Thu, Aug 09, 2007
First Flight Delayed By -- Wait For It -- Weather
Whoops. Not long after British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson
lambasted other US carriers Wednesday during the launch of his
latest airline venture, Virgin America... the airline got a taste
of one of the multitude of reasons those other carriers have had a
tough summer.
As ANN reported earlier this
week, Virgin America was to get off to a splashy start
Wednesday as it flew its first trip from New York to San Francisco.
The flight did get off the ground... eventually, after being
delayed by a strong storm along the east coast.
Which goes to show that sometimes, white leather seats and mood
lighting will only get you so far.
"The American airline industry is abysmal," Branson said at John
F. Kennedy Airport before passengers boarded the first flight,
according to Reuters. "The reason they go bust is they don't offer
any service to the customer."
A few hours later, however, Branson was singing a somewhat more
humble tune.
"What a strange day," said Branson. "I think half our guests
haven't made it to the airport." (Among the no-shows was Virgin
America CEO Fred Reid.)
Many believe the (literal) storm clouds surrounding Virgin
America's first flight will clear, however... much as the airline's
earlier regulatory snarls gave way to clearer skies.
"This is going to be a service leader," said airline consultant
Terry Trippler, who added the presence of Virgin America in cities
already served by such carriers as JetBlue, American, and Delta
could trigger not a fare war... but a war to wow disgruntled
passengers with superior service.
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