Virgin America Toasts Its Newest Mexican Route with VH1 'Countdown to Cancun' Inaugural Flight

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline, today launches nonstop flights to Cancun International Airport (CUN) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  The airline known for high frills and low fares will also launch direct flights to CUN from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) starting January 20, 2011. The launch marks the third international destination for the three year old award-winning carrier and its 14th destination in North America.  For the airline's virgin voyage to Cancun, Virgin America is teaming up with VH1 to host the first-ever mile-high episode of VH1's "Top 20 Video Countdown" onboard its inaugural flight.  Under Virgin America's signature moodlighting, the first Cancun-bound commercial flight guests will get to party like pop stars and enjoy the airline's siesta-worthy leather seating, on-demand food and cocktails and personal touch-screen entertainment platforms. 

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

"As an airline known for bringing some fun back to flying, it is only fitting we're teaming up with VH1 to kick off our Cancun route in high style," said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America.  "We think flyers deserve to start their Mexican getaways as soon as they board their flight -- and with the best in entertainment, beautiful cabins and outstanding service, we think travelers will agree that Virgin America is the perfect way to jump-start their Mexican vacation a few hours early."

With touch-screen entertainment at every seat, stylish design and guest-focused teammates, Virgin America has been growing and winning over travelers since its August 2007 launch.  The airline offers the largest in-flight entertainment library in the North American skies -- with a special focus on music, in keeping with the Virgin brand's roots.  The Red™ touch-screen entertainment system offers every guest hundreds of content options, including VH1's music video library, a 3,000 MP3 music catalog (and the ability for guests to build a custom play list in-flight), 30 films, live TV,* videogames, seat-to-seat chat and even an on-demand menu -- so guests can order a cocktail or meal right from their seatback touch-screen any time during a flight. 

"The Virgin America brand is most welcome in Cancun, the number one leisure destination in Latin America and the Caribbean.  We in ASUR cannot think of a better match: Virgin America, Cancun and traveling in high style," said Alejandro Vales, ASUR Customer and Route Development Director.

To further celebrate the new route,  Virgin America, VH1 and luxury all-inclusive resort Live Aqua have teamed up to offer three lucky VIPs the chance to win the ultimate getaway to Cancun.  Winners will be treated to roundtrip flights on Virgin America and a three-day sensory experience for two at Live Aqua.  Entry to the sweepstakes can be found at www.countdowntocancun.com now through February 9, 2011.**

"VH1 connects music lovers to the artists they love – as well as to up and coming bands new to the scene," said Tom Calderone, President, VH1. "Since 2007, our partnership with Virgin America has allowed us to connect fans to their favorite music even at 35,000 feet.  From the soundtracks featured throughout the cabin to the breadth of their in-flight music catalog, it is obvious that music is a central component of the Virgin America experience – and we couldn't be more pleased to team up with the airline on their VH1 Top 20 'Countdown to Cancun' flight." 

Filmed at 35,000 feet on Virgin America's first  commercial flight LAX to CUN, the "Countdown to Cancun" episode of VH1's "Top 20 Video Countdown" will first air on the network on January 29, 2011, at 9:00am ET.  Grammy-nominated and multi-chart topping band Goo Goo Dolls will sit in First Class with host Jim Shearer and talk about their latest album "Something for the Rest of Us." The show will include additional special cameo appearances, including one by Virgin Group Founder and company "frontman," Sir Richard Branson. Additionally, as part of its ongoing partnership with VH1, Virgin America will name one of its new aircraft "Air VH1" later this year.

Virgin America's spicy low fares to Cancun start from just $139,*** with restrictions taxes and fees applying.

"We're excited to welcome Virgin America to the hottest spot in the Mexican Caribbean.  Virgin America is offering an exceptional new, low-fare airline option for travelers headed to Cancun's world-class resorts, beaches and attractions. We welcome Virgin American travelers to come and experience all that Cancun and the treasures of the Caribbean have to offer," said Jesus Almaguer, Director of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

With 335 rooms and 36 luxury suites, Live Aqua Cancun features endless privileges and heightens the guest experience by touching each of the five senses with unique design elements such as sensuous in-room aromatherapy menus, savory international cuisine, a world fusion spa and fitness center and stunning panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.  

Since launching, Virgin America has captured a list of industry best-in-class awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards as well as "Best-in-Class" in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Zagat Global Airline survey.  Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos and as of today -- Cancun.

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California and launched in August 2007, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel, including in-flight internet service on every flight and the most advanced touch-screen entertainment platform in the skies. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport. In just three years flying, Virgin America has created 1,700 new jobs and has swept the major reader-based travel awards, including "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers' Choice Awards, "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 and 2010 World's Best Awards as well as "Best-in-Class" in the Zagat Global Airline Survey for 2008, 2009 and 2010. For photos and more, visit: www.virginamerica.com

About Posadas

Posadas, with more than three decades in the hotel marketplace, operates 113 properties and more than 20,000 guestrooms in 50 beach and city destinations in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. In Mexico, the company operates 20 percent of its rooms in the tourism segment. Thanks to its seven hotel brands--Live Aqua, Fiesta Americana Grand, Fiesta Americana, Fiesta Inn and One Hotels in Mexico and Caesar Park and Caesar Business in South America--Posadas is well positioned as the leading Mexican hotel operator in Latin America. In 2009, Posadas was named one of the largest 50 hotel operators in the world and the leading operator in Latin America by the official publication of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association. Grupo Posadas has been listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1992, with the ticker symbol "POSADAS." For additional information, visit its website http://www.posadas.com.

About Cancun

Cancun is located in the northern part of the southeastern Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is Mexico's number one tourist destination and is known all over the world for its spectacular beaches, unique beauty and breathtaking turquoise waters.   Cancun's shoreline recently underwent a $71 Million Dollar makeover, that featured 1.3 billion gallons of sand to renovating the Hotel Zone's seashore.  The most popular tourism destination in Mexico and Latin America has also added to its sun, beach, and nightlife, by creating a unique five-day route that will offer visitors a chance to experience adventure and interaction with nature. Cancun and the Treasures of the Caribbean invite travelers to discover the vast natural, cultural and gastronomical cultures of Puerto Morelos, and the four islands of the Mexican Caribbean: Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Contoy and Cozumel. Cancun is a multifaceted destination that combines nature, historical Mayan Culture, glamour, luxury and world class tourism with the seduction for adventure, the passion for paradisiacal nature and the enchantment of gastronomical magic.  For more information, visit the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau website at: www.cancun.travel. Follow us on Twitter @CancunCVB, "LIKE" us on Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/cancuncvb, browse through our videos on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/cancuntravel and share your pictures of Cancun on our Flickr site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22572360@N07/.

*Virgin America's live satellite television and WiFi are not available on the aircraft after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Entry period ends February 9, 2011.  To enter and for official rules, please visit www.countdowntocancun.com.  

***Terms and Conditions

All Main Cabin fares are one-way, based on travel originating from the US, and require a 14-day advance purchase. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PST January 24, 2011. 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 international travel, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, and the U.S. International Arrival/Departure tax of $16.30 each way. For service to/from Mexico, fares do not include additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel must occur between February 2, 2011 and May 4, 2011. Blackout dates are February 18 and 21, 2011. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Nonstop Los Angeles-Cancun service operates on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Nonstop San Francisco-Cancun service operates on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. 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 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 $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 70 pounds 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.

SOURCE Virgin America