Virgin America

In early 2004, Virgin Group announced its intention to found a United States–based, low-fare airline called "Virgin USA". At the time, Virgin USA expected flights to begin by mid 2005. After considering several key areas, the San Francisco Bay Area was chosen as the location of its flight operations center and later as its corporate headquarters.{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/SFO-lands-new-carrier-Virgin-USA-1-500-jobs-2752537.php|title=SFO lands new carrier Virgin USA -- 1,500 jobs / Airline sets sights on low-fare market; corporate center to be based in N.Y.|last1=Chiang|first1=Harriet|date=June 4, 2004|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=January 4, 2017|last2=Armstrong|first2=David}} The airline changed its name from "Virgin USA" to "Virgin America" and due to the difficulty in finding U.S. investors willing to gamble on a new airline in an already congested industry, the launch date was pushed back from mid 2005 to early 2006.{{cite news | last = Wallack | first = Todd | title = Start of Virgin America delayed / Branson's airline apparently needs more investors | url = http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Start-of-Virgin-America-delayed-Branson-s-2686984.php | work = San Francisco Chronicle | date = April 9, 2005 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }}

Virgin America secured U.S. investors Black Canyon Capital and Cyrus Capital Partners in late 2005.{{cite journal |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-dec-09-fi-virgin9-story.html |title=Virgin America Secures Funding |journal=Los Angeles Times |date=December 9, 2005 |access-date=February 7, 2017}} Once the new owners were on board, Virgin's General Counsel submitted the required U.S. Department of Transportation certificate application on December 9, 2005.{{cite journal |date=December 2005 |title=APPLICATION OF VIRGIN AMERICA INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY |journal=Wall Street Journal }} Unfortunately, despite significant public support for the new California-based airline, the approval process was mired in a debate between the supportive city and state representatives from California and New York and the opposing national aviation labor union, Air Line Pilots Association, as well as a potential competitor Continental Airlines. The review of Virgin America's application was prolonged due to this opposition, which claimed Virgin America, a subsidiary of the United Kingdom–based Virgin Group, would not be under U.S. ownership or control. The application was initially denied by the Department of Transportation on December 27, 2006.{{cite news | last = Armstrong | first = David | title = Virgin America gets the no-go / Government cites foreign ownership; airline plans appeal | url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/28/BUGMHN7T6F1.DTL | work = San Francisco Chronicle | date = December 28, 2006 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }}

In order to achieve the necessary approval, Virgin America's General Counsel David Pflieger and CEO Fred Reid filed a revised application that proposed a restructuring of the airline in January 2007; voting shares would be held by a Department of Transportation–approved trust and only two Virgin Group directors would be on the eight-person board. Additionally, Virgin America was open to removing Richard Branson from the airline's board of directors and possibly removing the "Virgin" brand from the title altogether.{{cite book | first = Richard | last = Branson | author-link = Richard Branson | title = Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way | year = 2007 | isbn =978-0-8129-3229-4 | publisher = Crown Publishing Group | location = United States }} Virgin America was tentatively cleared to fly by the U.S. Department of Transportation on March 20, 2007, on the condition that the airline would alter its business structure, including the limitation of foreign ownership shares to 25% and the replacement of Fred Reid (who had been hired by Virgin Group).{{cite news | last = Armstrong | first = David | title = Virgin America given permission to operate | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-19-fi-virgin19-story.html | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 2007 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }} The airline protested the stipulation concerning Reid's removal to the federal regulators, arguing that the other stipulations ensured that the business would not be ruled by foreign interests.{{cite news | last = Young | first = Eric | title = Virgin America fights to keep CEO | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2007/04/09/daily49.html | work = American City Business Journals | date = April 11, 2007 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }} The Department of Transportation's final agreement allowed Reid to remain involved with Virgin America until February 2008, after which he was required to leave the company.{{cite news | last = Field | first = David | title = Fred Reid prepares to farewell Virgin America | url = https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/fred-reid-prepares-to-farewell-virgin-america-218711/ | work = Flightglobal | date = October 17, 2007 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }}

File:VirginAmericaAirColbert.jpg]]

Virgin America began selling tickets in July 2007. On August 8, 2007, the airline made its inaugural New York and Los Angeles to San Francisco flights — the aircraft was named "Air Colbert", after comedian Stephen Colbert.{{cite news | last = Mutzabaugh | first = Ben | title = Virgin America takes off | url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2007-08-07-virgin-america_N.htm | work = USA Today | date = August 8, 2007 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }} In December 2007, C. David Cush replaced Reid as CEO of the airline.{{cite news | last = Raine | first = George | title = Virgin America $35 million in the red in first quarter of operation | url = http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Virgin-America-35-million-in-the-red-in-first-3299808.php | work = San Francisco Chronicle | date = December 18, 2007 | access-date = January 6, 2017 }} From the beginning of operations, Virgin America reported losses, beginning with $270 million in its first month, until the third quarter of 2010, when it achieved its first profit of $7.5 million.{{cite news | first = Eric | last = Young | title = Virgin America has lost $270M | date = February 2, 2009 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/02/02/daily15.html | work = San Francisco Business Times | access-date = February 3, 2009 }}

On May 21, 2009, Virgin America became the first U.S. airline to offer Wi-Fi access on every flight, via Gogo Inflight Internet.{{cite news | last = Franklin | first = Eric | title = Fred Reid prepares to farewell Virgin America | url = https://www.cnet.com/news/virgin-gogo-goes-fleet-wide/ | work = CNET | date = May 20, 2009 | access-date = January 4, 2017 }} Between November 10, 2009, and January 15, 2010, the airline offered free WiFi with a subsidy from Google.{{cite web | last = Reardon | first = Marguerite | url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10378027-266.html | title = Free Wi-Fi for the holidays on Virgin America | Signal Strength | work = CNET | date = October 19, 2009 | access-date = February 4, 2011 | archive-date = February 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120226162955/http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10378027-266.html | url-status = dead }} On December 17, 2014, Virgin America announced that it would offer faster fleet-wide ATG-4 in-flight WiFi service from Gogo, with speeds three times faster than the first generation system.{{cite web | last = Shu | first = Les | url = http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/virgin-america-completes-rollout-faster-gogo-atg-4-wi-fi-across-fleet/ | title = Virgin America completes rollout of faster Gogo ATG-4 Wi-Fi across fleet | publisher = Digital Trends | date = December 17, 2014 | access-date = December 20, 2014}}

File:Virgin America Check In, 10000 West O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, USA - Jun 2014.jpg]]

In March 2010, Virgin America announced its intention to start flying to Toronto from Los Angeles and San Francisco, making it the airline's first international destination.{{cite web | last = Beehner | first = Lionel | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DF1031F93BA15750C0A9669D8B63 | title = IN TRANSIT; Virgin America to Add Orlando and Toronto | work = The New York Times | date = March 28, 2010 | access-date = January 6, 2017}} Following the Department of Transportation's approval of Virgin America's proposal to fly to Canada, international service began with flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport on June 29, 2010.{{cite web | last = McCarthy | first = Caroline | url = https://www.cnet.com/news/green-tech-jobs-hailed-in-virgin-america-expansion/ | title = Green tech, jobs hailed in Virgin America expansion | work = CNET | date = June 29, 2010 | access-date = January 6, 2017}} However, due to high operating costs, response from competitors, slower growth than anticipated, and higher demand for Dallas/Fort Worth, Virgin America terminated Toronto service on April 6, 2011.{{cite news|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/01/virgin-america-leaves-toronto/139925/1?csp=34travel|title=Virgin America to drop Toronto, shift flights to Dallas|last=Mutzabaugh|first=Ben|date=January 25, 2011|website=USA Today|publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc.|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120624173016/http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/01/virgin-america-leaves-toronto/139925/1?csp=34travel|archive-date=June 24, 2012}} Virgin America began its service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in December 2010, and continued until after the repeal of the Wright Amendment in October 2014, when the airline leased two gates and established a focus city at Dallas Love Field and enhanced the number of connecting destinations. As a result, Virgin America transported almost 31,000 passengers through Dallas Love Field in the first month, achieving 3.58% market share at Dallas Love Field.{{cite news | last = Keller | first = Stephen | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2014/12/01/see-how-southwest-and-virgin-america-did-at-love.html | title = See how Southwest and Virgin America did at Love Field with Wright Amendment gone | publisher = Dallas Business Journal | date = December 1, 2014}}

Virgin America announced in January 2011 a firm order for sixty new Airbus A320 aircraft, including thirty new Airbus A320neos, that would be delivered starting in 2016, as a formal expansion of an initial commitment made by Richard Branson at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2010, though in November 2012 the airline deferred delivery of the aircraft to 2020.{{cite news | last = Mouawad | first = Jad | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/business/global/18airbus.html | title = Virgin America Places Big Order for New Airbus Jet | work = The New York Times | date = January 17, 2011 | access-date = January 6, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://skift.com/2012/11/16/virgin-america-slows-expansion-plans-and-cuts-airbus-order-by-two-thirds/|title=Virgin America slows expansion plans and cuts Airbus order by two thirds|last=Stilwell|first=Victoria|website=Skift|date=November 16, 2012|access-date=November 20, 2019}} In April 2011, Virgin America's hub at San Francisco International Airport relocated to the newly remodeled Terminal 2, sharing the gates with American Airlines.{{cite news | last = Coté | first = John | title = SFO Terminal 2 ready for takeoff | url = http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SFO-Terminal-2-ready-for-takeoff-2375852.php | publisher = San Francisco Chronicle | date = April 6, 2011 | access-date = January 6, 2017 }} In late October 2011, the airline migrated to Sabre's global distribution system (GDS) that handles reservations, frequent-flier accounts, flight operations data and crew scheduling. Difficulties with the changeover sparked widespread customer complaints, due to early technical malfunctions surrounding the program.{{cite news | last = Nicas | first = Jack | title = Virgin America Reservation Changeover Creates Bumpy Ride | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203804204577018882895507116 | newspaper = The Wall Street Journal | date = November 5, 2011}} On December 12, 2012, Virgin America opened their first airport lounge, the Virgin America Loft, at Los Angeles International Airport.{{cite web | last = Booth | first = Darren | url = https://www.cnbc.com/2012/12/13/virgin-america-opens-lax-lounge-sorry-no-kids-allowed.html | title = Virgin America Opens LAX Lounge: Sorry, No Kids Allowed | date = December 13, 2012 | publisher = CNBC | access-date = January 6, 2017}}

File:Frontiers of Flight Museum December 2015 105 (Virgin America exhibit).jpg at Dallas Love Field]]

File:Alaska Airlines Airbus A321-253N N927VA approaching JFK Airport.jpg from Virgin America in the "More to Love" livery, depicting the acquisition of Virgin America by Alaska Airlines]]

File:AlaskaAirlinesA320N621VA SANFebruary2019.jpg repainted in the Alaska Airlines livery]]

Virgin America had its first public offering at the NASDAQ stock exchange on November 14, 2014, selling 13.3 million shares to raise $307 million for the company.{{cite news | title = Virgin America shares surge on US stock market debut | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30059818 | access-date = November 16, 2014 | work = BBC News | date = November 14, 2014}}

A number of airlines interested in a takeover of Virgin America approached the airline in late 2015, prompting Virgin America to correspond with an undisclosed financial adviser about how and if to proceed with a sale.{{cite news | last1 = Monks | first1 = Matthew | last2 = Hammond | first2 = Ed | last3 = Schlangenstein | first3 = Mary | title = Virgin America Weighs Sale After Receiving Interest | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-23/virgin-america-said-to-consider-sale-after-receiving-interest | publisher = Bloomberg L.P. | date = March 23, 2016 | access-date = January 6, 2017}} Alaska Air Group and JetBlue were the two most interested companies to make offers to purchase the airline from Virgin Group.{{cite news | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/smaller-airlines-looking-to-expand-with-virgin-america-acquisition-1459546108 | title = Smaller Airlines Looking to Expand With Virgin America Acquisition | publisher = Wall street journal | date = April 1, 2016}} In December 2015, Alaska was interested at $44.75 per share, before JetBlue manifested its interest in February 2016. A bidding war ensued culminating on March 31 and April 1 at $57 per share, {{#expr:(57/38.9-1)*100round0}}% higher than the day's closure at $38.9.{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-the-fierce-battle-for-virgin-america-424637/ |title =The fierce battle for Virgin America |date= April 26, 2016 | work = Flightglobal}} On April 4, 2016, Alaska Air Group announced that it had agreed to buy Virgin America for $2.6 billion. Including debt and aircraft leases, the transaction was worth approximately $4 billion.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/04/investing/virgin-america-alaska-air-deal/index.html|title=Alaska Air buys Virgin America for $2.6 billion|last1=Kottasova|first1=Ivana|last2=Wattles|first2=Jackie|date=April 4, 2016|website=CNNMoney|access-date=December 18, 2016}} Had the merger agreement been terminated by Virgin America, they would have been contractually obligated to pay Alaska Air Group a termination fee equal to $78.5 million.{{cite news | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN17701W | title = Alaska Air says Virgin America may be required to pay termination fee equal to $78.5 mln | date = April 4, 2016 | work = Reuters | access-date = January 6, 2017}}

Virgin America's founder Richard Branson expressed disappointment with the merger between Alaska Airlines and the airline he founded.{{cite news | last = Kim | first = Susanna | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Business/virgin-america-alaska-air-merger/story?id=38143131 | title = What You Should Know About the Virgin America, Alaska Air Merger | work = ABC News | date = April 4, 2016 | access-date = January 6, 2017 }} In July 2016, Virgin America's shareholders approved the merger, leaving the approval by the United States Department of Justice as the only foreseeable hurdle.{{cite news | last = Boyle | first = Alan | url = http://www.geekwire.com/2016/virgin-america-shareholders-ok-alaska-airlines-merger/ | title = Virgin America shareholders OK Alaska Air merger, bringing deal closer to completion | publisher = GeekWire | date = July 26, 2016 | access-date = August 11, 2016}} In September 2016, a lawsuit was filed against Alaska Airlines by consumers to block the merger between the two carriers, which the Alaska Air Group settled in court in December 2016.{{cite news | last = Carey | first = Susan | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/alaska-air-agrees-to-settle-consumer-lawsuit-opposing-virgin-america-merger-1481147817 | title = Alaska Air Agrees to Settle Consumer Lawsuit Opposing Virgin America Merger | publisher = The Wall Street Journal | date = December 7, 2016 | access-date = December 18, 2016}} Subsequently, the Department of Justice approved the acquisition, which was completed on December 14.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/alaska-air-closes-virgin-america-acquisition-1481722202|title=Alaska Air Closes Virgin America Acquisition|last=Carey|first=Susan|date=December 14, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2016|publisher=The Wall Street Journal}} Following the acquisition, the former chief financial officer of Alaska Airlines, Peter Hunt, became the president of Virgin America, while the former chief operating officer and president of Alaska Airlines, Ben Minicucci, became the chief executive officer.{{cite news | url = http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/alaska-names-execs-to-run-virgin-unit-after-acquisition/ | title = Alaska names execs to run Virgin unit after acquisition | work = The Seattle Times | date = July 13, 2016 | access-date = July 16, 2016}}

Virgin America became the launch customer for the Airbus A321neo, with the airline placing a firm order for 10 aircraft through leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services. The first A321neo was delivered in Hamburg to Virgin America and entered service on May 31, 2017; a total of five A321neos were delivered to Virgin in 2017 and five in 2018.{{cite news |url= http://atwonline.com/airframes/virgin-america-receives-first-a321neo-alaska-mulls-future-fleet |title= Virgin America receives first A321neo as Alaska mulls future fleet |date= April 20, 2017 |author= Aaron Karp |work= Air Transport World |publisher= Aviation Week}} In early February 2017, Alaska Air Group said it was working with GE on an arrangement where it would not take delivery of all 10 ordered jets, in favor of keeping a predominantly Boeing fleet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2017/02/09/alaska-air-airbus-a321neo-boeing-virgin-america.html|title=Alaska Air doesn't want all of the Airbus A321neo jets Virgin America ordered|last=McIntosh|first=Andrew|date=February 9, 2017|website=Puget Sound Business Journal|access-date=March 26, 2017}} A presentation given by Alaska Airlines' chief financial officer in March 2017 indicated that Alaska would take delivery of all 10 leased A321neos, and would absorb and operate Virgin America's existing A319 and A320 fleet through at least 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/alaska-to-fly-virgin-americas-a320s-through-2024-435692/ |title=Alaska to fly Virgin America's A320s through 2024 |last=Russell |first=Edward |publisher=FlightGlobal |date=March 29, 2017 |access-date=September 22, 2017}}

As part of the merger, some of Virgin's amenities would be integrated into Alaska's product.{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Hugo |title=Virgin America will disappear into Alaska Airlines in 2019 |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-virgin-america-ends-20170322-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 22, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2017 }} As Alaska Group was licensing the Virgin brand from Virgin Group, Branson indicated a willingness to relaunch the airline after the Virgin America brand was retired.{{cite news|last1=Forgione|first1=Mary|title=Virgin Voyages cruise line steams forward. Virgin America airline gets ready to fade away|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-virgin-voyages-cruise-line-new-ship-20170323-story.html|access-date=April 7, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 24, 2017}}

Virgin America made its final revenue flight under its callsign "Redwood" on January 10, 2018. The next day, on January 11, 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a single operating certificate for a combined Alaska Airlines and Virgin America.{{cite web|last1=Hemmerdinger|first1=Jon|title=FAA grants single AOC to Alaska and Virgin America|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/faa-grants-single-aoc-to-alaska-and-virgin-america-444830/|publisher=FlightGlobal|access-date=January 12, 2018|date=January 11, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Alaska Airlines receives single operating certificate from FAA - Jan 11, 2018|url=https://newsroom.alaskaair.com/2018-01-11-Alaska-Airlines-receives-single-operating-certificate-from-FAA|publisher=Alaska Airlines|access-date=January 12, 2018|language=en|date=January 11, 2018}}

Virgin America flights continued to operate using Virgin America aircraft, crew, and brand name until April 25, 2018, when the airlines merged into the same passenger service system. The final Virgin America revenue departure was Flight 1948 at 9:32 PM, traveling from the airline's San Francisco headquarters to its other hub in Los Angeles, while the true final Virgin America departure was an employee charter operating as Flight 1947 from Los Angeles to San Francisco, which departed at 9:35 PM and operated under Virgin America's original "Redwood" callsign.{{cite news|last1=Rizzo |first1=Cailey |title=Saying Goodbye to Virgin America on the Airline's Final Flight |url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/virgin-america-last-flight |access-date=April 28, 2018 |work=Travel + Leisure |date=April 26, 2018 |language=en }} Overnight, the customer-facing portions of the company (including flight numbers, website, and airport check-in kiosks) were converted to use the Alaska Airlines brand.

From April 25, 2018, passengers could only see the Alaska Airlines brand online and in airports, and virginamerica.com would redirect to alaskaair.com. Prior to the brand cutover, livery repainting of Virgin America's Airbus aircraft began in January 2018. Additionally, the interiors of the Airbus aircraft underwent refitting with seats similar to those in Alaska's Boeing aircraft from September 2018, in another project expected to take several months to complete,{{cite news|last1=Gates|first1=Dominic|title=Alaska Air to add some passenger fees and basic fare, says merger with Virgin on track|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/alaska-ekes-out-small-profit-says-merger-with-virgin-on-track/|access-date=April 28, 2018|work=The Seattle Times|date=April 23, 2018}} with the first aircraft refit and unveiled in early 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Alaska-Airlines-Airbus-interior-PHOTOS-13652193.php|title=The future of flying Alaska Airlines (PHOTOS) - Airline reveals new interiors as Virgin America era fades away|last1=McGinnis|first1=Chris|last2=Jue|first2=Tim|website=SFGate|publisher=Hearst Communications, Inc.|date=February 28, 2019|access-date=June 4, 2019}} The last plane wearing the Virgin America livery, the one that operated Flight 1948, was repainted in Alaska Airlines livery on June 2, 2019.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Following the completion of the repainting of Virgin America's aircraft, virginamerica.com instead redirected to Virgin Group's website virgin.com rather than to alaskaair.com, and Virgin America's social media profiles, such as its Facebook, Twitter and YouTube were subsequently either merged with those of Alaska Airlines, had their accounts closed, or otherwise had their content largely removed.

The key trends for Virgin America over its later years were as follows (as at year ending December 31):

Virgin America leased {{convert|68000|sqft|m2}} of space at Bay Park Plaza II (formerly known as the Forbes Building), a building at 555 Airport Boulevard in Burlingame, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, owned, leased, and managed by EQ Office.Simmers, Tim. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20081206163141/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20060113/ai_n16010566 Virgin America airline destined for Burlingame]." Oakland Tribune. January 13, 2006. Virgin America occupied suite 500 in the building, which was located across a lagoon from U.S. Highway 101 (Bayshore Freeway). Some of the space had since been repurposed as an Alaska Airlines office.

{{Main|List of Virgin America destinations}}

As of April 2018, Virgin America flew to a total of 31 destinations, consisting of 28 domestic destinations and three in Mexico.{{cite web | url = https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/airport-destinations | title = Flight Route Map & Destinations - Where We Fly | access-date = January 6, 2017 | archive-date = July 1, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170701180437/https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/airport-destinations | url-status = dead }} In addition, the airline served five destinations that were terminated prior to the merger, consisting of four domestic destinations and one in Canada. Its primary hub was located at San Francisco International Airport, with its secondary hub at Los Angeles International Airport. Virgin America also maintained a focus city at Dallas Love Field, and operated a route between Las Vegas and New York JFK.

The airline had codeshare agreements with the following airlines at the time of its acquisition:{{cite web | url = http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/virgin-america-vx | title = Profile on Virgin America | website = CAPA | publisher = Centre for Aviation | access-date = October 31, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161031205607/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/virgin-america-vx | archive-date = October 31, 2016 | url-status = live}}{{subscription required|s}}{{cite web|title=Codeshare & Interline Partners|url=https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/fly-with-us/airline-partners|website=Virgin America|access-date=August 27, 2017|language=en}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Alaska Airlines {{small|(acquirer)}}
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Australia

{{div col end}}

File:Airbus A319-112, Virgin America AN1387818.jpg]]

As of January 11, 2018, at the time of the merger, Virgin America's all-Airbus fleet consisted of the following aircraft:{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

File:Virgin America A320 cabin.jpg

File:Virgin America first class.jpg

Virgin America offered dual-class service on all flights it operated. Both cabins featured mood lighting and all seats were equipped with a Panasonic Avionics in-flight entertainment system running a customized touch-screen GUI called Red. In July 2010, the Red software had been upgraded to version 2.0 across the entire fleet. This update included new features such as an updated position mapping system powered by Google Maps, in-flight shopping, and open tab capabilities.{{cite magazine |last=Yamshon |first=Leah |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/239876/virgin_americas_techie_inflight_entertainment_system.html |title=Virgin America's Techie In-Flight Entertainment System |magazine=PC World |date=September 13, 2011 |access-date=May 17, 2012 |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308111029/http://www.pcworld.com/article/239876/virgin_americas_techie_inflight_entertainment_system.html |url-status=dead }} The Red system was upgraded again in June 2015, introducing the new Android seatback touch screen service, and a new position mapping system by Flightpath 3D.{{cite news|last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jeff |title=Virgin America upgrades Red inflight entertainment system |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/virgin-america-upgrades-red-inflight-entertainment-system-413423/ |work=Flightglobal |date=June 17, 2015 |access-date=January 7, 2017 }}{{cite press release|url=https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2015/09/30/press-release-betria-interactive-announces-virgin-americas-launch-of-flightpath2d-moving-map/ |title=Betria Interactive announces Virgin America's launch of FlightPath2D moving map |website=Runway Girl Network |publisher=Kirby Media Group |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=February 4, 2018}}

First Class seats offered {{convert|55|in|cm}} of pitch and were {{convert|21|in|cm}} wide. The seats featured power-ports, adjustable headrests, a massage function, tablet friendly tray table (with two positions), and various recline controls. Passengers seated in first class received complimentary meals, refreshments and alcoholic beverages, small amenity kit, long-haul guests received a large duvet & pillow and received dedicated airport check-in, security screening, and aircraft boarding. In first class, Red offered free live satellite television, free on-demand movies, free on-demand television programming and a selection of games. Guests could also utilize GoGo for limited, but free messaging on certain platforms. The front lavatory was for first class guests only.{{cite web |url=http://vadifference.virginamerica.com/vadiff/index.html |format=Flash |title=Virgin America-Our Difference |access-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205145523/http://vadifference.virginamerica.com/vadiff/index.html |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}

Main Cabin Select was Virgin America's premium economy product.{{cite web | url = https://www.virginamerica.com/cms/fly-with-us | title = Fly With Us | access-date = August 22, 2017 }} It was not a distinct class; instead, on the A319-100 and A320-200, the service was located at Main Cabin seats in the exit row and behind the bulkheads. On their A321neo, the service was located in the first three rows of the Main Cabin. Passengers were offered more conveniences than in normal Main Cabin seats and had {{convert|38|in|cm}} of seat pitch, {{convert|17.7|in|cm}} of width and dedicated luggage bins. Like in first class, meals, refreshments and alcoholic beverages were free, as were the premium television channels and movies. Airport check-in, security screening, and aircraft boarding were prioritized over Main Cabin passengers. Guests could also utilize GoGo for limited, but free messaging on certain platforms. The lavatories in the back were for all passengers flying in economy, including Main Cabin Select.

Main Cabin seats offered {{convert|32|in|cm}} of pitch and were {{convert|17.7|in|cm}} wide with power-ports and adjustable headrests. Following the merger with Alaska Airlines, Red mirrored Alaska's in-flight service by offering live satellite television, on-demand movies, on-demand television shows, and a selection of games for free. In aligning further with Alaska Airlines, all movies and content were free for all guests, regardless of cabin. Furthermore, in addition to the free beverage service, passengers could order more complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, or purchase snacks, meals, special-branded amenity kit, pillow/blanket, and alcoholic beverages from their seats via Red. Guests could also utilize GoGo for limited, but free messaging on certain platforms.

Alaska Air Group had stated that as part of the reconfiguration, the Virgin America First Class seats would be removed and replaced with a different model to streamline the product with the Alaska Airlines product. The seats, while considered a downgrade from the current seats, would have only 41" of seat pitch, slightly more recline than the current Alaska Airlines 737 First Class product, retaining the Virgin America foot rests, and different placement of the powerports. The number of First Class seats would increase from 8 to 16 seats on the A321neo, and from eight to twelve seats on both the A319 and A320.

Alaska also reconfigured the Virgin America Airbus fleet to include at least three rows of Main Cabin Select, which was a significant change as the current configuration included the emergency exit row (or second row in Airbus A320 fleet) as part of Main Cabin Select; these seats would now just be considered preferred seats/extra legroom after integration.{{cite web|url=http://patahawaii.com/wrap-up-airports-and-airline-update-2017presentations/|title=WRAP UP – Airports and Airline Update 2017|website=PATA Hawaii Chapter|publisher=Pacific Asia Travel Association|access-date=November 5, 2017|archive-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103040852/http://patahawaii.com/wrap-up-airports-and-airline-update-2017presentations/|url-status=dead}}

In April 2020, in response to COVID-19 pandemic impacts, Alaska indefinitely stored all aircraft that retained Virgin America interiors,{{cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Dominic |title=Cash crunch from coronavirus crisis will force Alaska Air to shrink |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/coronavirus-crisis-costs-alaska-air-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-a-month/ |access-date= May 5, 2020 |work=Seattle Times |date=May 5, 2020}} and none had flown for Alaska again.

{{clear}}

Virgin America's frequent-flyer program was Elevate, which allowed passengers to earn five points for every dollar spent on a flight's base fare, which excluded taxes and other fees. The program was discontinued on January 1, 2018. Elevate members were given the option to manually convert Elevate points into Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan miles until January 31, 2018, with any remaining Elevate points automatically converted by February 8, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/alaska-virgin/elevate-members |title=What Elevate Members can expect with Mileage Plan and Alaska Airlines |website=Alaska Airlines |publisher=Alaska Airlines, Inc. |access-date=December 21, 2017}}

Following the discontinuation of Elevate in January 2018, flights operated by Virgin America continued to earn credit on Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan and the frequent flyer programs of partner airlines (including Hawaiian Airlines‘ HawaiianMiles, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer, or Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer) until Virgin America was integrated into Alaska Airlines on April 25, 2018.[https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/hawaiianmiles2/partners] Partners, Retrieved January 27, 2018.[https://www.emirates.com/us/english/skywards/about/partners/airlines/virgin-america.aspx] Virgin America, Retrieved January 27, 2018[https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/ppsclub-krisflyer/earn-miles/earn-when-you-fly/other-airlines-partners/] Singapore Airlines Earn When You Fly, Retrieved January 27, 2018.[https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Earn/Airlines/airline-partners/] Virgin Australia: Airline Partners, Retrieved January 27, 2018

• Shuttle by United, a subsidiary of United Airlines that operated from 1994 to 2001 along the West Coast of the United States
• Hughes Airwest
• Pacific Southwest Airlines
• Air California
• List of defunct airlines of the United States

{{Reflist}}

• Tuttle, Brad. "[https://business.time.com/2012/10/25/why-an-airline-that-travelers-love-is-failing/ Why an Airline That Travelers Love Is Failing]." TIME. October 25, 2012.

{{commons category-inline|Virgin America}}

• [http://virginamerica.com/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406202819/https://www.virginamerica.com/ |date=April 6, 2018 }} (The link has been inactivated)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/*/letVAfly.com Archive of LetVAFly.com]

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