Virgin America to launch new Orange County flights ahead of Southwest

By Lori Ranson

Virgin America is intensifying competition on flights from John Wayne Orange County Airport in Orange County, California to San Francisco with a launch timed to begin slightly earlier than new service from Southwest Airlines on the route.

The San Francisco-based carrier's five daily flights begin 30 April, followed by the start of Southwest's flights on the pairing 9 May. Southwest is also offering five daily flights in the market.

Virgin America operates Airbus A320s while Southwest is an all Boeing 737 operator.

Both Virgin America and Alaska Airlines were awarded three slots each at the airport on 13 December. Slots at the airport became available after Aloha Airlines filed for Chapter 11 and ceased operation in April 2008, and through schedule adjustments by other airlines.

"As the only airline headquartered in California, Orange County is an enormously important travel market for us. We couldn't be more pleased to be partnering with John Wayne Airport to bring our unique, award-winning service to the region," says Virgin America CEO David Cush.

Both Southwest and Virgin America face entrenched competition on the new intrastate flights.

Schedules in Innovata show American Eagle operates 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140s between the two destinations, with SkyWest operating United Express flights with 69-seat Bombardier CRJ700s. United also offers mainline service on the route with Airbus and Boeing narrowbodies.