Virgin America has officially launched its new nonstop daily flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Kahului Airport (OGG), with connecting flights from most Virgin America markets. The new service is an addition to the airline's Hawaii routes following the launch of LAX to Honolulu (HNL) flights last month.
Guests onboard the inaugural flight received free GoPro Hero Session cameras to help document their Hawaiian trip, as well as a complimentary 'POG mimosa' toast at 35,000 feet with GoPro athlete and professional surfer, Kalani Robb. Virgin America and GoPro partnered in 2013 to launch The GoPro Channel fleetwide. Upon touchdown in Maui, the Hawaii Tourism Authority greeted travelers with a fresh flower lei and live Hawaiian music at the gate.
The new Virgin America flights departs daily from LAX at 9:35am for arrival at OGG at 12:25pm, while reverse service departs at 1:40pm from Kahului Airport, arriving in Los Angeles at 9:55pm. LAX to HNL service departs at 10:35am daily for arrival at 1:25pm, with reverse service departing Honolulu at 2:25pm and landing in Los Angeles at 10:55pm.
The daily, nonstop flights will be operated with new Airbus A320 aircraft that Virgin America has taken delivery of this year, which are equipped with fuel-saving, 'sharklet' wingtip devices, allowing the airline to operate flights more efficiently over longer haul routes. The aircraft’s main cabin offers custom-designed leather seating and an eight-seat First Class cabin. Services include complimentary food and cocktails, an all-access pass to media content, seatback touch-screen TVs, videogames and a 3,000 song library and an on-demand menu.
Virgin America has also announced a continued partnership with Aha Pūnana Leo, a nonprofit organization that supports various Hawaiian language environments. The organization's advocacy has resulted in an education system in which students in Hawai'i may study from preschool all the way through doctoral-level studies in the indigenous Hawaiian language. The airline is providing $10,000 to support the organization's education programs in Maui this year.
To celebrate the launch of the new service, Virgin America is offering a "Now Serving Paradise" fare sale, with prices starting from $199 one way (taxes and fees included and restrictions applying). Additionally, Elevate program members can redeem reward flights to Hawai'I, with no black-out dates, for as few as 8,596 points (plus taxes and fees).
Visit www.virginamerica.com