Virgin America expands flight service to Palm Springs

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Virgin America today announces that it is bringing more of its upscale, low-fare flights to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) from both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Just in time for winter getaways, the airline is expanding its footprint at PSP, with a new 2012-2013 seasonal flight schedule that will include a new weekly Saturday nonstop flight from JFK to PSP โ€“ the only nonstop flight offered from the New York City area to Palm Springs. The new nonstop flight will add to Virgin America’s seasonal daily connecting flight schedule from JFK to PSP and its seasonal daily nonstop schedule from SFO to PSP.

“Since entering these Palm Springs markets, we’ve seen strong demand for our unique flight service. We’re pleased to be expanding in the market and offering a new nonstop option for travelers coming from New York to the desert this winter,” said John MacLeod, Senior Vice President of Planning and Sales at Virgin America. “With service that continues to sweep the travel awards, touch-screen entertainment at every seat and new aircraft that look like nothing else in the domestic skies, we think our flights are a great fit for the region. We’re thankful for the partnership and support of the airport, Mayor and tourism community in welcoming our new service and helping us grow.”

“Virgin America’s upscale flight service is a perfect match for travelers visiting our region, and we’re pleased to see the airline spread its wings and expand here. The new JFK service will be the only nonstop flight to the Northeast from PSP.

Virgin America’s decision to grow its presence here is a testament to the appeal of our region as a global destination and the strength of our local tourism economy,” said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.

Known for outstanding service, beautifully designed cabins and unrivalled in-flight entertainment, Virgin America has swept the travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named “Best Domestic Airline” in both Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the past four years and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for the past five years. The airline first launched seasonal flight service into the Palm Springs market in December 2011 with a daily nonstop flight from SFO and a daily “same plane” through flight from JFK to PSP. Just weeks after launching its service into Palm Springs, Virgin America partnered with the Palm Springs International Film Festival as a premier sponsor. In April 2012 the airline ramped up service during the Coachella Music Festival and hosted unique events for festivalgoers, including a flight with a live DJ spinning from the back of the plane.

“We’re thrilled to see Virgin America expand its award-winning service in our region. Virgin America’s fresh approach to travel is obviously striking a chord with travelers headed to and from the Coachella Valley,” said Scott White, President and CEO of Greater Palm Springs CVB. “Virgin America’s added commitment to our region will help lower fares and improve service in our market, allowing more travelers to enjoy all that our dynamic region has to offer.”

Palm Springs, and the other cities that make up the region, is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment. Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella offer streets lined with palm trees, the best in shopping, art galleries and museums and outdoor dining โ€“ all amidst breathtaking scenery. In addition to luxury resorts and world-class golfing, the region has welcomed an influx of hip boutique hotels and landmark events like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Palm Springs has a history as the holiday home of many Hollywood stars from the 1940s on โ€“ and is known as the center of “Desert Modernism” mid-century modern architecture.

Virgin America’s 2012-2013 nonstop PSP flight schedule is as follows:

San Francisco (SFO) – Palm Springs (PSP) Palm Springs (PSP) – San Francisco (SFO)

Dep Arr Freq Start date Dep Arr Freq Start date
4:40 PM 6:10 PM Daily 18-Oct-12 6:55 PM 8:30 PM Daily 18-Oct-12
9:30 AM 10:50 AM Sat only 12-Jan-13 6:55 PM 8:30 PM Daily except Sat 12-Jan-13
11:35 AM 1:00 PM Sat only 12-Jan-13
9:35 AM 10:59 AM Sun only 13-Jan-13

New York (JFK) – Palm Springs (PSP) Palm Springs (PSP) – New York (JFK)

Dep Arr Freq Start date Dep Arr Freq Start date
10:55 AM 2:00 PM Sat only 22-Dec-12 2:55 PM 10:45 PM Sat only 22-Dec-12

Connecting flights are also available from PSP to Virgin America’s New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Washington D.C. (IAD) cities.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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