In the latest air travel news, Virgin America, Air China and Southwest Airlines have all announced new flight options, and United Airlines is upgrading its in-flight dining.
Virgin America will be offering two daily nonstop flights between Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS) as of December 1, 2015. Tickets are now on sale.
In order to make aircraft available at its two Dallas Love Field gates to support the new Dallas-Las Vegas service, Virgin America will end its scheduled service between Love Field and Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), effective November 30, 2015. Guests who have already purchased tickets for travel between DAL-AUS on or after December 1 will be given the option of a full refund.
Beginning December 1, Virgin America's Las Vegas - Dallas schedule is:
| DAL | LAS | Frequency | LAS | DAL | Frequency |
| 10:45 a.m. | 11:35 a.m. | Daily | 1:30 a.m. | 6:10 a.m. | Daily, excluding Sunday |
| 7:30 p.m. | 8:20 p.m. | Daily, excluding Saturday | 7:10 a.m. | 11:50 a.m. | Sunday only |
| 5:50 p.m. | 6:40 p.m. | Saturday only | 12:25 p.m. | 5:05 p.m. | Daily |
Virgin America is kicking off its latest Love Field expansion with Main Cabin fares from $49 (taxes and fees included, some restrictions apply).
Also in Texas, Southwest Airlines has announced that it will add six international destinations from Houston's William P. Hobby Airport with the addition of a new five-gate concourse, Federal Inspection Station for Customs and Border Protection and new concessions for travelers. The Houston City Council approved plans for the new concourse in 2012.
From Houston Southwest Airlines has begun operating twice daily nonstop service to and from Cancun, as well as once daily nonstop options between Houston and Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos in Mexico. The airline has also begun nonstop service between Houston and San Jose, Costa Rica, and it will begin nonstop service to Liberia, Costa Rica, on November 1, subject to Costa Rican government approval. Southwest is also scheduled to begin daily nonstop service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on November 1.
On the East Coast, Air China is expanding its service to New York with newly added flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, starting October 26, 2015. The new flights will make Air China the only Chinese carrier serving Newark and will complement the airline's existing two daily flights between Beijing and JFK Airport.
The flights CA819/820 Beijing-New York (Newark Airport) will be operated four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing Capital International Airport at 9:35 a.m. Beijing time and arrives in Newark Airport at 11:05 a.m. local time. The inbound flight departs from New York at 1:25 p.m. local time and arrives in Beijing at 2:55 p.m. Beijing time the following day. The flights will be operated with Boeing 777-300ER.
In-Flight Dining
In in-flight dining news, United Airlines has unveiled new meal and snack options in its premium and United Economy cabins.
In collaboration with chefs affiliated with The Trotter Project, United will add new choices to its United BusinessFirst menu on the airline's p.s. Premium Service, including roasted duck and flat-iron steak, and also offer a variety of new premium-cabin selections, including a salad with grilled salmon for lunch, on flights in other North America markets.
In United Economy, new additions include a bistro bowl with braised beef, vegetables and steamed rice on the airline's Choice Menu Bistro on Board on flights departing North America.
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