SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- This Earth Day, Virgin America, the new airline aimed at reinventing air travel and making flying good again, has launched a unique partnership with Method, the environmentally-friendly home and personal care product company that creates the hand soap provided on all Virgin America flights. Together, they are sponsoring California State Parks Foundation environmental restoration projects across Northern California and surprising Virgin America passengers with a special gift that offers travelers a few easy tools to go green at home.
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The two San Francisco-based companies are pledging $3 for every guest flying on Virgin America on Earth Day, April 22. Each guest will have a pledge made on their behalf to support environmental restoration projects through the California State Parks Foundation. Along with the pledge, every flier on every Virgin America flight on April 22 will receive Method's chic reusable "Plastic Bag Rehab" tote with the company's new compostable cleaning surface wipes made from 100 percent bamboo.
"As San Francisco-based companies who are committed to finding innovative, new solutions to old ways of doing things, we wanted to do something a little bit different to help give back this Earth Day and engage our employees and communities in the process," said David Cush, President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin America. "California is known the world over for its spectacular natural beauty and for being the birthplace of the environmental movement, so it is only fitting that we pledge contributions for Californians and those visiting the state to help restore some of our most beautiful and scenic natural resources, especially those in underserved communities in our own backyard."
On April 19, Virgin America and Method kicked off the Earth Day partnership by "adopting" the community-based Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. Virgin America and Method employees and community residents joined forces for a day of environmental restoration projects aimed at expanding and improving the park's community garden. Candlestick Point State Recreation Area is the state's first "urban" park and includes a community garden, open wildlife areas and other public spaces that support a better way of life in this underserved San Francisco neighborhood. Without Virgin America and Method's support, the site would not otherwise have had funding for critical community-based environmental projects this Earth Day.
"Virgin America and Method are both committed to making a difference in our communities," said Alastair Dorward, Chief Executive Officer at Method. "We're thrilled that we could work together to give back locally to the Bay Area, while offering something special for travelers flying on Earth Day. We want to surprise passengers with a gift that encourages consumers to make smart green choices in everyday product use."
This Earth Day, media are invited to "fly-along" on any Virgin America flight to help support environmental restoration projects. Method and Virgin America reps will be flying on the following flight, which press are invited to attend. Virgin America will provide return travel for media. Please RSVP in advance to book a seat.
When: April 22, 9:35 am, Virgin America Flight 849 from SFO-LAX (same day return)
Where: San Francisco International Airport, International Terminal
What: Guests on the flights will receive an eco-chic custom-designed "Plastic Bag Rehab" filled with Method's planet friendly products. Virgin America and Method will contribute $3 for every flier for the California Parks Foundation. Guests on the flight will also be able to tune into a number of Earth Day friendly custom-programming on Virgin America's seatback touch-screen in-flight entertainment system Red, including Al Gore's "Climate in Crisis" TED talk to cutting-edge content from Sundance Channel.
Reporters can fly on any Virgin America flight on April 22nd to receive a Method bag. Virgin America currently flies from SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, SFO to SEA and LAX to SEA.
About Method:
Founded in 2000, Method Products, Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Today, method is the leading innovator of premium healthy home care products. Method can be found in over 25,000 retail locations throughout the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia. Major retailers include Target, Wegman's, Costco, Duane Reade, Safeway, Waitrose (UK), Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada) and Woolworths (Australia). Method is a privately held company backed by high net worth individuals and a private equity firm. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.methodhome.com.
About Virgin America:
Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is a new U.S. airline that will serve up to 30 cities within five years. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer guests interactive in-flight entertainment systems, power outlets for laptops and other electronic gear, and a host of other innovative features aimed at making flying good again. Zagat's 2007 Airlines Survey ranked the airline #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First Class and #2 for quality in Coach. Virgin America's mission is to make flying a little bit more fun, more entertaining, more comfortable and a little bit more environmentally sustainable. As the only major airline based in California, the carrier is working to make environmentally-sustainable practices part and parcel of its business model and looking at all areas of operations to reduce its environmental impact. The airline's brand new fleet is significantly more fuel efficient than the average plane flying domestically. In addition, as with all Virgin-aviation businesses, the entire Virgin share of profits in the company, are invested directly in renewable fuels research. To learn more, visit: www.virginamerica.com
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About California State Parks Foundation:
The California State Parks Foundation is a nonprofit, membership organization with 90,000 members founded in 1969 to help protect, enhance and advocate for California's 278 State Parks. The Foundation raises funds from members, corporations and foundations to improve and expand park programs and facilities, with special emphasis on environmental education, diversity, volunteerism and stewardship. Through advocacy, the Foundation educates the public, media and elected officials of the great contributions our State Parks make to the quality of life in California. Over the last 38 years, the Foundation has provided more than $130 million in total support to benefit our magnificent state parks.
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