Virgin America Seeks Service to Chicago O'Hare
Airline to File for Access to One of the Top U.S. Travel Markets
SAN FRANCISCO, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America, the
California-based airline that is reinventing air travel, today announced it
will seek government approval to serve Chicago O'Hare International Airport
(ORD). Chicago would be the eighth city in the airline's growing network of
service to primary airports in major urban cities.
"Chicago is one of the nation's top travel markets, a world-class city
and a perfect fit for our innovative, low-fare service," said Virgin
America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush. "We want to bring
Chicago travelers a better choice, with attractive fares and brand new
planes that offer a unique, upscale flying experience -- from leather seats
to individual video touch-screens at every seatback."
Later this week, Virgin America plans to file an application with the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to serve ORD under the existing
demand management rules at the airport. With legacy airlines representing
99 percent of the domestic departures at O'Hare, and low-cost airlines only
representing 1 percent, Virgin America intends to add some healthy
competition to the market.
"When more airlines compete, consumers win with lower fares and better
service. We think that savvy Chicago travelers will find our high-value,
low-fare service a breath of fresh air," Cush added. "The Mayor, airport
and City have shown tremendous vision by investing in O'Hare's future, with
long-term investments, such as the new runway coming online this fall that
will expand and modernize one of the world's busiest travel hubs. We want
to be part of O'Hare's future."
Virgin America hopes to fly from San Francisco International Airport
(SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to ORD later this year.
Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is the best financed new
airline in U.S. history and plans to expand to up to 30 new cities within
its first five years. The San Francisco-based carrier offers guests low
fares and a host of fun, inventive features aimed at making flying good
again, including mood lighting, custom-designed leather seats and the most
advanced in-flight entertainment system in the U.S. today. Virgin America's
Red(TM) In-flight Entertainment is a seatback 9-inch video touch-screen
that offers travelers over 25 on-demand movies, live TV, a food ordering
system, the ability to create a play list from over 3,000 MP3s, videogames,
interactive Google Maps and even a seat-to-seat chat feature.
Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with numerous daily
flights from: San Francisco (SFO) to Los Angeles (LAX), SFO to New York
(JFK), SFO to San Diego (SAN), SFO to Washington (IAD), SFO to Las Vegas
(LAS), SFO to Seattle (SEA), LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD and LAX to SEA.
About Virgin America:
EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline
with no business relationship to Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's
Virgin Group is a minority share investor in the airline.
Virgin America launched service in August 2007 from its base of
operations at San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern
International Terminal. The airline's brand new fleet of Airbus A320-family
aircraft offers guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, power
outlets for laptops or other electronic gear and a host of other innovative
features aimed at making flying good again. In Zagat's 2007 Global Airlines
Survey of frequent fliers, the airline was ranked No. 1 among U.S. carriers
for quality in First/Business Class and No. 2 for quality in Main Cabin. To
learn more:
http://www.virginamerica.com
