Virgin America lands in San Diego

Virgin America started its service to San Diego International Airport this week.

The first of three daily flights from San Francisco International Airport to San Diego took off on Tuesday (February 12) with a celebratory reception.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder and Chairman, welcomed VIP guests on the inaugural flight at the departure gate, with entertainment provided by a San Diego-style surf band. On landing at San Diego, the Virgin aircraft was greeted with a water-cannon salute, a red carpet on the runway and city mayor Jerry Sanders.

David Cush, President and Chief Executive of Virgin America, said: "As California's home-town airline, we're bringing cutting-edge technology and the best in entertainment to the skies and we're thrilled to now link two of the state's most beautiful cities.

"We think that San Diegans will find that stepping on to a Virgin America plane is unlike any flight experience they've had before."

The service will be expanded to five daily flights on March 9.

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