Virgin Air Soon A Thing Of The Past

(RTTNews) - Alaska Air Group Inc. (ALK), which completed its $2.6 billion acquisition of Virgin America last year, said that the combined company will adopt Alaska Air's name and logo. The Virgin America name will be retired, "likely sometime in 2019," the airline added.

However, the combined airline will adopt many of the brand elements that are loved by Virgin America enthusiasts. This includes enhanced in-flight entertainment, mood lighting, and music.

"Our goal from the very beginning of this merger was to become the go-to airline for people on the West Coast, with low fares, convenient flights, a premium product and genuine, caring service. Three months in, we've dramatically grown our presence in California and are united behind a new purpose: Creating an airline people love," Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Air Group, said.

After closing the merger in December 2016, Alaska has focused on growing the airlines' newly combined networks. Earlier this month, Alaska Airline announced 21 new markets with 25 new daily departures out of San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Jose, California - marking the largest addition of routes in the company's history.

Alaska Airlines said that over the next few years, it will make major enhancements as the merger progresses.

In 2018, Alaska Airlines will debut an entirely redesigned cabin with new seats and amenities. The airline has started to retrofit select Boeing aircraft with expressive blue mood lighting.

Alaska will equip its entire fleet of Boeing 737 passenger aircraft with high-speed satellite Wi-Fi beginning in fall 2018, followed by the Airbus fleet. Both fleets are expected to be fully satellite-equipped by the end of 2019.

The airline will expand the number of first class seats from eight seats to twelve in Virgin America's Airbus fleet beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018. The redesigned Airbus cabins will also feature 18 new Premium Class seats, with complimentary beer, wine and cocktails.

In 2018, Alaska Mileage Plan will become the sole loyalty program for both airlines. The airline will also roll out new employee uniforms designed by fashion designer Luly Yang in mid-2019.