Virgin America has announced changes to its baggage fee structure, as well as its online change and cancellation fee. Effective immediately, the airline is lowering its fee for changes or cancellations made on its website from $75 to $50 and has also changed its baggage fee structure to a flat rate for all checked items.
Passengers who book travel on or after 5 May will be charged $15 for each checked bag. The airline previously charged $25 for a second checked bag and $50 for third and subsequent bags, the first bag having been carried free of charge.
Under the new fee rules, First Class guests will continue to receive up to two checked bags free. Guests in the carrier’s premium Main Cabin Select service or those who purchase Fully Refundable Main Cabin fares will continue to receive one free checked bag. All weight and size policies remain the same, and the airline’s carry-on baggage policy has not changed.
Virgin America’s vice-president of planning and sales, Diana Walke, explained the changes. “Because we fly to primary airports, we mainly compete with the large network carriers – all of whom already charge this fee. We’re following the trend in domestic travel both here and abroad, in order to keep fares low, while continuing to offer the highest quality product in the US market.”
That product will be enhanced this summer, with software upgrades to the touch-screen Red IFE system to allow greater functionality, reliability and speed. Moreover, Gogo inflight internet, which is already available on half the fleet, will be available on every flight by June.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Connect with us on socials
