Start-up airline Virgin America recently announced that EchoStar Communications Corporation will be the airline's primary live in-flight satellite entertainment partner. Pending government approval, the airline hopes to introduce domestic U.S. service in Spring 2007.
The agreement will provide Virgin America's guests with an variety of EchoStar's DISH Network satellite TV programming. In addition to live DISH Network satellite TV, the airline will offer customers 'pay-per-view' movies, audio music entertainment that includes the ability to compile individual audio playlists, a selection of popular electronic games, and even meals on-demand.
"Once the Department of Transportation says we can fly, we'll be ready to offer our guests an incredible entertainment experience and DISH Network is a major component of that," said Charles Ogilvie, Virgin America's Director of Inflight Entertainment & Partnerships. "Our interactive entertainment system is more than just a channel line-up in which our guests will immerse themselves. We believe they'll find it to be an exciting, customer-friendly experience overall."
"We are delighted to be part of this innovative airborne entertainment offering," said Charlie Ergen, Chairman and CEO of EchoStar's DISH Network. "DISH Network is focused on securing and delivering exciting, timely and appealing content to Virgin America guests as well as our 13 million-plus subscribers throughout the United States."
For more information on the new partnership, check out the press release Virgin America to Offer EchoStar's DISH Network at Every Seat on Every Flight.
