Losing My Virgin America Virginity

This week I flew Virgin America for the first time: San Francisco to Washington, Dulles and back. The good mojo starts the minute you arrive at the check-in counter. A smiling greeter walked up to me and asked in beautiful Queen’s English, “Sir, will you be flying Virgin America, today?” No, this was not the first class check in line. I think I actually blushed.  Suspicious, I checked in and found that the true joy exhibited by this employee was not an aberration: Everyone clearly loves his job at Virgin America.

Then you walk down the jet way and board what has to be the coolest commercial aircraft in the U.S. sky. You definitely feel like you’re walking into a Vegas night club as you board, with the mauve and blue lighting, the cabin crew (called “hosts”) in slick black outfits and the plush leather seats.

cc Photo courtesy of miss_rogue

VA flies new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, so the planes are clean, safe and some of the most fuel-efficient in the sky. The designers at Virgin did a spectacular job creating ambience—yes ambience—within the cabin. The lavatories and galleys are separated from the seating area by translucent blue glass and, oh, did I mention the lighting? It’s just so cool.

(Keep in mind that this is a “low-cost carrier” yet the service I experienced far surpassed anything I’ve seen in the major U.S. airlines. Hmmm…)

Then you sit down and are greeted by a personal in-flight entertainment system with new-release movies, live television, games, and a selection of snacks and drinks that you order right from your seat. Here’s where I tip my hat to the business strategists at Virgin. How smart! You’ve got a captive audience for what—6 hours—who are desperate for entertainment. I was like a gambling junkie swiping my credit card every 60 to 90 minutes for a movie, then a snack and a beer on the way home. 

Was the flight on Virgin America perfect? Pretty much, yeah. It’s obvious that the employees at Virgin are well taken care of and really love their jobs. 

My only suggestion would be a “clear my tray” function for the personal entertainment system. While you can order a drink or snack, and it’s brought almost instantly, there’s no way to notify your ‘hosts’ to pick up service items unless they pass through the aisle.

Virgin made a believer out of me, and I will be flying them again. Thank you, Sir Richard.