Photo of the Day (7.6.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
This week I went aboard Virgin America’s inaugural flight from San Francisco to Toronto; and having visited Toronto only once before when I was young, I didn’t have very high expectations for Canada’s largest city. On this visit, I took the time to explore some of the outlying neighborhoods (Kensington Market) and cultural districts that really give Toronto a sense of flavor and diversity, and saw a different side that I can’t wait to visit again.

Flickr user PDPhotography has an incredible collection of photographs from Toronto that really capture the vibrance & quirks of the city. This shot was captured at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, which takes place next month from August 20th to September 6th.

Do you have summertime shots of a city you love? Share them with us! Submit to our Flickr Pool and your image could be our next Photo of the Day!

Virgin Hotels? Sir Richard Branson’s newest project gives travelers a ‘suite’ escape

by Melanie Nayer on

Nothing is out of reach for Virgin-founder Sir Richard Branson. On yesterday’s inaugural flight from Los Angeles to Toronto, Branson dished on all things Virgin, including the upcoming ‘rumored’ Virgin Hotels.

Our friends at HotelChatter.com report that Branson is close to making an announcement about Virgin Hotels, a new luxury hotel option for travelers that will likely compete with top players in the boutique market. Branson was pretty vague about the Virgin Hotel concept, and wouldn’t give any information on when or where the first hotel will launch, but he did say the announcement will be soon.

While we wait with bated breath to uncover this secret location, we’re pretty certain on one thing: like everything Branson does, the Virgin Hotels are sure to make a statement!

We want to know: What would you expect to see inside a Virgin Hotel?

Daily Pampering: Luxury shopping at 35,000-feet

by Melanie Nayer on

Don’t you just hate it when you realize your favorite Chloe bag is at home, and you’re 35,000 feet in the air? Good news fashionistas: the savvy shoppers at Virgin America have found a way to ensure you aren’t without your favorite luxe items.

Virgin America and Gilt Groupe, the invitation-only online shopping site featuring hundreds of luxe-designers, have partnered to provide travelers with bonus Elevate points for shopping in style.

Here’s how it works: Make a purchase on Gilt Groupe using your Elevate number and receive 500 bonus points towards your Elevate Frequent Flier program with Virgin America. After 30 days from your purchase, members will get 500 bonus points. Thereafter, you’ll get 250 Elevate bonus points per $250 purchase.

Gilt Groupe offers Men’s, Women’s and Children’s favorite fashion and luxury brands at up to 70 percent off retail prices. Membership is free, so it won’t cost you to join. Gilt publishes new sales and designers on a daily basis and you have 36 hours to buy from that sale. You can check out the designers and upcoming sales during the preview period (usually a few days before the sale opens) and start picking your items.

Word to the wise from this Gilt Groupe shopper: Get online early and grab your item! It’s a first-come, first-served site so when the item is gone, it’s gone for good.

Want more? Get your dose of Daily Pampering right here.

Richard Branson celebrates ten years of Virgin Atlantic flights to Las Vegas

by Scott Carmichael on

Super entrepreneur Richard Branson just celebrated ten years of his airline flying to Las Vegas. And when Richard Branson celebrates, he does it the only way he knows how – with a hot model, a plane full of VIP’s and the mayor of Las Vegas.

Virgin Atlantic started flying to Las Vegas in June 2000, and since then, they have flown two million passengers to Las Vegas. Next year, the airline will add non-stop flights from Manchester airport, flying an additional 40,000 people a year to the local hotels and casinos.

To mark this major milestone, Virgin unveiled a one-off Las Vegas “Flying Lady” on one of their aircraft – inspired by Dita Von Teese (being held by Branson in the photo you see above). Von Teese commented on the artwork:

“It’s fantastic to be invited to mark this occasion. The pinup girl as aircraft “nose art” is a classic part of aviation history, so it is amazing for me to see myself depicted on an aircraft! I hope passengers around the world who fly onboard this plane enjoy seeing me as Virgin’s flying lady pinup!”

Full size versions of the photos are in the gallery below.

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GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Virgin America winner announced!

by Stephen Greenwood on

GadlingTV’s Travel Talk Virgin America Giveaway – Click above to watch video after the jump

June is here, so we’re finally ready to reveal the winner of our Virgin America giveaway! Stay tuned to find out who the lucky winner is & hear some of our favorite responses – thank you to everyone who submitted and don’t forget to tune in for more, bigger contests in the future!

Click below to watch the episode & find out who the lucky winner is!


If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.

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Huge thanks again to Virgin America & everyone who submitted!
What’s that tea we’re drinking? Check out Travel Talk Episode #5 to find out how to prepare your own Yerba Mate!


Hosts: Stephen Greenwood, Aaron Murphy-Crews, Drew Mylrea



Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood, Aaron Murphy-Crews, Drew Mylrea