Virgin America started flights between DFW and LOS/SFO all the way back in December and experienced a fair bit of success while American Airlines simply matched fares and maintained their status quo.  Over the past several months, VA has learned that if they can get people to try their flights out, they can win the all important business customer.  With that in mind, VA launched a new initiative in the Dallas / Fort Worth area offering 2 for 1 purchases and inviting people to give up their old airline.

It’s a fairly agressive campaign and one that promises to really dent AA’s traffic.  So, in response, AA is offering $99 fares to LA and San Francisco (although not matching the 2 for 1 deal) and fighting back with communications to their customers with email blasts. 

It’s been a while since we’ve seen things heat up like this.  The problem for American Airlines is that at the prices being offered, it becomes kind of a no-brainer to try Virgin America.  And once you try Virgin America, you realize that, no, not all flights have to be staffed with mean people and not all flights have to be endured on crowded 737-800s.  The newest AA aircraft are no match for the experience Virgin America offers.

Who wins?  Everyone in the Dallas Fort Worth area, for sure.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax