Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading airlines, is launching a new Facebook application in November which will allow its Flying Club members to view flight information and their Flying Club account details through their Facebook page. Members will be able to view real time arrival and departure information on flights and the highlights of their Flying Club account including mini statements detailing recent activity plus a miles summary, recently booked flights and up to date offers and promotions. Flying Club members can even send details of flights they will be taking to their Facebook friends.

In order to sign up to be able to view their Flying Club account on Facebook members just need to register their interest within the Flying Club communication preferences section on VirginAtlantic.com and they will receive a Facebook Link PIN which they then use to enable a small application within their normal Facebook page. Non Flying Club members will still be able to use the real time arrival and departure information feature and will be able to enroll into the Flying Club via Facebook.

Allison Wightman, Head of Marketing Systems, commented;

"This application means that Flying Club information will be readily available for Flying Club members in a place which many of them visit on a daily basis. We are sure many of our members will like the link between the two sites, especially the feature which allows them to show off their jet-setting lifestyle to their friends on Facebook."

The Flying Club Facebook idea was born out of Virgin Atlantic’s VJAM programme which is an Open Innovation initiative with NESTA, the UK’s National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (http://www.nesta.org.uk/v-jam/). The co-innovators of the Facebook app are customers of Virgin Atlantic and are also members of Virgin Atlantic’s independent fan community (www.v-flyer.com).

Virgin Atlantic will also be launching a new library of useful online applications and web sites called "InnovationZone" (http://www.virginatlantic.com/innovationzone ) which will be a one-stop-hub for all travel-related products and services. For example there will be a �best of travel apps� section for iPhone users which lists apps that Virgin staff and customers consider to be useful.

As a Flying Club member, a passenger travelling even on the lowest economy fare will earn Flying Club miles, which can then be spent on a host of wonderful rewards. Passengers can also earn miles with our Flying Club partners, which include other airlines, hotels, restaurants and a range of companies worldwide. Non Flying Club members can join the programme as a Flying Club Red member with an online account, where they can check their mileage balance, view statements and be among the first to hear about exclusive Virgin Atlantic offers, competitions and news.

The airline’s VJAM event earlier this year found many new innovative initiatives. Its aim is to co-innovate with Virgin Atlantic’s passengers and it blends topics that our customers are interested in with opportunities that make travel more social. Other VJAM initiatives will be released over the following months. See http://www.virginatlantic.com/innovationzone for details.

For further information please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747373 or log onto http://www.virginatlantic.com



Notes to Editors



About NESTA



NESTA is the largest independent endowment in the UK. Its mission is to support innovation to drive economic recovery and solve some of the UK's major social challenges. NESTA is a world leader in its field and is in a unique position to support and promote innovation through a blend of practical programmes, policy and research and investment in early-stage companies.

www.nesta.org.uk