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?
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.
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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Links 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
It’s always a good day when airlines come up with an easier way to get and give miles. Virgin America is joining the frequent flier-made-easy brigade with its new partnership with Points.com’s Partner Network. Starting today, Virgin America’s Elevate members have the option to buy points for themselves, transfer or gift points to other Elevate members.
Here’s how it works:
Elevate members can purchase or transfer in 500 point increments at $.052 per point, buy up to 20,000 or transfer up to 30,000 points each year. If transferring points, you’ll pay $.020 per point transferred.
I did a quick test run on the Points platform and found it pretty self-explanatory. I opted to gift my points to another member. For 2,500 points (which is the minimum number of points Virgin members can use for a free flight) the cost was $130. The gift comes with a pre-made card for your recipient.
Note to users: You need to be an Elevate member and a Points.com member in order to participate in the points transfers.
Air travelers have all been there — the plane is about to take off, but first we have to awkwardly look away or bury our noses in magazines to avoid paying attention to the safety announcements. They’re the same every time, so we always know that the closest exit may be behind us. But a few savvy airlines have come up with better ways to grab passengers’ attention. From stripping down to rapping, here are some of the best airline safety announcements you’ll see on board.
Thomson Airways
British airline Thomson Airways knows that cuteness always gets attention. When a plane full of adorable kids tells you how to buckle your seatbelt, you’re sure to listen:
Air New Zealand If cute doesn’t work, sex always sells. Take this Air New Zealand video, which encourages passengers to “take a second look” at safety — and the body-painted flight crew:
To further prove they have a sense of humor, Air New Zealand released a blooper reel of the clips that didn’t make the safety video. After all, reciting lines wearing body paint can’t be too easy:
Delta Airlines Delta is a little more subtle with its sexy announcements — but every person in the video is ridiculously attractive, with perfect teeth and not a hair out of place. YouTube commenters have even dubbed the main announcer “Deltalina” for her resemblance to Angelina Jolie:
Virgin America International airlines aren’t the only ones who get to have fun. Take Virgin America’s safety video, which pokes fun at the various characters found on a typical flight:
Southwest Airlines Southwest is known for its funny flight crews. This flight attendant brings the entertainment with a safety rap:
This Southwest attendant makes announcements American Idol-style, singing a parody of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies:”
Virgin Atlantic
When in doubt, use flashy graphics. Virgin Atlantic puts passengers at ease with its calming music and intriguing animation: