More on Colbert’s no-show at the Virgin America Air Colbert flight

From the Associated Press:

Virgin America to Add Tad of Competition
By JOHN WILEN 08.08.07, 11:32 AM ET
Associated Press
NEW YORK -
Just as major airlines are beginning to return to profitability after cutting capacity to lower costs and boost profits, Virgin America entered the fray Wednesday.

Virgin America’s inaugural flights, which could mark the beginning of stiffer price competition, will link its San Francisco hub with New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles.

The new carrier got a taste of the challenges other airlines face when its first flight out of Kennedy Airport was delayed due to the severe storms that hit New York Wednesday morning. Airport officials said the storms caused flight delays of up to an hour and a half and much worse ground delays.

Virgin America’s scheduled 10 a.m. flight lifted off about 10:50, said spokesman Gareth Edmonson-Jones. Onboard were Branson and Chief Executive Fred Reid, who was late arriving at the airport.

Comedian Stephen Colbert, scheduled to attend a ceremony at the airport, didn’t make it.

“He was in a car for 4 1/2 hours and turned around in the end,” Edmonson-Jones said.

Full text of article

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