I was actually excited to get on the airplane today. And not just for where I was going (San Francisco), but for the flight. Before you write me off as a total weirdo, let me explain.
It started with me signing up for Travelzoo, the BEST resource for a traveler ever. Each week they send an email with their top 20 travel deals. These travel deals are not southwest sales, they are serious. I randomly signed up for Travelzoo a month before my trip to San Francisco for the Yoga Journal conference, and immediately got a great deal – $39 each way on Virgin America.
Virgin America has the reputation of being the cool kid of the airlines (and if not, as of right now, they do), and I was psyched to be flying with them.
I breezed through the airport, as I usually do at the Orange County airport*, got my Starbucks and moseyed my way down to Gate 14. Our flight ended up being delayed for 10 minutes, but nothing could put a damper on my mood – not today!
the fantastic lighting
I stepped onto the plane and was bathed in a soothing indigo light, instead of the blinding fluorescent white lighting on those other airlines. The seats are sleek and black with adjustable headrests, although the flight attendant had to advise me on how to push up my headrest (use your shoulders, not your hands). Which brings me to my next point – the flight attendants were almost all men (and young ones at that). That’s right single ladies, more male flight attendants than women! Not sure if it’s a Virgin standard, but it happened to me, so there’s obviously a chance it could happen to you.
Some other happy highlights – movies, music, and games, including DOOM. If you don’t know what DOOM is, it’s an old school first person shooter game that I played in 5th grade. I think we had to use MS-DOS to access it.
Not so happy lowlights – if you are in a regular cabin seat, you have to pay $5.95 for internet for the flight. Not really worth it on an hour flight to San Francisco, but totally worth it for a cross-country flight. If you fly often, it’s also a better value ($12.95 for 24 hours or $29.95 for 30 days). Considering that Virgin is the only airline to offer wifi in-flight (so far, I think someone else is adding it soon), the opportunity to have it at all is pretty sweet.
Note: if you ever come to Orange County, come through SNA, not LAX. You will not be sorry. I have never waited in security more than 10-15 minutes, even during the holidays.
Another note: The flight attendants on the way back were primarily men as well.
Disclaimer: See title.
Photo Credit: Marc_Smith
