U.S. start-up airline Virgin America finally began selling tickets Thursday for its inaugural flights from San Francisco to New York and Los Angeles, after months of tussle with federal regulators.

The San Francisco-based carrier will begin service next month with two daily flights from San Francisco to New York and five daily flights to Los Angeles, with competitive pricing, airline officials said.

A brainchild of British mogul Richard Branson, Virgin America received approval from the Department of Transportation last week to operate and plans to ramp up quickly.

The airline will have five U.S. cities, also including Washington and Las Vegas, in its route system by the end of October and is considering more destinations in the future.

The company said it hopes to serve 10 cities within its first year of operation and up to 30 cities within five years. The carrier will introduce L.A.-New York service in August.

Fred Reid, Virgin America's chief executive, said that the airline had hoped to launch several months ago, but Department of Transportation requirements that the company limit its foreign ownership slowed its progress. British citizen Branson, who owns Virgin Atlantic, holds a 25 percent stake in Virgin America.

Industry analysts said that compared with fares offered by its competitors, Virgin America could be a hot ticket.

The airline will be seen as a more serious player than other start-ups because of its name, and it will be shooting to became a major player in the United States with a number of years, they said.