SAN FRANCISCO, April 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Virgin America today announced it has updated its checked baggage policy to allow passengers to check one bag for free, and a second bag for a $25 fee. The new policy applies to travel to all of Virgin America's destinations and becomes effective for travel beginning on May 5, 2008. The airline's previous second bag fee was $10.
"With the rising price of oil, this second bag fee will help us maintain our competitive fares and the high quality service that is our standard at Virgin America," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "We have a generous weight allowance for the first checked bag and have found that our passengers generally only check one bag, so we believe our guests will take this change in stride."
The airline's guests may check one bag free of charge that can weigh up to a generous 70 pounds; a second bag for $25 (up to 50 lbs); and up to eight additional bags after that for $50 per bag (up to 50 lbs per bag). Virgin America's First Class guests are not charged for second bags and the airline's carry-on baggage policy has not changed.
Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is the best financed new airline in U.S. history and continues to grow aggressively -- expanding to up to 30 new cities within its first five years and adding an additional 1,000 employees in 2008. The San Francisco-based carrier offers guests attractive fares and a host of fun, innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel, including moodlighting, custom-designed leather seats, the most advanced in-flight entertainment system in the U.S., and on-demand food ordering through the video touch-screen at every seatback.
Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, SFO to SEA and now LAX to SEA.
About Virgin America:
Virgin America is a new U.S. airline that will serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation, and up to 30 cities within five years. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, power outlets for laptops and other electronic gear and a host of other innovative features aimed at making flying good again. Zagat's 2007 Airlines Survey ranked the airline #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First Class and #2 for quality in Coach. To learn more: www.virginamerica.com
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