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Sorry, Chicago: Virgin America Is Headed To Boston

December 8, 2008 at 9:17 AM | 3 Comments

Just three days after scrapping plans to touch down at Chicago O'Hare, Virgin America has announced it will start flights to Boston Logan on February 12, 2009. Three flights a day will connect BOS and LAX, and two round-trips daily will link Boston to San Francisco. Sorry, New York: No shuttle flights for you just yet.

While hyping low fares (starting at $149 each way for BOS-LAX) and the fact that this is the carrier's eighth city (!), Virgin also managed to get in a few digs at Chicago, the city that apparently couldn't bully the majors into giving up a few of their precious gates at O'Hare. Says CEO David Cush:

We thank the state, city and airport for their support and warm welcome, and we can’t wait to introduce our upscale, high value service to Boston travelers--especially on the SFO-BOS and LAX-BOS routes that until today offered no low fare competition.

So while Boston will likely now see fares drop, passengers flying out of O'Hare will continue getting hosed. If you're looking for someone to send those angry letters to, Chicago, your Department of Aviation commissioner is Richard Rodriguez--and here's how to get in touch with him!

Related Stories:
· For Lack of Gates at O'Hare, Virgin Cancels Chicago Flight Plans [Jaunted]
· The History of Virgin America's "Expansions" [Jaunted]

The History of Virgin America's "Expansions"

November 25, 2008 at 2:08 PM | 0 Comments

While newly wireless Virgin America is holding off on acquiring new planes for now, that didn't stop CEO David Cush from talking up some new cities that his airline is eyeing. Where might we see VA in the next couple years? Austin-Bergstrom International and Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta.

Back in 2007, all the speculation was focused Miami and Boston, two cities that Virgin still says might be on the route map in the future. Then, of course, there's the Chicago situation, which VA says should be resolved soon.

Even more esoteric expansions we've heard mentioned in the past include Vancouver and Cabo; haven't seen flights to either of those cities yet, despite previous claims that Virgin would be in 10 cities by the second half of this year. Heh: This recession is killing everyone!

Related Stories:
· Virgin America Raises More Cash [Aviation Week]
· What's Next for Virgin America? [Jaunted]

[Photo: davitydave]

In-Flight WiFi Wrap-Up

November 24, 2008 at 9:00 AM | 2 Comments

Virgin America CEO David Cush speaks before boarding begins on the airline's WiFi demonstration Saturday.

We were so jazzed during our Virgin America in-flight WiFi liveblog, we never really answered the question: So, how was the WiFi anyway? We can safely say: It was great.

Gogo's service runs on the EVDO network delivered through 92 on-the-ground towers, but it was faster than we've ever been able to pick up on our terrestrial cell phones. It has the potential to get faster as well, Tim Maxwell of Aircell told us, with the addition of more towers--but unless you're on a T1 line on the ground, you probably won't notice any need for improvement.

We had no problem connecting and there were no noticeable interruptions or stoppages in the service--something we reflected on ruefully when we were unable to connect to our in-room WiFi at the W San Francisco the next morning.

If there was any blip to the in-flight entertainment, it happened during the YouTube Live portion of the evening.

After teasing us with the prospect of a segment being broadcast from the plane to The Internets, the powers that be decided to shoot it in first class where "30 Rock"'s Keith Powell and Katrina Bowden were sitting. Because everyone in the aisles rushed to the front to get a glimpse of the goings on, we couldn't see a blessed thing--nor did we hear a peep, except for the beginning and end of the shoot. So you'll have to tell us how it went, because despite being there, we have no idea.

Still, it's hard to question that, for tech-savvy travelers, having access to the internet will change the flight experience completely. On the other hand, now there's no escape from the pressures of the office, so make sure to fly non-wired airplanes when you need a chance to kick back on company time.

Somewhere, Richard Branson is laughing at us.

Related Stories:
· Virgin America Inflight Wifi Liveblog [Jaunted]
· Funky Flight Safety Videos and Scenic Flybys on Virgin America's New YouTube Channel [Jaunted]
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]

Virgin America May Try Fuel Hedging To Eke Out A Profit

November 23, 2008 at 1:03 PM | 0 Comments

The biggest news surrounding Virgin America this weekend was the roll out of in-flight WiFi with a special beta flight on Saturday. (Why yes, we were in attendance.) But more news happened to shake out Saturday that sheds light on the still-young carrier's future.

CEO David Cush told Reuters that with prices at roughly a third of the highs hit this summer, now might be the time to secure some good deals on fuel:

We see a pretty unique opportunity with what's going on in the fuel markets right now to go in and lock in some long positions. I would imagine over the course of the next several weeks that we will be going out two and three, and perhaps even four, years into the fuel market and locking in some of the prices that are there today.

Cush also revealed that Virgin America probably won't turn a profit until 2011; previously VA was aiming to make money by 2010. There might not be a chance to revise that date again: After asking investors for another infusion of capital in October, there's currently enough cash in the bank to last another three years.

Related Stories:
· Virgin America Sees Fuel Hedge Opportunity [Jaunted]
· Virgin America Could Scrap Chicago Plans [Jaunted]

[Photo: Virgin America]

Jaunted Interview: Chatting with David Cush

May 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM | 4 Comments

A Jaunted Exclusive

Virgin America will ask the FAA for a share of the Chicago market this week, and if all goes well, VA will be flying to O'Hare by November.

After Virgin confirmed the expansion plans, we were excited to talk with CEO David Cush, posing here with Cisco Adler, about the future of the airline, how the FAA allocates landing rights and what it's like to compete with a former employer.

Jaunted: We've been hearing rumors about Chicago for months. Why make the move into that new market now?

DC: You're not an airline until you fly to Chicago. We want to fly four flights a day from LAX and SFO to ORD because this is third largest travel market in the US and we think Chicagoans are going to love our product.

Currently, Chicago/O'Hare has virtually no low-fare competition to the West Coast and none from SFO or LAX. We think we can compete with the big guys and inject a little healthy competition into a market that desperately needs it.

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In-Flight Entertainment: The Rock Show on Virgin America's Newest Route

April 10, 2008 at 1:02 PM | 0 Comments

Yesterday Virgin America kicked off its new LAX-SEA service with some live music in LA followed by an in-flight concert. The standout had to be our Sundance buddy Cisco Adler who serenaded VA's David Cush on the way to Seattle.

Also rocking the flight were Shwayze, Michael Tolcher and Bamboo Shoots. Pre-flight in LA, The Donnas played Gate 67B, and on arrival in Seattle the party continued at The Showbox at the Market with a performance by Thurston Moore.

Related Stories:
· Jaunted at Sundance: Virgin America Flirts with Paris Hilton [Jaunted]
· Sex Sells Travel: Virgin America's In-Flight PJ Party [Jaunted]
· Seattle Music Venues: The Showbox at the Market [Jaunted]

[Photos: AP Photo/Virgin America, Bob Riha, Jr.]

Virgin America is Flying High

February 18, 2008 at 4:21 PM | 3 Comments

Do you love Virgin America so much, you want to marry it? Well you can! Nah, just kidding. But you can work there!

Sir Richard Branson's low cost carrier is doing so well stateside that Virgin America plans to double its workforce and the number of cities that it serves.

CEO C. David Cush said the young business expects to hire 1,000 people, most of whom will work out of the Burlingame headquarters or as flight staff based at San Francisco International Airport. That would bring the company's head count to 2,000 employees by the end of 2008.

Meanwhile, the carrier, which flies to six cities now, could fly to as many as 12 cities by 2009.

While the new cities aren't confirmed, Cush did hint at opening service in Chicago and Boston.

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Virgin America Names New CEO

November 27, 2007 at 10:05 AM | 0 Comments

Virgin America, which the Department of Transportation says must replace Fred Reid, has tapped C. David Cush for the top job, starting December 10. Cush is a long-time American Airlines exec currently working in sales, but he brings operations experience to the table, too. Sounds like just the guy you need for an expanding route network.

While we don't expect to see any major shake-ups right away because of the change, Cush is coming on at a contentious time. Virgin continues to expand, but is trying to avoid the congestion that's plaguing US airports.

The airline's gone so far as to preemptively ask for an exemption if caps are put on flights in and out of JFK--something that's possible if not likely. VA says that its start-up status affords some special protections. An industry trade group says no airline deserves special treatment, least of all one that hasn't helped build JFK into the hub it is today.

While we wait to see how that plays out, we'll be holding our breath to see if Fred Reid slams through his game-changing dining options before taking off in two weeks.

Related Stories:
· American Airlines Exec to Head Virgin America [Dallas Morning News]
· Virgin America coverage [Jaunted]