Emirates and Virgin America Partner to Offer Enhanced Connections to West Coast Gateways

Emirates, the Dubai-based international carrier, now offers U.S. travelers the option to book flights with connecting service on Virgin America, making travel easier and more convenient with one seamless itinerary.

From Los Angeles, passengers can now book a connecting flight on Virgin America to Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Washington DC and Toronto. Emirates’ San Francisco service now connects to Virgin America destinations including Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, Seattle, Washington DC and Toronto.

The frequency of both Emirates and Virgin America flights mean a shorter stop-over time for passengers continuing on to Dubai, while the increased connections make traveling to the Middle East hub more accessible throughout the U.S.

“Our new agreement with Virgin America will bring our American West Coast gateways within easier reach of dozens of U.S. cities, making travel more convenient for customers travelling to or from the Middle East and beyond,” said Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Americas and Africa. “This partnership is a further demonstration of our commitment to the United States and we will continue to look for new opportunities to enhance our service provision moving forwards.”

“We’re pleased to partner with an airline also known for offering travelers a world-class flying experience – with a focus on upscale amenities and outstanding service,” said Adam Green, Director of Network Planning at Virgin America. “We hope this new agreement will offer guests a more seamless travel experience on two airlines known for the quality of their service.”

Emirates currently flies twice daily from Los Angeles, Houston and New York City, and daily from San Francisco non-stop to Dubai. In addition to award-winning onboard service, multi-course meals and 1,200 channels of on-demand entertainment, Emirates passengers in transit at Dubai International Airport can enjoy state-of-the-art facilities at Terminal 3, dedicated exclusively to the international carrier. An Emirates lounge is set to debut at San Francisco International Terminal in February 2011.

Bookings may be made on Emirates tickets only and can be purchased through www.emirates.com, Emirates call centers, partner travel agencies and other online travel agencies.