Now there are 3: San Francisco-San Diego heats up

© Virgin America

There is new, classy competition on the busy San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego (SAN) route. High-frills, low-fare Virgin America now competes head-to-head against a couple of heavyweights: legacy carrier United and low-cost airline Southwest.

VX (Virgin America's airline code) now flies two-class A320s fitted with all manner of in-flight entertainment options between the northern and southern California cities. Initially, there will be three daily nonstops. Come March 9 that expands to five.

Virgin America's north/south coastal flights are timed to connect with the discount airline's transcontinental service.

From San Francisco it flies nonstop to New York Kennedy (JFK) and Washington, DC Dulles (IAD).

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler