LetVAfly.com

[Nottingham Nick]

LetVAFly.com is a supposedly new website where you can sign an online petition urging Congress and the DOT to give Virgin its wings.

At the time of typing, it is just a link to the Virgin America website, so I don't know if I am too late or too early in posting this. [?]

If anyone knows anymore, please enlighten us. [8D]

Nick

[preiffer]

Well, here's its whois record:

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: LETVAFLY.COM
Created on: 03-Jan-07
Expires on: 03-Jan-08
Last Updated on:

Administrative Contact:
Private, Registration [email protected]
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2599

ie: only just created - just over a week ago.

Who gave you the link? Petitions rarely work anyway, the government especially won't pay attention to them. What will work are written/typed letters to the DOT.

All too true - 1 petition with a thousand names = 1 in-box letter. 1,000 in-box letters stating 'let them fly!' = attention from someone.

Someone who set up the petition site didn't read about the Star Trek petitions in the 60's, did they? This was common news then! We all mimeographed letters and sent them in one by one. (oops - that means I'm ever so much older than 29, doesn't it???? [:I]) Alas, our efforts were in vain. Cancelled anyway. But there were films...

What the heck, though, I do wish them well. I'd like to fly VX someday!

[Scrooge]

The site is now up, included are cabin pictures...all I can say is this airline needs to fly, I am not saying this as a Virgin fan, I am saying this as a person that has to fly a lot...

I can see why the legacy carriers are creating as many road blocks as they can, with the product Virgin America is going to offer they will give them a run for their money.

First class looks like a total winner to me.

http://www.letvafly.com/vadifference.php

[mitchja]

Wow

The cabins and seats look great.

That IFE looks like it's based on the same hardware as V:Port is but with internet as well [y]

Regards

Thanks for that, Dave[y] When I saw the pic of F, I actually mouthed the word "wow"[:I] Can the legacies keep up with wow?;)

It looks better than many international premium products.

VS.

[Scrooge]

I was just sitting here watching the video, other than the fact that the white leather seats are going to get destroyed pretty quickly I was wondering if VS would go so far as to upgrade their Y product to that level, for sure that would put VS back in front of the pack.

[HighFlyer]

Ok, I'm sold ... that looks good!!! Yeah, in a few months time that white leather will look a bit tatty, but oh for the marketing ....

Thanks,
Sarah

I just filled out the petition, sent an email to ol' George Bush, all my representitives and congressmen, and NJ governor Corzine using VA's form, and am going to buy a t-shirt!

That cabin is utterly amazing in every way, shape, and form. There's literally no place to start when describing what is good about the cabin, because everything is. I especially think the food ordering service is neat.

Please let VA fly!

Edit: Also, notice the nice pillows in First Class.

[Scrooge]

It's a shame they won't offer VS miles (at least to begin with) but hell I can overlook the loss of a few thousand miles to fly in comfort, pretty please LAS - MIA

I've just been reading more information. Apparently, first class seats will have, yes, a massage function! Also, the lavs will be isolated and have music inside! It really is getting better and better.

The IFE looks amazing too - the inflight 'MSN messenger' type thing really caught me. [y][y] , but $8 for a movie seems v. expensive.

[preiffer]

Hmm. White leather seats.

GREAT! ...for flight #1 [ii]


After that, all it takes is ONE tourist to climb onboard with a freshly-purchased pair of nice blue jeans from Gap SF and bye-bye white... [:(]

[Pete]

I have to agree Paul - those white seats look fantastic, but I can't believe they'll last!

I just received the following email from VA

Dear Friend,

Your friends at Virgin America are getting closer to taking off, but we need your help to clear our final hurdle. Late in 2006, The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tentatively rejected Virgin America's airline application. We responded to the DOT today but, the fight is not over. We need your help as we continue our application process, with the ultimate goal of bringing you a better choice in air travel.

We have built a site, letVAfly.com, where you can learn about our application process with the DOT and join our fight to bring the glamour back to air travel. We believe, when you see our In-Flight Entertainment options and take a tour of our cabins, you will understand the Virgin America Difference and the need to stand up for better choices in travel.

ÝÝÝÝ Click here to take a tour ÝÝÝ





Flying is better with Red
We call our In-Flight Entertainment system Red; a short name for the longest list of advanced entertainment and convenience options in the sky, like:

9-inch touch screens at every seat
QWERTY in-arm keyboards for controlling your games, music, movies and Live TV
Broadband wireless access points
On-call, in-seat food and beverage service




Bringing class back to First Class
On Virgin America, First Class means more. You will be one of only eight other guests and will enjoy: an oversized, adjustable leather seat with built-in massage; 55 inch seat pitch; and adaptor-free 110v power supporting USB and RJ-45, and much more.





Flying will be something you look forward to
With our luxurious black leather seats, phased mood-lighting system and personal nine-inch widescreen entertainment system Ð we're confident a flight on Virgin America will be unlike anything you have experienced. Learn more

Black leather seats with 32-inch seat pitch
9-inch touch screens at every seat
Live TV, loads of movies, thousands of MP3s
Phased in-cabin mood lighting for maximum comfort




Don't miss your chance to choose, make your voice heard.
Thanks for supporting Virgin America.

The Team at Virgin America
http://www.virginamerica.com

I like the "Let VA Fly" button.

Mmm - I knew I wanted to give them my business, but after seeing the pix I'd pay to fly with them in a heartbeat. I just hope I get the chance. Wish list: SEA-EWR, SEA-MCO, SFO-LAS, SFO-EWR (which probably has a chance of happening right off the bat), SFO-IAD. And I wouldn't mind MCO-LAS or MCO-SFO. With 8 seats up front, that's better than many legacy carriers!

I do have to ask, though: I remember seeing that Virgin America was granted the code VX. I don't see that mentioned anywhere on the site, and now I wonder if it was rescinded. Anyone know?

White leather seats and red cushions, that's so Barbarella! Icky poo after the first person pukes on them [:$]

However, it looks fantastic - VA certainly repeating the strategy of pack 'em in tight but if you entertain them they won't mind (though legroom at 32" in econ is better than some transatlantic isn't it!). As for putting the seat controls in 1st at thigh level, will they ever learn!

Cool, would definitely go for it if a choice, FC miles would be the clincher!

[ChuckC]

This is our chance to help launch a real airline, folks. Let's write, FAX, phone, whatever it takes.

The First Class seat looks to be the same as Alitalia is currently flying (and likely others) on its 767s in Magnifica Class. I had a very comfortable ride FCO-EWR in this seat last Fall.

Let VA Fly!

Chuck-

This is our chance to help launch a real airline, folks. Let's write, FAX, phone, whatever it takes.

Do you have to be a US citizen or just a potential customer?:)

However, it looks fantastic - VA certainly repeating the strategy of pack 'em in tight but if you entertain them they won't mind (though legroom at 32" in econ is better than some transatlantic isn't it!). As for putting the seat controls in 1st at thigh level, will they ever learn!

It's much easier to advertise IFE than simply saying "oh we have an extra half-inch of legroom than our competitors" although it would be better to have both;)

VS.

All pleased to know I signed up using my parents home address as my zip-

To sign the petition online you do have to be a US citizen- well at least have a US Zip Code. Maybe one of the premier team will be able to tell UK Based customers where to write.

A.net is still full, sadly, of people who are anti VX- it is such a shame. I tend to take the view that these people work for legacys who are scared of the competition. I think only DL on their 757's will come close to offering a simular service.

Originally posted by ChuckC
This is our chance to help launch a real airline, folks. Let's write, FAX, phone, whatever it takes.

The First Class seat looks to be the same as Alitalia is currently flying (and likely others) on its 767s in Magnifica Class. I had a very comfortable ride FCO-EWR in this seat last Fall.

Let VA Fly!

Chuck-

Which is what used to be on the LGW 744s before UCS refit.

So that's where there went.... Via the seat recovering shop first though.

Paul

Just received the following email

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 19 January 2007 20:00
To: xxxxx
Subject: Response to your recent comments

Below is a response to the recent comments I received from you:


Dear p17blo (amended):

Thank you for contacting me regarding Virgin AmericaÕs application with Department of Transportation. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to take this opportunity to respond.

In order to be certified as a U.S. airline, Virgin America must show that they are owned by U.S. citizens, that the president and two-thirds of the board of directors are U.S. citizens, and that at least 75 percent of the voting interest is owned or controlled by U.S. citizens.

On December 27, 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) denied Virgin AmericaÕs application for an operation certificate. DOT concluded that Virgin America was too closely tied with United Kingdom based Virgin Group and fell short of the 75 percent voting interest requirement.

Currently, Virgin America is in communication with officials at DOT in order to rectify the problems DOT had with their application. Please know that I will continue to monitor the proceedings and will keep your comments in mind should legislation regarding Virgin America be considered by the full Senate.

Thank you for sharing your views with me. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact me. For more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.sentate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator

Wonder how many of those have been sent?

Paul

I received one earlier