Virgin America has announced in a press release that it has launched its first flight from San Francisco to Hawaii on Monday, November 2, 2015.
The airline will be flying to Hawaii using its newest Airbus A320 aircraft that is equipped with fuel-saving "sharklet" wingtip devices.
Virgin America adds in the press release that they are naming the airplane to Hawaii "Pineapple Express."
In connection with its first flight to Hawaii, Virgin America also announced a partnership with Airbnb, the first partnership program of its kind.
Virgin America said in the press release that their Elevate program, the airline's loyalty program for travelers, now offers members the opportunity to earn Elevate points for every Airbnb reservation they make.
Members can earn 1,500 Elevate points and a $20 Airbnb for their first Airbnb stay and they will also get one point for every dollar they spent on completed Airbnb trips if they book through www.virginamerica.com.
Virgin America adds in the press release that Elevate members who become Airbnb hosts will earn 20,000 Elevate points.
Members of the no black-out date Elevate program can redeem the points they earn, at a certain amount, for free fights at Virgin America.
Jonathan Mildenhall, the CMO of Airbnb, said in the press release that they are celebrating the "Hawaiian travel experience."
"Whether you're staying in a treehouse or a fabulous beachside bungalow, today, we celebrate the Hawaiian travel experience - the rich, genuine culture that manifests the Aloha spirit - no matter where you are on the island," he said.
Khon2 adds that the first flight from San Francisco to Hawaii touched down on Monday afternoon.
On board the inaugural flight were Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and the president of Hawaii Tourism Authority George Szigeti.
Khon2 adds that Hawaii Governor David Ige and other dignitaries were at the Honolulu International Airport for the welcome ceremony.
Branson told Khon2 that they have been waiting for this moment for several years already.
"Finally it's come, and I think all the people who fly Virgin have equally been waiting for it" he said.
Khon2 adds that Branson said flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu are in the works.
Virgin America adds in the press release that WiFi and Live TV won't be available to its flight to Hawaii until mid-2016.
The airline also said that starting December 3, 2015, daily nonstop flights from San Francisco to Maui's Kahului Airport will become available.
