What is more interesting is the some of the best, highest paid and stable jobs are found in foreign owned corporations that happen to operate in the USA. That is not saying much for the USA legacy type companies in many product/service markets. In fact, I despise American owned companies who promote low cost at the burden of their employees and the tax payers. It is not really low cost, it is just a shell game. There are other startup airlines that are using that formula.

The big worry with any of the discount carriers is safety. Southwest has a fantastic safety record. Certainly, this has something to do with corporate culture. VA will probably have a similar record, but I worry about many of the other airlines that can/will not hire and actively work to motivate and retain the best and brightest staff….

I am continuously disappointed with first class aboard American-based domestic carriers. It’s no better than coach class USED to be (before they cut everything to the bone). I am confident Virgin America will be incredible. I viewed the planes on the tarmac in SF yesterday, and watched as the main photographer responsible for the advertising campaign photographed them.

Virgin Airlines is the only carrier who NAMES all their crafts. Our daughter returned to London yesterday aboard “Tinkerbell” (very apropos as she loves Disney!). The first craft has been named JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, and was christened by none other than GRACE SLICK of the band synonymous with the name!

There are no negatives here at all. American-based airlines should not be fearful of some old-fashioned competition. It’s good and healthy for the economy, and for the American people. There is no such thing as “American-based” companies anymore. The term is utterly ridiculous. We out-source to every other nation on this earth, and loads of major companies have packed-up and moved abroad to save a buck or two. We live in a GLOBAL economy. Mr. Branson and his airline venture should be welcomed with open arms and a ticker-tape parade. Since when have Americans been afraid or fearful of ANYTHING, let alone a little competition?

This airline was originally slated to get off the ground with a maiden flight in March of this year. Yet, there remain a constant stream of barricades and hurdles created to make the process as difficult as possible. It’s a hostile environment, but thankfully Mr. Branson is never one to shy away from adversity.

It’s the reason he got into the airline business in the first place. He was so disappointed with the service (or mainly the LACK thereof) he received on a us carrier. After having the next flight canceled, he hired a private jet and offered seats to the disgruntled passengers. He made roughly $10 profit per head (approx).

There is a marked difference between CHEAP and INEXPENSIVE. I prefer the latter. Yet, I’m more than willing to pay for the experience, which I find as engaging as the destination. Life is too short–to spend it in coach. Thank God for Branson and his recognition of this fact. If all the airlines simply increased the coach fares by $10 each, they could literally offer HOT MEALS, FREE MOVIES and even a NUTTY BUDDY~!

I will continue to patronize VA exclusively, and look forward to the opportunity to become a frequent flyer of his domestic carrier! WELCOME SIR BRANSON, (your time is overdue).

I mentioned to my girlfriend several times that there must be something fundamentally flawed in the US airline industry if they’re flying full planes and making major financial losses.

However what we did experience was a lot of delays, immigration and TSA inefficiency and most of all, the oldest planes we have ever flown. If Virgin America could just keep the schedules and fly their new planes, that would change the US air travelling closer to the rest of the world.

Also, VA had announced a long time ago that they’d start flying SFO-JFK initially. Obviously, they aren’t going to announce their expected 2008 route map in 2006.

United (and other carriers) using a web campaign for the Beijing service was different, in my opinion. It was an established carrier trying to get passengers to help them win a route to what is probably one of the hottest markets in the world.

Virgin has only been offering promises and possibilities since it announced it was going to start flying, back in 2003. We knew they were going to fly Airbus A320s and be based at SFO, but that was about it until yesterday, when they finally unveiled the interiors and the product. We still don’t know where they’re going to fly, so I can’t see how people will have a vested interest in getting them off the ground. It will be an interesting thing to watch.

As for the denial by the DOT, I don’t know if I’d draw the conclusion that the airline hasn’t done enough to convince the government of its compliance with the existing law. It might very well be the case that the legacy carriers have simply done enough lobbying. It’s not like the government always follows its own rules or laws…