Interview with Virgin America CEO, David Cush
Dan Webb, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 12/4/09 Section: Business
Hi, I'm Dan, and I'm an airplane geek. If you've ever met me, you probably figured that out within 30 seconds, probably because of the posters in my dorm, or the Boeing sticker on my laptop, or the airline safety demonstration loaded onto my GPS, or...you know what? Never mind.
About a year ago, I decided to share my obsession with the world by starting a blog on the airline industry, that has opened a whole bunch of interesting opportunities. For example, Virgin America just started service to Fort Lauderdale, and I was invited to fly on one of the inaugural flights from California. Due to my school schedule, that was not possible, so Virgin asked if I would be interested in interviewing their CEO, David Cush. Of course, I said yes! He had some very interesting things to say, especially when he mentioned future partnerships with other airlines. Here's the interview:
So, you're launching Ft. Lauderdale today, and yesterday JetBlue started SFO-FLL service. What would you tell a traveler trying to decide between JetBlue and Virgin?
I would tell them that they are choosing between the two highest quality airlines in the skies. The people of San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale are very fortunate to have gone from no nonstop service to competition between our two carriers in basically a single day. As an airline executive and as an avid traveler, I recognize what JetBlue and its innovative service has done for all of us. We like to believe we have taken it a step further-in addition to live TV, we have fleet-wide wifi, power outlets under each seat, full meals and drinks on demand via seatback ordering and other entertainment options. We also offer premium economy and first class, something that you can't get on JetBlue or other discount carriers. In the end, you can't go wrong with either, but we think we are doing something a bit different.
I know the DOT won't be releasing third quarter financial results for a couple of more weeks, but any hints as to how the quarter was for Virgin? How are you working to maintain your cash balance?
About a year ago, I decided to share my obsession with the world by starting a blog on the airline industry, that has opened a whole bunch of interesting opportunities. For example, Virgin America just started service to Fort Lauderdale, and I was invited to fly on one of the inaugural flights from California. Due to my school schedule, that was not possible, so Virgin asked if I would be interested in interviewing their CEO, David Cush. Of course, I said yes! He had some very interesting things to say, especially when he mentioned future partnerships with other airlines. Here's the interview:
So, you're launching Ft. Lauderdale today, and yesterday JetBlue started SFO-FLL service. What would you tell a traveler trying to decide between JetBlue and Virgin?
I would tell them that they are choosing between the two highest quality airlines in the skies. The people of San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale are very fortunate to have gone from no nonstop service to competition between our two carriers in basically a single day. As an airline executive and as an avid traveler, I recognize what JetBlue and its innovative service has done for all of us. We like to believe we have taken it a step further-in addition to live TV, we have fleet-wide wifi, power outlets under each seat, full meals and drinks on demand via seatback ordering and other entertainment options. We also offer premium economy and first class, something that you can't get on JetBlue or other discount carriers. In the end, you can't go wrong with either, but we think we are doing something a bit different.
I know the DOT won't be releasing third quarter financial results for a couple of more weeks, but any hints as to how the quarter was for Virgin? How are you working to maintain your cash balance?
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