SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of a continuing effort to implement innovative sustainability practices, Virgin America is giving guests the opportunity to offset their travel during flight -- via the airline's touch-screen seatback inflight entertainment system, Red. In Dec. 2008, the airline announced its partnership with Carbonfund.org, the nation's leading nonprofit carbon offset provider, to allow guests to offset their flight at the time of booking through the Virgin America ticket purchase confirmation web page.
The latest announcement makes Virgin America the first domestic airline to allow guests to offset the environmental impact of their flight while flying. As of today, the carrier's Red system will allow guests the option to offset their travel from their seatback -- via a credit card swipe and touch-screen at every seat.
Virgin America's investment in new aircraft and consistent use of operational practices on the ground and in the air, make it one of the most carbon efficient airlines in the U.S. Virgin America worked with Carbonfund.org to select offset projects that focus on U.S. based carbon emissions reductions. As with all projects supported by Carbonfund.org, the projects are independently validated and verified. For more details on the Virgin America offset program and its selected projects, visit: www.carbonfund.org/virginamerica.
Virgin America launched in 2007 with the goal of building an airline from the ground up that makes environmentally-sustainable practices a core part of its business model. Virgin America operates a fleet that is up to 25% more carbon and fuel efficient than others flying domestically. From its launch, the airline has employed progressive practices to reduce its carbon footprint such as single engine taxiing, idle reverse landings, maximizing use of efficient airport ground power, utilizing advanced GPS avionics to fly more efficiently, and cost index flying -- the practice of regulating cruising speeds to reduce fuel burn.
Virgin America is a member of Ceres, a leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and public interest organizations that works with companies to address sustainability challenges. In 2008, the carrier became the first commercial passenger airline to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program. (http://www.virginamerica.com/va/press/2008/Oct/Virgin_America_Joins_EPA_Climate_Program.html) Virgin America is proud to be affiliated with the Virgin Group, which has committed to reinvesting all profits from Virgin-transport related businesses to renewable fuels research and other initiatives that combat climate change. Virgin America's sustainability principles can be found at: http://www.virginamerica.com/va/html/sustainability.pdf
Virgin America offers daily flights from SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, SFO to SEA, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, LAX to SEA, JFK to LAS, and in Feb. 2009 -- BOS to LAX and BOS to SFO.
EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline and an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.
About Virgin America: Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is a California-based airline that offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern and convenient International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets for electronic gear. In October 2008, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. In July 2008, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. To learn more: www.virginamerica.com
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