Read this blog entry first.

This press release from Virgin America came out this morning:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080728/clm051.html?.v=101

It says:

SAN FRANCISCO, July 28 /PRNewswire/ — Virgin America, the California-based airline that is on a mission to make flying good again, today announced that guests now have a new option called “Main Cabin Select” (MCS), in addition to First Class and Main Cabin service currently available on every Virgin America flight. The new service is taking Main Cabin to the next level by offering guests the greatest available legroom within the existing Main Cabin configuration, at 38-inches of seat pitch in the exit row and in the bulkhead, as well as a host of perks that every traveler loves.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080123/LAW179LOGO-b )

“Our guests expect an upscale experience for less and they’ve been very enthusiastic about features like our on-demand menu and in-flight entertainment platform. We’ve responded by offering a new service option that combines many popular elements of our Main Cabin experience with the other premium services all travelers want,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.

Main Cabin Select service will offer:

— Complimentary food, cocktails, and beverages from the full in-flight menu, via the airline’s unique touch-screen food ordering system

— All-access pass to the Red In-flight Entertainment(TM) system’s countless on-demand entertainment options, including premium TV and films (currently live TV, videogames, Google Maps, MP3s and music videos are complimentary for every class of service)

— 38-inches of seat pitch
  — A dedicated overhead bin space for luggage

In addition to special features in the air, MCS also offers guests premium services before leaving the ground:

— Priority check-in at airports
  — Priority security screening
  — Priority aircraft boarding

“MCS is for the business or leisure traveler who wants a more streamlined boarding process, a spacious, custom-designed leather seat, an unlimited all-access pass to the most extensive in-flight entertainment library in the skies, and the ability to order cocktails, food and snacks right from their seatback video touch-screen or remote control,” added Cush. “In short, this is for the traveler who wants an upscale experience for far less than what they would pay for business class on someone else.”

Virgin America’s premium entertainment options includes a 25-film library with latest releases like “Ironman,” “Hancock,” and “Smart People,” as well as premium TV like Showtime’s “The Tudors” and NBC Universal’s “The Office.”

MCS will be available for purchase starting Sept. 15, 2008, for flights from mid-October 2008 on.

Virgin America’s brand new planes offer guests mood lighting, custom-designed leather seats and the Red In-flight Entertainment(TM) system which allows guests to control their on-board travel experience. Guests can order food, watch one of 25 movies, satellite TV, play a videogame, create a personal play list from over 3,000 MP3 music tracks onboard or instant message with other guests – all from a 9-inch video touch-screen and qwerty keyboard/remote control at every seat.

 

While I have other issues with Virgin America and their business model, it’s interesting that this came out at the time it did.

One other item of note: David Cush, Virgin America’s CEO, used to work for American Airlines as CFO until recently.

Filed under: Airline Seating by ajax