AIR TRAVEL | Virgin America’s First Arriving Terminal 2 Flight to Fly and Land alongside Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo video by Dean Putney

Virgin America unveiled its beautiful and sustainable new home at San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Terminal 2 (T2)  with a series of inaugural flights to celebrate the evolution of travel. As the only California-based airline, Virgin America is an anchor tenant at SFO’s new T2, which offers a unique design that echoes the airline’s own focus on reinventing the typical domestic flying experience. Much like the airline that will call it home, the new T2 elevates the travel experience by offering the best in design, technology, food and sustainable practices. With over a half century of history, the 640,000-square foot T2 has been completely reinvented for the modern traveler by architecture and interior firm Gensler and aims to be the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the U.S. Virgin America’s additional investments in sustainable design for its T2 spaces and “Virgin Village” crew lounge are aimed at the highest possible LEED® Platinum-certified status. To unveil its sleek and sustainable new home and celebrate the evolution of flight, Virgin America teamed up with sister company Virgin Galactic to welcome two historic first flights to T2 – in support of a good cause. The airline also launched a “Fly into the Future” fare sale on flights across its growing network. Fares start from $59* (restrictions, taxes and fees apply).  (Video Shot for Boing Boing by Dean Putney)

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DISCOVER THE WORLD | Virgin Galactic Space Travel One Step Closer to Reality

History was made on October 10, 2010 when Virgin Galactic’s space ship VSS Enterprise completed her first manned solo glide and landing at Mojave Air and Spaceport in California. Virgin Galactic is now well on the way to becoming the world’s first commercial space line – and Virtuoso is playing an exclusive role in bringing the wonders of space travel to clients. Virtuoso is the exclusive retail travel group in North and South America currently taking reservations for Virgin Galactic.

The Virtuoso ASA team now comprises 75 travel advisors in 12 countries throughout the Americas and Australia. Of those, 45 members from the USA, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Chile and Argentina just attended Virgin Galactic’s ASA Forum October 4-8 in New Mexico. The ASAs increased their knowledge of southern New Mexico as a tourist destination and learn more about the area’s historical connection to space exploration. … Continue Reading

DISCOVER THE WORLD YOU’VE BEEN MISSING | Aboard The VIRGIN GALACTIC for UCI MIND Make a Tribute Saturday, February 12th

Think you’ve been all over the planet? What’s next? Well…. Space, of course! Virgin Galactic has appointed Virtuoso, the premier network of professional travel agents, as their Exclusive Retail Travel Group in North America. Virtuoso travel advisors are the first in the world endorsed to reserve seats on Virgin Galactic spaceflights, launched in 2010. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s member consultants will help make the dream of going into space a reality. Virgin Galactic is the world’s first ever venture into space tourism, giving you the groundbreaking opportunity to be one of the first ever space tourists, your Virtuoso travel advisor will help you book space flights. … Continue Reading

SCENIC EXPLORATIONS | Explore Essential Britain and Ireland

Enjoy the vacation that introduces you to all five countries that make up the British Isles beginning March 29th. This 10-day journey begins with an overnight in London, then head west to prehistoric Stonehenge, picturesque Salisbury, and the extraordinary Roman excavations in Bath. Next, spend a night in Newport, Wales, and travel via Cardiff to Pembroke for a ferry crossing to Ireland.

Join your Local Guide for a walking tour of Waterford, admire the stallions at the Irish National Stud in Kildare, and relax with two overnights and an orientation drive in Dublin featuring Connell Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College with its Book of Kells. Cross into Northern Ireland, pass the Mountains of Mourne, and stop in vibrant Belfast before boarding a ferry bound for Scotland. In the capital city of Edinburgh, guided sightseeing includes a castle visit to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels.

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