Airline brings more product choice and "fare competition" to a new DAL route.
SAN FRANCISCO – Virgin America announced it is launching sales on new flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The new flights take off on April 28, 2015, and flyers can select one of five daily nonstop flights from DAL to AUS, with convenient connecting service also available via DAL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). In fall 2014, Virgin America moved from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to DAL and launched new, nonstop daily flights from that airport to DCA, LGA, SFO and LAX. With the addition of the new DAL-AUS flights, the airline will offer 19 daily departures from Love Field. Virgin America has served the Austin market since 2013, with nonstop flights from SFO. In 2014, the carrier also expanded its SFO-AUS schedule.
“As we saw when we first launched service from Love Field, more competition lowers fares and offers travelers more product choice – so we’re pleased to have the opportunity to expand again from the airport most convenient to downtown Dallas. In addition to bringing fare and service competition to more new markets from Dallas, the move allows us to leverage connecting traffic over Dallas from New York, Washington DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles,” said David Cush, President and CEO of Virgin America. “We’re especially pleased to expand our service to Austin, a city that was previously only served by a single carrier on the DAL-AUS route. Austin is historically a strong market for us and a city where our tech-forward product resonates with local travelers.”
In the spring of 2014, the airline launched a highly publicized “Free Love Field” campaign that ultimately garnered more than 27,000 signatures in support of the carrier’s case to bring more fare and product competition to the airport closest to downtown Dallas – Love Field. The airline was ultimately successful, securing two gates at DAL and launching its new service from DAL to DCA, LGA, SFO and LAX in October of 2014. Virgin America is the only carrier at Love Field to offer three classes of service in the markets it serves from DAL, with both an award-winning First Class cabin and a Main Cabin Select premium economy service. The airline is unique for its fleet of beautifully-designed, new aircraft and a consistent product experience available on every flight, which includes: fleetwide WiFi, power outlets at every seat, a full-service, on-demand food and cocktail menu, confirmed seating and personal, touch-screen seatback entertainment. Virgin America also offers DAL travelers a check-in lounge that mirrors the sleek look and feel of the carrier’s aircraft cabins and is the only dedicated VIP check-in area of its kind at Love Field. The check-in lounge offers First Class guests and Elevate Gold members an upgraded experience from the moment they arrive at the airport’s convenient downtown location – complete with a dedicated Virgin America VIP concierge to assist with their travel needs.
Even though Virgin America offers an upscale product, as a low fare carrier, the airline is also committed to competitive fares. In January 2015, the airline launched a “Love Match” fare guarantee on Main Cabin longer-haul flights from DAL for travel through March 31, 2015. If travelers find a comparable, lower nonstop Main Cabin fare for travel from DAL to DCA, LGA, SFO or LAX, the airline will match it. The airline is also currently offering a nationwide double Elevate Points promotion for travelers that book and fly before March 31, 2015 across all cabins as well as a Status Match program to convert a traveler’s current frequent flyer status to Elevate Gold or Silver status.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
