Virgin America launches ‘Flight for Chicago’ Facebook challenge

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. – Virgin America, the new airline that is anything but ordinary, today launches a social media-driven digital marketing campaign that invites flyers in its newest market to take the “Flight for Chicago Challenge.”

In February, the award-winning airline launched sales to its newest market of Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), with daily nonstop flights from both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) starting on May 25, 2011.

With legacy airlines representing 98 percent of domestic departures at ORD, Virgin America is injecting some much-needed competition into the ORD-West Coast routes with its unique low-fare flights.

The “Flight for Chicago” Facebook Challenge asks Chicagoans to help the new airline “put the smack-down on ordinary air travel” and fight for a good cause at the same time.* Those who submit an approved Facebook photo or video by May 11, 2011, showing how they “rise above the ordinary” and are not “featherweight flyers” receive a two-for-one offer** on Virgin America’s fresh new Chicago flights. The airline will donate $5 per entry to Stand Up To Cancer.*** The top five video submissions and top five photo submissions, as determined by voting and judging, will go on to become “contenders” to decide who will be the title holder of the Chicago skies, with the airline inviting them to fly on its competition to California and back to Chicago on one of Virgin America’s inaugural flights.

“Until now, travelers flying from O’Hare to SFO or LAX had little choice. We think flyers deserve more โ€“ not only low fares, but a flight experience they may actually enjoy instead of the off-chance they may get to upgrade from poor to average on a legacy airline. When guests step on to one of our new planes, they see that in every class of service โ€“ everyone has a great seat, their own seatback entertainment, friendly service and status โ€“ right out of the gate,” said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America. “We believe our service will be a breath of fresh air in the market and we’re even inviting Chicagoans to fly with us and the competition and then asking them to decide the victor. The Flight for Chicago campaign is a playful, tongue-in-cheek way to introduce flyers to our service and invite them to join the fight for a better flight.”

Known for its mood-lit, beautifully designed cabins, touch-screen entertainment and low-fare service, Virgin America has been shaking up the status quo in domestic flying since its 2007 launch โ€“ and winning over consumers and travel awards along the way. The top ten “Flight for Chicago” contenders will score a one-way flight from ORD to LAX or SFO on any competing domestic airline and a “victory lap home” on one of Virgin America’s May inaugural flights from California to Chicago.* Contenders will also receive environmentally-responsible roundtrip ground transportation from Embarque, a three-night stay at the Clift San Francisco or Mondrian Los Angeles Hotel and a video-enabled no-contract Virgin Mobile USA LG Optimus V with a $40 Top-Up card to document their experience. Voting is open to everyone, and those who vote will also receive a 20 percent off discount promo code**** on Virgin America flights. The “Flight for Chicago” challenge is live from April 20, 2011 โ€“ May 11, 2011 on the airline’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/virginamerica

Virgin America begins scheduled service to ORD from LAX and SFO on May 25, 2011.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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