Virgin America First U.S. Airline to Join The Climate Registry

California Airline Takes Industry-leading Role to Report Emissions with
Nationally-Recognized Registry

SAN FRANCISCO, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Climate Registry, a nonprofit
organization that sets consistent standards to calculate, verify and report
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and Virgin America, the California-based
award-winning airline, today announced the carrier has become the first U.S.
airline to join The Climate Registry and commit to report its GHG emissions
according to The Registry's comprehensive, rigorous standards. Virgin America
will report accurate and recognized emissions data as a Member of The Climate
Registry on an annual basis as it measures and manages its emissions and
carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction goals.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

"As the only California-based airline, it is in our DNA to make
environmentally sustainable practices a core priority in our business model,"
said Dave Pflieger Senior Vice President of Legal, Government Affairs and
Sustainability at Virgin America. "We're proud to join visionary California
leaders like Senator Boxer and Rep. Waxman in calling for transparency in
reporting and controlling CO2 and other greenhouse gases. We hope to do our
part to promote awareness and transparency about the impact our industry has
on the environment."

The airline's move to voluntarily report emissions comes at a critical time as
U.S. legislators and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have
recently solicited public input about mandatory GHG emissions reporting
policies. In addition, Congressmen Waxman (D-CA) and Markey (D-MA) recently
proposed legislation that would require EPA to create greenhouse gas emissions
standards for aircraft and aircraft engines by the end of 2012.

"I congratulate Virgin America for achieving the notable distinction of being
the first airline to join The Climate Registry. By voluntarily measuring and
reporting its carbon footprint, the airline sets a standard for others to
follow," said Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo).

Launched in August 2007, Virgin America has made environmentally sustainable
practices part of its training and operations from day one. The carrier
operates a new Airbus A320-family fleet that is up to 25% more CO2 efficient
than other domestic fleets and employs progressive practices to reduce its
footprint, such as minimizing use of auxiliary power units, single engine
taxiing, idle reverse landings, utilizing advanced avionics to fly more
efficiently, and cost index flying - the practice of regulating cruising speed
to reduce fuel burn. In October 2008, it became the first commercial
passenger airline to join EPA's Climate Leaders program and to work with EPA
to create a verified inventory of its GHG emissions. By becoming a Member of
The Climate Registry, Virgin America will be reporting a more comprehensive
emissions report based on more rigorous standards. Later this spring, the
carrier will publish a comprehensive 2008 emissions report for all six
internationally-recognized GHGs.

"We are very pleased to welcome Virgin America as our first airline Member.
The company is known for being a pioneer in delivering innovative service.
Being a pioneer in environmental responsibility, though, makes a significant
impact in addressing our very urgent issue of climate change. For taking such
a visible leadership role among its peers and other businesses across the
U.S., Virgin America should be recognized and serve as a model for other
highly visible businesses," said Diane Wittenberg, Executive Director of The
Climate Registry.

The Climate Registry sets consistent and transparent standards to calculate,
verify and publicly report GHG emissions. Forty-one U.S. states, Washington
D.C., 12 Canadian provinces and territories, six Mexican states and four
native sovereign nations sit on its Board of Directors. For an emissions
report to be accepted by The Registry and labeled as Climate Registered(TM),
it must include applicable data on all six internationally-recognized GHGs for
all North American locations. The data must be reported according to the
comprehensive and rigorous standards established in The Registry's General
Reporting Protocol (GRP) and verified by an independent, third-party
Verification Body that is accredited by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) and recognized by The Registry.

"While our relative performance against other domestic carriers shows us as
one of the most efficient U.S. airlines in terms of CO2 emissions on an
available seat mile (ASM) basis, we're focused on maintaining that lead and
trying to further decrease and offset our CO2 footprint in the years ahead,"
added Pflieger.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled and operated airline and an
entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin
Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California and launched in August
2007, Virgin America is one of the fastest growing start-up U.S. airlines of
all time and currently employs over 1400 people. Virgin America offers guests
attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air
travel. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International
Airport's ultra-modern International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus
A320-family aircraft offer the Red(TM) touch-screen in-flight entertainment
system, moodlighting, and power outlets at every seat. In addition to a
25-film library at every seat, Red(TM) features live TV, video games,
seat-to-seat chat, 3,000 MP3s, music videos and even offers guests the ability
to offset the carbon emissions of their flight via CarbonFund.org. In 2008,
Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in Conde Nast Traveler
Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's
Best Awards. The airline is proud to be affiliated with the Virgin Group,
which has committed to reinvesting profits from Virgin-transport related
businesses to renewable fuels research and other initiatives that combat
climate change. To learn more, visit: www.virginamerica.com

The Climate Registry is a nonprofit collaboration among North American states,
provinces, territories and Native Sovereign Nations that sets consistent and
transparent standards to calculate, verify and publicly report greenhouse gas
emissions into a single registry. The Registry supports both voluntary and
mandatory reporting programs and provides comprehensive, accurate data to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Please visit www.theclimateregistry.org

SOURCE Virgin America

Jennifer Weiss of The Climate Registry, +1-213-891-6934,
jennifer@theclimateregistry.org; or Abby Lunardini of Virgin America,
+1-650-533-7576, abby.lunardini@virginamerica.com