Launched in August 2007 and headquartered in the Bay Area, Virgin America has grown to more than 1200 teammates, seven destination cities, and over 80 flights a day, with a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including "Best U.S. Business Class" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Business Travel Poll and "Best Domestic Airline" in the Travel + Leisure Annual World's Best Awards.

"We're the only airline headquartered in San Francisco and this community has supported us from day one, so we couldn't be more honored to fly alongside this country's most talented military pilots and to take part in such a proud hometown tradition, as both a sponsor -- and a performer," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "Our goal was to bring this region's entrepreneurial, innovative spirit to the skies and we're pleased that in just one year flying we've done just that, with a list of travel industry best-in-class awards."

Fleet Week San Francisco 2008, runs from Oct. 9-14, 2008 all along the San Francisco waterfront. The air show portion of Fleet Week will take place from October 10-12th, and will feature a Virgin America Airbus A320 commercial aircraft, U.S. F-16 Viper West, and Patriot jet demonstration teams, as well as the United States Air Forces' newest lighter aircraft -- the F-22A Raptor A-10 and the U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter.

Virgin America's brand new planes offer guests mood lighting, custom-designed leather seats, and the Red In-flight Entertainment(tm) system which allows guests to control their on-board travel experience. Guests can order food, watch one of more than 25 on-demand movies or satellite TV, play a videogame, create a personal play list from over 3,000 MP3 music tracks, or instant message with other guests -- all from a 9-inch video touch-screen and qwerty keyboard/remote control at every seat.

Virgin America operates the newest fleet of commercial aircraft in the U.S., which is up to 30 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the average fleet flying domestically. The airline has built sustainability practices into its training and operations since its launch.

Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, SFO to SEA, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, LAX to SEA, and non-stop JFK to LAS.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S.-controlled and operated airline that is an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

About Virgin America: Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is a California-based airline that offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel. Virgin America's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern and convenient International Terminal. The airline's new Airbus A320-family aircraft offer interactive in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets for electronic gear. In September 2008, Virgin America was rated the "Best U.S. Business Class" in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Business Travel Poll. In July 2008, the carrier was named "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. In Zagat's 2007 Global Airlines Survey, the airline was ranked #1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First Class. To learn more: www.virginamerica.com

The Virgin America logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2371

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Virgin America

Virgin America
          Media Contact:
          Devon Carey
          (650) 762-7169
          devon.carey@virginamerica.com

The new HC and MC configurations are based on the proven KC-130J operated by the United States Marine Corps. The capabilities of the KC-130J very closely match the requirements for HC/MC-130 missions and will require very little modification. The KC-130J is performing at or above expectations in operational service in Southwest Asia as the tactical tanker for Marine Corps fighters and helicopters. The air-to-air refueling mission of the KC-130J is very similar to the requirements set out by the Air Force for the HC/MC-130 program.

Three new technologies were also unveiled that will be included in the baseline configuration of all new C-130Js:

-- Global Digital Map Unit built by Israel's Elbit Systems will enhance tactical operations and provide far more data to the crew.

-- TacView Portable Mission Display built by Canada's CMC places mission functionality at the flight crew's fingertips and vastly improves mission and in-flight re-planning.

-- CMC's InegriFlight commercial GPS Landing System Sensor Unit fulfills the C-130J program's requirement for an Instrument Flight Rules, civil-certified Global Navigational Satellite System.

In the United States, Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J. Air Combat Command and Special Operations Command have ordered new fleets. Around the world C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and Royal Danish Air Force. Norway, Canada and India have ordered new C-130J fleets.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

                For additional information, visit our website:
                        http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

http://www.lockheedmartin.com