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America loses its Virginity as Virgin America brand officially retired

written by australianaviation.com.au | April 27, 2018

The Virgin America brand has been officially retired.

The final Virgin America flight, VX1182 operated by Airbus A320 N361VA, touched down at Newark Liberty International Airport a little after 0530 Wednesday morning (local time), following its five-hour journey from San Francisco.

The airline, which commenced operations in August 2007 and had Sir Richard Branson’s UK-based Virgin Group as one of its shareholders, will continue to live on under the Alaska Airlines brand, following its acquisition in April 2016 at a cost of US$4 billion.

However, the physical reminders of Virgin America, such as airport signage and checkin kiosks, have been removed, with staff now wearing the Alaska Airlines uniform. Meanwhile, the repainting of Virgin America’s 67 aircraft will be completed over the coming months.

The two carriers began flying under a single operating certificate in January, and now have a single passenger reservations system.
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The union of Virgin America and Alaska Airlines brings together Virgin America’s all-Airbus fleet of A320s and A321s with Alaska Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 737s, with key hubs in Los Angeles, San

Francisco and Seattle on the US west coast.

There were celebrations across all of Virgin America-served airports throughout Tuesday, with airline staff, aviation enthusiasts and passengers all paying tribute to an airline recognised for its

youthful outlook and in-cabin touches such as purple mood lighting.

In an Australian context, a beefed-up Alaska Airlines has benefits for Qantas customers.

In April, Qantas announced it would increase the number of codeshare destinations on Alaska Airlines-operated services from Los Angeles and San Francisco to 52, from 25 destinations previously, across North and Central America.

“The new flights are in addition to Qantas’s existing codeshare arrangements on 25 Alaska Airlines services and follows the full integration of the Virgin America network into the Alaska Airlines network, which will be completed on 25 April 2018,” Qantas said in a note to travel agents on April 9.

“In addition to being able to earn and redeem points on more Alaska Airlines services, eligible Qantas customers will also be able to access Alaska’s lounge network in available cities.”

The codeshares with Alaska Airlines could become even more important in the period ahead, depending on the US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision on American Airlines and Qantas’s application for an expanded alliance on trans-Pacific routes.

The pair said in its application to the DOT it would likely wind back cooperation, particularly on codesharing behind the respective gateways at the Australian and US end, should the proposed joint business agreement (JBA) be blocked for a second time.

“If the proposed JBA is not approved, American plans to eliminate codesharing on all 53 destinations from Los Angeles and all eight destinations from San Francisco,” the application said.

“The choice of codeshare cuts is limited to where American can flow the affected passengers over LAX and onto its own LAX-SYD service.”


There has also been some impact on the end of Virgin America as an operating carrier in its own right at Virgin Australia, particularly for members of the Australian airline’s Velocity frequent flyer program.

The ability for Velocity members to earn points and status credits on Virgin America-operated flights ended on September 30 last year. Benefits for eligible frequent flyers such as priority checkin, priority boarding and lounge access also ended on that date.

While Virgin Australia has an extensive trans-Pacific alliance with Delta Air Lines covering Australia-US routes, not having Virgin America as a partner has meant the loss of some nonstop connection options from Los Angeles not served by Delta.

The end of Virgin America leaves just two Virgin-branded airlines around the world – Virgin Australia and UK-based Virgin Atlantic.
Previous Virgin-branded airlines include Virgin Nigeria, Brussels-based Virgin Express, Virgin Express France, British charter operator Virgin Sun and Virgin Samoa (a joint venture between Virgin Australia and the Samoa government).

VIDEO: A look back at 10 years of Virgin America, one of only two videos left on Virgin America’s YouTube channel.

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Comments (9)

  • Lechuga

    says:

    Love the pun in the title more than anything.

  • Marc

    says:

    Alaskan have a made a business error integrating the two airlines for short term gains.

  • Chris

    says:

    Marc – I agree with you. Virgin America was the part of the Virgin around the world brand – Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Virgin America.
    Unfortunately American carriers are short sighted in their business decisions when it comes to buying other airlines unlike European airlines like IAG with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling brands and Lufthansa Group with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings brands.

  • Scott

    says:

    Great loss, VA was the best “modern age” carrier in North AmerIca. Now stuck again with legacy carriers, SW prob the only airline with a personality now.

  • Corey

    says:

    If Qantas and AA don’t get their new Code Share agreement approved would it be time to start up Jetstar North Ameria, Ameria or USA? Qantas and maybe AA or Air Alaska could go 50-50 or 52-48. Operating a the Boeing 737-800 and 900MAX and some 787-8s?? Flying all over the US, Canada and down to Mexico and a few other places such as Europe. A fleet of what 60 single-aisle and 12 widebodies? I’m surprised they’ve never tried to open up a Jetstar over there along with a Jetstar Europe.

  • Freddie

    says:

    Such an incredible loss for the people and the brand. Loved travelling with them and their connection from the arrival of VAA into LAX on to Seattle was seamless. Their crew were always friendly and approachable. Sadly another one bites the dust. I can’t help but think of the employees and hope they are going well . Nobody likes to see an airline close down – particularly the good ones.

  • Louis Magee

    says:

    A really sad day. I first flew on Virgin America in 2009 when it was a relatively young airline. The staff were outstanding, super-friendly and fun. The moodlit atmosphere of the cabins was cool and enchanting. The rapper security briefing was brilliant. The lounge in LAX was homely and comfortable. From LAX after arriving on Virgin Australia, I flew with them to San Francisco, Newark, New York La Guardia, Dallas Lovefield and Fort Lauderdale. What a shame. What a loss. I feel for all their employees and their loyalty to a special airline. Good luck to you all. I’ll miss you.

  • Peter

    says:

    If Virgin Oz aren’t careful they may see themselves consumed by Alliance Airlines ?

  • David

    says:

    Flew Virgin America A320 services from San Francisco to Seattle and return just one two years ago during the height of the northern Summer. Whilst not the most standout airline experience I’ve ever had, I could not fault them for what is a relatively quick and efficient US flight (well less than 2 hours and most of it flying over Oregon). The cabin staff were the standout – great teamwork and had a good positive vibe. Another one bites the dust – such a shame when a good airline disappears.

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