After four years of planning and fundraising, the Columbus-based startup carrier flew its first paying passengers to Burbank, Calif., from Port Columbus yesterday morning.

"We've got a full airplane today, and we have a lot of full airplanes all through May, June and July," said Skybus CEO Bill Diffenderffer in remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the plane. "The numbers have been really astonishing."

As of yesterday, Skybus had sold more than 228,000 tickets at fares as low as $10 each way, before taxes and fees. Ticket sales and customer service are being handled strictly online at Skybus.com as a way to reduce costs.

Flight 228 pushed back on schedule at 9:36 a.m. yesterday, carrying 140 travelers to Burbank, just outside Los Angeles. The bright orange Spirit of Columbus, one of the two 144-seat Airbus A319s Skybus is operating on its initial routes, taxied slowly through a water-cannon salute shot from two firetrucks before takeoff.

"Go, baby," Diffenderffer said quietly as the plane accelerated down the runway. Diffenderffer and several dozen others, including Skybus employees and airport officials, watched as the jet sped toward takeoff.

All Skybus flights will board from the ground, using a ramp to the front door and stairs at the back door. The method is quicker and more cost-effective than using an elevated bridge as most major airlines do at Port Columbus.

Among those taking the maiden voyage were Skybus President Ken Gile and Vice Chairman Charlie Clifton. They were joined by dozens of jubilant vacationers, including Vicki and Dean Sims of Canal Winchester, who said Skybus' low fares made possible a long-standing wish to visit the Los Angeles area.

"I've always wanted to go. I've heard it's a beautiful state, and people don't want to come back," said Vicki Sims, waiting in the boarding area with children Angel, 10, and Nathan, 8.

Though the Simses weren't able to get the lowest fares of $10 each way before taxes and fees, Dean Sims said the $105 roundtrip they paid per person was still much less than what it would have cost before the launch of Skybus.

Friends Darlene George of Hilliard and Beverly Oddi of Gahanna were among the first to arrive about 7 a.m. for the flight. The two planned a three-day girlfriends getaway after snagging $10 tickets the morning they went on sale a month ago.

"I was on the way to the hairdresser when I heard about the tickets, and I called her and told her to get on and buy us some," said Oddi, motioning to George. She added that they packed their clothing in a single suitcase to save on the $5 per bag that Skybus charges for checked baggage.

"We just came back from a trip to Phoenix last month, but we couldn't pass this up," said George. "We'll definitely look at booking more trips on Skybus in the future."

As passengers boarded, Skybus' second plane sat nearby on the tarmac, awaiting an expected 5 p.m. takeoff to Kansas City, Mo. It features a giant ad for Nationwide on its fuselage. Skybus is seeking paid advertising on the exterior and interior of its jets as a way of raising more revenue.

Nationwide Mutual Capital is the largest local investor in Skybus, which raised more than $160 million in startup capital. Other local firms that have invested in the airline include Huntington Capital Investment Co., Battelle Services Co. and Wolfe Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of The Dispatch Printing Company, which publishes The Dispatch.

Upon landing in Burbank shortly after 2 p.m. EDT, passenger Adrian Scott of the East Side said the flight had gone smoothly and arrived on time. Scott was traveling with her husband, Terrence, and three children ranging in age from 4 months to 12 years old on a trip that will include a stop at Disneyland.

"Everything went really smooth, and we landed right on time," Scott said. "I would recommend if you're traveling with children that you carry blankets and bring snacks."

Skybus flight attendants count on sales commissions to supplement their $9-an-hour wages, and the airline officially discourages people from carrying on their own food. But Scott said a flight attendant just encouraged her to buy a snack without giving her a hard time about the children's goodies.

"We bought a Twix. It seemed like most people were buying food," Scott said. "You forget how hungry and thirsty you get on an airplane."

mrose@dispatch.com

"We've got a full airplane today, and we have a lot of full airplanes all through May, June and July."