Virgin America arrives in San Jose, California, launches its “#nerdbird” contest

Virgin America (San Francisco) yesterday (May 1) launched new service to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport in San Jose, California (SJC) – the latest destination city in the carrier’s network. The addition of SJC expands the airline’s presence in the greater San Francisco Bay Area (SJC is in the South Bay). Virgin America will serve SJC with four daily nonstop flights from and to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Guests on the very first LAX-SJC inaugural flight traveled on board Virgin America’s new Airbus A320 (N841VA), appropriately named “#nerdbird,” and were greeted by Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson at a red carpet welcome at SJC’s new Terminal A.

Upon arrival at SJC’s brand new Terminal A, travelers were given a red carpet welcome with a touch of Silicon Valley-inspired irreverence: flight guests were given nerd glasses and pocket protectors onboard. The inaugural #nerdbird flight received a traditional water cannon salute as Flight 534 touched down in San Jose. Once deplaned, the inaugural flight guests were greeted by Mayor Reed, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, business and civic leaders and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, for a champagne brunch gate-side to toast the new route.

Virgin America on May 1 also kicked off a #nerdbird Goes South online promotion sweepstakes inviting Elevate® frequent flyer program members to enter their membership number by May 16 for a chance to win a prize that includes Elevate Gold Status and 15 single-use WiFi passes good for any Virgin America flight through the end of 2013, courtesy of Gogo®. All entries will get a code good for 25% off flights between San Jose and Los Angeles (restrictions applying).*** For contest rules please visit: https://www.virginamerica.com//html/pdf/130501_nerdbird_contest.pdf

The new SJC-LAX route will also carry the codes of Virgin America codeshare partners Hawaiian Airlines and Singapore Airlines, offering seamless connectivity for guests traveling to and from San Jose via LAX. The addition of Virgin America San Jose-Los Angeles service creates convenient new online connections for San Jose guests traveling to and from Virgin America’s Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New York (JFK and EWR), Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington DC (IAD) destinations.