VIRGIN CHARTER CREATES FIRST-EVER QUALITY RATING PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE AVIATION


ATLANTA -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Virgin Charter, a new full service online marketplace that brings together buyers and sellers of private air travel, today announced the Virgin Charter Quality Program, the first-ever quality program for private aviation. The program allows best-in-class operators and service providers to distinguish themselves, and offers greater transparency to customers who will be able to have unprecedented insight into the quality of the planes they charter. Virgin Charter has commissioned J.D. Power and Associates, the leading market research firm, to administer the program which will establish a single quality rating for planes and service. The program will be available exclusively through Virgin Charter.

As part of the program, Virgin Charter has brought together a consortium of industry leaders to create the standards of excellence for private aviation. Current Advisory Council Members include:

- Brad Kost, CEO, Key Air
- Paul Touw, CEO, XOJET
- Jon Winthrop, CEO, The Air Group
- Barry Ellis, President, Hop-a-Jet
- Don White, CEO, BDR Resource Management
- Bob Seidel, SVP & General Manager, Jet Aviation
- Kim Showalter, President, Showalter Aviation

“Today, there are no universally accepted standards for quality in private aviation, making it impossible for buyers to differentiate among sellers. We developed the Virgin Charter Quality Program with the consumer experience in mind. This program will empower buyers and allow top operators to be recognized for their excellence,” said Scott Duffy, founder and CEO, Virgin Charter. “Working with JD Power and Associates and some of the most respected leaders in private aviation ensures our quality program will quickly become the benchmark in the industry.”

The program will be rolled out in early 2008 and will allow operators in the Virgin Charter Marketplace to be evaluated and rated against these quality standards. This review process will provide operators valuable and objective feedback that can be used to elevate service levels. Buyers of private charter will enjoy an unprecedented level of information about the operators and aircraft available within Virgin Charter Marketplace and will be empowered to make fully informed decisions about the service they purchase.

About Virgin Charter

Virgin Charter (www.virgincharter.com) is an online marketplace for selling, purchasing and booking charter flights on private aircraft. Virgin Charter brings unprecedented efficiency, transparency and convenience to the industry. The company is privately held and headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif.

# # #