All Nippon Airways (ANA) has been named Airline of the Year by Air Transport World. ANA won based on its exceptional financial performance, fiscal management, customer service and technology leadership. Silver Airways (based in Florida and one I’ve never heard of) won Regional Airline of the Year. Virgin America will launch new service to Austin…
Virgin America
Category Archives for Virgin America.
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel Industry News: January 16, 2013
The FAA issued an airworthiness directive requiring U.S. airlines to ground Boeing 787 Dreamliners until the aircraft is proven safe to fly. Meaning, United must ground its current fleet of six 787s until the battery issue (and possibly others) are resolved. Meanwhile, the FAA is seeking to ban pilots from using their portable electronic devices…
Stick With United as a 1K or Switch to Virgin America as Elevate Gold?
Reader Elizabeth emailed me the following question yesterday: I am a 1k flier on United. I’m thinking of leaving them for Virgin Atlantic, as I moved from California to the UK in 2011 and have grown increasingly unhappy with their service. I fly back to the US from LHR 6-8 times a year. I have…
Notable Airline News – December 11, 2012
Quite a few notable events in the airline industry the past couple of days include: American Airlines today took delivery of their first Boeing 777-300ER, N717AN. It’s actually airborne as I type on its way to Dallas where it’ll eventually sport American’s new livery. Passenger service is scheduled to begin January 31 from Dallas to…
Virgin America Launches Status Match for American, United Elites
Virgin America today launched a status match program for elite frequent fliers with American and United. It’s a match/challenge combo, actually, where you’ll be matched outright until April 30, 2013 and offered the ability to extend your status through the end of 2013. First, here’s the chart of how the American and United elite tiers…
Flight Review: Virgin America First Class Los Angeles to Seattle
I’ve wanted to try Virgin America since they launched service, but was always so focused on spending my dollars where I had elite status. I decided to finally give them a try this past Fourth of July weekend on a quick trip to Seattle. And with the relatively low First Class fares they had on…
Notable Airline, Hotel and Travel Industry News: August 30, 2012
A judge ruled American Airlines’ antitrust suit against Orbitz, Travelport and Sabre may proceed after finding reasonable grounds that the companies orchestrated a boycott of American. All parties, however, agreed for a stay as they seek renewed negotiations. Avis is dropping their “We Try Harder” slogan, used for 50 years, for “It’s Your Space.” They…
Virgin America 25,000 Bonus Point Elevate Visa Signature Card
[Edited 5/31/13: This offer has expired.] Virgin America is offering up to 25,000 bonus points if you sign up for a Visa Signature credit card with Barclays. The limited time offer expires soon, so act fast if you’re interested. First, the offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after your first purchase on the card Earn up…
‘Departure Date’ short flick filmed on the Virgin trio of airlines
If you haven’t already heard about the short narrative film shot onboard the Virgin group of airlines, here’s the trailer (below) that includes an interesting behind the scenes segment. It’s a pretty neat idea and I’ll definitely watch it simply because it’s filmed onboard aircraft, though I believe it’ll be exclusive and only available on…
United’s new route, SMF courts Virgin, Allegiant to Hawaii, DFW Wi-Fi, Qantas’ A380 and more news
In other airline, hotel and travel industry news last week… United Airlines will begin new nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco on August 15. North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue broke the news on Wednesday. United will operate a 154-seat Boeing 737-800 on the route and the flight will be timed to allow…