Long a favorite of the gay market for its pop-mod stylings, low fares, and commitment to service (not to mention a Human Rights Campaign “Best Places to Work” rating and its tasty blue potato chips), JetBlue is offering an exclusive "rainbow-powered" flight to this year's Long Beach Pride. JetPride #1969 departs from San Francisco (SFO) at 12:30pm on May 14, with a portion of the $79 one-way (plus tax) proceeds benefitting the Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach. Book by May 7; return fares separate, with up to nine daily flights back to the SF Bay Area, or onward travel anywhere in the network for everday low prices. 

Much as drag queens threw the first bricks of the modern gay rights movement at the 1969 Stonewall Riots, aviation's favorite bio-drag hostess with the acerbic comedy mostess, Australia's Pam Ann, shakes the first pink cocktail as the flight's honorary purser. Ticket holders can expect gift bags and goodies along with laughs on the one-and-a-half hour flight, giving new meaning to “cruising altitude.”

The third largest pride in the U.S., Long Beach Gay & Lesbian Pride draws a diverse mix of nearly 75,000 participants and has been known for a laid-back friendliness absent in more urban celebrations. Pride Packages start at $214 and include drinks upon arrival, admission to the street festival (May 15-16), $50 F&B credit, complimentary parking, late check-out, and passes into the Pink Party (May 14) and MyPartner.com's “America's Gay Bachelor Finale 2010” (May 15). Free ticket sans hotel booking also available for JetPride customer's here (code: JETPRIDE). To book flight, call the JetPride desk at 888-JET-BLUE option 4.