Virgin America will disappear into Alaska Airlines in 2019

Virgin America, the California-based carrier with the blue mood lighting and high-tech entertainment system, will be fully absorbed by Alaska Airlines by the end of 2019 as Alaska strives to become the West Coast’s dominant airline. Only three months after Alaska Airlines’ parent company completed the $2.6b acquisition of the popular upstart airline launched by billionaire Richard Branson, Alaska Air Group says it will retire the Virgin America brand. Since the purchase, Alaska Air Group has operated the two carriers as separate subsidiary airlines, with the ultimate goal of combining their forces to compete against bigger air rivals. “We are going to be able to create a real, strong, integrated airline for travelers on the West Coast,” said Andrew Harrison, CCO for Alaska Airlines. With Alaska Airlines based in Seattle and Virgin America headquartered in Burlingame, the combined operation has a fleet of 286 planes, flying to 118 destination. The carriers employ 19,000 people. Combined, the airlines represent the nation’s fifth-largest carrier, behind American, Delta, United and Southwest airlines. Even though Virgin America will cease operations in 2019, Alaska Airlines plans to incorporate many of Virgin America’s most popular features.<br/>