Virgin America completes inaugural JFK – Vegas flight

by Grant Martin on

As we’ve been reporting on all week, Virgin America just kicked off service between JFK and Las Vegas with their inaugural flight. Christening an A320 aircraft “Entourage Air”, the cast of HBO’s Entourage showed up in a hangar at JFK to squirt Champagne all over an eager Adrian Grenier-googly-eyed audience, then quickly slipped off for other premier events all over the country.

On the way to the kickoff party at the Palms in Las Vegas, passengers were treated to some of the amenities that first class passengers can expect on Vegas bound flights later this fall: (very) plush “Entourage Air” blankets, Godiva chocolates, Altoid mints and Kiehls amenitiy kits with moisturizer, shampoo and lip balm. We also got to see a preview of season five’s opener, which should be airing this weekend – you can catch that and other episodes on their RED entertainment system from now on in flight.

Las Vegas airport was ready for us with a fire engine salute when we got there, and as we taxiied into our gate two giant plumes of water arced over the aircraft – I later learned that traffic at the airport has tapered off recently, no doubt because of decreased demand for vacation flights – so the tourism board is doing whatever they can to make Virgin happy.

In that light they threw an opening reception at the arrival gate, complete with showgirls, cake, more Champagne and a few fine words from local oil tycoons dignitaries.

It took a while to transfer and check into the Palms – apparently they didn’t realize that when an airplane full of people is going to check in that you need to staff your front desk – but near 9PM the party started to get rolling at the Playboy Club up on the top of the tower. We quickly found out that drinks were on “special” until nine thirty, so stocked up on Red Bulls & vodka since most of us were still on Eastern time.

I could tell you about all of the exciting things that went on at the Playboy club and then later on that night – shots, gossip and photos with the Virgin America crew, Michael Phelps apparently showing up at the bar and the wild, wild affection that some of our fellow bloggers share for each other – but you’re probably not interested in that.

The prevailing point is that New Yorkers now have a direct line into Vegas on Virgin America, Travel and Leisure’s “Best Domestic Carrier” and one of the most innovative airlines in the skies. If you have a tenth as much fun as Gadling did on your flight out to Sin City, it’ll be worth every dollar you spent.

Update from the Virgin America JFK-LAS inaugural flight.

by Grant Martin on

Late last month we heard news that Virgin America was kicking off service between New York’s JFK airport and Las Vegas and would be celebrating the event with the christening of HBO’s “Entourage Air” with the cast in New York and a party at the Palms casino in Vegas.

Now, in the midst of the debauch we’re checking in to update you on how the event is unfolding. Just after 1PM Gadling was asked to show up at hangar 12 right outside of JFK airport, an open air structure with the Virgin America “Entourage Air” A320 parked underneath. Walking up to the gate, two models showed up to escort us down the red carpet towards the hangar, where music was playing, couches were laid out and there were a hundred or so people milling about.

With Champagne, Grey Goose and Bombay Dry flowing freely, the crowd patiently snacked on hors d’oeuvres speculating about the arrival of Branson and the entourage until finally the crew snuck into the back of the aircraft, a few suits made some announcements and the entire lot burst from the front boarding door.

I’m not sure how rehearsed the entire spectacle was – apparently Sir Branson was late getting in – but after they posed for a few photos the entire crew of Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connoly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Richard Branson as well as the creator, Doug Ellin came down the steps, grabbed bottles of Champagne and burst them open in front of the port engine. Someone tracked down a microphone for a few nebulous questions, then the cast unfortunately had to leave. Later, Devon, one of the PR associates at Virgin told me that they had tons of events associated with the HBO premier so had to jet out to the city as soon as possible.

As for the hundred or so people in the hangar, however, we were headed to Las Vegas for the after party and some grand old socializing. At 35,000 feet we were privy to another speech from the brass then delighted with a pre-screening of the first episode of this season’s Entourage which airs this weekend. With four more hours left to Vegas, we were left to explore own wiles, which is where you’ll find me now, tucked under a plush “Entourage Air” blanket.

Supposedly the afterparty takes place at the Playboy club in the Palms. Stay tuned for a full report from the event and all of the juicy pictures!

Virgin America teams up with Entourage for inaugural and promotion

by Grant Martin on

Well, Virgin American certainly has their demographic targeted. The hip startup airline just announced that they’re teaming up with HBO’s Entourage to christen one of their their Airbus aircraft “Entourage Air” and kick off service between New York‘s JFK and Las Vegas.

Yes, this is the same group that also hosted Victoria’s Secret models on one of their transcontinental routes.

Next Thursday the airline plans to host an Entourage party at a private JFK hangar with members of the Entourage crew (no specifics on whether this is going to be some B character or some of the stars), Richard Branson and other celebs for a pre launch party with Dom Perignon Champagne, hors d’oeuvres and other themed goodies.

In flight, passengers will be treated to a special pre screening of the hit HBO show and the airline will kick off special HBO features for all passengers flying on VA for the duration of the month. Later, HBO and VA plan on collaborating in other projects on the airline’s advanced inflight entertainment system.

Naturally, the party finishes off at the Playboy Club in the Palms Casino.

Truly, a magnificent introduction to a route. But will it pay off? Virgin America bills itself as the hip, edgy airline that more often than not is slightly more expensive than the competition. Can their image and inflight amenities sway you over from a legacy carrier?

Happy birthday, Virgin America

by Grant Martin on

Virgin America, the low cost carrier that has been sending tremors through the airline industry, turns one year old today. In celebration, passengers on many of their flights today will be greeted with cake, treats and general merriment, the apparent modus operandi for any VA activity.

Pull up a carpet square as we take a look back at Virgin America over the past year.

2005: Virgin America (Then Virgin USA) secures funding from gazillionaire Richard Branson and submits DOT certificate application to operate in the States.

March 20, 2007: After a long legal battle to receive approval from the DOT, the airline is granted permission to fly.

August 8, 2007: Virgin America begins service on their inaugural flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles to New York City. Airbus A320 aircraft feature advanced in flight entertainment systems and snazzy mood lighting. Hipsters and rejoice and announce that they already flew VA and “it was okay. I mean, we’re kind of over it”.

November 28, 2007: Victoria’s Secret models show up on a New York – Los Angeles flight as the airline celebrates naming an aircraft after the ladies. Drinks, photos and skulduggery ensue at the after party in LA.

February 12, 2008: New service from San Francisco to San Diego is launched with a Valentine’s Day flight and party at The Ivy in SD.

April 8th, 2008: Celebration for the LA-Seattle inaugural brings rockstars, hipsters and lowly bloggers together as the in-flight party continues. Gadling runs into David Cush on the flight who foreshadows some of the coming events.

June 18th, 2008: Superfly Wednesdays kick off as VA offers free drinks on Wednesday flights and further discounts at clubs across the country.

What’s next for Virgin America? Approval for service into Chicago is well underway and hopefully the airline will be offering service to the Midwest soon. The airline also plans to be the first with full wi-fi service fleetwide by the end of the year.

Keep up the good work, Virgin America, and happy birthday.

Sir Richard Branson’s Private Jet

by Grant Martin on

Ever wonder what it’s like to be rich and famous and have your own private jet? Well, it looks a lot like this. Passing through the Mojave Desert airport last week, Gadling spotted Richard Branson’s Falcon 900EX, the French made, long range, ultra luxe corporate jet.

Sporting a blown up decal of Branson’s iris on the tail fin (the same, minus additional artistic work, done for Virgin Galactic), this jet has a maximum cruising altitude of 36,000 feet, speed of mach 0.87 (662 mph) and in its factory configuration can seat up to fourteen passengers. One can only imagine what sort of extravagances the Branson family has upgraded the aircraft with though. The range and speed of the aircraft make it perfect for important jetsetting moguls like Branson, who frequently needs to commute from his home United Kingdom to his island in the Caribbean to business in Southern California quickly.

Looking at the exterior of the aircraft, one can see that Sir Branson has clearly created this aircraft as a mobile advertisement for Virgin Galactic. In addition to the similar tail fin markings, the evolving VG aircraft have been stenciled near the cabin door, while the engine markings are G-GALX and the aircraft itself is named Galactic Girl.

Still, quite the improvement over conventional travel. Had Sir Branson not been buried under a phalanx of reporters we would have asked for a tour, but I suppose we’ll have to save that for the next visit out to the desert.

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