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Inside Virgin American's Orange County launch party
Some people say that the Virgin airline brand is the epitome of overindulgence and tackiness. That in pulling away from the legacy carriers they're backing themselves into a velvet lined, absinthe swigging corner. That the millions and millions of dollars they're putting into their brand Virgin America is money poorly spent on a shrinking, penny pinching economy.Virgin America's inaugural flight and launch party to Orange County fits those descriptions perfectly.
Picture this scenario: You're standing on the John Wayne Airport's tarmac with 4 cameras, 12 batteries, a note pad, three pens and a laptop. Up pulls an Airbus A320, out of which Richard Branson galavants, careening down the steps with shorts and a surfboard, followed by MC Hammer and joined by members of Real Housewives of New York City. People rejoice. Branson dances around the tarmac, revelers drink champagne, pretty women flaunt their wiles and the celebration of service to Orange County begins.
Wouldn't you know it? We loved every second.
Gallery: Virgin America lands in Orange County
Though times are tough in the airline business, Virgin America is moving forward with its expansion across the country, rocking every city as it descends in a blur of activity and excitement.
Last week's OC launch started with a party on the SNA tarmac, and as the inaugural flight from San Francisco drew closer you could feel the excitement building. Luckily, we got a great spot on the tarmac for a view of the incoming airplane.
With the full crew on the ground including an alarmingly old MC Hammer and several members from Real Housewives of New York, the party kicked into full swing as revelers enjoyed more free drinks, appetizers and complimentary spray tans.
The party then moved over to the Pacific Edge Villa, where the Gadling crew enjoyed airline hobknobbing and excitement until the wee hours of the morning. Hats off to Virgin America for putting together an amazing event.
Ready to check out the madness for yourself? Book your tickets at virginamerica.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Hawkins May 7th 2009 2:22PM
Were you just cocktailing or did you find out any expansion plans? It's hard to get hyped on an airline that flies to only a handful of cities on the coasts when you live in the midwest.
Grant Martin May 7th 2009 2:22PM
VX is notoriously tight lipped about next target airports, even after I feed them alcohol. I've tried.
We'll post ASAP as soon as we know of any new destinations.
Patrick May 7th 2009 4:01PM
Can't tell the difference between a surfboard and a boogie board?
Potsy May 7th 2009 4:11PM
Patrick, Kinda grumpy, ehhh?
Patrick May 7th 2009 4:21PM
Nahhh... just wondering why something as simple as that isn't reported accurately.
Grant Martin May 7th 2009 4:29PM
He had both at one point.
http://www.gadling.com/photos/virgin-america-lands-in-orange-county/1530343/
Carried the surfboard around for a while.
Patrick May 7th 2009 4:46PM
My point is what was said in the article... "Up pulls an Airbus A320, out of which Richard Branson galavants, careening down the steps with shorts and a surfboard,"
Which in fact he did not. I know, I know, I may be picking at nits here but there is a difference between the two so why not report what happened accurately.
I guess it's just a pet peeve of mind when I read stuff and find out is not correct. Accurate details are important to me.
Grant Martin May 7th 2009 4:50PM
Ah, you're referring to the video. Well, I suppose you're right, although the entire article was written kind of tongue in cheek. He wasn't really gallivanting either. Or.... careening. Man, I'm fired.
Anyway, I'll change the article if you think that it would help.
Patrick May 8th 2009 8:45AM
No change required... Thanks for the offer (I think)
I bet most of your readership could give a rip about it. I would imagine if you said he came in on a 767 and it was really a 757, the only people who might even notice it was incorrect would be pilots and "plane" people. I guess there are just some things people notice more than others because they are closer to the subject than the average person.
char May 13th 2009 5:10PM
Patrick...uh...get a life...you take things way to serious. It's just a fun story!
Patrick May 14th 2009 12:57PM
Well thank you very much. I have a life and I like it very much. What about you?
It was a fun story, I just like my fun stories to be factually accurate.
Have a nice day.