Today Los Angeles lost their Virginity as Virgin America launched daily A320 service between Los Angeles and Honolulu this morning becoming Virgin America’s third daily flight to Hawaii after Maui and Honolulu were both launched from San Francisco in 2015.
The new daily service will expand to include daily Maui service next month and adds capacity on the heavily traveled Southern California to Hawaii market which already features service from Hawaiian, United, American, Delta, Allegiant, and Alaska (Alaska does not serve Hawaii from LAX, but other Southern California Markets).
I was on hand this morning in Los Angeles to cover the inaugural flight and tweeted live photos of the events at LAX. I then boarded the plan and traveled to Honolulu on Virgin America in the main economy cabin.
The flight started out with snacks and coffee in the boarding area along with a banner announcing the new service. Unlike many inaugurals Richard Branson was not on site, but this was probably because he was just in San Fran for the Virgin America inaugural to Denver. Regardless Virgin put together a mini reception for travelers before the flight.
Once on board, the captain did his typical welcome announcement and provided customers with flight details; the captain retreated to the cockpit and we pushed back from the gate and departed to Hawaii right on time.
As a celebration of the first flight to Hawaii the entire flight received complimentary POG Mimosa. Customers rejoiced as Alcohol always helps when losing one’s virginity—as we all did on this first Virgin flight between the two destinations!
The rest of the flight was done the way only Virgin can do: One demand ordering, private screening, mood lighting, high spirits, blissful smiles and gregarious crew members! Everyone had that Virgin’s glow as endorphins were flowing during this special high flying Virgin encounter!
I ordered the veggie wrap and IPA for about $$7.50 each
We arrived in Hawaii at 1:15 local time, pulled up to gate 23 and were greeted by local hula dancers and music welcoming us to the island. As we deplaned, each person who still thought they were a virgin lost it, as we were all leid upon arrival by the Oahu Visitors Bureau. Aloha!
This flight was paid for by Virgin America but the thoughts are 100% mine.