VIRGIN AMERICA LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE TO LOS CABOS AND CANCUN

Airline Kicks Off Mexico* Service with a Spicy Fare Sale across its Route Network – with Hot Fares from $39**

VX Teams with Loopt to Give “Two-for-One Tacos + Tickets” at SF & LA Taco Trucks Today – Proceeds Go To Chihuahua Rescue

San Francisco – August 31, 2010 – Virgin America today announces it will serve San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) and Cancun International Airport (CUN) with nonstop flights from California starting this winter.* Nonstop flights launch from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to SJD as of December 16, 2010, from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to CUN as of January 19, 2011, and from SFO-CUN as of January 20, 2011. To celebrate the new routes, the airline today launches a spicy three-day fare sale – with fares from $109** coast-to-coast and $129**to Mexico. On top of these hot fares, tech-forward flyers in need of a Mexican getaway can score a two-for-one ticket offer*** by checking in on Loopt Star, the location-based social mapping network, at SFO, LAX or select taco trucks in San Francisco and Los Angeles from 11:00am-3:00pm PT today. Proceeds from every taco purchased will benefit the City of San Francisco’s Animal Care and Control Chihuahua rescue efforts.


“We’re pleased to bring our service to these world-class Mexican destinations and to offer travelers a better value and a unique flight experience,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “We think flyers deserve to start their Mexican getaways as soon as they board their flight. And with low fares, touch-screen entertainment, beautiful cabins and a host of other features aimed at bringing the fun back to flying, we think travelers will agree that Virgin America is the perfect way to start their Mexican vacation a few hours early.” In June 2010, the airline announced its intent to launch flights to Mexico by seeking authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin flying the routes as of this winter. DOT granted the airline authority to begin operations on the routes earlier this month. The airline has announced the start of Mexico service pending the necessary Mexican government approvals. With the launch of the Mexico routes, Virgin America will serve three international destinations in its growing network.

“We are pleased to welcome Virgin America to Los Cabos. The decision to serve San Jose del Cabo is a testament to our destination’s strong tourism economy and commitment to provide each visitor with an unmatched vacation experience,” said Gonzalo Franyutti De La Parra, President of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Virgin America’s fares to Mexico start from $129**in Main Cabin for SFO-SJD, SFO-CUN and LAX-CUN. Other spicy hot fares start from $39** on LAX-SFO, SFO-Las Vegas (LAS) and SFO-San Diego (SAN) flights – and from $109** for LAX-Washington Dulles (IAD) and SFO-Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Tickets are on sale today on Virgin America’s Web site (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).****

In addition, the airline is celebrating the new routes by giving a special offer to those who check-in on Loopt Star today. By checking in at SFO, LAX or one of Virgin America’s mobile taco truck locations between 11:00am and 3:00pm PT today with the free Loopt Star App on their iPhone, members of the public can score a $1 two-for-one taco deal along with a two-for-one ticket offer*** on Virgin America’s new flights to Mexico.

* In Los Angeles, the public can look for Virgin America’s in-flight teammates in uniform at the Border Grill taco truck at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.
* In San Francisco, the airline’s in-flight teammates and some SF ACC Chihuahua friends will be posted at hometown taco truck favorite, Los Compadres, at 100 Folsom Street.

Guests checking in on Loopt Star at SFO and LAX will also receive the special ticket offer. To be eligible, one must check-in using the Loopt Star iPhone app, which is available at the Apple iTunes store or at loopt.com/looptstar.

Proceeds from every taco sold today, will support the San Francisco Animal Care and Control’s (SF ACC) animal rescue programs – including its Chihuahua rescue efforts. In January, Virgin America teamed up with SF ACC to fly Chihuahuas to New York so the dogs could be adopted into new homes. The overpopulation of Chihuahuas in California continues to force animal shelters on the West Coast to look to shelters on the East Coast for help.

“With Loopt Star, consumers get to tap interactive rewards wherever they may be,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of Loopt. “Teaming up with an innovative travel brand like Virgin America on one of its new city launches, is a fun way to deliver instant rewards to its loyal and increasingly mobile customer base. Virgin America flyers tend to be more likely to be using a mobile device and tapping social networks – even at 35,000 feet.”

Known for its design-driven and fun flight experience, Virgin America has been growing and winning over travelers since its August 2007 launch. The airline offers mood-lit cabins, the most advanced touch-screen in-flight entertainment platform in the North American skies and custom-designed leather seats. Virgin America has swept the major travel awards, including “Best Airline” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2008 and 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards and for the past three consecutive years in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. Virgin America’s live satellite television and WiFi are not available on the aircraft after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

In July 2010, Virgin America announced plans to order 40 new aircraft. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Orlando (starting October 6, 2010), Dallas-Fort Worth (starting December 2010), Los Cabos (starting December 16, 2010) and Cancun (starting January 19, 2011).