Virgin America attracts takeover bids from JetBlue and Alaska Air

Virgin America has received takeover offers from JetBlue Airways and Alaska Air Group after the carrier put itself up for sale, according to people familiar with the matter. Discussions between Virgin America and the two bidders are ongoing, and a deal could be announced as early as next week. Last week, the carrier was working with financial advisers on a sale after receiving takeover interest. "If the company were to sell itself, JetBlue would make the most sense from an aircraft, network and product offering perspective," one aviation analyst said Monday. Acquiring Virgin America would give JetBlue a larger presence on the US West Coast, including in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and would eliminate a competitor for business travellers on lucrative cross-country routes. <br/>