Virgin America launches deals on the fly with Loopt

Virgin America is teaming up with Loopt, the geo–social network, to offer travelers mobile check–in rewards at various locations throughout the airline’s sleek and sustainable new home at San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Terminal 2 (T2).

Travelers that virtually ‘check–in’ at T2 using the Loopt iPhone or Android mobile app and watch a short video on T2’s unique design, can score real–time digital deals from a number of T2’s vendors and dining locations, discounts on Virgin America flights and special offers on services like SFO’s Green Rental Car program. As the only San Francisco–based airline, Virgin America is an anchor tenant at SFO’s T2. Much like the airline that calls it home, the new terminal intends to elevate the typical travel experience by offering the best in design, technology, food and sustainable practices. The 640,000–square foot space was completely reinvented for the modern traveler by architecture and interior firm Gensler and welcomed its first guests in April 2011. Gensler and Virgin America partnered with filmmakers Spirit of Space, the self–described ‘Architecture Paparazzi,’ a collaborative that makes films about the built environment, to create A Day in the Life of SFO’s T2. The short film offers a visually rich tour of the terminal from the traveler’s perspective: from check–in through take–off. The film can be viewed via the Loopt app, onboard Virgin America flights later this year and on Virgin America’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/virginamerica.

‘T2 offers design, art, retail and dining experiences unlike any airport in the U.S. Since we opened our T2 doors, we’ve had guests tell us they are showing up earlier to their flights in order to enjoy everything from the beautiful design and sleek Danish furniture, to the upscale shopping, to the amazing variety of Ferry–building inspired food offerings,’ said Abby Lunardini, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Virgin America. ‘Much like our airline, we think T2 represents the evolution of the travel experience. By offering real–time rewards for check–ins throughout the terminal, we hope to give our tech–forward guests another reason to explore all T2 has to offer.’

Known for its inventive design, T2 offers amenities that mirror Virgin America’s own flight service, including a ‘Recompose’ lounge that acts as a soothing oasis for flyers post–security, beautiful living–room like gate areas, the best in local and organic dining, elevated laptop work tables with power outlets and the carrier’s distinctive cabin ‘moodlighting.’ T2 also aims to be one of the most sustainable airport terminals in the world. Virgin America’s investments in sustainable design within its T2 spaces are aimed at the highest possible LEED® Platinum–certification. Other T2 features include ‘Hydration Stations’ that allow flyers to refill re–usable water bottles, tech–friendly amenities like work stations with free WiFi and art installations (travelers can even take a self–guided art tour via the San Francisco Arts Commission’s iPhone app).

‘With Loopt, consumers get to tap real–time deals wherever they may be,’ said Sam Altman, co–founder and CEO of Loopt. ‘Today marks the first–ever collaborative mobile reward offering from a cluster of businesses (in this case, an airport community). Teaming up with an innovative travel brand like Virgin America, plus its T2 partners, is a fun way to deliver a slew of instant rewards to a loyal and increasingly mobile customer base. Virgin America flyers tend to be more likely to be using a mobile devices and social networks – on the ground and even at 35,000 feet.’

Now through December 22, smartphone users can check–in on Loopt at T2, watch the video A Day in the Life of SFO’s T2 and score a ‘VX Deal on the Fly’ – with offers from T2 vendors delivered direct to their iPhone or Android phone. Travelers can flash their instant reward via their mobile screen at select vendors to claim deals like a free dessert at Cat Cora’s Kitchen, complimentary product samples at Kiehl’s and sweet discounts at Natalie’s Candy Jar. In addition, flyers can score 10–20 percent off last minute travel discounts* on Virgin America and even random two–for–one** and free flight offers*** for future trips. The Loopt app is available at the Apple App Store or Android Market. VX Deals on the Fly include:

• A complimentary dessert at Cat Cora’s Kitchen when you order two tapas.
• Two complimentary product samples for flyers on–the–go at Kiehl’s.
• 15 percent off discounts on bulk candy at Natalie’s Candy Jar.
• Farm to Flight: $1.00 off TCHO chocolate bars or Napa Farmhouse marmalades at Napa Farms Market.
• Hotel escape offers from $315 through the Elevate® loyalty program’s partner Morgans Hotel Group’s Boutique and Lifestyle Hotels, including Clift in San Francisco and Mondrian in Los Angeles.
• $15 off your next green car rental, courtesy of SFO.
• 10–20 percent off last minute travel discounts* on Virgin America –and random two–for–one** and free flight offers*** for future trips.

Known for topnotch service, new aircraft with beautifully designed cabins and a host of high–tech amenities, the Silicon Valley–based Virgin America has partnered with Loopt before on both the first user–generated airfare deal through the uDeals platform and a special offer on the airline’s Mexico flights for those who virtually checked in at popular local food trucks in Los Angeles and San Francisco. When T2 first opened its doors in April, the airline launched a ‘Terminal 2 Takeover Leader–board’ on Facebook that displayed Facebook Places and Foursquare check–ins allowing T2 visitors to earn ‘Captain’ status and other virtual badges by accumulating the most check–ins. The new VX Deals on the Fly program with Loopt takes virtual check–ins to the next level, by providing real–world rewards and offers to the community of T2 travelers. Virgin America was also the first airline to offer frequent flyer points for location–based virtual check–ins in the fall of 2010.

Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is the only California–based airline and its decision to headquarter in the Bay Area has helped make SFO one of the nation’s few growing airports. In just four years flying, Virgin America has been named ‘Best Domestic Airline’ in the Condé Nast Traveler 2008, 2009 and 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure’s 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 World’s Best Awards. The airline offers custom–designed mood–lit cabins and amenities like WiFi, outlets and touch–screen entertainment at every seat.