Virgin America Names New Vice President of Airports & Guest Services

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the award-winning domestic airline, today announces the appointment of Jim Davis as the Company's new Vice President of Airports and Guest Services. With an impressive depth and breadth of experience in the airline industry that includes more than 25 years at Hawaiian Airlines, the former Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines, Davis will lead a critical function for Virgin America as the young airline continues its growth into new markets across North America and welcomes thousands of new guests onboard its planes.  

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

"As one of the only airlines in the U.S. domestic industry fueling growth and adding new routes, we're pleased to bring onboard someone with Jim's experience in both the guest service and airports operation realms," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "Virgin America is known for its guest-focused approach to the flight experience – including its unique airport spaces and award-winning guest care. Jim's extensive experience will be critical as Virgin America continues to grow and win the loyalty of new guests."

A seasoned airline industry veteran, Davis comes to Virgin America from Hawaiian Airlines, where he served as Vice President of Airport Customer Service. At Hawaiian Airlines, Davis had responsibility for 1,600 employees worldwide and oversaw the airline's award-winning customer service portfolio and all of its airport operations division. Prior to joining Hawaiian, Jim worked for more than twenty-five years for Republic Airlines, Northwest Airlines and then Delta Air Lines – most recently, he was the General Manager of Airport Customer Service ramp operations at Delta's Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) hub, where he supervised 550 employees and 300 daily flights. 

Before transitioning to the Guest Services and Airport Operations functions at Northwest in 2005, Davis worked his way up through the ranks at Republic and Northwest in multiple technical operations roles.  He began his career in aviation in 1986 as a maintenance technician.   

Davis holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Northeastern Illinois University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Davis will relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area from Honolulu, Hawaii. He will report to Cush and be based at Virgin America's Burlingame, California headquarters.  

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California, Virgin America is a new domestic airline that offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America's principle base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's (SFO) sleek and sustainable new Terminal Two (T2) – the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the U.S. Known for beautifully-designed planes with WiFi, power outlets and touch-screen entertainment at every seat, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best U.S. Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure'sWorld's Best Awards. The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat. 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, Palm Springs, Philadelphia and Portland (as of June 5, 2012). For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com. For photos of the airline's new aircraft and interiors, visit: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html

SOURCE Virgin America