Virgin America Elevate - VX approved to have non-service to DCA from SFO

Wow! Just noted that VX was given the green light to have non-stop service between SFO and DCA. WONDERFUL!

Now I'm just curious if the non-stop SFO-IAD service will go away.

As we were only awarded one daily flight between SFO/DCA, our IAD schedule will remain as is.

Wow! Just noted that VX was given the green light to have non-stop service between SFO and DCA. WONDERFUL!

Now I'm just curious if the non-stop SFO-IAD service will go away.

They won't go away. IAD-SFO is here to stay. They aren't leaving from IAD.

They won't go away. IAD-SFO is here to stay. They aren't leaving from IAD.

GOOD! :D

Coincidently, I just happened to be concluding a meeting and coming home on 14 Aug 2012 from San Francisco, lucky me... I'll put my money on, that I was probably the first individual to purchase a seat on Flight 1 SFO-DCA (on 14 Aug). At the moment it looks as if VX has blocked the seats on the front half of the plane.

I'm currently wondering what VX has planned for that first flight. RB onboard?

S/F
-John

Is VX using Terminal A at DCA for their SFO-DCA flight? If so, you'll be unpleasantly surprised that depending on time of day, Terminal A can be equivalent to peak hour at LAX Terminal 3. Congestion and overcrowding to the max...:mad:

Flight times announced:
VX#2 DCA-SFO 5:05-7:55
VX#1 SFO-DCA 08:00-4:10

Is VX using Terminal A at DCA for their SFO-DCA flight? If so, you'll be unpleasantly surprised that depending on time of day, Terminal A can be equivalent to peak hour at LAX Terminal 3. Congestion and overcrowding to the max...:mad:

There isn't anything publicized as to where they will be at DCA yet (Not on VX or DCA websites). Although with that said, I'm expecting they will probably cram them into Terminal A. Hopefully not, but if they do, so be it... My total trip is only 5 day/4 nights so not checking any baggage, so should be able to get out of Terminal A in no time flat (wife picking me up). It certainly would be much worse for the DCA-SFO flyers having to wait in Terminal A for VX flight #2 (if Terminal A).

Kinda miss having TWA and their Ambassador Club in Terminal A. Was down there for their inaugural DCA-LAX flight (unfortunately wasn't flying that day). Terminal A wasn't so bad when sitting in the Ambassador Club.

S/F
-John

There isn't anything publicized as to where they will be at DCA yet (Not on VX or DCA websites). Although with that said, I'm expecting they will probably cram them into Terminal A. Hopefully not, but if they do, so be it... My total trip is only 5 day/4 nights so not checking any baggage, so should be able to get out of Terminal A in no time flat (wife picking me up). It certainly would be much worse for the DCA-SFO flyers having to wait in Terminal A for VX flight #2 (if Terminal A).

Kinda miss having TWA and their Ambassador Club in Terminal A. Was down there for their inaugural DCA-LAX flight (unfortunately wasn't flying that day). Terminal A wasn't so bad when sitting in the Ambassador Club.

S/F
-John

I agree. VX 2 DCA-SFO would be the worse flight because it is leaving in the middle of peak PM hour, assuming VX uses Terminal A.

It looks as if they've changed aircraft type for the first flight (Flight 1, 14 Aug 2012). They will now be utilizing an A319 instead of an A320 now, and probably for sometime in the foreseeable future. The front half of the aircraft remains "blocked" (First Class, along with Rows 3-7 and Row 9). I suspect we will still have some "heavies" onboard VX wise for the inaugural flight.

S/F
-John

It looks like it may be Terminal B according to OAG. I preformed the search via http://www.metwashairports.com/reagan/1253.htm

Flight: VX 1
Airline: Virgin America
Depart: San Francisco International Apt
Terminal: Terminal 2
Departure Time: 08:00, Tuesday 14 August 2012
Arrive: Washington Ronald Reagan National Apt
Terminal: Terminal B
Arrival Time: 16:05, Tuesday 14 August 2012
Stops: Non-Stop
Travel Time: 5hrs 5mins
Aircraft: 319 (Airbus Industrie A319)
Classes offered: First Business Economy
Notes:

Let's just hope Terminal B holds.

S/F
-John

Flight times announced:
VX#2 DCA-SFO 5:05-7:55
VX#1 SFO-DCA 08:00-4:10

Wouldn't a redeye be more convenient?
I like UA widebody aircraft better though.

I like UA widebody aircraft better though.

UA is serving the same non-stop route with only a 737-700 (73G). Due to restrictions, DCA probably still doesn't allow any widebody aircraft.

Below is the flight comparison according to seatguru.com
VX: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_America/Virgin_America_Airbus_A319.php?Orig=SFO&Dest=DCA&Date=
UA: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_Boeing_737-700.php?Orig=SFO&Dest=DCA&Date=

R/S
-John

UA is serving the same non-stop route with only a 737-700 (73G). Due to restrictions, DCA probably still doesn't allow any widebody aircraft.

Below is the flight comparison according to seatguru.com
VX: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_America/Virgin_America_Airbus_A319.php?Orig=SFO&Dest=DCA&Date=
UA: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_Boeing_737-700.php?Orig=SFO&Dest=DCA&Date=

R/S
-John
Oops.
I was probably thinking about flts to IAD.

UA is serving the same non-stop route with only a 737-700 (73G). Due to restrictions, DCA probably still doesn't allow any widebody aircraft.

Below is the flight comparison according to seatguru.com
VX: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Virgin_America/Virgin_America_Airbus_A319.php?Orig=SFO&Dest=DCA&Date=
UA: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_Boeing_737-700.php?Orig=SFO&Dest=DCA&Date=

R/S
-John

Actually, some airline does allowed to bring a widebody into DCA but, not a 777, 787, 747. They usually to bring 757, 737, 767-300 aircraft.

Actually, some airline does allowed to bring a widebody into DCA but, not a 777, 787, 747. They usually to bring 757, 737, 767-300 aircraft.

Not really. It's all narrow-body aircraft flying in/out of DCA , the largest of which is the 757.

That's good news if VX can utilize Terminal B.

Not really. It's all narrow-body aircraft flying in/out of DCA , the largest of which is the 757.

That's good news if VX can utilize Terminal B.

Yes, you're absolutely right. Now, I can remember that one and thanks for your efforts.

DL did fly a 767 to DCA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loud0P1mZdw) once, and the 787 recently paid a visit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmo5x3_eDEk). So, widebodies could hypothetically serve DCA. But for a variety of regulatory, logistical, and other reasons, they do not.

Wow! Just noted that VX was given the green light to have non-stop service between SFO and DCA. WONDERFUL!

Now I'm just curious if the non-stop SFO-IAD service will go away.

I suspect that IAD is higher yielding for VX than DCA ever will. Unless you have specific legislative business near DCA, the preponderance of tech and defense HQ's are outside the Beltway and clustered in Northern Virginia/IAD vicinity. Plus IAD offers you the chance to build your own itinerary if you want to find a decent fare to Europe/Mideast/Africa with the array of int'l carriers that don't serve SFO.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

DL had regular 767 service at DCA for awhile. Now, nothing larger than a 757.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

DL had regular 767 service at DCA for awhile. Now, nothing larger than a 757.

The DL 767 service was in 2008 and was around the presidential inauguration to provide extra seats into the market. It did not stick around long.

The 787 came in for Boeing to show off the aircraft to legislators and people in DC. They parked between B and A for the week.

The largest scheduled passenger service is a 757 (which is not a wide body)

I suspect that IAD is higher yielding for VX than DCA ever will. Unless you have specific legislative business near DCA, the preponderance of tech and defense HQ's are outside the Beltway and clustered in Northern Virginia/IAD vicinity. Plus IAD offers you the chance to build your own itinerary if you want to find a decent fare to Europe/Mideast/Africa with the array of int'l carriers that don't serve SFO.

Why would VX bother applying for DCA slots, if IAD was sufficient for them?

Isn't the DCA benefit the closer access to DC, and the metro line, so the benefit can survive easier on no rental car needed for west coast originating pax vacationing in DC, and for DC MSA originating pax easier access by way of the metro, and DC residents (easier by cab)?

DCA isn't that far from areas like Herndon,VA that is closer to IAD over DCA.
From Herndon, IAD is 10 minutes away and DCA is 40 minutes, but it's not like 40 minutes is that bad as in over 1 hour (distance to BWI).

That IAD catchment anyways gets a rental car when in town, or the locals parks at the airport or get dropped off.

Re: overseas itiniries: Isn't it also risky to do a VX to IAD, and then a foreign carrier out of IAD with the long distances on both carriers, all on the same day. Also, one would have to pay baggage fees on two carriers.

Then again, I know people that do that for SFO-JFK, so SFO-IAD might be similar.

I can see it making sense to do BWI-EWR on SW, and then EWR-BOM on AI for example but the BWI-EWR hop is short, and WN offers 2 free checked bags. The itinery can be done in the same day without an overnight at EWR. It's not a reason for SW to be on the route since those types of pax are likely low yield, but it's an unintended benefit for pax.

Just noticed... for the first flight {Flight 1 (SFO-DCA), 14 August 2012}, they've opened up First Class and the remaining Main Cabin Select seats. Prior, they were blocked.

S/F
-John

al car when in town, or the locals parks at the airport or get dropped off.

Re: overseas itiniries: Isn't it also risky to do a VX to IAD, and then a foreign carrier out of IAD with the long distances on both carriers, all on the same day. Also, one would have to pay baggage fees on two carriers.


Not necessarily. I would bet that when VX decided to dump its kindergarten reservation system and join a major GDS, much of the reasoning was to permit interlining, joint fares/ticketing and the remaining benefits of using a GDS, which include easy travel agency ticketing on government contracts.

The countdown clock is ticking for their inaugural DCA-SFO flight. Just received this e-mail from Virgin America:

Greetings,

Thank you for flying with us. Your booked flight VX Flight 1 SFO - DCA on August 14th will be a festive one as it will mark Virgin America’s inaugural service to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) . There will be media outlets and cameras onboard, including in the First Class cabin - along with complimentary food and cocktail service.

If for any reason you would like to change your reservation to an alternate flight on August 15 - 17*, we are happy to do so and we will waive all change fees/fare differences in the same class of service. If you have any questions, please ring our Reservations Center at 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN (1.877.359.8474).

Thank you for your patience with this change and we look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

*Subject to availability.

Cheers,

Virgin America

Well, finally getting this narrowed down. Looks like VX will be utilizing a gate within the 23-34 area according to http://www.metwashairports.com/image/dca_terminal_map_large.jpg. That works out well for me, I've got an Admiral Club membership. Funny enough the Admiral's Club membership works out well in San Francisco as VX is grouped in the same terminal as AA is in San Francisco. Still no mention on VX's website about where they will be at DCA.

S/F
-John

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

DL had regular 767 service at DCA for awhile. Now, nothing larger than a 757.

DL still has it once a week on friday nights if memory serves

Is VX using Terminal A at DCA for their SFO-DCA flight? If so, you'll be unpleasantly surprised that depending on time of day, Terminal A can be equivalent to peak hour at LAX Terminal 3. Congestion and overcrowding to the max...:mad:

very true although DCA is about to do some terminal improvements to A...i'll keep ya informed

Just confirmed that I do have travel plans that take me to DC. Will not be on the first non-stop flight there next week for VX. But I'm on the 3rd on though. Looking forward to and their cheerful FA and great service.

The outbound leg, according to the seat map looks pretty full. However, my returning flight, Sept 1, is about half full if not less. Surprised that there aren't that many folks heading to SFO on Labor Day weekend from DC. Oh well! No complaints!