Google is joining forces with Virgin America to allow flight passengers to test-fly the new Chromebook computers for free and Airline passengers will be allowed to use the computers during their flight and even at select airport gates starting from July 1 through September 30, 2011. For passengers who borrow the Chromebook, they will receive a free WiFi session onboard Virgin America and at airport gates in San Francisco, Chicago O’Hare, Boston and in Dallas-Fort Worth will consist of Google Chrome Zone lounges beginning this week…………
Virgin America, the airline that is reinventing domestic flying announces that it is teaming up with Google Inc. to offer guests the opportunity to “test-fly” Google‘s new Chromebook for free onboard their flight and at select airport gates. From July 1-September 30, 2011, Virgin America flyers will have the exclusive chance to check out a Chromebook at their departure airport gate and take the new notebook computer out for a spin onboard select Virgin America flights. In addition, flyers who check out a Chromebook will receive a free WiFi session onboard Virgin America via the Gogo network. Virgin America was the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi, so Chromebook users on all Virgin America flights can open their browser and surf the web for free at 35,000 feet. With an eight-second boot time, the available Chromebooks are built for today’s connected traveler. “Our goal has always been to use the best in technology to reinvent the travel experience – and help bring some fun back to flying,” said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing for Virgin America. “As another California company known for connecting people in new ways, Google has been a key partner with us from our very first flights in 2007 – powering the interactive Google maps onboard our Red entertainment platform. We’re delighted to team up with Google yet again in a way that keeps our guests entertained and connected – in both the physical and virtual clouds.”
Virgin America and Ace Hotel are also launching a “Get Away with a Chromebook” sweepstakes via Facebook for one lucky winner to score a free Chromebook and fly with a guest to New York for a two-night stay at The Ace Hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The winner will also receive a 30-day pass to use Aircell Gogo WiFi Internet service onboard Virgin America. Virgin America guests traveling between the airline’s sleek and sustainable new home at San Francisco International Airport‘s (SFO) Terminal 2 and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will see Google Chrome Zone lounges at their gates starting this week, where they can learn more about the Chromebook and check one out for their flight. Travelers can simply check in at their departure gate, swipe their credit card (for deposit purposes) and receive a Chromebook for use on their flights between SFO and DFW, ORD or BOS. The Chromebooks can be returned at the guest’s arriving gate. The Chrome Zone service is offered for free for all Virgin America flyers traveling between SFO and the above airports. Google Chrome Staff will also be on hand at the participating Virgin America gates to assist guests.
“Designed for people who live on the web and are on the go, the speed, simplicity and security of Chromebooks are an ideal choice for today’s travelers,” said Caesar Sengupta, Director of Chrome OS at Google. “We’re pleased to partner once again with Virgin America to keep travelers connected and productive no matter where they are – even at 35,000 feet.” In addition, Google and Virgin America are jointly developing a “Virgin America Traveler” Chrome app which will be made available in July at the Chrome Web Store. The free app will help travelers gear up and get inspired for upcoming trips by allowing users to select their packing essentials on the fly and even brainstorm their next trip using UrbanDaddy‘s insider recommendations on where to go, what to see and what to do in select Virgin America cities. UrbanDaddy‘s deep and meticulously updated archives of local content comprise one of the most clever and well-curated collections of real-time city guides available. The app will also generate a custom packing list of “must-bring” essentials that no traveler should forget to carry-on as they head out to a specific destination. The app’s Trip Board will feature photos from Virgin America‘s destinations to inspire a traveler’s next jaunt. Virgin America Traveler apps users will be able to then post, tweet and share their packing lists or Trip Boards with their friends – even at 35,000 feet.
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