Virgin America has launched its newest Mexican destinations – with five nonstop flights a week from the airline’s home base of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). 

The PVR destination offers travelers easy access to both Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit.  The region will be the 15th market in the airline’s expanding network. 

With stylish, mood-lit cabins and award-winning service, Virgin America is the perfect fit for travelers looking to get away this winter to some of Mexico’s top resort destinations.  Puerto Vallarta was recently voted best Mexican vacation destination by U.S. News & World, and its northern neighbor Riviera Nayarit was named the newest global celebrity “hot spot” by Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

To kick-off the airline’s new service, Virgin America is hosting a gate-side fiesta at SFO for its inaugural flight guests, complete with margaritas and mariachi band. 

“We continue to see strong demand for Mexico travel and we’re pleased to launch new service to these historic and world-class destinations.  With unrivalled service and amenities, we hope that our new flights will allow travelers to kick off their Mexican vacations in style –  from the minute they step onboard one of our aircraft,” said David Cush, President and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin America.

Joining the first commercial guests onboard Virgin America’s inaugural flight to PVR are finalists of Virgin America’s Viva la Vacacion Video Challenge powered by Squabbler, who faced off online with 30 second videos sharing their “best, boldest or most bizarre vacation stories.”

The social media-driven video challenge attracted submissions from those acting out their most entertaining vacation memories, in order to compete for the ultimate getaway.  The finalists scored a spot on the inaugural PVR flight and a luxury hotel stay.  The grand prize winner will also have their vacation tale immortalized: as a video on the Red™ in-flight entertainment system onboard Virgin America fleetwide. 

“Virgin America offers guests an unparalleled flying experience, just as Puerto Vallarta offers visitors a vacation unlike any other,” said Salvador Gonzalez Resendiz, Mayor of Puerto Vallarta. “Puerto Vallarta is the perfect location for their newest warm-weather destination.  We look forward to complementing Virgin America’s excellent service.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the new Virgin America flights from San Francisco,” said Marc Murphy, Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Guests of Riviera Nayarit will discover and enjoy a unique vacation experience complemented by pristine beaches, luxurious accommodations and outstanding service.”