Few planes make for growing pains at Virgin

While expanding routes in recent weeks, startup airline Virgin America Inc. canceled flights due to an airplane shortage.
The Burlingame-based carrier said Friday it canceled "a limited number" of flights because of delays in receiving new Airbus A320s and A319s. The planes came later than expected because they had to be modified with Virgin America's computerized entertainment system embedded in each seatback.
The cancellations were most pronounced along Virgin America's transcontinental routes linking San Francisco and New York City and Washington, D.C.
Further cancellations are not expected, said spokeswoman Abby Lunardini.
"We've re-accommodated all of the guests impacted," she said. "We've made every effort to do this as seamlessly as possible for our guests and we appreciate their patience."
Virgin America has 11 planes in its fleet, which will expand to 31 planes a year from now.
After launching Aug. 8 with service between Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City, Virgin America added service to Washington D.C. Sept. 26 and Las Vegas Oct. 10. The carrier will begin flights between Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Oct. 24.
Service to San Diego and a number of other cities is expected in coming months. The carrier, part owned by British billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, said it will serve as many as 10 cities by Aug. 2008.
credited by: bizjournals.com