Virgin America Manages to Make Flying Suck Less — and That's Saying Something

Virgin has easy-to-use self-check-in kiosks (complete with cool music) as well as smaller, pocket-friendly boarding passes if you choose to print out vs. using your phone.

At SFO, for instance, Virgin America's Terminal 2 is more spacious, has better food options, and is just better looking than the other domestic terminals. Worth getting to the airport early for!

Am I at a hip nightclub or the airport? Hard to tell when you're in a Virgin lounge. The space is as stylish as it is functional with plenty of comfy seats, tables, and nooks for relaxing before your flight or getting work done.

The soothing mood lighting and music on the plane don't just up its cool factor, but it also relaxes passengers (always a plus for nervous fliers).

Virgin managed to make a safety video that isn't just tolerable, but it's also entertaining enough to grab everyone's attention. Just ask my friend Katie, who has the song and dance moves memorized.

In addition to friendly flight attendants, Virgin America is known for excellent customer service if your flight is canceled or delayed. The company provides vouchers for canceled flights and helps you book new flights.

At 5'2", this isn't something I'm too concerned with, but my very tall friend had this to say about Virgin: "I feel like they are one of the last bastions of any legroom. The new American Airlines planes make me feel like 'fat guy in a little coat' syndrome."

Virgin provides power outlets below all the seats, so you don't have to stress about your phone or laptop dying midflight. Now, can all airlines jump on board?

The entertainment console has a plethora of valuable and fun uses, including seat-to-seat messaging. Feel like flirting with that hot guy in 14A? He's just a button away.

Another great perk of the entertainment console is the ability to order (and pay for) your food and drinks via touchscreen. You don't even have to flag down the flight attendant.

I'm ALL about the trivia game on the entertainment console. You can play against a friend or just against the other passengers on your flight. I no joke played this for five hours straight on a flight to Hawaii . . .

Every design element is thought through, which makes you feel like the company actually cares about its passengers having a fun experience. It's a brand with personality, which is unique to the industry.

Virgin America is a pet-friendly airline, so you don't have to leave your pet at home on your next vacation. There is a $100 pet fee, but you're able to have your pet in a carry-on carrier, which is better than having to pay for another seat like with some airlines.

The ticket prices for Virgin America flights are comparable to other budget airlines without that whole cattle-call experience you get with other affordable airlines.