Virgin America's CEO Richard Branson 'Wasn't Going To Miss Denver'
DENVER (CBS4) - Virgin America has landed in Denver from San Francisco as part of an expansion to bridge the West Coast with the Rocky Mountains. The airline announced three daily nonstop flights between the two cities on Tuesday.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock joined Virgin America CEO Richard Branson at Denver International Airport to make the announcement. It's something Branson has been looking forward to.
"I haven't missed an inaugural flight on Virgin America since day one. Definitely wasn't going to miss Denver. We're going to go to a state that has sensible liberal, rational policies where we can all have a lot of fun and not be dragged off by the police," said Branson as he made a hand gesture simulating smoking a marijuana cigarette.
"Sir Branson is one of the reasons people don't just like this airline, they love this airline," said Hancock.
"If I was American, I would live here. I mean, you've got everything. I'm sorry, I mean even better than San Francisco ... Oops!" said Branson.
Virgin America has been ranked as the top U.S. airline three years in a row.
"We are thrilled that Virgin America has added this flight, which will ensure that Colorado's extraordinary innovators have easier access to their counterparts in San Francisco," said Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper in a statement.