Virgin America (San Francisco) will add Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) with a daily nonstop roundtrip flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) starting on August 14, 2012.

The airline’s new flight will depart San Francisco daily at 8:00 am PT (0800) and arrive at DCA at 4:05 pm ET (1605). The westbound flight will depart DCA daily at 5:00pm ET (1700) and arrive in San Francisco at 7:40 pm PT (1940). The new DCA service will complement Virgin America’s existing service between SFO and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – the airline currently has four daily nonstop flights between SFO and IAD.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography.

Virgin America: 

Virgin America (San Francisco) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011 and full year 2011.  Despite substantially higher fuel costs and financial pressures associated with industry-leading capacity growth, the airline narrowed its fourth quarter operating loss to $8.1 million (a 29 percent year-over-year improvement) and its fourth quarter margin to (2.9 percent) – an improvement of three points year-over-year.  The airline’s full year operating loss was $27.4 million on revenues of over $1 billion.  Top line growth remained strong with revenue gains significantly outpacing capacity growth.  Year-over-year, revenue grew by 45 percent for the fourth quarter and 43 percent for the full year on a 29 percent increase in capacity – compared to an industry average capacity growth rate of less than one percent in 2011.  The airline ended 2011 with $160 million in unrestricted cash.

Virgin America’s results were primarily impacted by high fuel costs and the costs of growth.  The airline also incurred costs associated with its transition to a new reservations system in 2011.  The cost per gallon of fuel increased by 38 percent in the fourth quarter and 33 percent for the full year versus the prices paid in the prior year.  This fuel cost increase reduced the airline’s operating profit by $31 million for the quarter and $105 million for the full year.  The airline’s rate of growth and entry into new markets created margin pressure which offset gains in more mature markets.  The carrier’s established markets (those operated for at least 12 months prior to the fourth quarter of 2010) were profitable for both the fourth quarter and full year 2011.  In these markets, revenue per available seat mile (RASM) improved by 18 percent year-over-year for the fourth quarter.

In late 2011, Virgin America reported that it raised an additional $150 million through a four and a half year debt facility.  The airline also noted that it obtained lease financing commitments for all of its Airbus A320 Family aircraft slated for delivery through September 2013.  In addition, the airline closed on a financing facility for the majority of its pre-delivery payment obligations (“PDPs”) due on the first 20 aircraft within its order of 60 Airbus A320s, scheduled to begin delivery in summer 2013.

Virgin America continued to drive significant growth in 2011:  expanding its fleet from 34 aircraft in January 2011 to 46 aircraft in December 2011 (as of May 1, 2012, the carrier operates 51 aircraft) and achieving major carrier status as defined by the Dept. of Transportation (DOT).

Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen.

Virgin America Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Virgin America (San Francisco) yesterday (April 4) touch-downed in Philadelphia – the 17th market in the carrier’s rapidly growing network.  According to the airline, “at a time when most airlines are cutting capacity, Virgin America is growing and bringing its unique blend of upscale service and low fares to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)”. The airline is offering nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as of April 10.  Virgin America will be the first U.S. airline to launch new service at PHL in eight years – injecting competition into West Coast to PHL routes currently only served nonstop by legacy carriers.

Virgin America’s PHL schedule will include three daily nonstop flights from LAX and two daily nonstop flights from SFO.  Connecting flights are also available from PHL to the airline’s Portland (as of June 5th), San Diego, Seattle and Las Vegas markets.  The carrier flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia (as of today) and Portland (as of June 5th).

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin. The special San Francisco Airbus A320-214 is actually N849VA (msn 4991) not the previously pictured N623VA by the company.

Virgin America Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Hot New Photos Slide Show: CLICK HERE 

Virgin America (San Francisco) yesterday (March 29) unveiled plans for this season’s partnership with the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). At the Giants’ annual Media Open House at AT&T Park, Giants President and CEO Larry Baer and Virgin America President and CEO David Cush, together unveiled the new mood-lit Virgin America Club Level in the ballpark.  In addition, Virgin America introduced the newest member of its fleet – an Airbus A320 aircraft named “Fly Bye Baby,” named and painted in honor of the Giants.  The aircraft sports a beard, as a nod to the facial hair-friendly hometown team.  Although a sneak peek of the aircraft was revealed yesterday, the plane will be launched into revenue service on flights nationwide as of April 2.  Those who happen to catch a flight on the aircraft also have the chance to score:  Virgin America is inviting its social media fans to send in their best photos of the new Giants-decaled plane using the hashtag #flythebeard.  Now through the end of the 2012 baseball season, one lucky flyer per month will score a free roundtrip anywhere Virgin America flies and one grand prize winner will also get 2013 Virgin America Club Level passes.

For official contest rules see: http://www.virginamerica.com/html/sf-giants-fly-the-beard-twitter-rules.pdf.

Virgin America is also launching a Giants channel fleetwide on Red™, the airline’s state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment platform. Currently, every Virgin America flyer can already enjoy a live satellite television channel line-up that features a range of live news and sports – including nationally televised Giants baseball games on FOX.  The new Giants channel launching onboard flights in April, will also house behind-the-scenes fan content, including highlights from 2012 Spring Training and 2010 season footage.  In addition, Giants fans can grab some ballpark inspired menu pairings while watching a Giants game at 35,000 feet, via the airline’s unique on-demand menu.  The Giants-inspired menu options will roll out fleetwide on Virgin America in April, including:  the “Double-Play Snack” (Emerald Nuts and beer) and the “Triple Play Meal” (Virgin America’s mile-high club sandwich with turkey breast, crisp lettuce and roma tomatoes piled high on sliced sourdough with feta cheese spread , alongside Emerald Nuts and a beer).

As the “Official Airline of the San Francisco Giants” since 2008, Virgin America also extended a special 20 percent flight discount offer to Giants season ticket holders which was included in their season packets.  In 2011, Virgin America renewed and expanded a multi-year multi-million dollar partnership with the Giants from 2012-2015.  The partnership includes unique stadium branding, experiential promotions during select games, in-flight entertainment integrations and more.  Last year, the airline  transported the World Series Trophy (in Virgin America’s First Class cabin) across the nation for various events with team leadership.

The San Francisco Giants of the National League is one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball.  Boasting a 130-year history, the team moved to San Francisco from New York in 1958 playing a total of 42 years in Seals Stadium and Candlestick Park before moving to AT&T Park in 2000.  The franchise was named 2010’s Sports Organization of the Year by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal Daily. Since opening its gates, AT&T Park has become internationally-renowned as a premier venue in the world of both sports and entertainment.  On the diamond, more than 37 million spectators have witnessed a number of magical moments and four playoff appearances, including in 2010 when the Giants became the World Series champions for the first time since moving West.  In 2008, the Giants celebrated the team’s 50^th year in San Francisco and it was the center of the baseball universe when it hosted the 78^th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 10, 2007.  AT&T Park has also played host to some of music’s biggest acts, including the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band and Green Day.

Copyright Photo: Virgin America. Airbus A320-214 N623VA (msn 2740) has become “Fly Bye Baby”.

Virgin America Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Virgin America (San Francisco) will add its 18th destination on June 5; Portland, Oregon. PDX will be served with twice-daily service from Los Angeles and a single roundtrip to San Francisco. The company also take delivery of its 50th Airbus aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum

Virgin America Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Virgin America. Mood lighting.

Virgin America (San Francisco) yesterday (March 12) filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the right to link San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with two nonstop daily flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).  The recently signed FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 includes a provision authorizing the DOT to award new flights between DCA and domestic airports located beyond that airport’s 1,250 mile “perimeter limit.”  Previous “beyond perimeter” awards have all been made to non-California airports – with the exception of a single daily flight at Los Angeles.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography.

Virgin America Slide Show: CLICK HERE