Virgin America Wins Top U.S. Airline in Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic travel, took top honors as "Best U.S. Airline" in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards.  Launched in August 2007, Virgin America has captured the award for the fourth consecutive year for its innovative low-fare service.  The results of this year's Readers' Choice Awards will be reported in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler.  The survey is unique for both its size and unfiltered results and reflects the opinions of nearly 30,000 Conde Nast Traveler readers.  To thank guests for voting the airline best in America for the fourth year in a row, Virgin America today launches the "You Win Some, You Win Some More" fare sale with fares as low as $44,* with restrictions, taxes and fees applying.

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

"We're humbled to again be named the top airline in America by Conde Nast Traveler readers," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.  "This kind of feedback from discerning travelers is a testament to our teammates -- who have worked so hard to build a different kind of airline from the ground up.  We're honored to hear that we're continuing to hit the mark with flyers for our unique mix of low fares, stylish design, tech-forward amenities and outstanding guest service."    

"You Win Some, You Win Some More" fare sale tickets must be purchased by October 14, 2011, at 11:59pm PDT.  Fares start from $44* in Main Cabin and restrictions, taxes and fees apply.  For most of the network, travel on fare sale tickets must occur between October 18, 2011 and March 14, 2012.  Tickets are on sale today on the airline's website (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN.**

Cush and show co-hosts Christine Baranski and Chris Noth were among those on hand when the award was presented to Virgin America yesterday evening (October 10) at the star-studded Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. In a twist of the traditional awards show script, the airline was presented with the "Best U.S. Airline" award by one of its own frequent flyers -- Boardwalk Empire star, Gretchen Mol.  With plush amenities and the top-ranked service in the U.S., the California-based airline is known for being a favorite of high-profile bi-coastal flyers.

With topnotch service, beautiful design and a host of high-tech features, Virgin America has swept the industry best-in-class awards since its 2007 launch.  In addition to low fares, the airline's new aircraft offer upscale amenities, including custom-designed seating, mood-lit cabins, power outlets and the Red™ platform -- the most advanced in-flight entertainment system in the skies.  The Red platform offers each guest their own seatback touch-screen with 35 films, live 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 screen any time during a flight.  In May 2009, the carrier became the first airline to offer in-flight WiFi on every flight.  In September 2011, the airline also took top honors for "Best Business Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Business Travel Poll for the fourth year in a row.  Last month, the airline announced plans to launch faster WiFi capabilities and enhance its already industry-leading entertainment system with a new hybrid platform with larger HD screens in 2012.

"You Win Some, You Win Some More" fare sales include the following (restrictions, taxes and fees apply*):

In addition to a Main Cabin that offers leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, Virgin America's First Class cabin offers international-grade amenities, including plush white leather seats with 55 inches of seat pitch and lumbar massagers. The carrier's premium Main Cabin Select service offers 38 inches of pitch, complimentary food and cocktails, an all-access pass to entertainment, a dedicated overhead bin, a free checked bag and priority check-in/boarding.  The airline continues to experience major growth, with four new destinations announced in 2011 alone.  Destinations include: 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 (as of December 2, 2011) and Palm Springs (as of December 15, 2011).  

About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  In just four years flying, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Readers' Choice Awards.  The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's sleek and sustainable Terminal 2.  For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com. For photos of the airline's aircraft and high-tech interiors: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html

*Fare Sale Terms and Conditions: * All Main Cabin fares are one-way, based on travel originating from the U.S., and require a 7-day advance purchase. For travel to/from PVR, travel must occur between December 2, 2011 and March 14, 2012.  For travel to/from PSP, travel must occur between December 15, 2011 and February 15, 2012. For travel to/from CUN, MCOSFO, MCOSAN, and MCOSEA, travel must occur between November 9, 2011 and February 15, 2012. For all other routes, travel must occur between October 18, 2011 and February 15, 2012. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm PDT October 14, 2011. Lowest sale fares are available for travel through November 8, 2011 and for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only. For travel to/from PVR, blackout dates are December 16, 2011 through January 4, 2012, February 17, 2012 and February 20, 2012. For travel to/from PSP, blackout dates are December 16-17, 2011, December 23-24, 2011, December 26, 2011 and January 2, 2012. For all other routes, blackout dates are November 18 through November 29, 2011 and December 16, 2011 through January 4, 2012. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, the September 11th Security Fee 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/from Mexico, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, a U.S. International Arrival/Departure Tax of $16.30 each way and additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. 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 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 one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds (70 pounds for travel through October 28, 2011) 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.

**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