In Dana Point Talk, Richard Branson Encourages Mile-High Sex

Richard Branson, the famed founder of the Virgin Group and perhaps the original Most Interesting Man in the World  -- oh wait, sorry, make that SIR Richard Branson -- was at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point on Monday, speaking to a rapt audience at the Luxury Summit, an American Express-sponsored confab dedicated to all things way, way out of reach for a lowly Patch reporter's bank account.

Just check out some of the panel titles, which will make you think the Great Recession never happened: "Making Luxury Worth It: Insights from the Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America," "The Return of High Dollar Real Estate and Where it's Headed," "Pedigree, Heritage, and Craftsmanship: What We Can Learn from Hermès" and "The Wealth Index: Forecasting the Future of Affluent Spending."

But whatevs -- people have money, they can do what they want with it. Just look at Branson, whose current obsession is his Virgin Galactic space tourism venture. In Dana Point, he told the crowd the first manned Virgin Galactic flights would happen by the end of this year or the beginning of 2014. Price for a seat? $200,000. Start digging under your sofa cushions now ...

Branson also talked up a new app available on Virgin America flights, which turns your plane into, essentially, a hookup spot, reports CNBC's Jane Wells:

During some Virgin flights, a dating app allows passengers to ask another flier if he or she would like to meet. "Perhaps on the way to the loo that person can let you know if they fancy you, too," Branson quipped. When I asked if that means you are supposed to follow the person to the loo, the audience laughed. "Let me just say," Branson replied, "we are not the sort of airline which bangs on the lavatory door."

Woo-hoo!

Branson even stars in a "Guide to Getting Lucky" video, which was shown at the conference. You can watch it here by clicking the box up above.

Apparently, a number of Virgin passengers may soon be joining the Mile-High Club ...