"As a Virgin-branded airline and the only U.S. airline headquartered in California, sustainability has been a part of Virgin America’s DNA from its inception. The airline’s sustainability principles, which were established in its first year of operation, are integrated across the Company. Virgin America has undertaken these efforts not only because they are what the airline’s teammates and customers demand, but also because they’re good for the Company’s bottom-line — and, ultimately, for the future of air travel".
- Virgin America Mission
2015 Nominee
Virgin America- Website- Mobile Site & Apps-
Responsive Redesign Best User Interface Best User Interface
Now why is Virgin America the best designed website?
1 Usability) They are revolutionizing the airline industry and they are trying to change the game from a stressful experience to an simple experience. We all know airline websites are overran with major usability issues, not even complementary drinks could compensate. But Virgin America is here to change those issues and they actually have one of the best websites that pushes usability, accessibility, and responsive design forward. How do we know they are creating change and fixing the issues? They have been named as the first truly responsive airline website which will really change the game for a company.
2 Function) Virgin America hired Work & Co to help them revolutionize their business by helping them change the way their website functions. Airline companies have just copied each other for years but Virgin America wanted to create the website designed for Travelers. VirginAmerica.com is the first responsive airline site and it is said to get users booked in half the time (average 2-second load) and the fastest checkout time (8 second checkout). Purchasing a ticket through this website is now just a step-by-step process which results in a pocket-fold-up boarding pass.
3 Language) Developed a visual language based on illustrations in place of slow-to-load photographs, and we took inspiration from the company's mood-lit planes and cheeky sense of humor to create an experience that felt distinctly Virgin.
4 User Context ) Virgin America shed light on relevant information that can be used to characterize the situation of a user. Now you are able to simply find your seat on the flight or request a seat and then you can also add individuals in your party and make sure everyone sits where you want. Virgin America talked about how the seen elderly women use this tool with ease which really made them happy for the future of this website.
5 Aesthetics ) This website has a lot to offer and many options but it has a great amount of white space which gives it a fresh feeling, something you want when booking a trip. The color pattern is the same throughout which sticks too the Virgins roots. The typography stays clean and it never breaks pattern. The imagery is used to give you a better look of what you will expect if you've never flown with them and they also use new update art imagery for each state you want to fly to which is a nice feature.
6 Responsive ) People are always on the move so the best website needs to be geared towards people on the move. Thats why this website is compatible as a website, mobile site, and app in which they received Best User Interface in all three categories.
Since launching in August 2007, Virgin America has racked up a list of travel industry “best in class” awards. Check out a few who have recognized our success in creating an airline that people love.
- Ranked #1 U.S. airline in the 2013-2016 Airline Quality Rating report
- Consumer Reports 2013 Best U.S, Airline
- Best Domestic Airline in Condé Nast Traveler 2008-2016 Readers’ Choice Awards
- Best U.S. Business/First Class in 2008-2013 Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Poll
- Best Domestic Airline in 2008-2016 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
- Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards – Best Domestic Airline for Food in 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Ranked #1 Domestic Airline in Travel + Leisure and Fortune Best in Business Travel Survey 2014-2015
- Fast Company’s Top 50 Most Innovative Companies, 2015 (#8)
- 2016 Bronze Cannes Lion for BLAH Airlines in Promo & Activation
- 2015 Bronze Canne Lion for virginamerica.com responsive design, Digital Design: Website
- 2015 Bronze CLIO winner for virginamerica.com responsive design, Digital Website
- 2014 Bronze CLIO winner for #SafetyDance Safety Video in Music Film
- 2016 Shorty Award winner for BLAH Airlines, Best Use of an Integrated Campaign in Travel & Tourism
- 2014 Shorty Award winner for in-flight safety video, Best Use of Video in a Social Media Campaign
- Ted Talks 2014 “Ads Worth Spreading” Challenge winner for in-flight safety video
- 2015 Webby Award for virginamerica.com responsive design, BEST Visual Design – Function Category
- 2014 Webby Award Honoree for In-flight safety video, Branded Entertainment Category
- 2013 Webby People’s Voice Award for Branded Entertainment - Scripted (Departure Date) and Tourism and Leisure (experiencevirginamerica.com)
- 2008 Webby Award Honoree for Travel Website
- 2010-2016 Skytrax World Airline Award winner for Low-Cost Airline, North America
- 2015 Skytrax World Airline Award for Best Airline in North America
- Skytrax World Airline Awards Best Airline Staff Service in North America 2009 and 2011-2015
- Air Transport World 2011 Industry Achievement Awards for Best Passenger Service
- Premier Traveler Magazine Best In-Flight Service in North America and Best Domestic Airline in 2013
- Premier Traveler Magazine Best North American Airline for First-Class Service, Best In-Flight Service in North America and Best Domestic Airline in 2012
- Zagat’s 2010 Global Airlines Survey (of over 8,000 frequent flyers):
- First overall highest score across all U.S. carriers for quality of service in Main Cabin
- First for overall quality in First/Business Class among mid-sized domestic carriers
- First for overall quality in the Economy cabin among mid-sized domestic carriers
- Top marks for track record on sustainability
- Zagat’s 2009 Global Airlines Survey (of over 5,500 frequent flyers):
- First for overall quality in First/Business Class among mid-sized domestic carriers
- First for overall quality in the Economy cabin among mid-sized domestic carriers
- First ranked Web site among domestic airlines
- Top marks for track record on sustainability
- Executive Travel Leading Edge Awards, Overall Best Domestic Airline 2012
- Executive Travel Leading Edge Awards, 2011:
- Gold: Top Domestic Airline Overall
- Gold: Top Domestic Airline Customer Service
- Bronze: Top Domestic Airline First-Class Service
- Executive Travel Leading Edge Awards, Editors Honors, 2010
- The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) in 2015 named Virgin America:
- Best in Region — Americas
- Best In-Flight Video
- The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) in 2014 named Virgin America:
- Best Overall Passenger Experience
- Best in Region — Americas
- Best Ground Experience
- Best Cabin Ambience
- Best In-Flight Video
- The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) in 2013 named Virgin America:
- Best Overall Passenger Experience
- Best in Region – Americas
- Best Ground Experience
- APEX in 2012 named Virgin America:
- Best Overall Passenger Experience
- Best in Region – Americas
- Best Cabin Ambiance
- Best In-Flight Entertainment User Interface
- APEX in 2011 named Virgin America:
- Best Overall Passenger Experience
- Best In-Flight Entertainment – Americas
- Best In-Flight Video
- APEX in 2010 named Virgin America:
- Best Overall Passenger Experience
- Best in Region – Americas
- Best Ground Experience
- Best In-Flight Connectivity and Communications
- APEX in 2009 named Virgin America:
- Best In-Flight Entertainment – Americas
- Best Single Achievement in In-Flight Entertainment: on-demand food and drink ordering system on Red™
- Top-ranked airline in Diet Detective Annual Airline Snacking and Onboard Food Survey with Health Ratings, 2011-2016
- “Notable In-Flight Dining” in 2014 SAVEUR Culinary Travel Awards for First Class and Main Cabin
- Travel Zoo’s Best U.S. Deals 2014, Leading Provider of Domestic Airfare 2012 and Leading Provider of Domestic Airfare Deals, 2011
- Best Travel Company to Work For — Glassdoor
- Perfect Score in 2015 and 2010 Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index Best Places to Work Survey
- Most Eco-Friendly Airline, SmarterTravel Editor’s Choice, 2010
- Greenopia’s “Greenest” Domestic Airline, 2011
- Best U.S. Airline in Business Traveler Magazine’s 2009 and 2010 Best in Business Travel Survey
- ATME Atlas Award for Innovation, 2010
- Arthur Frommer's 2007 Extra Mile Award in best new travel values
- Favorite Airline in Gadling’s 2010 Airline Survey
- Planet Out 2008, Best Airline
- OMMA Awards 2008, Best Travel Site
- Spark Awards 2008, Gold, Virgin America Red™ In-Flight entertainment system design
- Spark Awards 2008, Silver, Virgin America Cabin Interior design
America, Virgin. "Awards - About." Virgin America. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2017.
https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/about-our-airline/awards
Lukas,
ReplyDeleteI really liked that you included all of the statistics regarding the awards the Virgin America website has won. Your reasoning was valid, and I enjoyed the screenshots you included. I will definitely check out the Virgin America website now!