Despite the name, this airline is not one of Sir Richard Branson's carriers. It is Branson's brainchild but the Virgin Group owns just 25 per cent of Virgin America. This is due to American law, which states that no more than 25 per cent of a US airline may be owned by foreign interests. Virgin America is a bright and breezy airline with a fun approach to flying. The cabins are mood lit, the leather seats are custom designed and there are video touch-screens and remote controls at every seatback. Snacks are available on demand and there is also inflight internet. Based at San Francisco International Airport, Virgin America flies daily to seven cities.
www.virginamerica.com
The airline uses its homepage to advertise its cheapest flights.
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Online check-in is available between 24 hours and 90 minutes before departure of the flight. You can also check-in at a kiosk near the ticket counters or check-in at the counters.
Hand luggage: The maximum outside linear dimensions must not exceed 50 inches. The maximum weight is 16 pounds (approximately 7kg).
Checked: Virgin America charges Main Cabin flyers $15 (about £10) for each bag checked. Main Cabin Select guests and guests who purchase the fully refundable Main Cabin fare are allowed to check one bag free of charge, all other bags are checked for a fee of $15 each. First Class Cabin Guests are permitted to check-in up to two bags free of charge with all other bags checked for a fee of $15 each.
Excess: There is a $50 fee (approximately £35) if your baggage weighs more than 50 pounds (approximately 22kg) and a $100 fee (about £70) if your baggage weighs over 70 pounds (about 32kg). Virgin America will not accept baggage that weighs more than 100 pounds (about 45kg) or exceeds 80 linear inches (length + width + depth).
Select seats online.
Click the "Travel Manager/Check-in" button on the homepage and login. Main Cabin flyers with a non-refundable fare must pay a $50 fee per person (approximately £35) for all changes made on the website and $75 (about £53) fee per person for changes made via the call centre, plus any difference in fare. Main Cabin travellers who have purchased a Fully Refundable fare, can change free. They just need to pay the difference in fare. First Class and Main Cabin Select passengers do not have to pay a change fee, just the difference in fare. Changes must be made prior to the scheduled departure time. If there is any remaining balance from the change, a credit file will be created that can be used for travel on Virgin America within 12 months. If a reservation is changed within 24 hours of being made, there is no fee and a refund will be made to the original form of payment.
Elevate. Passengers can earn free travel after four return flights.
See photographs of Virgin America's in-flight meals taken by fellow flyers and read reviews at flyerguide.net.
Virgin America doesn't have an in-flight magazine.
Virgin America is not a member of any airline alliance.
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