Holiday Proposal

SEATTLE, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Passengers on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air can now receive up-to-the-minute flight information via e-mail or text message for their entire flight itinerary, including segments on other airlines. The new Trip Alert System is the first airline notification solution to be powered by the FlightStats(TM) Itinerary Monitoring platform and lets customers set up a single profile once for all future travel.
Customers who have booked a trip at alaskaair.com or with an Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air reservations call center or ticket counter since June 25, 2008, receive an e-mail inviting them to create a profile. The profile specifies the traveler’s preferences for receiving e-mail alerts to a desktop PC, PDA or mobile phone.
Once a customer registers, the system automatically monitors all future trips and sends scheduled pre-trip updates as well as real-time alerts regarding delays, gate changes and cancellations. The system also sends useful connection messages advising the customer of the status and gate of arriving and departing flights so they know their actual connection time.
“Thanks to FlightStats’ sophisticated solution, we are now able to put proactive and relevant flight-status information directly into our customers’ hands as they get close to departure,” said Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing, sales and customer experience. “By providing detailed information on a passenger’s entire trip — even when one of their segments is on a different airline — we’re enhancing customer convenience and the overall travel experience.”
The first phase of Alaska Airlines’ Trip Alerts System is available now for direct bookings. It currently excludes bookings through travel agencies and other airlines, as well as direct bookings on Alaska Airlines Vacations, EasyBiz and group travel. Alaska Airlines is planning future enhancements to provide this greater functionality for customers.
“With their new messaging solution, Alaska continues to expand customer service features that make travel easier,” said Conducive Technology CEO Jeff Kennedy. “Alaska has always done a great job with customer service, but now with the industry’s best mobile-alerts solution, Alaska Airlines just keeps getting better.”
FlightStats is an airline, airport and travel information service provided by Conducive Technology Corp. The company is also a leading supplier of air travel information services to travel agencies, logistics professionals, airlines, airports and industry analysts. More information is available on Conducive Technology’s Web site at
Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together serve 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.
Alaska Airlines

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NEW YORK, July 17 /PRNewswire/ — Park Hyatt makes its first foray into China. Park Hyatt Beijing and Park Hyatt Shanghai will take the medal for the tallest buildings in their respective cities. Park Hyatt Shanghai will take the coveted crown of highest hotel in the world. Head and shoulders above the competition in more than just height, Park Hyatt helps give definition to the term “the new face of China.” Park Hyatt Beijing has the middle seat in the three-towered prestigious Beijing Yintai Centre on the main drag, Chang’An Avenue, while Park Hyatt Shanghai’s home will be in the Shanghai World Financial Center, the tallest building in China. Park Hyatt Beijing opens in July, and Shanghai follows in September.
It’s all about the views in Beijing. Not only is it the city’s highest hotel in the city’s tallest building, but the hotel will also have the city’s highest spa, Pian Spa (59-60th floors), and the city’s highest restaurant, China Grill (63-66th floors). John Portman, the mastermind behind the original Hyatt hotel in Atlanta, has designed an open floor plan from the lobby on the 60th floor through the 66th floor, all dramatically encased by a soaring glass ceiling intended to resemble a Chinese palace lantern that offers 360-degree views. The interior of the 237 guestrooms and suites were done by Remedios Siembieda Inc., and design heavyweight SuperPotato also contributed expertise to the project.

*Rates start at 3,500 CNY

Spanning the 79th to 93rd floors of the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), the hotel was developed by Minoru Mori, of Roppongi Hills fame, with interiors by award-winning New York-based Tony Chi. His design of the 174-room hotel reflects ancient Chinese beliefs about the construction of a residence. Weaving hallways (meant to block off evil spirits) lead into large shared spaces designed for family gatherings. All guestrooms will have stunning views of the Huangpu River and the futuristic skyline of Pudong. Not to be outdone by Beijing, Shanghai’s Water’s Edge spa (where you can find the GM teaching Tai Chi in the courtyards) will be on the 85th floor, with the restaurants and bar on the 87th, all providing uninterrupted views of the city.

*Rates start at 5,000 CNY
Park Hyatt Hotels

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LAS VEGAS, July 16 /PRNewswire/ — “Hart Attacks” will be served nightly at the newest anti-club in town — Wasted Space. Co-created by Action Sports Super Star, Carey Hart, Wasted Space will officially open July 19 with a private VIP party and a special acoustic rock set from Gavin Rossdale.
The Hard Rock hotel & Casino is opening the rock lounge as part of its $800 million expansion and renovation. Wasted Space is co-owned by Hart, Yankees baseball player Jason Giambi, and the Hard Rock hotel & Casino. Rockers Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte are partners and Hard Rock’s Cory McCormack will act as managing partner.
Wasted Space represents the ultimate depiction of the decadent rock n’ roll lifestyle. The first anti-club of its kind, Wasted Space melds the high-end rock n’ roll culture with fashion, art and design creating a one of a kind atmosphere and nightlife experience.
“I wanted a place where my friends and I could hang out and listen to some great rock music with a cool atmosphere … there were no options in Vegas, so I made my own,” said Hart. “Wasted Space will feature the top rock artists weekly, in addition to the hottest DJ’s in the country.”
The club was designed by Hart, McCormack and Zeff Design. Hart hand-picked one of his favorite L.A. artists to create a 30-foot hand-made mural of vintage rock show posters and flyers with the signature Wasted Space winged microphone logo stenciled over them. The striking piece is hung above the bar area to add a personal element to the space.
The venue will host two signature drinks:
– “Hart Attack” - named after Carey Hart’s famous record-breaking mid-air handstand on a 250cc motorcycle, the drink will consist of Jameson, Red Bull, cranberry and a float of Jagermeister.
– “Sunday Bloody Sunday” - named after legendary U2 song, this will be the venue’s signature Bloody Mary concoction.
The 5,000 square-foot nightclub will hold 400-500 people, has 17 tables/booths in the club itself, and five more in the 24-hour Wasted Lounge. The unique sound system offers a full nightclub sound package and the ability for live performers to rock the house every night of the week.
Wasted Space will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. with live music two nights/week and DJ’s spinning the other four nights. Cover charges will vary based on talent from about $10-$25. For more information and images of Wasted Space visit and
About Hard Rock hotel & Casino
The Hard Rock hotel & Casino, newly owned and operated under Morgans hotel Group and equity partner, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, is a premier destination entertainment resort located on 16.7 acres situated strategically on Harmon Avenue, one of Las Vegas’ fastest growing entertainment corridors. It was built in 1995 and expanded in 1999. The property offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property has also been a popular music scene destination where such acts as the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz, Duran Duran, Alicia Keys, David Bowie, Snoop Dogg, Nine Inch Nails and The Killers have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Hard Rock hotel tower with 647 guest rooms; a 30,000 square foot casino; a beach club with a swimming pool that was selected by the Travel Channel as one of “The Top 10 Pools” in the world; Body English nightclub; “The Joint” concert venue; five restaurants, including the world famous Nobu, AGO, Pink Taco, AJ’s Steakhouse; three cocktail lounges; several retail stores; and Rock Spa, an 8,000 square foot spa, salon and fitness center.
For room availability and additional information, call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit
Hard Rock hotel & Casino

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 17 /PRNewswire/ — The tourism industry risks being hit with significant declines in leisure travel volume and spending according to the findings of Destination Analysts’ bi-annual The State of the American Traveler survey released today. The survey of 1,000 American leisure travelers shows that 45.8% expect to reduce the number of leisure trips they will take in the coming year in direct response to the overall economic climate. General travel spending expectations are also depressed, with 29.8% saying they will spend less for leisure in the next 12 months, a figure that has more than doubled from just six months prior.
In the past 12 months, nearly one-in-four (23.6%) say they have taken a “staycation” — a vacation spent at home — in response to gasoline prices. 28.5% of survey respondents said they plan to take a staycation in the next 12 months.
“We expect to see travelers taking fewer leisure trips and visiting destinations that are closer to home. With more than half of travelers saying they will actively look for travel bargains and discounts and another third saying they will visit less expensive destinations, affordability is certain to be top-of-mind. In this climate, destinations, hotels, and others that market to leisure travelers must provide compelling offers that promise and deliver value,” says Erin Francis, Managing Partner of Destination Analysts.
The average number of trips the typical American has taken in the past 12 months has already fallen 7.3% to 5.1. The top impediments to travel continue to be high gasoline prices (57.8%), personal financial reasons (49.5%) and expensive airfare (35.2%). The percentage of survey respondents who have cited these factors as having prevented them from traveling as much as they would have preferred have all grown significantly since the survey was first conducted in July 2006.
ABOUT DESTINATION ANALYSTS: Destination Analysts is a San Francisco-based market research company specializing in the travel, tourism and lifestyle industries. Founded in 2003, the company provides innovative research solutions to organizations charged with growing the economic impact of tourism to their business or community.
The State of the American Traveler survey is conducted every six months by Destination Analysts. The summer 2008 survey was conducted online amongst a nationally representative sample of adult Americans. From June 27th-30th, surveys were collected from a group of respondents who had traveled at least once in the past 12 months for purely leisure or personal reasons. In total, 1,014 leisure travelers completed the survey, which has a reliability of /- 3.1%.
For more information on The State of the American Traveler study, please contact David Bratton at (415) 307-3283 or . A four-page summary report of findings can be found at
Destination Analysts

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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 16 /PRNewswire/ — Rail Europe offers the ease and convenience of e-ticketing for all Eurostar fares, with the exception of Group fares, between London and Paris. The new e-ticket system means a quicker, more seamless check in for North American business and leisure travelers, as they can now take full advantage of Eurostar’s fast 30 minute check-in times.
Rail Europe first began offering electronic tickets through its Contact Center earlier in 2008 and by the end of this year e-ticketing will be available on and across all of Rail Europe’s booking channels.
For information on purchasing Eurostar e-tickets, log on to Rail Europe’s web site at
The rail industry is moving towards electronic ticketing and Rail Europe is at the forefront having already introduced it for rail travel throughout France with its innovative new rail product Anywhere Anytime France. The latest move to provide e-ticketing for Eurostar demonstrates Rail Europe’s commitment to making booking rail as easy and efficient as possible. The more cost efficient e-tickets not only allow for more flexibility and last minute bookings, but also eliminate the risk of lost tickets.
“The benefit of e-ticketing is very real as it offers rail travelers the flexibility to book advance or last minute train travel,” says Frederic Langlois, President and CEO of Rail Europe.
Rail Europe encourages travelers to Europe to stretch their dollar and save time by pre-purchasing their European rail products in North America. Thanks to the ease and convenience of e-ticketing, travelers can pre-purchase through Rail Europe, then pick up their Eurostar tickets at the self-service ticket kiosks located at the Eurostar Stations in London or Paris.
Rail Europe, the largest distributor of European rail products in North America, encourages you to make train travel a part of your European travel experience. The company celebrates over 75 years as a leader in European travel and believes that the spirit of train travel is about enjoying the simple pleasures, respecting the environment and connecting with people, places and cultures.
For more information or to book any of Rail Europe’s wide range of economical railpasses and point-to-point tickets on trains throughout Europe and the U.K., consult a travel agent or log on to Rail Europe’s web site, or call Rail Europe at 1-888-382-7245 (U.S.) or 1-800-361-7245 (Canada).
To book rail for groups of 10 or more, please contact our Group Department at
Rail Europe

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NEW YORK, July 15 /PRNewswire/ — Virtuoso, the international network of luxury-oriented leisure travel agencies, has signed an agreement with Sentient Flight Group, Inc. (”Sentient”), one of the nation’s leading full-service private aviation companies, bringing a new level of private jet services to Virtuoso member agencies and their discerning clientele. As the largest charter operator in the country, Sentient Flight Group’s access to aircraft across the nation ensures that Virtuoso travel advisors will be able to match their clients to the right type of aircraft while requiring less advanced notice. With demand for personalized travel experiences continuing to soar, Virtuoso travelers seeking the flexibility and convenience that private aviation provides will find more choices in aircraft, pricing and availability as a result of this agreement.
As two companies known for catering to personal choices, Virtuoso and Sentient make a natural pairing. Clients of the Virtuoso network rely on their travel advisor to guide their travel decisions, choosing to work with someone who knows their personal preferences rather than trusting an unknown entity. When booking a service, particularly a private jet charter, travelers can look to their advisor to lead them to the right aircraft selection. With the addition of Sentient as a preferred supplier, that process has become simpler for Virtuoso. Sentient’s ability to service smaller, private airports helps alleviate some of the hassles currently associated with commercial travel, and the clients’ needs are better served with an aircraft that is available on their schedule.
“Virtuoso’s commitment to customized experiences and personalized travel mirrors our own,” says Kevin Vaughan, Chief Marketing Officer of Sentient Flight Group. “While Virtuoso’s knowledgeable members guide their clients to make informed choices, Sentient serves to assist the travel advisor with finding the most appropriate private air solutions. Additionally, our focus on detail and the highest service levels ensure that each passenger has a great trip. Our goal is to demystify private jet travel, showing that it’s easy and accessible, while providing the superlative experience that Virtuoso’s clientele expects.”
Given the current travel environment, private aviation is no longer viewed as a luxury for the elite few; it is a transportation necessity for corporate and leisure travelers alike. Those looking to avoid the frustrations of major airports find relief through the convenience of private jet charters. The elimination of ticket counters, baggage claim, airport crowds and waiting time all lead to a more pleasant and productive means of travel, as does knowing that a flight is far less likely to be cancelled. The growing accessibility of private jet services combined with a new crop of choices has led to an increase in popularity over the past 10 years.
“Sophisticated travelers have come to expect more from their experience, including how they get from one destination to another,” says Jim Osborne, Managing Director of Virtuoso’s Air Program. “They want value and convenience, and they’re willing to explore choices like private jet charters. Our advisors provide their clients with guidance, advocacy, personalized approach and the assurance that they’re receiving the best travel options available to them. Sentient’s commitment to service and safety allow our members to book with confidence. We look forward to working with Sentient to elevate the overall satisfaction of our clients’ travels.”
About Virtuoso
Virtuoso is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive network of travel related services and benefits provided by MasterCard to World Elite(R) MasterCard(R) cardholders. For more information, please visit .
About Sentient
Sentient Flight Group, Inc. is an FAR Part 135 air carrier and is a subsidiary of Sentient Jet Holdings, LLC. Sentient Jet Holdings is a leading national provider of private aviation services for clients across the country and includes Sentient Jet, Inc., which operates the Sentient Jet Membership Program, as well as other operating subsidiaries. Investors include CD Ventures, ABS Capital Partners, AIG, Argosy Capital, Brantley Partners and HSBC. More information is available at and .
Contacts:
Misty Ewing
Director, Public Relations
Phone: 212.588.8242 or c: 206.484.8022
Email:

Anton Nicholas
Sentient Flight Group
Phone: 917.679.8622
Email:
Virtuoso

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MCLEAN, Va. and PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, July 15 /PRNewswire/ — Barcelo Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of travel industry veteran Claudio Zboznovits as Vice President of Sales & Marketing Director for the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Zboznovits joins Barcelo from The Mark travel Corporation, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was Director of the Latin America Division. Mr. Zboznovits brings more than 27 years of travel industry experience.
At The Mark travel Corporation Mr. Zboznovits was responsible for strategic and corporate planning for the company’s Latin American product line. He managed and coordinated all inter-governmental relations for the enterprise as well as supervising corporate strategic alliances for all brands of company as it relates to Latin America. In his new position with Barcelo Hotels & Resorts he will be in charge of the strategic growth of the brand in the North American market with a clear emphasis on Mexico and Latin America. He will oversee travel industry contract negotiations and management, as well as Barcelo’s expanding marketing programs throughout North America. Anthony Stone, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing for the travel industry, U.S., and Rick McCauley, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing for the travel Industry, Canada, will both report to Mr. Zboznovits.
The appointment was announced by Jamie Buxo, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts. Mr. Buxo said, “We welcome Claudio’s expertise in the travel industry and his extensive background that spans tour operations and industry and government relations, as well as his experience throughout Latin America. Claudio is one of the most highly regarded individuals in the travel industry. We know that he will provide outstanding leadership as we continue to grow our portfolio of upscale all-inclusive resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean,” added Buxo. Presently Barcelo Hotels & Resorts operates more than 30 hotels and over 10,0000 guestrooms throughout Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Ecuador.
Prior to joining the Mark travel Corporation in 2002 Mr. Zboznovits served in various positions of influence within the industry for companies such as ATA Leisure Corporation, Club America Vacations, Sunquest Canada, British Airways Holidays, Regent Holidays and Sheraton Corporation. He earned a Hotel Management degree from The Sheraton Corporation/UCMM/Cornell executive training program, as well as studying Psychology at the University of Georgia, Athens. Claudio Zboznovits will be headquartered in McLean, VA, at the Barcelo Crestline Corporation. He can be reached at: .
About Barcelo Hotels & Resorts
Barcelo Hotels and Resorts is among the world’s top 30 hospitality and travel companies, and it is renowned for its well-established European tradition of excellence in service and amenities.
Barcelo was established in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 1931 first as a transportation company, and then as a hotel and travel company. It is a family owned, privately held hospitality company renowned for more than 75 years of service excellence and innovative spirit in the tourism industry. The Company owns, manages or franchises hotels in 15 countries with more than 40,000 rooms worldwide. Barcelo Hotels and Resorts are located in key European cities and resorts, in North America, Africa, and in Latin America and the Caribbean. For more information on Barcelo Hotels and Resorts visit .
Contact: Gayle MacIntyre
Barcelo Hotels & Resorts

404-643-8222

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts

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NEW YORK, July 14 /PRNewswire/ — CheapOair is proud to announce a partnership with Hotels.com, a trusted name in travel for more than 15 years. Beginning today, travelers can book Hotels.com inventory directly through CheapOair.com and benefit from Hotels.com’s in-depth and current information about each property.
“Our alliance with Hotels.com reinforces CheapOair’s commitment to delivering the most comprehensive and competitively priced products to our customers,” said Leanne Ballard, Vice President of Hotels and Cars for CheapOair.com. “Hotels.com’s strong brand recognition and value-added benefits appeals to the CheapOair customer.”
CheapOair.com provides a wide array of cheap flights and worldwide travel offerings that include over 18 million negotiated low-priced airfares, over 84,000 negotiated hotel rates, car rentals, vacation packages, local events tickets and more. CheapOair.com leverages the latest state-of-the-art technologies using scalable travel solutions for today’s savvy customer online and provides customers with 24/7 call center support.
To find out more about CheapOair’s hotel offerings, visit or call toll-free (866) 636-9088.
To learn more about Hotels.com, log onto .

*(LOGO Link: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/08-0714-Cheapoair_72dpi.jpg)

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R).
CheapOair

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NEWTON, Mass., July 10 /PRNewswire/ — TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest travel community, today announced a version of its Local Picks(TM) restaurant finder will be available for free at the launch of Apple’s new App Store today. The Local Picks application, utilizing the iPhone’s location-based capabilities, will allow people to find the best restaurants, as rated by locals, based on their current location.
“We want to make TripAdvisor content available to as many people as possible in as many ways as possible,” said Christine Petersen, CMO, TripAdvisor. “Creating a version of Local Picks that takes advantage of the iPhone’s location-based capabilities allows us to offer a simple and portable way to stay connected to TripAdvisor and get relevant content that can be used immediately.”
At the tap of a screen, users will be able to see the restaurants closest to them listed according to TripAdvisor’s popularity index, a way of dynamically ranking establishments based on customer satisfaction. Each restaurant listing will include information about the establishment’s distance from the iPhone user and its rating, based on TripAdvisor member feedback. Because epicurean adventurers may not just want to see the top rated local eateries, TripAdvisor is also incorporating filters into the application that will allow searches to be conducted by rating, radius and price.
In order to learn more about a specific establishment, iPhone users can select a particular restaurant and a map will be provided that shows the location of the eatery. While viewing the map, users can not only see the restaurant’s cuisine type and address, but also tap on its phone number to be instantly connected to the establishment. People seeking even more insight can view TripAdvisor reviews of the restaurant to help them find their ideal dining experience.
Local Picks is available free beginning today from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at .
About TripAdvisor Media Network
TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 32 million monthly visitors* across 12 popular travel brands, TripAdvisor, airfarewatchdog.com, bookingbuddy.com , cruisecritic.com, holidaywatchdog.com, independenttraveler.com, onetime.com, seatguru.com, smartertravel.com, travel-library.com, travelpod.com and virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with 24 million monthly visitors*, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 300,000 hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (), the U.K. (), Ireland (), France (), Germany (), Italy (), and Spain (). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .
TripAdvisor and Local Picks are trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix, May 2008
TripAdvisor

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 9 /PRNewswire/ — Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic air travel, today took the top honors as “Best Domestic Airline” in the prestigious travel Leisure Annual World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.
“We’re delighted to welcome so many new winners this year,” said Nancy Novogrod, Editor-in-Chief of travel Leisure. “Virgin America came on strong in its very first year of service, winning the prize for Best Domestic Airline.”
Travel Leisure’s World’s Best Awards readers’ survey is an annual, impartial reader survey that allows travel Leisure readers to share their opinions of their favorite travel finds.* Airlines are rated by travel Leisure readers in several categories: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value.
“Virgin America was launched just last year with the goal of creating a different kind of airline: one built around providing an upscale, innovative, high-value customer experience for smart travelers in the urban destinations we serve,” said Virgin America Chief Executive Officer David Cush. “So, we couldn’t be more honored to take the top award as Best Domestic Airline from travel Leisure’s readers — those who fly the most and expect the very best in design, comfort and service in all their travel choices.”
The complete 2008 results, including the Top 100 Hotels Worldwide, Top 100 Hotels in the Continental U.S. Canada, and Top 10 Cities in the World, are featured on now and in travel Leisure’s August issue, available on newsstands July 22, 2008.
“These awards are certainly not a finish line,” Cush said. “It shows that we are moving in the right direction, but our goal from the start was to design an airline by listening to what travelers actually want. We’ve already implemented customer suggestions taken from our seatback video-screens from some of our very first August 2007 flights. We may not be the biggest, but we aim to be the most innovative, customer-facing and best in the domestic airline market.”
The travel Leisure World’s Best Awards winners for 2008, including Virgin America’s Cush, will be honored in New York City on July 24, 2008, at an awards luncheon at the Four Seasons Restaurant, followed by a gala event at Hudson Terrace that evening.
About Virgin America: Virgin America launched service in August 2007 from its base of operations at San Francisco International Airport’s ultra-modern International Terminal. The airline’s brand new fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft offers guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, power outlets for laptops or other electronic gear and a host of other innovative features aimed at making flying good again. In Zagat’s 2007 Global Airlines Survey of frequent fliers, the airline was ranked No. 1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First/Business Class and No. 2 for quality in Main Cabin. To learn more, visit:
EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline and an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.
About travel Leisure: The premier chronicler of the way we travel now, travel Leisure examines the places, the ideas, and the trends that define modern global culture. The magazine and its website, , inspire millions of people to explore the world, equipping them with reliable advice and a clearer understanding of how travel can change their lives. travel Leisure has a network of international editions, including travel Leisure Mexico, travel Leisure Australia, travel Leisure Turkey, travel Leisure China, travel Leisure South Asia, and travel Leisure Southeast Asia.
*About the Survey: A questionnaire developed by the editors of travel Leisure, in association with Harris Interactive, was made available to travel Leisure subscribers at during the first quarter of this year. Respondents reported where they had traveled worldwide, and rated only the destinations, properties, and companies that were relevant to their recent travel experiences. Respondents were asked to rate hotels, cities, islands, spas, hotel spas, outfitters/safari operators, cruise lines, airlines, and car-rental companies on several characteristics. The scores are indexed averages of responses concerning applicable characteristics. The complete survey methodology is available in the August issue of travel Leisure, and online at
Virgin America

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