Virgin America has received approval from U.S. regulators to begin service to Puerto Vallarta. The airline says it will begin service to the Mexican resort destination on December 2.

Virgin America will fly to Puerto Vallarta two times a week (Mondays and Thursday) from its San Francisco hub. Puerto Vallarta will be Virgin America's third destination in Mexico; It also flies to Cancun and Los Cabos.

Virgin America is commemorating its Puerto Vallarta news with an unusual promotion. The airline says "to mark its expansion to its third Mexican destination and to celebrate Puerto Vallarta's roots as an animal sanctuary, (it is launching) a 'No Chihuahua Left Behind' fare sale in support of its ongoing Chihuahua rescue and airlift efforts."

As part of Virgin America's Chihuahua rescue effort, the airline flies the dogs from shelters in California to the East Coast. "The overpopulation of Chihuahuas in California continues to force West Coast animal shelters to look for help from shelters on the East Coast – where there is demand for the dogs," Virgin America explains.

So that it can accommodated passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by Irene, Virgin America says it had to suspend its planned "Operation: Chihuahua" airlift that had been planned for today. However, Virgin America adds that though "Chihuahuas are temporarily grounded, the airline is keeping the dogs on "standby" for a rescheduled airlift – and is also pledging $25 for every Mexico booking made during the three-day fare sale to support local dogs and future airlift flights."