A new player has come to town

[KAG]

Just saw Virgin America sitting in YYZ T3 the other day, and already I am hearing the advertising/promotions (and it's good) on the radio. I gather VA is looking into expansion into Canada and Mexico, placing even more capacity on those routes.
Anything Branson does he does well it seems, and I say if he see's a market, he'll go for it. I gather he see's a market.
I wonder looking forward, if this will just be a few routes, a "drop in the bucket" as it were, or the start of something bigger...

[YYZatcboy]

Virgin Canada?

[ng78]

If the rumour mill is to be believed, Branson has been interested in a Virgin Canada for approximately 10 years now. Obviously it's difficult to substantiate that, especially given that nothing has come about.

With Don Carty being on the board of both Virgin America and Porter Airlines, I wonder if there is any chance of both companies cooperating at some level in the future?

[bic]

http://www.thestar.com/travel/northamer ... ith-canada

[WestCoast_AV8]

“If you’re in 4C and you see someone you like in 12A,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush at the party Tuesday, “you can send them a little message and say, ‘Hey, what’s happening?’”

........That could get wierd.

[Legacy]

Oh great. It has been proven time and time and time and time again. Canada cannot support all these flipping airlines. Lets wait to see who goes under next. There should be more control on this. Allow the competition but not to the point of airlines only being able to fill 50%. Sure competition is healthy but 50% capacity for all airlines is worse.

[Panama Jack]

Given the new agreement between the EU and Canada, I don't think it is a question of if, but rather when airlines like Virgin and Ryanair will be flying domestically in Canada. I figure Branson would like to wait until the foreign ownership limits are lifted, since he had some problems in the US with the issue.

Interestingly about Branson, he might be a colorful and rebel-like personality, however, he has the foresight to match this by hiring some of the smartest people out there to make it happen for him. The "A" students will be managers and experts, the "B" students will work in the Government, and the "C" students hire the "A" students to work for them. This describes Branson.

[2R]

The flamboyance of Branson aside ,Virgin expansions have been done with military precission.It might have something to do with the pension fund that backs them.
Could be the battle of the pension funds looming

[flying4dollars]

“If you’re in 4C and you see someone you like in 12A,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush at the party Tuesday, “you can send them a little message and say, ‘Hey, what’s happening?’”

........That could get wierd.

I actually think thats a neat idea. Messaging other pax. If you don't wanna chat, don't reply, or shut it off or something. One way to pass the time on a long flight.

[DanJ]

“If you’re in 4C and you see someone you like in 12A,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush at the party Tuesday, “you can send them a little message and say, ‘Hey, what’s happening?’”

........That could get wierd.

I actually think thats a neat idea. Messaging other pax. If you don't wanna chat, don't reply, or shut it off or something. One way to pass the time on a long flight.

.
First off, how many people can look around and see somebody they want to chat with and be able to pick out what seat they are in from more than a couple rows away. Second, I think it should be something you opt in to, not opt out of. Basically you join the chatroom if you want, not have the chat come to you and then having to opt out if you aren't interested in participating.

[Realitychex]

You obviously haven't been paying attention to the massive losses Virgin America has incurred since its launch.

WJ had 27 aircraft at the end of 2001 and even after 9/11, they made a net profit of $36m, and were profitable in every quarter. With just 28 aircraft, about the same as WS had at the end of 2001, Virgin America managed to lose $35m in the first quarter of 2010 alone.

Virgin America has miles and miles to go before they can even remotely be described as a financial success.

I wouldn't make the assumption that a ticket bought on Virgin America for a California to Toronto flight post Thanksgiving will be operated on Virgin America iron.

http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-da ... -loss-0624

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... 20Dwindles

http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/san ... ily46.html

[2R]

I was looking for investors to help my new start up "Skanky HO"
We promise to be cheap and nasty.If you thought you had been on cheap flights before ,it is my intention to lower the bar to new depths of depravity and utility.
Standing up will look like luxury by the time i am finished.Toilets charges will be a loonie to get in and a twoonie to get out and toilet paper will incur extra charges as well.If you need more than two sheets (one for up and one for down)it should cost you more for extra sh** tickets.
It would seem that the cheaper and nastier you can make it the more the public want it and the more money you can make.

Please feel free to PM me if you have a large pension fund that you need a share of ,just let me know which offshore bank acount you need your tax free commision sent too

[fish4life]

“If you’re in 4C and you see someone you like in 12A,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush at the party Tuesday, “you can send them a little message and say, ‘Hey, what’s happening?’”

........That could get wierd.

sounds like the hot girl in 12A is going to get a message from every guy on the flight

[whiteguy]

You obviously haven't been paying attention to the massive losses Virgin America has incurred since its launch.

WJ had 27 aircraft at the end of 2001 and even after 9/11, they made a net profit of $36m, and were profitable in every quarter. With just 28 aircraft, about the same as WS had at the end of 2001, Virgin America managed to lose $35m in the first quarter of 2010 alone.

Virgin also hasn't been able ride in on the back of a major airline failing in a country with only 2 major airlines. Not really a fair comparison.

As for 9/11, yes WJ had 27 aircraft but those 27 aircraft weren't spread around the world and stuck for days. Unlike many major airlines!

[Realitychex]

You obviously haven't been paying attention to the massive losses Virgin America has incurred since its launch.

WJ had 27 aircraft at the end of 2001 and even after 9/11, they made a net profit of $36m, and were profitable in every quarter. With just 28 aircraft, about the same as WS had at the end of 2001, Virgin America managed to lose $35m in the first quarter of 2010 alone.

Virgin also hasn't been able ride in on the back of a major airline failing in a country with only 2 major airlines. Not really a fair comparison.

As for 9/11, yes WJ had 27 aircraft but those 27 aircraft weren't spread around the world and stuck for days. Unlike many major airlines!

And was that by design or by luck?

[whiteguy]

You obviously haven't been paying attention to the massive losses Virgin America has incurred since its launch.

WJ had 27 aircraft at the end of 2001 and even after 9/11, they made a net profit of $36m, and were profitable in every quarter. With just 28 aircraft, about the same as WS had at the end of 2001, Virgin America managed to lose $35m in the first quarter of 2010 alone.

Virgin also hasn't been able ride in on the back of a major airline failing in a country with only 2 major airlines. Not really a fair comparison.

As for 9/11, yes WJ had 27 aircraft but those 27 aircraft weren't spread around the world and stuck for days. Unlike many major airlines!

And was that by design or by luck?

Luck!