For domestic flights, Virgin America recommends being at the airport 90 minutes before departure. The cut-off time for having checked baggage accepted is 45 minutes before take off. For international flights, passengers should be at the airport two hours before departure; the baggage cut- off is 60 minutes.

Online check-in is available between 24 hours and one hour before the flight is scheduled to depart. Kiosk check-in at airports and counter check-in are also available.

Hand luggage: one bag plus a personal item such as a handbag or laptop computer. The maximum outside linear dimensions should not exceed 127cm (50in). The maximum weight is 7kg (16lbs).

Checked: Main Cabin passengers may check-in up to ten bags at $25 each. The first bag may weigh up to 23kg (50lbs), the second and up to tenth bag may also weigh up to 23kg. Passengers who have bought a fully refundable Main Cabin fare have a free baggage allowance of one bag weighing up to 23kg. Second and subsequent bags up to ten may be checked-in for a fee of $25 each. Checked bags should not exceed 157cm (62in) (length + width + height).

Excess: overweight fees are $50 if the piece of luggage weighs between 23 and 32kg (51 and 70lbs) and $100 if it weighs between 32 and 45kg (71 and 100lbs). If a piece of luggage is oversize, between 160 and 203cm (63 and 80in), the fee is $50.

In the Main Cabin 81cm (32in). Main Cabin Select is the premium economy class; seat pitch is 97cm (38in).

Seats are assigned during the booking process.

Reservations can be changed or cancelled online or by calling Reservations. If a cancellation or change is needed within 24 hours of booking flights there is no fee regardless of fare class. Main Cabin passengers will pay $75 via website or $100 via the call centre, airport, and travel partners. Passengers with Main Cabin Select fares will also be levied these charges, but there is no change fee for those with Fully Refundable Main Cabin fares or First Class and Fully Refundable First Class tickets.

Lap infants fly free. A buggy or child seat can be checked-in free of charge.

Virgin America does not offer discounts for senior travellers.

Cats and dogs are allowed in the Main Cabin of the aircraft. Each animal should be carried in its own kennel. One pet carrier for each purchased seat is permitted. The total weight of the animals and kennel cannot be greater than 9kg (20lbs). Kennel dimensions cannot be more than 45cm long x 38cm wide x 20cm high (18 inches long x 15 inches wide x 8 inches high) and must fit directly under the seat in front of the flyer. There is a fee of $100 (about £60) for the transportation of each pet. Passengers should call reservations to arrange transportation. Carry-on pets count towards a flyer's carry-on baggage allowance.

A passenger travelling with a large musical instrument must buy a seat for the item. Call Reservations to arrange this.

Red is the name of Virgin America's in-flight offering - free live satellite television, pay-per-view on-demand movies and on-demand television shows, some games free and some for purchase. Travellers can purchase snacks, meals, and alcoholic beverages from their seats via Red (costs between $2 and $10 each depending on the item). Travellers can also access the Internet with Gogo Inflight.

Elevate. Passengers earn five points for every dollar spent on the base fare. Elevate points are also earned when making a purchase with partners via Virgin America's website. These include V Australia, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Doubletree.

See photographs of Virgin America's in-flight meals taken by fellow flyers and read reviews at flyerguide.net.

Virgin America doesn't have an in-flight magazine.

Virgin America is not a member of a big airline alliance however it has partnerships with several carriers. These are V Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, El Al and Qantas.

Despite the name, this airline is not one of Sir Richard Branson's carriers. It is Branson's brainchild but the Virgin Group owns just 25 per cent of Virgin America. This is due to American law, which states that no more than 25 per cent of a US airline may be owned by foreign interests. However, it has an interline agreement with Virgin Australia's subsidiary carrier V Australia which gives customers of Virgin America access to V Australia's trans-Pacific network and vice versa.

Virgin America is a bright and breezy airline with a fun approach to flying. The cabins are mood lit, the leather seats are custom designed and there are video touch-screens and remote controls at every seatback. Snacks are available on demand and there is also inflight internet. Based at San Francisco International Airport, Virgin America flies daily to 12 destinations in the US (including Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Boston, Chicago and Orlando) and Mexico (Cancun and San Jose del Cabo).