Airlines: Virgin America adds Chicago-O’Hare service from Los Angeles, San Francisco

Virgin America, the California-based airline known for its high-tech in-flight entertainment systems, is opening up shop in Chicago. Starting May 25, you can fly daily nonstops to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO), the airline announced Thursday. Tickets are on sale now.

Groupon, the discount website based in Chicago, is joining in the launch by offering its subscribers in the three cities the chance to buy a $7 “Groupon” good for a $77 discount off air fare for a round trip on the new route. Naturally, there are lots of restrictions on this offer, so read up on the Groupon deal.

Virgin America is touting introductory, nonrefundable fares as low as $99 each way for its new service. To snag this deal, you must book by 11:59 p.m. PST Monday, its website says.

In a quick online check, I found the $99 one-way fare ($109.70, with taxes and fees) available from Los Angeles to Chicago for two dates I checked at random: Tuesday, June 14, and Friday, June 24. This offer, of course, also has fine print.