Our One-Millionth Elevate Member - Teresa

I am delighted and so excited to be the one millionth member to the Elevate program, and I thank you immensely for the 100,000 points prize. I keep signing in to my account and looking at that wonderful balance! I look forward to flying with Virgin America soon.

Teresa of Huntington Beach

Virgin America Virgin Story - Gina

Like a Virgin..(Hey!) Flying For The Very First Time My first experience flying on Virgin Airlines was in 2008, flying from San Francisco to San Diego and it’s a flight I will never forget. I am a San Diego transplant, and ever since starting college down here six years ago, I have become a frequent flyer back and forth from old home (SF Bay Area) to new home. I had flown down on another reasonably priced airline (not to be mentioned) because I had a one-way free flight, and decided to try out Virgin which I had heard so much about for my returning flight. This was the best decision I could have made for this particular flight. I had gone home for my sister’s birthday celebration and celebrate we did until the very last minute of my visit. On my last morning home, it was vital to have as much fun with my friends and family as possible, so what better place than the local watering hole? We started with breakfast bloody marys and then on to mimosas, then plain champagne, and finished the afternoon off with some margaritas. Needless to say, by the time I got to the airport at 5:00 I was less than clear-headed. Luckily, the Virgin staff was exceptionally hospitable. Not only was this my first time in this section of the terminal, but I had no idea where my gate was. I was running a little late on top of it, so I was personally walked through the security line to the front, and treated like a Queen. Keeping up with this speedy and efficient staff member, Laila (my new hero) was the true test. I made it! Thank you, Laila, you’re a life-savor! I got to my gate where people were already boarding. I ask the friendly Virgin employee at the gate desk if this is my flight, and they say, no — you’re flight is delayed 15 minutes and will be boarding in 45 minutes. Thank you, oh thank you — plenty of time for a bathroom trip! I leisurely made my way to and from the restroom and back to my gate. I fell asleep and woke up to the soothing sound of Virgin employee, Amy over the loudspeaker telling me my flight was boarding. As I made my way to the plane, I realize I forgot my headphones! Noooo, I had heard Virgin flights were made cool by the TV screens! How would I enjoy this airline to the fullest? Then I saw the three heavenly bins with Blue, Pink, and White headphones available for purchase. Probably a rip off, right? No, they are only a couple bucks! So worth the experience. I board the plane and immediately feel as if I stepped into a night club. The red and purple lights set a dim mood and paired with the exotic electric beats coming from the speakers. It was the most soothing yet uplifting experience, and it wasn’t just the alcohol affecting me! I was suddenly in a great mood to fly! I found my seat and plugged in my fresh pair of newly purchased pink headphones (which are more than decent quality and stylish as well.) I dove into the world of my personal seat screen. There were so many choices for entertainment — actual cable tv shows, all genres of music to choose from, movies, internet available, and even a map that shows how far along I was on my route back to San Diego. I was so impressed! This was the most awesome plane/night club/entertainment relaxation comfort zone I had ever experienced! I got back to San Diego and raved to my friends about it. Since then, I have been a happy returning customer of Virgin America! Thank you, Virgin, for making my first time that special!

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom

Newsom travels on the airline at least once a week and shared this story: “It is an exceptional airline, they have brand new airplanes and they’re on schedule. They have remarkable quality of service and accommodation and in-flight entertainment and innovations — and now with the Internet, too. When Virgin America hit that button a lot of folks in this office said they have to take Virgin America. It’s an important competitive edge. Of course, now you see all the other airlines catching up to that.”

Guy Kawasaki

If I am flying out of San Francisco to any Virgin America destination. I will fly with them because of WiFi. Right there we are off to a good start. That is a major difference for me. And the planes are fresher looking and fresher inside. I love the fact that you can order via the screen. The first-class seats (on Virgin America) are better than the United Airlines first-class seats.

Andrew

Everyone’s familiar with the song Amazing Grace, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.” Well the first time I flew with Virgin America those words never rang truer. I was disheartened, as many of us are, with the state of service in the airline industry today, so, when I booked a flight on Virgin America, I expected more of the same cattle-call military mentality I’d experienced with other airlines in the past. Virgin proved me wrong though! My first experience on Virgin America brought to mind the way I imagined the industry use to be back in the early days of flying, when the customer was important and service was impeccable. From check-in, to boarding, the flight, and even my departure from the plane after my flight, it was an experience that has given me new hope for what an Airline can truly be; courteous, attentive and service oriented. Normally, when I fly, I can’t wait for the flight to end, but with Virgin, I didn’t have that desire, I actually wanted the flight to last LONGER! Virgin, thank you for showing me the path to true excellence. You have a customer for life in me and I look forward to your expanded service so that I can use Virgin exclusively for my various trips.

Lionel

MY FIRST VIRGIN FLIGHT!! (Read/Sung to “Vanilla Ice, Ice Baby” =D) Yo VIP, Lets kick it out of SFO! Virgin, Virgin Baby Virgin, Virgin Baby All right stop Collaborate and listen Virgin is here as my brand new airline Something grabs a hold of me tightly As I put on my seatbelt like I do in my car nightly Will it ever stop? Yo — I don’t know Turn on the purple lights and I’ll glow To the extreme I think this flights gonna rock Lit up bright on board as I hear the doors lock Fly! Bum rush the engines that boom Making the clouds outside look like a mushroom Safely, as we fly like a dope melody Anything less than the best is a felony Love it and feel it You better gain way You better hit bull’s eye This plane don’t play If there was a problem Yo, they’ll solve it Checked out the funny cartoon safety video on the runway Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Now that this flight is jumping With the headsets on, and the tunes are pumpin’ Switching the channels back and forth on ‘RED’, no faking Ordering food...like a pound of bacon? NAH! Burning all the other planes cuz they’re not quick and nimble All are crazy who don&rsquot fly Virgin, that simple! As I sit here with a grin on my face I’m amazed I&rsquom actually on a plane...no way! Flyin’ in my A320 Up & down like a bowl full of jelly The flight attendants on standby Waiting just to say, how may I help you? Did I stop them? Yes — for some vodka! Kept on enjoying this hell-of-a ride We busted a left and continued to glide The weather was great Yo — so we continued to LAX, World Way Ave Flight attendants were hot wearing their fierce black outfits Walking up & down the aisle, no time to sit Comfy seat, you know I&rsquom getting mine Next to my friend who was drinking some wine Reading somewhat & looking out the window Planes getting lower, getting ready to land...NO!! Seatbelts back on, lights rang out like a bell I grabbed mine — Clicked back on, I could tell Lowering out of the sky real fast Captain Jumped into gear, eased on the gas Wing to wing this A320 is packed I’m trying to enjoy the end before were back on track Flight attendants on the scene You know what I mean They passed me up, & did their good deeds If there was a problem Yo, they’ll solve it Checked out the funny cartoon safety video on the runway Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Flying back down & I’m a lyrical poet LAX is on the scene just in case you didn’t know it A town, that&rsquos gonna greet this virgin plane That&rsquos ready to shake and make it back on land Virgin&rsquos style’s been incredible & chill Amazing ride that you can experience and feel SFO to LAX was too fast Next time will be longer & vast Virgin made this flight hip and you wanna experience this They don&rsquot play in any way Sleek like a razor, safely & fast Other Airlines say, “Damn” Made it to LAX in one happy piece, gotta deplane now And make my peace Mesmerized til the next unique experience I&rsquoll sit by the mic while I kick my juice If there was a problem Yo, they’ll solve it Checked out the funny cartoon safety video on the runway Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Virgin, Virgin Baby JetBlue who? Yo man — Let’s get out of here! Word to Virgin! Virgin, Virgin Baby Too cool Virgin, Virgin Baby Too cool Too cool Virgin, Virgin Baby Too cool Too cool Virgin, Virgin Baby Too cool Too cool

Melanie

My first time on Virgin was Jan 1 2008. For Christmas I surprised my mother with a trip for the two of us for 4 days to San Francisco. We were celebrating her 60th Birthday! We loved every part of the trip, especially for her, the plane ride since Virgin does not fly out of Baltimore, YET! I live in Las Vegas, so we had the opportunity to fly on the “new” airline soon after flights were scheduled through Las Vegas. We enjoyed the city and a day trip to Napa! Thank you for getting us there safely & making it an enjoyable flight!

Christiana

My “first time” with Virgin America was a magical experience. It was also my first time visiting Las Vegas, but it started out as a horrible day. I got up at 5:00am, only to end up stuck in traffic, lost, and missing my flight. I was already getting text messages from the friend I was meeting, telling me he was winning at poker and checking out real live lions in the casino! When I hurried into the airport, disheveled and frustrated, the staff at the Virgin America desk were wonderful: I got put on stand-by and was out within the hour. The people at my gate talked to me like real people, like they were friends — not like airline robots. I immediately felt comfortable. Then, when I boarded the plane, it was like Airplane Wonderland — a Vegas in the Sky. I played Mah Jong on my touch-screen (located on every single seat!) and marveled at the cozy, inviting ambiance. You just don’t get any of this from any other airline. I was expecting to have fun in Vegas, but I had a blast on the way over, too!

Elisha

The first time I flown Virgin America, was the first time I stepped in heaven on an airplane. It was my first time flying in a long time, and the worse thing about flying to me is the turbulence. So when I fly, I always try to occupy myself with an ipod, book, etc. But I surely didn’t have to do that this time around. Virgin America’s accessories on the plane make it so easy to fly. Even though I flew coach, it felt like first class to me. The seats were comfortable, I had enough room, I could charge my ipod or laptop up if I wanted, and TV&rsquos on every seat. It&rsquos almost like my own little private section on the plane that no one could take away from me. I had a blast the first time I flew Virgin America, and I have flown Virgin where ever I need to go — it goes. I recommended it to my family and friends and now they fly it occasionally. Great Service, Great prices, Great way to relax and enjoy the Ride. Virgin America — YOU ROCK!!

Brenda

My husband booked our first Virgin America flight for 11/5/07 to start off our honeymoon. We just got married 2 days prior when we flew from San Francisco to Los Angeles to catch another flight to Tahiti. We were happy to get headsets on the way in because we were going to get entertainment even on such a short flight. RED, the in-flight entertainment, was way above expectations since we can independently pick our own songs to listen to or TV program to watch. It will be a day to remember since it was the start of our honeymoon on a new airplane with comfortable seats, great entertainment and a great selection of complimentary beverages. We got to keep our headsets which I am now using the red sponge from the earpiece on my cell phone headset so I have constant reminder of our first Virgin America flight whenever I use my cell phone.

Sherry

Hold on .... grandma’s coming! My son asked me to come up to San Francisco for one of our grandchild’s activities.... certainly is different then when I grew up in Motown... my grandparents living a few blocks away! Come quick... the cost must be prohibitive... But try Virgin American mom.... YES, ... It lived up to and has exceeded my wishes and grandma can come play... AND they can all come visit grandma and grandpa (Old Dude) too! Keep expanding please... I have family all over that I want to see and you are doing it best!

Heather

I have a “story” to tell because VA delivered. Justin, my son, struggled through 12 years of school with learning disabilities. When he graduated this past June, I wanted to celebrate his accomplishment by taking him on a short trip to Seattle from SF. Without VA, we would have never made the trip. With the fabulous $49 one-way/pp cost, the affordability factor was on my side. And, after reading the VA website, I actually began to feel that child-like enthusiasm to “go fly.” Armed with information about the onboard food service and entertainment system, I got the idea to buy one of those Visa cash gift cards and present it to Justin specifically for his flight experiences. He was quietly pleased and I sensed he felt grown up as he swiped his very own credit card and ordered up a snack which arrived in an instant by a friendly flight attendant. As I played a game of Mah Jong with my remote control (such a cool discovery in the arm rest), Justin selected a pay movie and used his credit card for it as well. The flight ended long before Justin was ready for it to, and I wasn’t quite done exploring the free TV and assortment of games. My book remained in my backpack. But, back to Justin. This is a boy who struggled to smile for the past couple years of his life. School pressure, coupled with his learning challenges, smothered the spark of joy I began to only regard, sadly, as a memory. As we arrived in Seattle, I wasn’t sure if he’d find his joy again. But, that short flight on VA, swiping his very own $25 credit card to enjoy his very own movie and buy his very own snacks that he chose off a menu, was the beginning of a very special weekend. Upon deboarding in Seattle, I began to recognize a happy bounce in his step as Justin walked too fast ahead of me. While we sat on a bus heading for our hotel, Justin’s familiar frown had transformed into an expression of joy as he told me that he had fun on the plane. Thank you VA for being such a special experience for me and, especially, for my son. He deserved all that you, so efficiently and kindly, delivered.

Lynda

I was flying to DC from SF with my daughter for an event at the White House. I wanted to try Virgin America, since it was new. We booked regular seats both ways and was thrilled at the space and fun safety information video...using my credit card to by movies and food was just like traveling in some kind of “Jetsons” craft that I had dreamed about when I was little. Anyway, when we were leaving DC back to SF; on our way back home at Oh-My-God-Thirty (before 6:00am). We were sitting there waiting for the fight to be called, I noticed a couple of booking agents laughing and having a good time! I thought to myself-wonder why these folks are having so much fun at this hour!? Then they announced that they had a fabulous prize waiting for anyone who would/could sing “Like a Virgin” over the PA system at the desk.I tried to get my daughter to get up and do it; but she just said, “No! — you do it.So, I called her bluff and did it, and I got upgraded to first class!!! She was not very happy about it...but in about a 1/2 hour later they had another quiz, and she too won and was upgraded to first class!! It was undoubtedly the greatest ride to SF we ever had!Fabulous food with real silverware, cloth napkins, and those wonderful leg-rest-seats! Thanks again for a great trip, and a very fun travel story I love to tell!