V-Flyer

The New York Times reported this morning that Virgin America's board has elected Don Carty as its chairman. Carty as many recall is the former chairman and chief executive of American Airlines.

Also of note was the mention that the inagural flight is intended to be SFO-JFK.

There was further a mention that several airlines have asked the DOT to determine whether the new airline is truly 75% held by US investors as required by law. Sour grapes, etc., etc.

As a personal aside, it is becoming clearer to me that with Fred Reid (former DL CEO) as president and Carty as chairman, this airline intends to be noticed and to have the "star power" needed to negotiate contracts, make friends, etc. with the various airport commissions and regulators.

Once revenue service commences I'd be willing to wager that an IPO will not be far behind.


Chuck-

It's also on the front page of V-Flyer, Chuck

Story here



Interesting inaugural, though - that puts them head-to-head with AA and UA... [y]

Too true, Paul. Some folks (like me) have their V-Flyer set to go straight to the Forums. That'll teach 'em -- er, me![:I]

Chuck-

I'm hoping this comes out well for Virgin America, from what I've heard of him and his past experiences he might not be the best person to be the chairman.

The thing is, Nick, the man has presence. Yes, he presided over AA at a time when large bonuses were being paid to execs while the rank and file where giving up pay, etc. He had to leave the job because of that controversy. Not a smart PR move to be paying bonuses at a time when your subordinates are giving up theirs.

Beyond that Carty is a seasoned airline exec as is Reid. Both know the US route system, airports, airport commissioners and city councils(!), load factors, seasonal trends, consumer preferences. And looking at this from a pure investment perspective, they are respected public "faces" on a currently private investment.

Chuck-

I'm with you on this Chuck Carty in my eyes is a shroud appointment, he brings experience, knowledge and a presence which will bode well for the early days of V.Am. [y]

Run and hide AA/UA, the big V is coming to get you [:0]

Rob,
I like that phrase: "shroud appointment". And that last line ... "run and hide AA/UA ..." Excellent. Of course, why do we think that several airlines are challenging the ownership issue at all? Delay, delay, delay.

Chuck-

Chuck,
Few CEO's with worried looks on their faces at the minute I guess!!! [}:)]

Interesting times ahead for you guys on the other side of the pond! [y] Bring it on V.Am [^];)

Well honestly im not to happy with these moves,seems to be all the people that messed up are now getting a second chance,maybe they have learnt from previous mistakes,lets hope so.I wonder if we will see Michael J. Conway come on board.

link to a story about this.

Originally posted by jetwet1
link to a story about this.

This is an excellent article, Dave.[y] I recommend it for everyone as there are a few new "nuggets" in it.

Originally posted by tallprawn
Interesting times ahead for you guys on the other side of the pond! [y] Bring it on V.Am [^];)

Come on over, Rob. We're a fairly friendly bunch.

Chuck-

Bring on the connections for VS19, the days on jumping onto an internal you are never looking forward to are nearly over for me!!

Be interesting to see what routes are offered up out of SFO later this year [y]

Need to get to SEA possibly later in year, fingers crossed Chuck that V.Am are going to get it this sorted out for me;)

But we wont get miles,sorry but as a confirmed miles whore this is a big put off to me,unlessthey put out a product that is a amazing I just cant see why I would want to give up the miles I get from using HP.

A programme to earn VS miles on V.Am must be in the pipeline.

HP cannot be happy with the start up of V.Am, do you not think that the long term link up between VS and HP is at risk??

I would be suprised if there won't be strong links between VS and V.Am, VS can only benefit with the amount of UK based pax needing US internals each day.

You would think so wouldn't you,after speaking to my contact at HP a while back I was told that no,HP is happy with the way things are going,honestly I dont see it being to much of a problem,in fact I wouldn't be to surprised to see VS and HP/US get a little closer,kind of in the way VS and CO are doing now.

Of course this is now,once VS-A gets of the ground that may be a different thing,but of course the same thing could be said for CO as well.

But unless the product is amazing im sticking to HP/US,unless the boss over rules me and we end up on F9...again.

Seeing as though CO is one of the airlines protesting the Virgin America start-up, I wouldn't be surprised if VS's longrunning partnership with CO ends with the initiation of Virgin America in the Virgin family of companies.

Originally posted by VS-EWR
Seeing as though CO is one of the airlines protesting the Virgin America start-up, I wouldn't be surprised if VS's longrunning partnership with CO ends with the initiation of Virgin America in the Virgin family of companies.

Hence the HP/US thoughts [i]