Virgin Airlines

Travel

Do You Use In-Flight Airline Entertainment?

You already know that I'm a big fan of Virgin America's in-flight entertainment system, and have been known to tune in to JetBlue's DirectTV programming a time or two.

You already know that I'm a big fan of Virgin America's in-flight entertainment system, and have been known to tune in to JetBlue's DirectTV programming a time or two. But for a lot of you, an airline's in-flight goodies may not be a reason to book a seat.

On a recent flight to LA, I noticed how few people actually use their seat-back TV sets to watch the tube, a movie, or play games, instead choosing to sleep or use their own gadgets to keep them busy.

I found a very handy chart on one of my favorite travel sites the other day that lists how airlines stack up against one another when it comes to entertaining their passengers. I was pretty happy with the results: most airlines are now offering some sort of in-flight WiFi, as well as music and movies via personal viewing sets on the seat backs. So what gives? Are you totally into your favorite airline's in-flight entertainment, or do you completely tune out when flying?

News

Virgin Takes Flight With the Green Fairy

While other airlines are cutting back on in-flight services, last Friday, Virgin America added a new alcohol to its menu.

While other airlines are cutting back on in-flight services, last Friday, Virgin America added a new alcohol to its menu. Absinthe, the once illegal "hallucinogenic" spirit, is now available on all flights. The strong green liquor can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed into the Mile-High Cocktail, a "tormenting and satisfying blend of Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, sprite, and lemons shaken and served over ice." Porter Gale, the vice president of marketing at Virgin, is very excited about the partnership. He said:

We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Le Tourment Vert to become the first airline to offer guests absinthe in-flight. Virgin America is reinventing the typical flight experience with beautiful design, touch-screen entertainment, and an innovative food and cocktail menu – and the addition of Le Tourment Vert absinthe is sure to be a hit with our discriminating guests.

For those sitting first class or main cabin select, the absinthe cocktails are complimentary; in the main cabin, Le Tourment Vert is available for purchase. Although I'm not boarding Virgin America anytime soon, I normally enjoy a cocktail when traveling. It's nice to know that absinthe is an option. How do you feel about the news?

Source

News

Virgin America's New Inflight WiFi and YouTube Live Event

OK, I promised you a full recap about my event-filled Saturday — the flight, the WiFi test drive, and the YouTube Live Event — and here it is!
Virgin America's New Inflight WiFi and YouTube Live Event

OK, I promised you a full recap about my event-filled Saturday — the flight, the WiFi test drive, and the YouTube Live Event — and here it is! Testing out Virgin America's first WiFi enabled plane with Gogo Inflight Internet among other tech enthusiasts was a rush in itself, but heading to the first official YouTube Live event here in San Francisco was icing on the cake to a spectacular day.

To see how I made out with the Gogo WiFi service during the flight and to see some YouTube Vlogging stars and celebs I ran into at the event, check out my slideshow!

YouTube

I'm Going to YouTube Live! And Getting WiFi on a Jet Plane . . .

I've got quite the geeky day planned, and I had to share my excitement with guys!

I've got quite the geeky day planned, and I had to share my excitement with guys! First, I'm packing my bags and heading to San Francisco International Airport to board a Virgin America plane — I'm not really going anywhere, per se, but the short flight will be showing off GoGo's new in-flight WiFi! Then afterward, drum roll please — I am hitting up the YouTube Live event!

At SFO, I'll board a Virgin Airlines plane — already my fave airline for its awesome techy features — and test out the in-flight Wifi on a special beta flight.

Afterward, it's off the to the YouTube Live Event, to celebrate YouTube's new webcasting feature, where I'll hopefully rub elbows with Will.i.am and Katy Perry, to name a few! Stay tuned for my recap on how it all turns out!

Source

digital life

Mile High Geek: Peek At Virgin America's Planes

We've been complaining about the nightmare that is business trips for ages, but it looks like the future of flight will be completely geek and work friendly.

We've been complaining about the nightmare that is business trips for ages, but it looks like the future of flight will be completely geek and work friendly.

Gizmodo featured a sneak peek of the new Virgin America planes yesterday revealing each seat will include 110 volt AC current, ethernet and USB ports for charging iPods and phones. They will also accept a QWERTY for the linux-based, thin client, in flight entertainment system.

The planes will feature a "Red Inflight Entertainment System" that includes 18 channel live in-flight satellite entertainment, as well as access to Google Maps and pay-per-view movies The airline is launching August 8.

Check out additional photos on Gizmodo.