Virgin America Ranks No. 1 in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards

Virgin America recently took the top honors for the second year running as Best Domestic Airline in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Annual World's Best Awards readers' survey. Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards highlight the results of an annual, impartial survey that allows Travel + Leisure readers to share their opinions of their favorite travel experiences. In the annual survey, airlines are rated independently by Travel + Leisure readers in several categories, including: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value.

"We're honored to receive the highest marks for the second consecutive year from Travel + Leisure's readers - those who fly the most and expect the very best in service, comfort and design," said Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush. "There are many surveys that attempt to rank airline quality that are paid and do not reflect real guest reviews or that exclude smaller carriers. Hearing directly from the readers of a respected travel source that we're not only making the grade - but leading the industry is hugely important for us as a start-up. This is a key milestone in our second year flying and we're grateful for the outstanding contributions of our teammates and for each of the 4.5 million guests who have flown with us to date."

With award-winning service and a host of innovative amenities, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards since launching service in August 2007. Virgin America's in-flight and airport staff training programs include a special focus on delivering concierge-like guest care. The airline offers unrivaled value with low fares and high-tech features like touch-screen seatback entertainment, power outlets near every seat, mood-lighting and custom-designed leather seating with a deeper, more comfortable pitch. In May, Virgin America became the first and only airline to offer guests in-flight internet on every flight. Virgin America is also the only airline in the U.S. with a touch-screen seatback menu that allows guests to order what they want, when they want it during a flight. Virgin America offers one of the largest selections of fresh menu items, with a focus on lighter, more health-focused options in keeping with the airline's California roots.

The complete Travel + Leisure 2009 results, including the Top 100 Hotels Overall and Top 10 Cities Overall, are featured on www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest now and in Travel + Leisure's August issue, available on newsstands July 24. The Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards winners for 2009 will be honored in New York City on July 21 at an awards event at the Cooper Square Hotel.

"Our goal as a new carrier is to reinvent the flying experience for the better by listening to what travelers want, so we're constantly seeking real-time feedback, whether through the Red seatback screens or now via in-flight WiFi," added Cush. "We've even implemented suggestions received from some of our very first guests and their feedback will continue to be an essential ingredient in creating the best customer experience in the U.S. skies."

Virgin America offers over 100 flights a day and flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston and Orange County. The airline 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 and SFO to SNA. Virgin America has flown more than 4.5 million guests since its inaugural flights in August 2007 and now counts over 925,000 Elevate loyalty program members.