We assume this is what's meant by "mood-lit cabin" (Image: LWY)
Virgin America announced yesterday via Twitter it would soon be offering daily flights from Toronto to California’s west coast. The flights on the airline (a brainchild of loopy British billionaire Richard Branson, though mostly owned by Americans) will begin June 23, departing from Pearson and making stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles. One-way fares will start at $212.
“Toronto is one of the largest cities in North America and a world-class travel destination—with strong ties to California—most notably in the entertainment and high-tech sectors,” Virgin America president and CEO David Cush said Tuesday.
Like our cushy, convenient Porter, Virgin America brings some sweet flying perks to the table, including mood-lit cabins, Wi-Fi, in-seat power outlets and personal touch-screen entertainment systems.
Toronto will mark the first international destination for the airline, but our city is not quite a Virgin virgin. We hope this new route goes better than the ill-fated Pearson-Heathrow attempt by Virgin Atlantic.
• Virgin America names Toronto first International destination [Toronto Sun]
• Virgin to Fly from Toronto to L.A. [CBC]
I worked at the hotel the Virgin Flight Crew stayed at so can confidently report that failure of Pearson-Heathrow route was due to 9/11.
April 21, 2010 at 6:22 pm | by DavenportGlad Virgin is giving T.O. another shot!
The transatlantic Virgin flights were actually to Gatwick..they began in June of 2001, and were suspended just after Sept 11,2001….they were never really given a chance to succeed, unfortunately…maybe one day Pearson will see the return of Virgin Atlantic in addition to Virgin America (whose Toronto flight timings by the way connect perfectly to those of Virgin Australia in L.A.) ..
April 21, 2010 at 11:57 pm | by richardI flew Virgin Atlantic back in 2001 (I actually arrived back home on September 10). It was a fabulous experience and I was sorry it failed.
April 22, 2010 at 4:07 pm | by SuzetteWho wrote this? There are dozens of ‘Virgin’ companies — and several airlines with some funding from Sir R. Branson. Virgin America (VX) is NOT the same airline as Virgin Atlantic (VS). Nor the same as V-Australia, Virgin Blue, etc. Why would someone compare Virgin Atlantic’s past schedule to London to a U.S. based airline (VX) flying to San Francisco? Fact-check before writing/posting people — please!
April 26, 2010 at 4:55 pm | by tenaftereight