SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin America today launches a series of Cyber Monday offers for tech-forward travelers – including the opportunity to charter the ultimate 'geek-chic' ride to this year's 2013 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas (January 8-11, 2013).  The airline is teaming up with Gilt City to offer a "nerdbird for hire" charter flight as the ultimate geek holiday gift.*** One lucky purchaser will score the chance to travel to the 2013 CES with up to 135 of their closest friends or colleagues, onboard a new Virgin America Airbus A320 commercial jet appropriately named #nerdbird. In addition to enjoying Virgin America's award-winning service, sleek design and high-tech amenities en route to Vegas, the airline is offering the purchaser the ability to custom brand the exterior of his or her ride for the month of CES. The offer can be viewed at: http://www.giltcity.com/national/nerdbird.  Images of a branded #nerdbird can also be found at: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/photos  For those who don't wish to purchase an entire flight, but who still want to get their geek on at 35,000 feet:  the carrier today launches a Cyber Monday fare sale – with an additional 10 percent off* already low fares on virginamerica.com. The first 3000 who buy a ticket today** will also receive a gift with purchase: a free Gogo in-flight WiFi pass for their next flight. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121126/AQ18172)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

As the only airline based in Silicon Valley, all of Virgin America's aircraft are outfitted with amenities like power outlets at every seat, touch-screen seatback entertainment platforms and WiFi.  The airline is the only U.S. airline to offer in-flight WiFi on every plane in its fleet and was the first airline to launch Gogo's new next generation higher bandwidth ATG4 WiFi as of this fall.

"Virgin America is all about shaking up the status quo and doing things differently, and we're proud of our roots here in the Valley.  We get inquiries every year from local tech companies and entrepreneurs asking to charter our aircraft to head to CES, so we thought it would be fun to answer the call and work with Gilt City to create the ultimate geek gift," said Luanne Calvert, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America.  "Plus, if being the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi and having an entertainment platform that runs off LINUX isn't evidence enough: we're kind of geeks ourselves!"   

Virgin America Cyber Monday fares start from $77 (restrictions apply).****  And today only, guests can also take an additional 10 percent* off the airline's already user-friendly fares by booking at www.virginamerica.com using the code CYBER10.  In addition, the first 3000 guests who book today will receive a free Gogo InFlight WiFi pass** for their upcoming trip. Fare sale tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm CST on December 3, 2012.  Tickets are on sale today on the airline's website (www.virginamerica.com) and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN.*****

"Gilt City is thrilled to be partnering with Virgin America for another Cyber Monday offer," said Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Founder of Gilt and Head of National Sales, Gilt City.  "At Gilt City we are dedicated to giving our members access to unforgettable experiences with extraordinary vendors, and this offer with Virgin America is no exception."

#nerdbird for hire:  The package*** offered to Gilt City members nationwide includes a roundtrip charter flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas, complete with full bar, catering, flight crew, free in-flight WiFi access, Elevate Gold® Status (plus one) for the purchaser and Elevate Silver® Status for all of his or her other guests – with a purchase price of $49,000.  The airline is also inviting the purchaser to let his or her 'geek flag fly,' by inviting them to put their own name on the exterior of the Virgin America #nerdbird aircraft.  To view the offer, visit: http://www.giltcity.com/national/nerdbird Images of a custom-branded exterior of the #nerdbird aircraft, can be downloaded here: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/photos

This is not the first time Virgin America and Gilt City have teamed up to offer unique rewards and packages for savvy travelers.  Virgin America worked with Gilt City in 2011 to offer a charter jet for hire on Cyber Monday.  The offer sold in seconds and attracted thousands of bids. 

Known for its inventive service and beautifully designed cabins, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards for the past five years and Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for the past five years.  Virgin America's Red™ in-flight entertainment platform offers guests their own seatback touch-screen TV, with 25 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, a 4,000 song library and an on-demand menu – so flyers can order a cocktail or snack from their seatback any time during a flight. 

"This offer is the perfect opportunity for a 'techie' to purchase this flight to bring themself and a hundred plus of their closest colleagues and friends to the 2013 International CES, the world's largest innovation event," said Jeff Joseph, Senior Vice President of Communications and Strategic relationships at CEA, the producer of the International CES. "CES is the must-attend event for anyone involved in innovation and the technology industry, and Virgin America, such an innovative company, is the perfect partner to help make this happen."

Earlier this year, Virgin America rolled out enhancements to its Elevate frequent flyer program — including Elevate Gold and Elevate Silver status levels that offer perks such as:  priority check-in, security clearance and boarding; points earning bonuses; free checked bag allowances; enhanced digital/social rewards; private discounts; an expanded advance purchase upgrade window for the airline's exclusive eight-seat First Class; complimentary space-available upgrades to the carrier's premium Main Cabin Select service; and complimentary access to the best seat assignments within Main Cabin.  

In just over five years flying, the airline has expanded to 19 airport destinations and has created 2,600 new jobs. Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. (IAD), Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington D.C.'s Reagan National (DCA). 

Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html
Broadcast quality video b-roll can also be downloaded at: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-company.html

About Virgin America:  Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'Readers' Choice' Awards  and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 'World's Best' Awards.  The airline's base of operations is SFO's sleek new Terminal 2. The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat.  For more, visit: www.virginamerica.com

About Gilt City: Gilt City provides access to unique and coveted lifestyle experiences in the world's most dynamic cities – at insider prices. Each sale lasts a limited time and features a city's most sought-after restaurants, spas, concerts, cultural offerings and more. Gilt City currently features offers in New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Tokyo. A subsidiary of Gilt Groupe, Inc., Gilt City is headquartered in New York City with local curators in each market. To find out more please visit www.giltcity.com.

*Terms and Conditions 10% off: This offer ends at 11:59pm PST on November 26, 2012. This offer is valid only for nonstop travel; offer is not valid for any connect or multi-city itineraries. Promo code is valid for non-refundable Main Cabin tickets only. For routes BOS-LAX, BOS-SFO, JFK-LAX, JFK-LAS, JFK-SFO, JFK-PSP, DCA-SFO, FLL-LAX, and FLL-SFO, the discount will apply for travel between January 7, 2013 and March 6, 2013. For all other routes, the discount will apply for travel between December 4, 2012 and March 6, 2013. 2012 blackout dates are: 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26 and 12/30. 2013 blackout dates are: 1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/6, 1/18, 1/21, 2/15 and 2/18. Promo code may be used only towards newly booked travel and may not be applied to prior bookings. Promo code discount will be deducted off of base fare. Base fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.80 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. For service to/from Mexico, base fares do not include the U.S. Immigration User Fee of $7, the U.S. APHIS fee of $5, the U.S. Customs processing fee of $5.50, a U.S. International Arrival/Departure Tax of $16.70 each way and additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Promo code may not be redeemed for cash. Promotion code is not eligible for Elevate points redemption bookings. Promo code may only be used for bookings made on virginamerica.com and is only valid on itineraries of 9 or less. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. If travel is changed or cancelled, promo code discount will become invalid. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $100 fee per guest through all channels, plus any difference in fare, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be placed in a guest's travel bank, good for travel on Virgin America for one year from date of issue. Tickets purchased through Virgin America's reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per itinerary guest; this amount is non refundable if travel is changed or cancelled. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket.  Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept one (1) piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds for $25 for each ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. and for free of charge for each ticketed guest traveling to/from Mexico. The fee per guest for each additional checked bag up to 50 pounds from the second (2) to the tenth (10) is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

**Gogo promo codes are valid from 12/4/12 – 3/6/13 on any Time Pass, Flight Pass, or All-Day Pass purchased in-air.

***#nerdbird for hire:  Redeem on: Monday, January 7, 2013.  Offer is final sale and nonrefundable. Under no circumstances can these seats or these flights be resold, bartered or given to others for value. Charter flight dates are for nonstop route from San Francisco to Las Vegas and back: Outbound: SFO-LAS, January 7, 2013 (3:35 PM departure – 5:10 PM arrival), Return: LAS-SFO, January 9, 2013 (1:30 PM departure – 3:10 PM arrival).   The flight dates and times cannot be changed. Purchaser must enter into a charter agreement with Virgin America within (3) three business days after purchase.  Click here for complete terms of private charter agreement.  Price quote includes all taxes and fees associated with the passenger tickets. Except as provided in these terms, vendor's normal contract of carriage applies, including allowance for schedule changes, flight disruptions, etc.. Price quoted includes one free checked bag per guest. Additional bags will be charged fees in accordance with vendor's usual practices for sales for the public. All passenger names must be provided 30 days in advance of travel date and finalized seven (7) days before travel date. Vendor will stock the aircraft with its typical catering (i.e. food and beverages typically stocked for a similar flight). Food and beverage will be provided free of charge to passengers. Depending on the market and time of year, weight restrictions may apply, so the number of guests Virgin America can transport may be reduced. Passes to 2013 CES are valid for evening keynote on January 7, opening keynote on January 8, and access to the Exhibit Area. Subject to approval by CEA. (2) "Elevate Gold Status" and (134) "Elevate Silver Status" memberships are valid for the 2013 membership benefit year. Guests must be members of the Elevate program in order to receive Status benefits. Plane decal Terms and Conditions: Plane decal must be provided 30 days in advance of travel date and is subject to approval by Virgin America. Sizing and location to be determined by Virgin America.  Plane decal will remain on the plane for one month.  Virgin America will use reasonable efforts to provide #nerdbird for the private charter flights, but no guarantees can be provided due to aircraft schedules and other airline operational reasons.

****Fare Sale Terms and Conditions:  All Main Cabin fares are one-way. Main Cabin fares for routes LAX-SFO, LAS-SFO, SAN-SFO, PSP-SFO, SEA-LAX, SEA-SFO, LAX-PDX, PDX-SFO, SEA-LAS, SEA-SAN, PDX-LAS, and PDX-SAN require a 10-day advance purchase and travel must occur between December 7, 2012 and March 6, 2013. Main Cabin fares for routes BOS-LAX, BOS-SFO, JFK-LAX, JFK-LAS, JFK-SFO, DCA-SFO, BOS-SAN, BOS-LAS, BOS-SEA, BOS-PDX, BOS-PSP, JFK-SAN, JFK-SEA, and JFK-PDX require a 21-day advance purchase and travel must occur between December 19, 2012 and March 6, 2013. Main Cabin fares for JFK-PSP require a 21-day advance purchase and travel must occur between December 29, 2012 and March 6, 2013. All other Main Cabin fares require a 14-day advance purchase and travel must occur between December 12, 2012 and March 6, 2013. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59pm CST December 3, 2012. Lowest sale fares are available only on certain itineraries. Lowest sale fares for routes LAX-SFO, LAS-SFO, SAN-SFO, PSP-SFO, SEA-LAX, SEA-SFO, LAX-PDX, PDX-SFO, SEA-LAS, SEA-SAN, PDX-LAS, and PDX-SAN are not valid for travel on Sundays. Lowest sale fares for JFK-PSP are valid only for non-stop travel on Saturdays.  2012 blackout dates are: 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26 and 12/30. 2013 blackout dates are: 1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/6, 1/18, 1/21, 2/15 and 2/18. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Flights may not operate daily. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Changes or cancellations can be made for a $100 fee per guest through all channels, plus any increase in fare, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be placed in a guest's travel bank, good for travel on Virgin America for one year from date of issue. Changes or cancellations of a booking made with Elevate Points will be subject to a $100 redeposit fee per guest. Guests who no-show without a change or cancellation prior to the scheduled departure time will forfeit the amount of this fare. In addition, any future flights booked in the same reservation will also be canceled and the fare will be forfeited. Tickets purchased from Virgin America through our reservation call center will cost an additional $20 per guest per itinerary. Any added cost associated with purchasing tickets from Virgin America through our reservation call center will be non-refundable. Fares will not be honored retroactively or in exchange for any wholly or partially used ticket. Fares, routes, fees and schedules are subject to change without notice. Virgin America will accept up to ten pieces of checked baggage, up to 50 pounds each, per ticketed guest traveling within the U.S. The fee for each piece of checked baggage up to 50 pounds is $25. Additional fees apply to baggage exceeding these weight limitations, and other baggage restrictions may apply.

*****Any guest calling within the United States has access to a complimentary telecommunication relay service by dialing 711. For more information, go to: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/telecomm.asp

SOURCE Virgin America