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Big Airlines: Virgin America Wants Your Slots

June 9, 2008 at 3:05 PM | 2 Comments

Scrappy start-up Virgin America is looking at the recent cutbacks by legacy carriers a bit differently than most of us. Now that the big guys are shrinking capacity, VA hopes to snag some landing spots to expand its service to cities like New York and Chicago. Thing is, those carriers have asked to retain their takeoff and landing slots--even if they aren't using them.

So Virgin sent the lawyers to DC to complain to the FAA that other airlines are trying to keep competition out of certain markets. VA spokeswoman Abby Lunardini told us:

We're definitely opposed to the majors hoarding slots that they have no intention of using. Ultimately, it is the traveling public that will pay the price--with higher fares and lower levels of service.

Whether or not those slots change hands is now up to the FAA--and how much money big carriers are willing to lose protecting their landing rights.

Related Stories:
· Virgin America Protests Bid [Bloomberg, via NYT]
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]

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Author Photo: pbb by pbb

2 Comments

Return to » Big Airlines: Virgin America Wants Your Slots

  1. DanielR

    Jaunted Member
    June 9, 2008 at 3:44 PM




    Shady

    That's super shady on behalf of the majors and seems like unfair business practice.  However, if AA started pimping mood lighting, food and beverages on demand and video at every seat, then I wouldn't complain so much.  Up with the scrappers.

  1. Spatziano

    Jaunted Member
    June 10, 2008 at 2:04 PM




    AMAZING!

    I just had the opportunity to fly VA from JFK to SFO this past weekend and all I can say is AMAZING!  I typicaly fly legacy carriers and get upgraded 90% of the time, but I have been itching to try out VA.  I ended up flying coach.  The entire expierence from A to Z was amazing.  NO COMPLAINTS on both legs.  I sure hope they can over come this fuel dilema and become a strong US carrier and I hope they can gain some slots at these airports.

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