SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Virgin America today announces the Colorado premiere of the airline’s critically acclaimed “BLAH AIRLINES FLIGHT 101,” at the 13th annual Vail Film Festival.
The five hour and forty-five minute film is set onboard a BLAH Airlines flight – the boring, beige and dull antithesis of the innovative and stylish experience guests enjoy when flying Virgin America. The award-winning film is a surrealistic and humorous take on the grim reality of commercial air travel today – one that is characterized by cramped seats, harsh lighting and a lack of entertainment and meal options.
A film that was called “brilliant” and “warholian” by AdWeek and “genius” by Travel + Leisure, BLAH AIRLINES FLIGHT 101 has garnered nearly one million views on YouTube, was shortlisted in the 2015 Cannes Lions awards and is a winner in the 2016 Shorty Awards which honors the best content creators and producers on social media.
In partnership with the Vail Film Festival, the airline is inviting local flyers, Elevate frequent flyer program members and social followers to join the screening of BLAH AIRLINES FLIGHT 101 on Friday, April 8, 2016. Any festival-goer who makes it through the entire 5 hour and 45 minute film screening will score 5,000 Elevate points – or the equivalent of a reward flight – so they can avoid flying “blah” on their next trip. The film will be screened on Friday, April 8, 2016 as part of the official Vail Film Festival Line-Up and the trailer can be viewed in advance here.
Earlier this month, Virgin America touched down in Colorado when it launched its stylish new flights connecting the booming tech hubs of San Francisco and Denver. As Silicon Valley’s airline of choice, Virgin America is uniquely suited to serve this new market thanks to its host of innovative features, including power outlets and touch-screen entertainment available at every seat and three beautifully designed “mood-lit” classes of service offered on every flight. The airline remains the first and still only U.S. carrier to offer WiFi on every flight1. As the Official Airline Partner of the Vail Film Festival, Virgin America is building on its commitment to the state of Colorado following the opening of its new customer contact center in the Denver area, as well as its pledge of $25,000 in flights to KIPP Colorado (Knowledge is Power Program) for KIPP Denver high school students to visit colleges this year.
“With the launch of our newest market in Denver and the unmatched entertainment experience onboard our flights, we’re thrilled to be the Official Airline of the Vail Film Festival – and to support the broader film community,” said Virgin America’s Chief Marketing Officer, Luanne Calvert. “Vail provides an absolutely stunning backdrop for the Colorado premiere of BLAH AIRLINES FLIGHT 101 and we’re looking forward to seeing who makes it through the entire 5 hours and 45 minutes screening – which begs the question, if you wouldn’t sit through the entire film, why would you pay money to experience it in real-life on a flight?”
“With more than 67 films, 11 world premieres, 2 U.S. premieres and 28 Colorado premieres – including Virgin America’s avant-garde BLAH AIRLINES FLIGHT 101 – the 2016 Vail Film Festival is shaping up to be one of the best yet,” said Sean Cross of the Vail Film Festival. “We’re excited to welcome Virgin America as the Official Airline of the 13th annual Vail Film Festival. With their award winning experience and low fares, Virgin America is the antidote to the typical ‘blah’ airline experience and the perfect way for our guests traveling to Vail to kickoff their festival experience.”
