Partners launch new
direct route from JFK to Las
Vegas with star-studded media event to introduce
“Entourage Class” on “Entourage Air”
San
Francisco – Aug. 25, 2008 –
Virgin America today announced it is teaming up with HBO to launch the airline’s
new non-stop New York-Las Vegas flights and Season 5 of Entourage in high style with “Entourage Class” service on the new route,
a star-studded in-flight sneak peek of Entourage Season 5, and HBO content
fleetwide. On September 4, the partnership kicks off with the unveiling of the
newest member of Virgin America’s fleet – a co-branded aircraft named “Entourage Air.” The inaugural flight from
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Las Vegas McCarran International
Airport (LAS) will include an advance screening of the first episode from Season
5 of Entourage, premiering on HBO
Sunday, September 7.
“With mood-lit cabins
and the most advanced touch-screen entertainment system in the
U.S., we are on a mission to reinvent
travel and bring a little style and entertainment to the skies,” said Vice
President of Marketing for Virgin America Porter
Gale. “HBO is known for redefining the genre and Entourage’s hip, sexy vibe is a perfect
match for our guests and for our new JFK to Las Vegas route in
particular.”
During the month of
September, First Class guests on Virgin America’s new non-stop JFK-LAS route
will fly "Entourage Class"* and
receive A-List perks like noise canceling headphones, champagne, Godiva
chocolates, Kiehl's Since 1851 personal products, Altoids and “Entourage Air”
blankets and eye masks. Beginning on September 5, Virgin America also will
begin offering HBO’s award-winning programming cabin-wide on every flight,
including the hit series Entourage.
“We are excited to
launch “Entourage Air” in
partnership with Virgin America. Entourage appeals to the same savvy,
sophisticated consumer that flies Virgin America,” said Courteney Monroe,
Executive Vice President of Consumer Marketing at HBO.
On September 4,
members of the Entourage cast and
Virgin Group Founder and Chairman Sir Richard Branson will host a swanky,
star-studded send-off party from a private hangar in New York, where “Entourage Air” will take center stage.
Guests will walk the red carpet to board “Entourage Air” for two memorable firsts:
the first-ever in-flight premiere of a cable or broadcast program in the
domestic skies and Virgin America’s first non-stop flight from JFK to LAS.
Palms Casino Resort will host an
after-party for Entourage Air
guests at the Playboy Club that evening in Las Vegas.
The unveiling of
“Entourage Air” will serve as the
kickoff of a larger licensing partnership between HBO and Virgin America,
allowing the airline to offer premium HBO content on RED, its interactive,
in-flight entertainment system from Sept. 5, 2008 – October 2009.
Virgin America
currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to
JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, SFO to SEA, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, LAX
to SEA, and starting Sept. 4, 2008, non-stop JFK to LAS.