In praise of Virgin America

[KeithMEL]

Flew them for the first time SFO-LAS-SFO and loved it, loved it, loved it! They have made domestic air travel in the US sexy again, and show that flying in the US doesn't have to be like sitting in a Greyhound bus. I'd gladly forgo QFF SCs to fly VX over AA unless I really need SCs for requal.

Groovy stuff on VX:
- Very modern equipment
- Clean, comfy cabins
- Cheerful and enthusiastic cabin crew who actually want to be there
- Cool pilot uniforms
- Purple mood lighting even on short hauls - makes it seem like you're sitting in your favourite cocktail bar
- Great range of decent booze
- The super sick RED personal IFE system - which also serves as a platform for ordering food and drink from the galley. IFE also operates gate-to-gate.

The Main Cabin Select (Premium Economy) Instant Upgrade fare is exceptionally good value. For as little as $50 over Main Cabin non-refundable, you get free checked baggage, heaps of legroom, free alcohol, and free food. If nothing else, downing $50 worth of booze should be rather cruisy on a 1 hr 23 mins flight!

Other than their own FFP eleVAte, those of us based in Australia can credit VX flights towards Velocity.

[HUGE AL]

The Main Cabin Select (Premium Economy) Instant Upgrade fare is exceptionally good value. For as little as $50 over Main Cabin non-refundable, you get free checked baggage, heaps of legroom, free alcohol, and free food. The Main Cabin Select (Premium Economy) Instant Upgrade fare is exceptionally good value. For as little as $50 over Main Cabin non-refundable, you get free checked baggage, heaps of legroom, free alcohol, and free food.

We can definitely tell you enjoyed both the outbound and the return!

[KeithMEL]

We can definitely tell you enjoyed both the outbound and the return!

Fixed.

[haf]

I concur. I did that route back in 2007 (they had 3 planes back then!) and was impressed from the start! Can't believe that was so long ago!

some pics...

[Kyo]

What 'upgrade' does Instant Upgrade give you? I'm considering the exact same flight but not sure if there's much of a difference. Is it true that there's no lounge for them at SFO when departing for LAS?

[KeithMEL]

What 'upgrade' does Instant Upgrade give you? I'm considering the exact same flight but not sure if there's much of a difference. Is it true that there's no lounge for them at SFO when departing for LAS?

Think of it as a discount Main Cabin Select fare. It allows you to upgrade to Main Cabin Select for not much more than Main Cabin, and is usually cheaper than the refundable whY fare for instance. MCS is their premium economy service located in row 1 and emergency exit seats.

VX doesn't have a lounge product which is the only downer. I believe you can pay to use the VS CH at SFO if departing at the same time as the VS service to LHR, but VX is moving to T2 soon so that option won't be around for much longer.

[Kyo]

Very helpful indeed, do pop up a TR if you took pics... looking forward to it...

[Lobster]

Yeah I flew them a couple of years ago on the SFO-LAS route. Definitely the best airline I have flown on that route but to be honest it is such a short flight it does not make much difference.

I would love to try them on one of their longer flights

[KeithMEL]

Yeah I flew them a couple of years ago on the SFO-LAS route. Definitely the best airline I have flown on that route but to be honest it is such a short flight it does not make much difference.

I agree it is a very short flight at 1 hr 14 mins on the outbound and 1 hr and 23 mins on the inbound. However as I've come to accept US domestic travel for what it is and adjusted my expectations accordingly, I found VX rather refreshing. I can't wait to try them on a longer flight. Perhaps a transcon if I get an opportunity for a long weekend holiday whilst I'm here.

[FlyBoy]

Yep I have had a few flights on Virgin America now in First Class!

It puts all other domestic USA and pretty much every other domestic First Class to shame.

The only domestic flights that come close are the PS United Airlines First/Business services, but they planes are just sooooooo old!

[HUGE AL]

Some more pics:

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2027

[milehighj]

Some more pics:

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2027

Thanks. How have the white leather seats aged over the past 4 years? Still decent?

[9V-JKL]

My fav for domestic flights as well (have yet to try B6 though....) Did a LAX-SEA back in Nov '08. They did not have the instant MCS upgrade then and the differential was quite big so skipped it.

[Kyo]

KeithMEL: For SFO-LAS, would you prefer to sit on the left or right of the aircraft?

[KeithMEL]

KeithMEL: For SFO-LAS, would you prefer to sit on the left or right of the aircraft?

I sat on the left on the outbound and the right on the inbound and couldn't really discern any difference... If you're referring to the views outside the window I wouldn't know as I like my aisle seats.