Virgin America doubles Hawaii presence with new LAX routes

Virgin America is adding two new routes to Hawaii. The carrier will add nonstop service from Los Angeles to both Honolulu and Maui later this year.

The new routes expand Virgin America’s presence in Hawaii, where it began service just a few months earlier with flights from its main hub in San Francisco. Flights to Honolulu began Nov. 2 while Maui service launched Dec. 3.

Now Virgin America is adding the same routes from Los Angeles, the carrier’s second-busiest base. LAX-Honolulu flights start May 5 while flights between LAX and Maui’s Kahului begin June 14. Virgin America will fly one daily round-trip flight on each route.

Richard Branson helps give Virgin America a splashy debut to Hawaii

Virgin America says Hawaii had been one of the most-requested destinations from members of the airline’s Elevate frequent-flier program. Additionally, Virgin America says its new Hawaii-LAX routes will permit more Hawaii connections from the carrier's other cities. Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Newark and Washington will be among several cities to get new or enhanced connecting options to Hawaii, according to Virgin America.

“Since we launched our Hawaii service last year, we’ve seen firsthand why it is one of the most popular leisure destinations among West Coast travelers,” Virgin America CEO David Cush says in a statement.

Virgin America announces flights to Hawaii

“The guest response to our new routes has been extremely positive, which is why we are so pleased to announce that we are expanding our nonstop service to the Los Angeles market,” Cush adds. “This new service from LAX not only brings this world class destination to our guests and Elevate members in the Los Angeles area, it opens up a number of round-trip connecting flights to markets across the country.”

Virgin America will enter a competitive marketplace with its new LAX-Hawaii routes. Allegiant, American, Delta, Hawaiian and United all offer nonstop flights between LAX and Honolulu. And all of those except Allegiant also offer nonstop service between LAX and Maui.

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