Alaska Air Bids Farewell to the Virgin America Name

Alaska Air Group has confirmed plans to retire the Virgin America brand, following last year’s $4 billion merger deal. “After careful consideration, the combined company will adopt Alaska’s name and logo, retiring the Virgin America name likely sometime in 2019,”according to a statement by Alaska Air, but added that “the combined airline will adopt many of the brand elements that Virgin America enthusiasts love.”

Among other changes, the phased merger over the next few years will include retrofitting select aircraft with premium seating to be expanded across the group’s Airbus fleet. Alaska’s 737 fleet will add high-speed satellite WiFi in 2018, with the remainder of its Airbus fleet to follow by the end of 2019.

Virgin America’s frequent flyer program will be merged into the Alaska Mileage Plan in 2018. Refreshed and expanded lounges will be unveiled in Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles by early 2019, as well as new facilities in San Francisco and New York JFK.

Find out more at alaskaair.com.