Virgin Argentina Inc. is an Argentine airline that was founded in 2006 and began operations in 2010. It is headquartered in Tower Hills, Patagonia in the Greater Argentinstan City area, with Argentinstan City International Airport as its main hub and two other hubs at Canary Beach International Airport and Florenza Caribbean International Airport. The airline's mission is to provide low fares and a fresh taste of flying.
The airline received its operator's certificate in 2009 after several denials in its initial applications by the Department of Transportation. The first Virgin Argentina flight took off from Argentinstan City International Airport bound for Canary Beach at 7:36 local time.
Virgin Argentina Airbus A320 flying over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge
HISTORY
The airline is the product of the mass airline deregulation undertaken by Parliament in 2005. It was officially founded in 2006 by TimeRocks national Brandon Richard and former Rougeair CEO Jack London. It applied for an operator's certificate in February of 2006 after securing the deal of 2 Airbus A319 aircraft for $143.8 million SAD which were originally ordered by Aerolineas Argentinas but canceled due to the airline declaring bankruptcy.
The initial application was denied by the Department of Transportation in June of 2006 after several carriers, Rougeair, LATAM Brasil, and AeroFlorenza lobbied against an approval. Then Secretary of Transportation, John Rivers (S) issued a statement defending his department's move when he came under fire for the denial.
"Virgin Argentina has not shown my department that they can operate and manage their airline safely and efficiently so therefore I will not grant them an operator's certificate. This is in no way, I repeat, in no way, related to the corporate lobbying."
Virgin Argentina filed several more applications until late 2008 when it dropped its efforts. However in 2009, it filed another application in the change of administration and it was granted by the Secretary of Transportation Mark Fukaer (L).
After the approval, the airline began selling tickets via its website and its ticketing offices for three routes. The first departure was Virgin Argentina Flight 1 bound for Canary Beach from Argentinstan City. The entire flight was filled and media reception of the airline was positive when them praising the airline on its "milestone service" among other praises.
The airline operated routes to Mariobo, San Francisco, and Canary Beach until 2011 when it added services to Quito, Rio de Janeiro, and Florenza. It also opened its hub in Canary Beach in 2012 with service to the main hub, San Francisco, Mariobo, and Florenza. The Florenza hub was opened in 2014.
Interior of Virgin Argentina's A321
DESTINATIONS
- Argentinstan City International Airport (Canary Beach, Mariobo, Florenza, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Valkiir City, Quito, Veya, Osvind, TR City)
- Canary Beach International Airport (Argentinstan City, Mariobo, Florenza, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Quito, Valkiir CIty, Veya, Osvind, Neva, Estpont, TR City, Applesburg)
- Florenza International Airport (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Applesburg)
- Mariobo International Airport (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach)
- Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach, Florenza)
- Quito Airport (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach)
- San Francisco International Airport (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach)
- City of Valkiir International Transport Center (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach, Florenza)
- Veya Transport Center (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach)
- Osvind Transport Center (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach)
- Neva Transport Center (Canary Beach)
- Estpont (Canary Beach)
- TR City International Airport (Argentinstan City, Canary Beach, Florenza)
- Applesburg International Airport (Florenza, Canary Beach)
- Arthropol City International Airport (Argentinstan City, Florenza)
- Los Anna International Airport (Argentinstan City, Florenza) - (Canary Beach; seasonal service in June/July)
- Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport (Argentinstan City)
Virgin Argentina planes at Mariobo International Airport
SERVICE
First Class (La Argentina)
First class onboard Virgin Argentina is referred to as La Argentina and is as luxurious as it looks. Designed by Latam =mariobo= and enhanced by Abumani, it is one that will be affixed into your head. The seats are all fine leather with 83 inches of pitch. The seat or rather "suite" gives the passenger utmost space and privacy as well as productivity with the VARG entertainment system (loaded with over 200 movies, tv shows, and music), free wifi access (provided by Connectarg), and ample space to store coats, shoes, and drawers for everything in your carry-on! Meals are served on all flights and passengers can order at any time through the VARG entertainment system and a flight attendant will be notified on a device, eliminating the traditional meal service. There is also duty-free shopping through the VARG system and ordering is as simple as swiping one's credit card (25% off using the VARG Elevate credit card). The seat can also recline as well as turning into a fully flat bed adjustable for one's comfort. Bedding is provided by flight attendants when requested by the passenger.
Passengers also have perks at the airport before and after the flight. Before flight perks include priority check-in, express security lines (select airports), La Argentina lounge access, and priority boarding. After the flight there is priority immigration/customs lines (select airports), and priority baggage entry into the carousel. First class passengers may check up to 3 pieces (50lbs) of luggage, and have up to 3 carry-ons (25 lbs). Available on all aircraft.
Business Class
Business class onboard Virgin Argentina has the signature Virgin Argentina experience with comfort and productivity in mind. Designed by Latam =mariobo= and enhanced by Abumani, it is one that will be affixed to your head. The seats are all fine leather with 57 inches of pitch. The seats provide a unique seating experience with mood lighting, the VARG entertainment system (loaded with over 200 movies, tv shows, and music), free wifi access (provided by Connectarg), and ample space to store coats, shoes, and drawers for everything in your carry-on! Meals are served on all flights and passengers can order at any time through the VARG entertainment system and a flight attendant will be notified on a device, eliminating the traditional meal service. There is also duty-free shopping through the VARG system and ordering is as simple as swiping one's credit card (25% off using the VARG Elevate credit card). The seat can also recline as well as turning into a fully flat bed adjustable for one's comfort. Bedding is provided by flight attendants when requested by the passenger.
Passengers also have perks at the airport before and after the flight. Before flight perks include priority check-in, express security lines (select airports), La Argentina lounge access, and priority boarding. After the flight, there are priority immigration/customs lines (select airports), and priority baggage entry into the carousel. Business class passengers may check up to 2 pieces (50lbs) of luggage, and have up to 2 carry-ons (25 lbs). Available only on Airbus A321 aircraft.
Economy Class
Economy class on board Virgin Argentina is not the traditional crappy seat, squeezing passengers like sardines. Onboard Virgin Argentina, we worked with Latam =mariobo= to design seating and design the cabin, complete with mood lighting, entertainment systems, seats, and down to the window blinds with enhancements added by Abumani. The seats are all fine leather and the seat pitch is 34 inches. The seats provide a vivid, unique experience with mood lighting, the VARG entertainment system (loaded with over 200 movies, tv shows, and music), free wifi access (provided by Connectarg), overhead baggage bins, window blinds (latest technology to shield against blind spots), and fine dining. Passengers can order their selected meal through the VARG system and when necessary, swipe their credit card through the system as well. Duty-free shopping can be done through the system as well with a 25% discount when the VARG Elevate card is used. Blankets, pillows are distributed by flight attendants before departure from the gate.
Economy class passengers may check up to 1 piece (50lbs) of luggage, and have up to 2 carry-ons (20 lbs).
FLEET
- Airbus A319neo
- Airbus A320
- Airbus A320neo
- Airbus A321
Virgin Argentina's Airbus A320neo interior
LOUNGES
La Argentina is the flagship lounge of Virgin Argentina. It is open to first class passengers, business class passengers, and VARG Elevate cardholders. The lounge is fitted with mood flighting, sleep pods (noise cancelling, quiet area), shower facilites, social vibe, buffet, made-to-order meals, and free, high-speed internet access.
- Argentinstan City International Airport
- Canary Beach Interntional Airport
- Florenza International Airport
- City of Valkiir International Transport Center
- Veya Transport Center
- Osvind Transport Center
- Estpont Airport
- TR City International Airport
- Applesburg International Airport
- Arthropol City International Airport
- Los Anna International Airport
Virgin Argentina's La Argentina lounge at Canary Beach International Airport
APPLICATIONS
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