EXPRESSJET CORPORATE AVIATION JOINS VIRGIN CHARTER AS CHARTER MEMBER


HOUSTON, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The match could have been made in heaven, but it took a new high-tech solution to bring Virgin Charter's revolutionary new online marketplace together with ExpressJet's 99.9 percent reliability and operational experience.

The idea is simple: Virgin Charter created a full-service online marketplace where safety-rated charter aviation operators meet private aviation customers. Virgin Charter does not own or operate the aircraft. That's where ExpressJet Corporate Aviation comes in.

"ExpressJet Airlines has been a Fortune magazine 'Most Admired Airline,' twice, in large part due to our ability to deliver a reliable, consistently high-quality experience to customers," said Jim Ream, President and CEO of ExpressJet.

With well over 3 million trips under its seat belt, ExpressJet understands how to please customers. After expanding its flight operations to include a Corporate Aviation division, ExpressJet has provided distinctive travel solutions to corporations, aircraft brokers, hospitality companies, sports teams, schools, and, not unexpectedly for a charter company that partners with Virgin Charter, rock-n-roll bands.

"We continually look for ways to make the travel experience simpler, more efficient and more comfortable," Ream said. "That is something we have in common with Virgin Charter, and we're pleased to combine our strengths for private aviation customers."

"We are excited to have ExpressJet on board as a Charter Member," said Scott Duffy, Founder and CEO, Virgin Charter. "Having the most respected charter operators in our marketplace is one of the elements that make it the most innovative and efficient way to buy and sell private air travel."

ExpressJet Corporate Aviation harnesses the expertise of seasoned aviation veterans operating under ExpressJet Airlines' CFR 121 operating certificate. It brings the same world-class service, support and reliability to corporate aviation that it provides in scheduled operations doing business as Continental Express, Delta Connection and under its own brand, ExpressJet.

ExpressJet Corporate Aviation's fleet of young, quiet and fuel-efficient ERJ-145XR aircraft is configured with 50 redesigned memory-foam leather seats and over 100 channels of XM radio. Customized flight service options give customers an opportunity to create a unique flight experience.

About Virgin Charter

Virgin Charter (http://www.virgincharter.com) is an online marketplace that brings together private aviation buyers and sellers. Virgin Charter brings unprecedented efficiency, transparency and convenience to the industry. The company is privately held and headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif.

About ExpressJet

ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. operates numerous divisions designed to leverage the management experience, efficiencies and economies of scale present in its subsidiaries, including ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. and ExpressJet Services, LLC. ExpressJet Airlines serves 175 destinations in North America and the Caribbean with approximately 1,500 departures per day. Operations include capacity purchase and pro-rate agreements for mainline carriers; providing clients customized 50-seat charter options; training services through its world-class facility in Houston, Texas; and branded flying, providing non-stop service to markets concentrated in the West, Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. ExpressJet Services is the North American partner to three major European original equipment manufacturers and provides composite, sheet metal, interior and thrust reverser repairs throughout five facilities in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.expressjet.com and for more information on ExpressJet Corporate Aviation, visit http://www.xjtcorporateaviation.com.

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