Aviation News, Headlines & Alerts
 
Category: <span>Virgin America</span>

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Bird-Hit Virgin America Flight Makes Safe Landing in Fort Lauderdale

Virgin America flight VX-501 made a safe landing following a bird strike in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 28th.

The plane flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, was on final approach when the left engine ingested a bird.

The plane continued for a safe landing. Everyone aboard remained unharmed.


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Virgin America Flight Makes Emergency Landing at DFW Airport

Virgin AmericaVirgin America flight VX-762 had to make an emergency landing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, on October 27th.

The Airbus A319-100 plane was flying from to Dallas Love Field, Texas, to LaGuardia Airport, New York, when the crew decided to divert due to rudder issues.

The plane landed safely. All 92 people aboard remained unharmed.

Virgin America Flight Returns to Denver After Bird Strike

Virgin AmericaVirgin America flight VX-865 had to return and make an emergency landing in Denver, Colorado, on May 23rd.

The Airbus A320-200 took off for San Francisco, California, but had to return shortly afterwards due to a bird strike.

The plane landed uneventfully. All 136 people aboard remained safe.


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Virgin America Flight Returns to LAX due to Landing Gear Issues

Virgin America flight VX-108 made an emergency landing at at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on February 18th.

The Airbus A320-200 plane, heading from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles International Airport, had to return due to issue with retracting the landing gear.

The plane landed uneventfully. All 110 passengers and crew members remained safe.

The airline arranged a replacement plane for the passengers.


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Virgin Airbus Emergency Landing in Grand Junction


Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Dan Miclea

What: Virgin America Airbus en route from San Francisco to New York City
Where: Grand Junction Colorado
When: September 8, 2011, 2:00 a.m.
Who: 111 passengers and 6 crew
Why: While en route, the Virgin America flight experienced problems, described by one passenger as “the engine quit” and by another as “a giant flame from the engine.” While en route, passengers were awakened by a loud noise, and according to one passenger, flight attendants rushed to the cockpit.

Pilots shut the engine down and continued the flight. Individuals with military experience were asked to assist in case of emergency.

(We don’t usually get this much detail, but it is clear that the passengers were terrified. Pilots always say these huge jets with multiple engines are built to fly without one, in case of emergency; but personally I can relate more to the anxiety of the passengers than the confidence of pilots in their machines. Though one has to admit, knowing a pilot confident in his plane is flying is more comforting to a passenger than a pilot who is hysterical.)

Pilots explained the situation to the passengers. Forty minutes later landed safely in Grand Junction.

Passengers were provided hotel accommodation, $150 for another flight, and another flight was provided within ten hours. The incident is under investigation.


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Orlando: Virgin America Airbus Window Cracked


Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer A. Kwanten

What: Virgin America Airbus A320-200 en route from Orlando,FL to San Francisco,CA
Where: Orlando
When: Oct 20 2010
Who: 141 passengers
Why: After takeoff, the plane developed a crack in the windshield, and by the time it had been aloft for a few moments, the crack began spidering. The plane returned to Orlando and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided an alternative flight within a couple of hours—by 7 pm


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Press Release: Virgin America To Order 40 Airbus Jets

VIRGIN AMERICA SPREADS ITS WINGS: AIRLINE PLANS ORDER FOR 40 AIRBUS
A320 AIRCRAFT, WITH OPTIONS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 20

Award-Winning Airline to Triple Fleet Size with Order; Projects Growth from 28 Aircraft to 90 by 2016

San Francisco – July 22, 2010 – Virgin America today announces it plans to order 40 new Airbus A320 aircraft, with options for 20 additional aircraft. The new aircraft would be delivered from 2013 through 2016 – with 10 firm orders per year on average, and options for 20 additional aircraft in 2017-2018. With today’s order of 40 new aircraft and growth from other sources, Virgin America’s fleet is projected to grow from its current 28 aircraft to 90 aircraft by 2016 – a compounded annual growth rate of 21.5 percent. David Cush, Virgin America President and CEO, and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, make the announcement of their memorandum of understanding today at the Farnborough International Airshow.

“This MOU reflects confidence in our financial performance, business model and unique service. Despite the tough economic climate since our 2007 launch, Virgin America has experienced record growth, strong financial progress and a sweep of the major reader-based travel awards. At a time when most carriers are contracting and shedding jobs, we’re pleased to be growing and bringing our low-fare, innovative service into new markets,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all new Airbus fleet will continue to fuel our growth and success in the North American market.”

With the U.S. Department of Transportation’s approval of its new ownership structure in January 2010, Virgin America is focused on growth – with six additional aircraft entering its fleet this year and 12 additional aircraft planned in 2011. The airline currently has four aircraft for delivery in 2012 and expects to look for additional aircraft for 2012, in order to bridge its fleet growth to the new Airbus order starting in 2013. The airline currently serves 10 cities, with expansion to Orlando, at least one more U.S. city and two destinations in Mexico by this winter. The airline expects to grow by three to four additional new destinations a year from 2011-2016. The airline has created 1600 new jobs since its 2007 launch and intends to double its teammate base in the next three years. Virgin America continues to expand at its base of operations at San Francisco International Airport, as one of two anchor tenants in the airport’s new $383 million Silver LEED certified Terminal 2 facility – which is slated to open in 2011.

“A repeat order from Virgin America – a U.S. airline growing quickly both in terms of its route network and its reputation for excellent service – is a great affirmation of the benefits of operating the A320 Family,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are very pleased they have chosen to expand their reach with even more of our aircraft. Their investment in a state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient Airbus fleet will continue to give them a competitive advantage as they grow.”

Virgin America is planning to benefit from the new, fuel-saving “Sharklet” option that is available beginning in late 2012 on A320 aircraft. Sharklets have been developed to enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 aircraft, resulting in at least 3.5 percent reduced fuel burn over longer sectors. Since its launch, Virgin America has operated a new Airbus A320 Family fleet that is up to 25% more fuel efficient than the average U.S. fleet. The airline has not yet announced its choice of engines for the additional aircraft.

According to Airbus, each new order for Airbus aircraft means a direct boost to the U.S. economy. Airbus spends some 40 percent of its procurement budget with hundreds of suppliers in more than 40 U.S. states. In 2009 alone, Airbus spent more than $10 billion in the U.S. – more than it spent in procurement in any other country. Using U.S. Department of Commerce figures, that dollar amount translates into Airbus support of 180,000 American jobs.

“Airline expansion drives job, travel and tourism growth – and is also a powerful indicator of overall economic health. When we enter new markets service improves and fares drop, so our growth into new cities stimulates demand as well as direct and indirect job growth,” added Cush.

With outstanding service and inventive amenities, Virgin America has captured a loyal guest following since its launch. The airline offers beautifully designed mood-lit cabins, fleetwide WiFi and the most advanced touch-screen in-flight entertainment platform in the skies. The airline has captured the “Best Domestic Airline” title in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards every year since its 2007 launch.

Virgin America reported its first quarterly operating profit in the third quarter of 2009 and is on track for projected full year operating profit in 2010. Virgin America has seen significant increases in traffic and bookings in the second quarter of 2010, with progress that has largely exceeded the overall positive trends for the industry year to date.

The Airbus A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. More than 6,500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to more than 310 customers and operators – making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world-wide standard wide-body system.

Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto and Orlando (starting October 6, 2010).

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