either 14 or 21 day advance purchase. For 14 day advance purchase fares, travel must occur between October 29, 2013 and February 28, 2014.  For 21 day advance purchase fares, travel must occur between November 5, 2013 and February 28, 2014. Lowest sale fares are only available for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm CT Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Blackout dates are November 21, 2013 through December 3, 2013, December 18, 2013 through January 8, 2014, January 17, 2014 through January 21, 2014, and February 13, 2014 through February 18. Lowest sale fares are available only on certain itineraries. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $100 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be placed in a guest's travel bank, good for travel on Virgin America for one year from date of issue. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $100 redeposit fee per guest. 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 up to ten pieces of checked baggage, up to 50 pounds each, per ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. The fee for each piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds 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