Virgin America Gets Approval from DOT to Sell Tickets

Virgin America said it has received oral approval from the U.S. Transportation Department to begin selling tickets in advance of its planned launch of service in August. The carrier still needs a final certification from the DOT.

However, the company is urging customers not to rush to make bookings, because sales are not beginning just yet. Virgin America said specific dates for its first flights, and the ticket sales for them, will be announced “in the weeks ahead.”

Virgin America has already said its first flights will be between its San Francisco home base and New York (Kennedy). The airline also expects to serve as many as 10 cities within its first year of operation, including Los Angeles, Washington (Dulles), San Diego and Las Vegas.