Virgin America Lands In Toronto: New Airline Launches First International
Destination With Call to Provocateurs, Entrepreneurs and Travel Connoisseurs

    
    Hip Hop Juggernaut and Toronto Native Drake Hosts Mile High Party Onboard
    "Air Drake"

    Virgin America & Sir Richard Branson Launch Search for a Virgin
    Provocateur; Raise Funds for Young Entrepreneurs






    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SAN FRANCISCO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">June 29</span> /CNW/ -- Virgin America launches its first international destination with a call to provocateurs, entrepreneurs and travel connoisseurs to celebrate the airline's stylish and tech-forward new service from California's West Coast to <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>.  To kick off its twice daily flights from both <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span> International Airport (LAX) and <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span> International Airport (SFO) to <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> Pearson International Airport (YYZ), <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> native and Grammy nominated recording artist Drake and Virgin Group Founder and Provocateur-in-Chief <span class="xn-person">Sir Richard Branson</span> host a mile high party to <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> today onboard an Airbus A320-family aircraft newly christened "Air Drake." Flying in one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the skies, guests enjoy cocktails, live music, WiFi and plenty of mischief under the airline's signature mood-lit cabins as they cross the border in style.</p>
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    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)
    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

    
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<p>Upon touchdown in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>, Virgin America's "Air Drake" will receive an international welcome with a Virgin twist:  a bottle popping reception right on the arrival tarmac.  In addition to <span class="xn-person">Sir Richard</span> and Drake, flight guests include Virgin friends, commercial guests, Elevate frequent flyer VIPs, celebs and a few lucky Drake fans who scored a fly-away trip to the West Coast and a seat on one of the hottest tickets in the skies, thanks to Virgin Mobile <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>. Flight guests and Torontonians will be feted later this evening, as Virgin America takes over the trendy new spot to see and be seen -- The Thompson <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> -- for a launch party that may just cause an international incident.</p>
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<p>Today, Virgin America also kicks off its search for the "Virgin America <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> Provocateur" who is Virgin enough to represent the new airline in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>.  As a new airline in its first international market, Virgin America launched a unique digital promotion to drive awareness in an irreverent way at virginamericaprovocateur.com. The site is powered by the Google Moderator API and asks self-described "cheeky rabble-rousers" to audition to be Virgin America's "rep" in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>.  The airline sets only three stylistic requirements in soliciting video entries:  1) you love flying; 2) you live to entertain; and 3) you enjoy raising a little hell.  Video submissions will be voted up or down by the public, with the most popular Provocateur getting the chance to be Virgin America's ambassador in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> for one year. The top Provocateur will receive a year of free flights and the chance to represent the airline at events and via social media.  The Virgin America Provocateurs promotion will run from June 29-August 31, 2010.</p>
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<p>In addition, Virgin America is helping do some good: by giving the next generation of young entrepreneurs their big break.  For every video entry at virginamericaprovocateur.com, the airline will pledge <span class="xn-money">$1</span> (USD) to raise funds for Virgin Unite's Young Entrepreneurs, which provides training and seed funds to disadvantaged young people.  As part of the launch flight today, <span class="xn-person">Sir Richard</span>, <span class="xn-person">Eric Ryan</span> (Co-Founder of eco-friendly cleaning product company Method), Jason Pomeranc (Thompson Hotel Group Founder), <span class="xn-person">Tony Cohen</span> (President of Global Edge Investments), Carter and Courtney Reum (Co-founders of VeeV Spirits) and other outside-the-box business leaders, also hosted "airplane pitch" sessions with young entrepreneurs at 35,000 feet en route from California.</p>
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<p>The Virgin America brand is known in the U.S. for shaking up the market by offering consumers unrivalled value and a reinvented flying experience. Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has experienced record-setting growth, won over millions of flyers with its innovative, upscale service and has made a consecutive sweep of the major reader-based travel awards including being voted "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards. Virgin America's mood-lit, custom-designed cabins feature the Red(TM) entertainment platform, the most advanced entertainment system in the skies. The Red system's seatback touch-screen offers 20 films, live TV, Google Maps, music videos, videogames and an on-demand menu that allows guests to order what they want, when they want it. In addition to power outlets, the airline was the first to offer WiFi on every flight.</p>
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<p>Virgin America is the only airline based in Silicon Valley, and its inventive use of technology, social media and design has also made it a favorite among tech-forward flyers.  The airline first announced its expansion to <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> via Twitter -- without the support of traditional advertising.  To follow and contribute to the Twitter stream of Virgin America's <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> celebrations, including the Air Drake flight today, the public is invited to search for the #VXToronto hashtag.</p>
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<p>As part of its outdoor media executions in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>, the airline will equip bus shelters in the city with a free branded WiFi network that extends for 200 feet around concentration of commuters.  The shelters are intended to help drive awareness about the airline's fleetwide WiFi among Toronto's flyers.</p>
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<p>Virgin America's <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> service began on <span class="xn-chron">June 23</span>, however the celebratory first flight occurs today due to G8/G20 events in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>.  Virgin America's <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> Main Cabin fares start at <span class="xn-money">$178</span> (SFO-YYZ) and <span class="xn-money">$187</span> (LAX-YYZ).* Virgin America flies to <span class="xn-location">San Francisco</span>, <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span>, New York, Washington D.C., <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span>, <span class="xn-location">Las Vegas</span>, <span class="xn-location">San Diego</span>, <span class="xn-location">Boston</span>, <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>, <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>, and starting in the fall of 2010 -- <span class="xn-location">Orlando</span>.</p>
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<p>EDITORS NOTE:  Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled, owned and operated airline.  It is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic.  <span class="xn-person">Sir Richard Branson</span>'s Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.</p>
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<p>About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California and launched in <span class="xn-chron">August 2007</span>, Virgin America is one of the fastest growing start-up U.S. airlines of all time. Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat.  Virgin America offers in-flight internet service on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the U.S. skies via its touch-screen Red(TM) seatback system.  For more:  <a href="http://www.virginamerica.com">www.virginamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>* Terms and Conditions: All Main Cabin fares are one-way, based on travel originating from <span class="xn-location">United States</span>, and require purchase at least 7 days in advance of travel. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fare sale starts <span class="xn-chron">5:00pm PDT</span> <span class="xn-chron">June 21, 2010</span>. Tickets must be purchased by <span class="xn-chron">11:59pm PDT</span> <span class="xn-chron">July 6, 2010</span>. Travel must occur between <span class="xn-chron">June 28, 2010</span> and <span class="xn-chron">November 17, 2010</span>. Higher sale fares are available on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Blackout dates are <span class="xn-chron">July 2, 2010</span>, <span class="xn-chron">July 5, 2010</span>, <span class="xn-chron">September 3, 2010</span>, and <span class="xn-chron">September 6, 2010</span>. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flight may not operate daily during off-peak periods. Changes or cancellations can be made for a <span class="xn-money">$75</span> fee if changes are made on Virgin America's website (<a href="http://www.virginamerica.com">www.virginamerica.com</a>) or a <span class="xn-money">$100</span> fee through all other channels, including the call center and at the airport, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a <span class="xn-money">$75</span> redeposit fee. Guests who no-show without a change or cancel prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional <span class="xn-money">$15</span> per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to <span class="xn-money">$9</span> each way, <span class="xn-chron">September 11th</span> Security Fees of up to <span class="xn-money">$5</span> each way and a Federal Segment Tax of <span class="xn-money">$3.70</span> per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. Fares shown are in USD and are valid for travel originating in the U.S. For service to and from <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>, fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of <span class="xn-money">$7</span>, U.S. APHIS fee of <span class="xn-money">$5</span>, and additional taxes/fees of up to <span class="xn-money">$50</span>, including: Harmonized Sales Tax (for travel on/after <span class="xn-chron">July 1</span>, 2010), Airport Improvement Fee, Canadian Security Fee, and Goods and Services Tax. Bookings made with Canadian point of purchase are subject to a <span class="xn-money">$16.10</span> International Arrival/Departure tax, each way. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 70 pounds for <span class="xn-money">$25</span> for each ticketed guest. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is <span class="xn-money">$25</span>. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.</p>
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For further information: Abby Lunardini of Virgin America, [phone], [email protected] Web Site: http://www.virginamerica.com