OAG Travel News

Virgin America today announced changes to the airline’s baggage fees.  Effective for all bookings made on or after Aug. 21, 2009, for travel starting on or after Sept. 10, 2009, the airline has changed its baggage fee to a flat $20 rate for all checked items (excluding the first and second bag for First Class travelers; and the first bag for Main Cabin Select and Refundable Fare travelers).  Previously, the airline’s fee was $15 for these checked items.   Virgin America maintains one of the most generous first bag weight limits in the industry – up to 70 lbs.*

Beginning today, any Main Cabin guest who books a non-refundable ticket for travel starting on or after Sept. 10, 2009, will be charged a flat rate of $20 for each checked bag ($20 for a first checked bag and $20 for the second through the tenth checked bag).   Guests who purchased Virgin America tickets before today or who book and travel before Sept. 10, 2009, will be charged per the airline’s previous bag fee rate.   Guests can pay checked bag charges when they check in at airport kiosks, on-line or at any airport ticket counter.

The fee changes are as follows:

New Fee-Main Cabin                                                 
First checked bag, up to 70 pounds  -  $20 (previously $15)
Second checked bag - $20 (previously $15)
Third-tenth checked bag - $20 (previously $15)

New Fee-Main Cabin Select and Refundable Fares
First checked bag, up to 70 pounds  - No Fee
Second checked bag - $20 (previously $15)
Third-tenth checked bag - $20 (previously $15)

New Fee-First Class
First checked bag, up to 70 pounds  - No Fee
Second checked bag - No Fee
Third-tenth checked bag - $20 (previously $15)

Under the new fee rules, First Class guests will continue to receive up to two checked bags for free.  Guests in the carrier’s premium Main Cabin Select service or those who purchase Fully Refundable Main Cabin fares will also continue to receive one checked bag for free.  All weight and size policies remain the same, and the airline’s carry-on baggage policy has not changed. *

Virgin America’s fee structure remains competitive with, or lower, than its major network competitors.  The airline continues to invest in the innovative amenities and low fare, award-winning service for which it is known – including beautifully designed new planes, power outlets at every seat, and Red™ – the most advanced entertainment system in the U.S. skies.  Software upgrades made this month to the touch-screen Red system allow for even greater functionality and speed – and expansion of its already robust entertainment library.  In May, Virgin America became the first U.S. airline to offer WiFi on every flight.

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Orange County and as of Nov. 18, 2009 – South Florida (Fort Lauderdale).  The airline currently offers 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, SEA to LAX, JFK to LAS, BOS to LAX, BOS to SFO, SFO to SNA and as of Nov. 18, 2009 – SFO to FLL and LAX to FLL.  Virgin America has flown close to five million guests since its inaugural flights in August 2007 and now counts over 950,000 Elevate loyalty program members.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline and an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California and launched in August 2007, Virgin America is one of the fastest growing start-up U.S. airlines of all time and currently employs over 1400 people. Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. The airline’s base of operations is San Francisco International Airport’s ultra-modern International Terminal. The airline’s new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat for electronic gear. Virgin America now offers in-flight internet service on every flight and hosts the largest in-flight entertainment library in the domestic skies via its touch-screen Red™ seatback system. In addition to a 25-film library including Oscar winners, foreign language films and Hollywood blockbusters, Red features live TV, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, 3,000 MP3s, music videos, interactive Google maps and more. In just over a year flying, Virgin America was named “Best Domestic Airline” in the Condé Nast Traveler 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards and “Best Domestic Airline” in Travel + Leisure 2008 World’s Best Awards. For more: www.virginamerica.com

Source: Virgin America