Virgin America’s CEO on the airline’s shrewd move into Alaska market

There’s a new airline in town: Virgin America now offers nonstop service between Anchorage and San Francisco six days a week… Virgin America cooperates with both Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic Airlines as part of the licensing agreement with Sir Richard’s group. But for Alaska travelers, the most important development is the single flight between Anchorage and San Francisco, which will operate between now and Monday, Sept. 9, 2013.

Virgin’s entry into the market has shaken things up, particularly with the incumbent nonstop competitor, United.

David Cush is Virgin America’s CEO and is based at the airline’s headquarters in Burlingame, Calif., near San Francisco International Airport. We caught up with him just after the first Virgin America flight departed Anchorage last week.