Virgin America, the award-winning California-based airline, takes its low-fare, upscale flights south in the border today using the launch of its newest Mexican destinations - with five nonstop flights a week in the airline's house base of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
The PVR destination offers travelers simple access to each Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit. The area will probably be the 15th marketplace within the airline's expanding network. With stylish, mood-lit cabins and award-winning service, Virgin America will be the perfect match for travelers looking to obtain away this winter to some of Mexico's top resort destinations. Puerto Vallarta was recently voted best Mexican vacation location by U.S. News & World, and its northern neighbor Riviera Nayarit was named the newest global celebrity "hot spot" by Harper's Bazaar magazine. To kick-off the airline's new service these days, Virgin America hosts a gate-side fiesta at SFO for its inaugural flight guests, complete with margaritas and mariachi band. The airline's SFO-PVR flights start from $119,* with taxes, restrictions and fees applying.
Joining the first commercial guests onboard Virgin America's inaugural flight to PVR are finalists of Virgin America's Viva la Vacacion Video Challenge powered by Squabbler, who faced off online with 30 second videos sharing their "best, boldest or most bizarre holiday stories." The social media-driven video challenge attracted submissions from those acting out their most entertaining holiday memories, in order to compete for the ultimate getaway. The finalists scored a spot on the inaugural PVR flight and a luxury hotel stay. The grand prize winner will also have their vacation tale immortalized: as a video on the Red™ in-flight entertainment system onboard Virgin America fleetwide.
Upon touchdown, many in the invited guests onboard Virgin America's first flight to PVR will enjoy first class treatment at the Marival Residences & World Spa (an all inclusive luxury hotel located in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera de Nayarit) and the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa (4 Diamond luxury resort located at the exclusive Marina Area nestled between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay).
"Virgin America offers guests an unparalleled flying experience, just as Puerto Vallarta provides visitors a vacation unlike any other," said Salvador Gonzalez Resendiz, Mayor of Puerto Vallarta. "Puerto Vallarta will be the ideal location for their newest warm-weather location. We look forward to complementing Virgin America's excellent service."
Located on the Pacific Coast where the states of Jalisco and Nayarit meet, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's hottest destinations with a rich cultural tradition, a historic cobblestone downtown, family-friendly attractions and world-class resorts. Puerto Vallarta was named "Friendliest City" by Conde Nast Traveler - and it is estimated that over three million travelers visit annually. Nearby Riviera Nayarit, Mexico's in vogue location, stretches along 192 miles of Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of PVR. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit and includes the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay, the historic colonial town of San Blas , exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages and one of California's favorites: the surfing village of Sayulita .
"We are thrilled to welcome the new Virgin America flights from San Francisco," said Marc Murphy, Director in the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Guests of Riviera Nayarit will discover and enjoy a unique vacation experience complemented by pristine beaches, luxurious accommodations and outstanding service."
SFO-PVR fares start from $119* (restrictions, taxes and fees apply). Tickets are now available for purchase at www.virginamerica.com and at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).** The carrier's new PVR schedule (below) will operate daily except for Mondays and Thursdays***:
SFO-PVR 0930-1510
PVR-SFO 1610-1815
Connecting flights are also available from PVR to Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
Known for friendly service, beautifully designed cabins and innovative amenities, Virgin America has been winning over consumers and travel awards since its 2007 launch, including being named "Best Domestic Airline" in both Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's World's Greatest Awards. In four years flying, the airline has expanded to 15 destinations (including PVR) and created 2,100 new jobs. The carrier offers mood-lit cabins, custom-designed leather seating, WiFi fleetwide,****power outlets and also the most advanced entertainment system within the skies. The Red™ platform offers each guest their own touch-screen with 35 films, live TV, Google Maps, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, music videos, 3000 MP3s and an on-demand menu that allows guests to order a cocktail or meal from their seat any time during a flight.
Virgin America flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Cabos, Cancun, Chicago, and as of today - Puerto Vallarta. On December 15, the airline will launch new service to Palm Springs.
Photos and video of Virgin America's unique cabins can be found at: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-photos/virgin-america-pictures.html
Broadcast b-roll can also be downloaded at: http://www.virginamerica.com/about/airline-company.html
