Palm Springs airport gate will go all retro for Modernism Week

Virgin America wasn’t even around during the midcentury golden era of travel. But the airline will pretend it was during Modernism Week in Palm Springs in February.

Modernism Week, which runs from Feb. 11 to 21 (yes, it’s longer than a week) is a big-style deal. It’s a time when visitors come to be dazzled by the space age-style architecture that came to define the desert city.

And Virgin America, which has only been around since 2007, is doing its part.

During the event, the San Francisco-based airline will transform a Palm Springs International Airport gate with 1960s-era lounge chairs and Lucite lamps atop a “chic mod rug.” In addition, staff will dress the part for anyone who wants to snap a photo.

And yes, they’ve got a hashtag for your selfies too, #LetModFly, that enters you in a contest for a free upgrade.

Marc Joseph of Wonderama vintage store in Palm Springs has designed the retro gate; L.A. artist Nat Reed will create a backdrop for the space. A few years back, Reed created his own style of a “Palm Springs Modern” map, which is shown in the rendering above.

Of course, only fliers will have access to the snazzy gate redo.

Everyone else can take part in the lectures, tours and other Modernism Week activities, like a daylong double-decker bus architectural tour for $85 or a “think-and-drink event” called Modernism With a Twist for $40.

Info: Modernism Week