Virgin confirms order for 10 Airbus A330 aircraft

Defense News ~ PARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Virgin Atlantic Airways [VA.Ul] confirmed an order for ten Airbus A330 aircraft, European planemaker Airbus (EAD.PA) said on Monday.
Virgin Atlantic has bought six A330-300 long-range aircraft from Airbus, and is leasing a further four from AerCap.
The contract was completed on Dec. 30, 2009, following an initial announcement in June.
Industry analysts say Airbus could surpass its 2009 target of 300 orders after a scramble to firm up provisional orders or book new ones in time for the year's closing amid signs some airlines are starting to look beyond the downturn. [ID:nLDE60A0MD]

British based Virgin Atlantic Airways, has bought six A330-300 long-range aircraft from Airbus, and is leasing a further four from AerCap. The contract was formally completed on December 30th, 2009, following an initial announcement earlier in June. The aircraft are Virgin Atlantic's first A330s, and underscores a commitment by the carrier to invest in today's most eco efficient aircraft.

The aircraft will strengthen services between the United Kingdom, North America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, for both business and leisure markets. Virgin's A330-300s will seat up to 270 in Upper Class, Premium Economy and Economy, and will be the launch aircraft for revolutionary onboard cabin innovations in every class.

"The A330s are adding immense operational flexibility to Virgin's modern fleet and at the sametime fit in with our commitment to invest in today's most environmentally efficient aircraft," said Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive, Virgin Atlantic Airways.

"Coming from one of Airbus' most valued customers, this significant order is a thumbs up for our A330," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. "The A330 is a leader in aircraft reliability, comfort, and low fuel burn making it the most eco-efficient aircraft in its class." Virgin Atlantic Airways became an Airbus operator in November 1993.

To date, Virgin operates six A340-300s and 19 A340-600 aircraft. Virgin is also a customer for six A380s. The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used wide body aircraft in service today.

To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 600 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 airlines worldwide.

TuVox and Virgin America Renew Partnership

Airline Signs Three Year Agreement With Leading Speech Solution Provider
CUPERTINO, CA--(Marketwire - 08/31/09) - TuVox, a leading provider of Hosted Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and On Demand speech applications, today announced that Virgin America has renewed their partnership for three years with TuVox to further build-out Virgin America's call routing and voice self service applications.
TuVox has been providing Virgin America guests with no-wait, voice self service since Virgin America first took flight in 2007. This latest agreement extends Virgin America's association with TuVox through 2012.
"Virgin America has always been about providing the air travel industry's best customer experience, whether it be with their revolutionary aircraft or their unique approach to guest service," said John Kirst, TuVox' SVP for Global Sales and Marketing. "From the beginning, Virgin America embraced the idea of having a conversational, state-of-the-art, speech based telephone self service solution that reflected their cutting edge approach to air service."
A TuVox telephone "front door" has always greeted Virgin America's guests who contact the airline via 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN. An expanded array of Virgin America self-service options -- powered by TuVox -- is on deck for deployment in the near future. These customer self-service options include identifying and verifying a guest's identity and then allowing guests to manage their flight itineraries using the power of their voice.
About TuVox
Since 2000, TuVox has become synonymous with superior caller experience. TuVox customers achieve improved customer retention and increased revenue through innovative combinations of technology and live agent service. Companies benefit from reduced costs by optimizing the mix of live and automated service. TuVox caller experience solutions shorten and improve calls by anticipating caller intent, personalizing call flows, and overcoming the limits of touch-tone systems by using natural-language, conversational speech applications. TuVox leverages customer investments in next-generation technology with a choice of hosted or premise deployment. TuVox customers regularly receive awards for innovation and excellence, and include companies such as 1-800-Flowers.com, AMC Theatres, Canon, Progress Energy, Telecom New Zealand, Time Customer Service, Virgin America and Wachovia.
Visit TuVox on the web at http://www.tuvox.com
About Virgin America
Virgin America is a new, California-based airline that is on a mission to make flying good again -- with brand new planes, attractive fares, topnotch service, and a host of fun, innovative amenities that are reinventing domestic air travel. The Virgin America experience is unlike anything else in the domestic skies, with mood-lit cabins, custom-designed leather seats, power outlets, in-flight internet available on every flight, and a video touch-screen and remote control at every seatback that offers guests 25 films, live TV, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, an on-demand food ordering, and much more. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern International Terminal.
Since launching in August 2007, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including: "Best Domestic Airline" by Cond� Nast Traveler; "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards for two consecutive years; and No. 1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First Class in Zagat's 2007 and 2008 Global Airlines Survey.
Visit Virgin America on the web at www.virginamerica.com