SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 21, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 22nd, Virgin America is launching Gogo(r) Inflight Internet, via the first air-to-ground video stream during YouTube Live-YouTube's first official real-world user event on November 22nd. The carrier's first Wi-Fi enabled plane will circle the skies above San Francisco during the event and a segment of the YouTube Live show will be streamed from 35,000 feet to an audience on the ground and on-line.
The YouTube Live event flight will serve as the beta launch of the Gogo(r) Inflight Internet Service on Virgin America with one Wi-Fi enabled aircraft available to guests from Nov. 24 on, the airline will be the first U.S. carrier to offer inflight internet fleet-wide by the second quarter of 2009.
Members of the media are invited to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), International Terminal for a pre-flight reception at the Virgin America gate to greet passengers, Virgin America and YouTube leadership prior to boarding Virgin America's first Wi-Fi enabled aircraft. Special guests include Virgin America CEO and President David Cush, Aircell CEO and President Jack Blumenstein, some of YouTube's highest viewed stars and 30 Rock's Keith Powell and Katrina Bowden.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Accredited media only at airport event. Interested media MUST e-mail their full name, date of birth, and affiliation to abby.lunardini@virginamerica.com no later than 12noon Pacific Daylight Time on Nov. 22 to arrange for airport security. Please arrive at the Virgin America Ticket Counter in the SFO International Terminal no later than 2:00pm to allow for airport security. All media must comply with TSA security requirements in order to attend.
WHEN: November 22 - 2:30 PM Reception
WHERE: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), International
Terminal, Virgin America Gate 11
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
-- David Cush, Virgin America CEO and President
-- Jack Blumenstein, Aircell CEO and President
-- Porter Gale, Virgin America Vice President of Marketing
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Virgin America, abby.lunardini@virginamerica.com / (650) 533-7576
Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with 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 and starting Sept. 4, non-stop JFK to LAS.
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 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 laptops and other electronic gear. In July 2008, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. In Zagat's 2007 Global Airlines Survey, the airline was ranked #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First/Business Class and #2 in Main Cabin. To learn more: www.virginamerica.com
The Virgin America logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2371
About YouTube Live: YouTube Live is part concert, part variety show and part party, an will bring together some of the most amazing videos and unforgettable individuals that have contributed towards making YouTube what it is today. The Nov. 22 event will feature internet-born stars like Soulja Boy Tell'em, Esmee Denters, and 'Canon Rock' virtuoso Funtwo, as well as Internet-savvy mainstream stars like Will. I. Am and Akon. YouTube Live will be Executive Produced by former MTV veteran Salli Frattini.
About Gogo: Gogo(r) powered by Aircell, turns a commercial airplane into a Wi-Fi hotspot with true inflight Internet access. Passengers with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, can surf the Web, check any e-mail, Instant Message, access a corporate VPN and more. For more information about Gogo, please visit www.gogoinflight.com. Gogo is a trademark of Aircell or its affiliates.