Virgin America and V Australia “Get Stripped”

by Annie Scott on


The Sunset Strip Music Festival heated up last Friday, September 11, when Virgin America and V Australia teamed up to hold the festival’s official party “Get Stripped” and raise money for the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association’s Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund.

They raffled off roundtrip flights on Virgin America and V Australia (complete with a hotel stay down under), which were won by the lucky Brooke George (see gallery). Celeb sightings included the Donnas, above — who played the first ever concert inside LAX for Virgin America’s Seattle-to-LAX launch back in April 2008 — Australian singer Ry Cuming, and Chris Cornell, as well as Kristin Bauer from “True Blood.”

For photos of the event (and yes, the celebrities), check out the gallery below! And if you live in LA, we hope you went to the SSMF, because it rocked all over the strip, from The Roxy Theater, House of Blues, The Cat Club, and Whiskey A-Go-Go to the legendary Viper Room.

So that’s what all the traffic was.
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Onboard Virgin America’s Freefest flight

by Grant Martin on

It’s a lovely sunny day up at 32,000 feet on Virgin America flight 108 between Los Angeles and Washington DC, the special chartered flight ferryiing a squadron of volunteers, media and Virgin Folk out to this year’s FreeFest.

In collaboration with Virgin Mobile this year, Virgin America donated the use of an entire Airbus A320 to bring forty lucky volunteers and their guests out to FreeFest, on an all expense paid tour of the festival.

Volunteers were able to register their charitable work with Virgin Mobile over the course of the summer, after which each was entered into a raffle to make the journey. The lucky winners are being given a free flight, accomodation and VIP access to this year’s FreeFest.

As the momentum on Flight 108 picks up you can feel the electricity starting to build among the passengers. Playstation has set up a “gaming lounge” in first class where they’re hosting a rock band competition, Kyocera and Virgin Mobile are wandering around the aircraft giving away gadgets and the martinis are flowing freely. It’s going to be a wild ride this weekend — we’ll keep you updated.

And the award for best domestic airline food in the world goes to… Virgin America!

by Scott Carmichael on

Travel + Leisure’s September 2009 issue is completely dedicated to food and travel. In that edition, the results of an in-flight food survey will be revealed, crowning the food on Virgin America as the best domestic airline food in the world.

This is a pretty impressive prize to win, especially for such a young airline. Then again, when you are up against some of the legacy carriers in the US, it isn’t that hard to serve an impressive dish – the competition isn’t exactly stiff. Anyone who has been served a “breakfast sandwich” on one of the big 5 will know what I mean.

Food on Virgin America won not only because of the quality and assortment, but also because of the ease of ordering. Unlike some airlines, where you either need to wait for a flight attendant to push their cart down the aisle, Virgin America allows passengers to order what they want, when they want, through their Red in-flight entertainment system.

After the jump, a list of the food for sale on Virgin America. These menu options cost between $7 and $10 in the Main Cabin, and are complimentary in Main Cabin Select. One word of warning though – don’t read the menu if you are feeling hungry, cause it is a very appetizing list!

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Fruit and Cheese: Hand-cut imported brie, pepper Monterey Jack and aged cheddar paired with clusters of sweet red seedless grapes, sun-dried cranberries, pecans and crisp multigrain crackers.

Hummus and Pita Chips: A healthy selection of Mediterranean hummus and baba ganoush served with crisp fresh carrot batons, broccoli and cauliflower florets, sweet red bell pepper, cucumbers, red radish, sugar snap peas and a stuffed grape leaf, served with Stacy’s Pita Chips.

Wild Berry Parfait: A light yogurt parfait layered with vanilla yogurt, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, served with a crunchy chocolate granola.

Southwestern Chicken hand Roll: Zesty roasted red pepper tortilla rolled around strips of grilled chicken, green leaf lettuce, chipotle cream cheese spread, fire roasted corn and black beans, and a colorful trio of red, yellow and green bell peppers. Served with a side salad of orzo pasta with Southwestern vegetables and red pepper pesto and a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.

Black and Blue Steak Sandwich: Basil and cheese focaccia loaded with blackened flat iron steak, gorgonzola cheese spread, balsamic glazed onions, arugula, sliced Roma tomatoes and fresh red and yellow roasted tomatoes. Served with a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.

Turkey Florentine Hand Roll: Spinach tortilla wrapped around hand shaved turkey breast, herb cream cheese spread, feta cheese, fresh baby spinach, romaine leaf lettuce, sliced artichoke bottoms, yellow bell pepper strips, Roma tomato, and Belgian endive. Served with a side salad of gemelli pasta with Italian vegetables, sun dried tomatoes and creamy basil pesto, with a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.

Muffaletta Sandwich: Hearty Focaccia bread stuffed with shaved honey ham, Genoa salami, shaved turkey, Swiss and provolone cheese, spicy olive salad, green leaf lettuce, and sliced tomatoes, paired with Italian dressing on the side, and a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.

Thai Vegetable Salad: Refreshing Asian-style salad of romaine lettuce, Napa cabbage, julienne carrots, curly daikon radish, sliced cucumber, green onion, julienne tomato, red and yellow bell pepper strips, cilantro, mint, and chopped cashews. Served with sesame ginger vinaigrette dressing on the side and a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.

jetBlue announces non stop service from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale

by Scott Carmichael on

In a way, airlines are like kids on their first week of school.

When one kid shows up with a Dawson’s Creek Trapper Keeper, all the other kids head out to the local school supply store to get their own (bonus points if you get that reference).

Kids compete with school supplies and cool backpacks, airlines compete with fares and route networks.

Earlier today, Grant reported some great news from Virgin America – the announcement of their new Los Angeles and San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale route (forgive the giddiness, but anytime Virgin America expands its route network, I smile a little more, secretly hoping they’ll be heading to Chicago soon).

The day isn’t even over, and the next airline has decided they want to play along. Starting November 17th, jetBlue will be flying the San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale route as well.

The airline will be flying one flight each way every day. The San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale flight departs SFO at 11:30 pm and arrives the next morning at 7:30 am. The other way around departs Fort Lauderdale at 7:15 pm and arrives at 10:35 pm. Pretty convenient schedules if you ask me. In fact, with a little creativity, you’ll be able to fly up and down for a day on the beach in under 24 hours. Fort Lauderdale also means passengers can transfer to another jetBlue flight and head towards the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

A flight on jetBlue means free live satellite TV, free drinks and snacks and of course their $40 “Even More Legroom” upgrade option. The service on the overnight flight even includes their “Shut-Eye” service, featuring earplugs, an eyeshade and a hot towel service when you wake up.

Virgin America announces service to Fort Lauderdale!

by Grant Martin on

Florida, your time has come. This morning, Travel & Leisure’s favorite domestic carrier announced that it was commencing service to Ft. Lauderdale, FL later this year. Beginning November 18, the beach city will offer two flights daily to Los Angeles and San Francisco respectively, with connections onward to Seattle, Orange County, San Diego and Vegas.

Logistically, expansion into Florida marks the first foray out of the “Northeast to West Coast” formula that has prevailed for so long — but it suits Virgin America‘s style well. Ft Lauderdale is one of the trendiest, most active cities in the south, a perfect compliment to VA’s model.

Further competition in the saturated south Florida market will also be good for travelers. As Virgin tries to woo away passengers from the legacy carriers in the area, prices will surely drop and promotion will be heavy in the area.

Tickets are already available on virginamerica.com starting at $99 one way. All aircraft are fitted with seatback entertainment, wifi and the legendary mood-lighting. Let the competition begin!