Jul
15
Virgin America Cleared for Takeoff!
Filed Under Virgin America
The new American startup airline Virgin America will start flying next month as the FAA gave its final approval to the new airline formed by Richard Branson. The airline will just now need to release it’s final schedule for flights and start selling tickets. The announcement of ticket sells will be in the coming weeks according to their website. VA has taken a delivery of 10 Airbus 319/320, and said they are ready to advertise, sell tickets, and operate the airline. This is going to bring some more competition in the already cut throat airline industry. Virgin Airlines in Europe has been a great success, and now will Richard bring his success to the US?
The idea behind the new airline would offer travelers more comfort at a lower cost than the industry’s long-established powers. According to Virgin America’s website, the “brand-new planes will offer guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, plugs for laptops and other portable electronic devices, the ability to order food or chat with other guests from their own video-screen and a host of other features aimed at bringing a little fun back to flying.” Passengers want these great features in the airplane, but the idea is to keep the ticket at a lower price. Can this be done? I really don’t know how the airlines survive with lowering fares. I would think supply and demand would raise prices as flights get less frequent and more and more crowded.
They plan to start service between their base of San Fransisco and New York’s JFK airport. In the first year of service, they plan to extend to San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport. These huge market cities already have existing major airlines that will create some tough competition for Virgin America. I am quite sure Richard Branson and the new CEO have some tricks up their sleeves to give them an edge, and I hope they remember that this is a customer service business!
I read about this in a UK newspaper the other week, Virgin finally getting permissions, it’s great but at the same time Virgin will become huge in domestic flights as well.
More companies in the area, better fares we get!