BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Knee-deep in the hoopla, Virgin America today debuted its first aircraft at San Francisco International Airport, named Jefferson Airplane in tribute to the legendary Bay Area rock band. Now it's up to the public to name the rest of the fleet.
Name Our Planes is an interactive, web-based program that allows users to submit their favorite names for the airline's fleet of new Airbus A320 family aircraft. Jefferson Airplane is the first of 34 brand-new planes of which the airline will take delivery. Winners will be chosen based on originality, wit and "smile value" and receive an airplane model decaled with their submission.
Hosted on www.virginamerica.com, the name game not only gives users the opportunity to register their selection, but also to see how their choices compare with other players and how they are connected via profile links to other "namers" based on star sign, gender and other lifestyle answers. A special 'flying art' area will provide instructions to build paper planes emblazoned with their chosen names.
"We're building an airline we hope people will love," said Spence Kramer, Virgin America's vice president of marketing. "We're looking at the airline business from top to bottom and are trying to take a fresh approach to improve the overall experience. For us, entertainment is as important as service, as advertising ...as anything we do for the consumer. Name Our Planes is emblematic of just one way we'll seek to connect with our future guests every step of the way."
Virgin America has raised in excess of $170 million to launch domestic U.S. air service early in 2007, subject to government approval. Based at San Francisco, the airline's first flights will be to New York's JFK.
About Virgin America:
Virgin America, a 'new generation' low-fare airline, intends to launch scheduled domestic airline service early in 2007 upon government approval. U.S.-owned and operated, Virgin America is based at San Francisco International Airport and has placed firm orders for 34 Airbus A320 aircraft. Aspiring candidates can visit www.virginamerica.com to learn more about joining the Virgin America team.