New Non-stop flights: Calif to Ft. lauderdale

Low-cost carrier Virgin America, which today unveiled plans to offer daily non-stop flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, to San Francisco is already facing fierce airline competition: JetBlue Airways.

The New York-based low-cost carrier announced this afternoon plans to start a daily, nonstop flight to San Francisco beginning Nov. 17. JetBlue's service will begin the day before Virgin kicks off its twice-daily, nonstop service to both San Francisco and Los Angeles on Nov. 18.

Virgin and JetBlue are both known for offering fliers top-flight entertainment and other perks not often offered on other low-cost airlines.

"It's encouraging to know that competition has kicked in," Airport Aviation Director Kent George said. "The positive thing is that the traveling public is going to benefit from this."

JetBlue spokeswoman Alison Croyle said the airline has been eyeing an expansion to San Francisco for some time, as the route is one of the most requested among South Florida passengers. The airline's expansion in Fort Lauderdale is also enabled by a larger terminal space, she said.

Virgin spokeswoman Abby Lunardini said JetBlue's announcement of new service to San Francisco is "clearly a response to us."

"We welcome the competition," Lunardini said, in an e-mail. "We believe when more airlines compete the industry and consumers win with lower fares and better service, so this is a great thing for South Florida travelers any way you slice it."

Beginning Nov. 18, Virgin will fly two routes to San Francisco and Los Angeles seven days a week, Lunardini said. Introductory fares as low as $99 each way from Fort Lauderdale to both cities are available online, she said.

JetBlue customers can begin booking fares reservations to San Francisco Wednesday, Croyle said. The airline is restricted from divulging fares prior to their public release, she said.

Virgin also will offer connecting flights from Fort Lauderdale to Las Vegas, Orange County, Calif., Seattle and San Diego.

The San Francisco-based company, which marked its second anniversary last week, has been recognized in the travel industry for low-cost air service, upscale cabin amenities and top-flight entertainment.

The newly announced expanded flights come as most airlines are cutting back the routes they serve, particularly to leisure destinations. The nonstop flights to San Francisco International airport this fall will be the first for Fort Lauderdale, George said.

Virgin's plans also will mean new competition for Miramar-based low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Both currently serve passengers with one daily nonstop flight to Los Angeles. It also fills a void left by American Airlines, which discontinued its twice-daily service to Los Angeles last September.

"All folks traveling out of here like nonstop, point-to-point service," George said. "It'll be an attractive option."

Virgin now offers more than 100 daily flights to nine destinations from its hub.

"The South Florida market has always been at the top of our list," Lunardini said. The Fort Lauderdale airport will draw Virgin passengers from throughout the three-county region and will serve fliers year-round.

"We feel like the demand is definitely there to support the routes," Lunardini said.

Virgin's new Airbus A-319 and A-320 aircraft feature mood-lit cabins, custom-designed leather seats and power outlets. Virgin passengers have Wi-Fi Internet access on every flight and each seat is outfitted with a video touch-screen and remote control with a choice of 25 films, live TV, video games, seat-to-seat chat and on-demand food ordering.

The A-319s, likely to be the aircraft servicing Fort Lauderdale, have 122 seats. Passengers have three cabin classes: the main cabin, business class and first class. Introductory fares between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles and San Francisco for premium seating starts at $499 each way. First-class tickets start at $849 each way and feature seats that recline to a near horizontal position.