Last week I attended the Book Expo Convention in Los Angeles and flew on Virgin America Airlines, which has recently started service from Seattle to San Francisco and LA.
I have to say, if I was the CEO of Alaska Airlines right now I would be very, very worried.
I decided to try flying Coach on the way down to LA and First Class on the way back so I could see what they were both like. The Coach segment cost $120 and the First Class segment $269 for a total of $389, which is a very competitive price these days.
Check-in was a breeze. I arrived with my preprinted boarding pass, and the smiling employee checked my bag for me. As a matter-of-fact, all the employees of Virgin appeared to be smiling and happy, not to mention very attractive. There was no line to speak of and I immediately proceeded to security.
Entering the plane, right on time of course, you immediately notice the lavender lights, along with lavender tinted plastic dividers between the sections and some light-techno music playing in the background. It put me in a very good mood immediately, which only increased as I saw the comfortable leather seats, each one with a video monitor and adequate legroom.
On the video screen they have a wide variety of choices of entertainment, free music and TV shows, including some You-Tube type films. Movies were $7. They have a chat feature, which allows you to flirt with people in other seats if you are so inclined. The flight attendants come around with drinks the first time, and after that they switch to video ordering. You pull up the snacks on your screen,a swipe your credit card, and then they deliver right to your seat. In my case, I ordered a cheese and fruit plate for $8 and a free cranberry juice. They delivered the snack, but forgot the drink, so I ordered it again, this time successfully.
I spent the flight watching an interview with Richard Branson and a couple episodes of King of the Hill, all for free. They provide the headphones, also free. Before I knew it we had arrived in Los Angeles.
The First Class experience on the way back was truly awesome. There are only 2 rows, 8 seats altogether, which I found kind of surprising. You have about 3 feet of legroom, which is good, because the seat reclines like a barco-lounger. It also vibrates like a massage chair! As soon as I sat down I was given a water and my drink order was taken. I had time to drink the first Bombay Sapphire and tonic before we took off.
Once in flight, we actually were served delicious food. I had some gourmet snacks followed by Portobello mushroom raviolis. And more drinks. I watched Bee Movie with Jerry Seinfeld, which kept me happily laughing the whole flight. The buxomy and friendly attendants were constantly available. Seated in front of me was Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, his wife and towheaded little boy.
I was actually disappointed when the flight landed and I had to leave. I don’t know how Virgin Air does all this for so little money, especially now that so many airlines are having financial problems. I am actually looking to flying from now on, as long as I can fly Virgin.
