Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation gave the new low-fare carrier the go-ahead to start selling tickets in advance of its August launch. Specific dates for ticket sales and VA's first flight will be announced in the coming weeks. "In its request to DOT, Virgin America noted that the company is fully staffed, has taken delivery of 10 new Airbus 319/320 aircraft and is ready to advertise, sell tickets and operate the airline," Virgin America said in a statement. Virgin America was approved to launch service in May and plans to fly its inaugural service between its San Francisco hub and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Within a year, the carrier expects to fly to about 10 cities and 30 more within five years. Visit [www.virginamerica.com].