SAN JOSE, Calif. — Virgin America on Monday announced that it is buying 60 new planes, tripling the size of its fleet.
Virgin America, which is headquartered in Burlingame, Calif., and has San Francisco International Airport as its hub, has just 34 planes in the air but is expanding rapidly.
The airline will purchase 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft. Thirty of them will be the A320neo, which features a fuel-efficient engine. The airline celebrated the deal by launching a “Sweet 60” sale that features $60 flights.
“At just 3 years old and at a time when many carriers are contracting, we’re pleased to be growing and bringing our award-winning service to new markets,” said airline president and chief executive David Cush.
Airbus estimates that the A320neo’s fuel efficiency will yield an average annual savings of $1.1 million per aircraft and emit 3,600 fewer tons of CO2 per aircraft on an annual basis. San Jose Mercury News
