O'Hare To Be Like a Vi-ir-ir-ir-gin?

By Margaret Lyons in News on May 12, 2008 4:45PM

Virgin America is petitioning the FAA for two gates at O'Hare for a planned eight flights a day, four to San Fransisco and four to LA. The company expects the FAA to make its ruling by June and to start flying into and out of Chicago around November if things go their way.

According to Virgin's press release, "legacy airlines" account for 99 percent of domestic departures at O'Hare, with low-cost carriers accounting for a measly 1 percent.

While Virgin America ostensibly has swankier accommodations than other airlines (power outlets at every seat being the big one), its claims that its flights are particularly cheap aren't exactly true. A quick Kayaking shows United, American and Jet Blue regularly beat Virgin's fares. So while cheaper, or at least cheapish, flights to California would be great, Virgin's arrival at O'Hare doesn't necessarily mean that's going to happen. [Virgin's press release, S-T, Trib, Crain's]