Last week I headed on down to the Dallas Opera for the Virgin America party to commemorate the commencement of service from LAX to DFW airport. This marks Virgin’s arrival into the Dallas area, which is extremely signifigant because Dallas is the headquarters for two major airlines, American and Southwest, and DFW is also:
Fourth largest airport in the world by land area.
Third busiest as measured by aircraft movement.
Eighth busiest in terms of passenger transport.
So big it has its own post office, ZIP code, and public services.
And Virgin clearly understands the signifigance of reaching into the DFW metroplex with its 6.5 million plus residents. So much so that Sir Richard Branson himself was present for the opening, and he brought along a surprise guest to entertain the attendees – Willie Nelson!
We’re glad to have Virgin enter the market, and I’m looking forward to seeing them open up more routes. After LAX comes San Francisco, where I tend to travel to often. The question remains, how will they get me to switch from American where I have elite status to Virgin where I’ll be treated like everyone else because I can’t fly to all the different destinations AA can take me.
Time will tell.
Anyway, I took a bunch of photos at the event, and here are a few.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, Willie Nelson entertains guests with his music, alongside Richard Branson at the event.
Celebration at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, Richard Branson and Willie Nelson share a moment on stage.
Richard Branson speaks at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party with Willie Nelson and staff.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW debut with Richard Branson and Willie Nelson.
Live music performance at Virgin Airlines DFW launch party featuring a guitarist and special guests Richard Branson and Willie Nelson.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch with live music featuring a guitarist and special guests.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, featuring Richard Branson and country legend Willie Nelson.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, Richard Branson shares a joyful moment with the crowd.
Legendary musician Willie Nelson performing at Virgin Airlines DFW launch party with Richard Branson.
Richard Branson performs live at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party with backup singers and musicians.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch with Richard Branson and Willie Nelson’s live music.
Richard Branson greets fans during Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party, with Willie Nelson present in the background.
Richard Branson greets fans at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party, with Willie Nelson in attendance.
Richard Branson and Willie Nelson at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party, engaging with fans and celebrating the new airline route.
Willie Nelson playing guitar and singing at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch event, celebrating the new airline service.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson at the event.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ Dallas-Fort Worth launch with iconic entrepreneur Richard Branson and legendary musician Willie Nelson.
Richard Branson at Virgin Airlines DFW launch party, wearing a “Stand Up and Don’t Tread” T-shirt, smiling and raising his hand.
Prominent figures Richard Branson and Willie Nelson pose together at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch event, highlighting a memorable celebration.
A close-up of an acoustic guitar used during the Virgin Airline DFW launch party, featuring signatures and autographs.
Willie Nelson playing guitar at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch party with Richard Branson present.
Legendary musician Willie Nelson playing guitar at Virgin Airlines’ Dallas-Fort Worth event with Richard Branson.
Celebration at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson.
Legendary entrepreneur Richard Branson at Virgin Airlines’ DFW event, celebrating with music and excitement.
Legendary musicians Richard Branson and Willie Nelson entertain guests at the Virgin Airlines DFW launch party.
Willie Nelson playing guitar at the Virgin Airlines DFW launch party, attended by Richard Branson, celebrating the new airline route.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ Dallas-Fort Worth launch with Richard Branson and Willie Nelson on stage.
A signed acoustic guitar displayed during Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch event, with signatures visible on the body.
Richard Branson entertains guests with guitar at Virgin Airlines DFW launch party, joined by young performers and celebrity guests.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson on stage.
Celebration at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson on stage.
Celebrating the Virgin Airlines DFW launch, with Richard Branson and Willie Nelson at the event.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch, Willie Nelson entertains guests with his iconic country music performance.
Richard Branson smiling at the Virgin Airlines DFW launch event, with Willie Nelson visible in the background.
Richard Branson at Virgin Airline’s DFW launch party, wearing a “Stand Up and Don’t Tread” T-shirt, celebrating the event.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch with iconic musician Willie Nelson and entrepreneur Richard Branson.
Willie Nelson playing guitar at the Virgin Airlines DFW launch party, attended by Richard Branson and other celebrities.
Guests enjoy the Virgin Airlines DFW launch event with live music, including Willie Nelson, and a large Texas flag backdrop.
Celebration at Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson, with guests enjoying live music and festivities.
Celebrating Virgin Airlines’ DFW launch with a concert featuring Richard Branson and Willie Nelson on stage.
Richard Branson performing at the Virgin Airlines DFW launch party alongside Willie Nelson.
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4 Comments
Oooh, how fun – two huge members of the Stephen Colbert pantheon! Did you know that there is an airplane named after Stephen Colbert in the Virgin Airlines fleet called “Air Colbert”? Also, this reminds me that the “Colbert Christmas Special – The Greatest Gift Of All!” should be airing this next week on Comedy Central. Willie Nelson plays the fourth wise man in the nativity and sings about “the magical weed” with Stephen. It’s absolutely glorious!
Also, the party looked fun too. ;)
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing a world I could never be close to. Virgin just might be the next Southwest. Guess I’ll just have to try them. Happy Holidays to all !!
Great shots of Willie — although you need a wide-angle lens to fully capture his big bandanas these days. :)
I thought richard branson had given up self publicity :P I rem him in the hot air ballon fiasco!
Last week I headed on down to the Dallas Opera for the Virgin America party to commemorate the commencement of service from LAX to DFW airport. This marks Virgin’s arrival into the Dallas area, which is extremely signifigant because Dallas is the headquarters for two major airlines, American and Southwest, and DFW is also:
And Virgin clearly understands the signifigance of reaching into the DFW metroplex with its 6.5 million plus residents. So much so that Sir Richard Branson himself was present for the opening, and he brought along a surprise guest to entertain the attendees – Willie Nelson!
Oooh, how fun – two huge members of the Stephen Colbert pantheon! Did you know that there is an airplane named after Stephen Colbert in the Virgin Airlines fleet called “Air Colbert”? Also, this reminds me that the “Colbert Christmas Special – The Greatest Gift Of All!” should be airing this next week on Comedy Central. Willie Nelson plays the fourth wise man in the nativity and sings about “the magical weed” with Stephen. It’s absolutely glorious!
Also, the party looked fun too. ;)
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing a world I could never be close to. Virgin just might be the next Southwest. Guess I’ll just have to try them.
Happy Holidays to all !!
Great shots of Willie — although you need a wide-angle lens to fully capture his big bandanas these days. :)
I thought richard branson had given up self publicity :P I rem him in the hot air ballon fiasco!