SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Netflix,
the world's leading Internet TV network, and Virgin America, the
low-fare, upscale airline known for offering next generation
entertainment and connectivity, announced they are joining forces
to provide complimentary in-flight WiFi access that allows new and
existing Netflix members to enjoy the entire Netflix catalog of
films and award-winning shows. Beginning today, Netflix users
onboard Virgin America's new ViaSat WiFi-equipped aircraft will be
able to stream the best programming available in the skies,
including the hit series House of Cards and Orange Is The
New Black, to their phones, tablets, and laptops at no cost
through March 2, 2016*. The
experience is made possible by Virgin America's recent connectivity
partnership with ViaSat, which brings significantly faster WiFi to
the airline's 10 new airbus A320 aircraft being delivered from fall
2015 to mid-2016. In addition to offering free streaming through
its new ViaSat WiFi network, as of next month, Virgin America will
also offer House of Cards seasons 1-3 for free on the
airline's recently upgraded Red® touch-screen seatback in-flight
entertainment platform – so travelers can binge-watch through their
own devices or their seatback.
Virgin America and Netflix kick off their #NetflixOnboard
partnership today with the surprise unveiling of a House of
Cards and Netflix-branded aircraft and an appearance by
Michael Kelly, the Emmy-nominated
star of the Netflix original series House of Cards.
Kelly's character Doug Stamper, who
serves as President Frank
Underwood's loyal consultant and Machiavellian fixer, will
drop in on Virgin America Flight 1 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to
Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). Guests onboard the flight
will be able to binge-watch Netflix content in Virgin America's
mood-lit cabin and will be treated to a signature Whiskey
Whistleblower cocktail, while Kelly – as Doug Stamper – dispenses some tongue-in-cheek,
morally-ambiguous political advice over the aircraft's intercom
before take-off.
"Netflix and Virgin America are both known for their focus on
innovation and for shaking up their respective industries – so
we're thrilled to team up to bring the best in technology and
entertainment to the skies. These latest generation investments in
our WiFi and entertainment platforms allow us to provide the
largest breadth of streamed content ever available at 35,000 feet –
along with entire seasons of some Netflix favorites via the Red
platform," said Abby Lunardini,
Virgin America Vice President of Brand Marketing and
Communications. "We hope our guests enjoy the offering and know
that even President Frank Underwood
can't get entertainment this good onboard Air Force One."
"As WiFi becomes more ubiquitous, it's going to be increasingly
possible for members to enjoy Netflix wherever they want," said
Bill Holmes, Netflix's global head
of business development. "We're delighted to partner with Virgin
America to extend the joy of Netflix to our members at 35,000
feet."
As the only airline based in Silicon Valley, Virgin America has
long been known for its innovative in-flight experience – including
being the first (and still only) U.S. airline to offer WiFi on
every flight and power outlets at every seat. Virgin America
has one of the youngest fleets in the industry, with
custom-designed, mood-lit cabins, comfortable leather seating and a
personal seatback entertainment platform that offers every guest
their own seatback touch-screen with movies, live TV, interactive
maps, videogames, a 3,000 song library and an on-demand menu, which
allows flyers to order a cocktail or snack from their seatback
any time during a flight.
Earlier this summer, Virgin America announced a new connectivity
partnership with ViaSat to bring even faster WiFi to the airline's
10 new Airbus A320 aircraft being delivered from fall
2015-mid-2016. The partnership leverages ViaSat's satellite-based
in-flight internet service to enable Virgin America's guests to
experience internet speeds similar to what they expect at home –
offering WiFi connectivity that is 8 to 10 times faster than any
other onboard WiFi system, with the freedom to watch and now stream
online directly on any connected device when in-flight. This month
the first aircraft with the new ViaSat WiFi service entered
service, paving the way for guests to watch all of their favorite
Netflix content from the comfort of their plush leather seats. The
new ViaSat service* will be rolling out to about one aircraft a
month through June 2016 – and the
WiFi service will be complimentary for travelers until March 2, 2016. In addition to being the
only U.S. airline to offer fleetwide WiFi as of 2009, Virgin
America has made continuous investments in its in-flight
connectivity system, including upgrading its full fleet to the
latest generation ground-based WiFi system as of 2014 and now
investing in the most advanced satellite-based WiFi system with
ViaSat for its next 10 aircraft deliveries.
Virgin America also recently announced it was implementing a
significant upgrade to its Red® in-flight entertainment
system, which will allow guests to binge-watch entire seasons of
certain Netflix originals, including House of Cards Season
1-3. The new Red Beta creates an even more immersive
in-flight entertainment experience with higher resolution
capacitive touch screens, Android-based software that allows for
faster, real-time updates, and three times more content – including
full seasons of favorite television shows, more interactive maps,
videogames including classics like Pac Man and Asteroids – along
with the first surround-sound listening experience to be offered by
an airline.
*How #NetflixOnboard works:
Guests on aircraft equipped with the new ViaSat WiFi service
will be notified by the Virgin America in-flight team that they can
access high-speed WiFi. Guests can then open their browser and
login for free by selecting the "VirginAmerica" ViaSat network and
will then be prompted to either login to their existing Netflix
account or to create a new, 30-day free trial account, after which
they will then be connected to the Netflix service at 35,000 feet,
just like they would on the ground. Existing account holders will
be able to access Netflix through their mobile device, tablet or
laptop onboard ViaSat equipped Virgin America aircraft at no
additional cost through March 2,
2016, while new members can sign up to enjoy a free 30-day
free Netflix trial – good for use both in the air, on Virgin
America's ViaSat-equipped aircraft, or on the ground.
Photos and video of the House of Cards and
Netflix-branded Virgin America aircraft can be found at:
https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/about-our-airline/photos/netflix-partnership
Photos of Virgin America's unique aircraft – including its new
#NetflixOnboard aircraft as well as broadcast quality b-roll can be
found at:
https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/about-our-airline/photos.html
About Virgin America: Known for its mood-lit
cabins, three beautifully designed classes of service and
innovative fleetwide amenities -- like touch-screen personal
entertainment, WiFi and power outlets at every seat, Virgin America
has built a loyal following of flyers and earned a host of awards
since launching in 2007 -- including being named both the
"Best U.S. Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers'
Choice Awards for the past seven consecutive years and "Best
Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's World's Best
Awards for the past eight consecutive years. For more:
www.virginamerica.com
About Netflix: Netflix is the world's leading Internet
television network with over 65 million members in over 50
countries enjoying more than 100 million hours of TV shows and
movies per day, including original series, documentaries and
feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime,
anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can
play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or
commitments.
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SOURCE Virgin America