After today’s big merger milestone, Alaska and Virgin America prepare for more exciting changes in 2018

The Single Operating Certificate from the FAA recognizes Alaska and Virgin America as one airline.

Today is a big day for Alaska Airlines. The company received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, which means the FAA now recognizes Alaska and Virgin America as one airline. It marks a major milestone in the integration of the two airlines.

Through that work, Alaska kept growing by adding 44 routes across its network, in addition to the 38 routes that were added with the acquisition of Virgin America.

Alaska now has the most West Coast nonstop destinations of any airline, and now offers nonstop service to 42 destinations from the Bay Area alone. And with 15 airline partners, Alaska can take its guests to more than 900 destinations around the world.

What does it mean for me?

Obtaining a single operating certificate will not result in any immediate differences for guests when flying with Alaska or Virgin America. For now, customers will still use respective Alaska and Virgin America mobile apps, websites and airport terminals when traveling. But when Alaska and Virgin America move to a single reservations system in late April 2018, guests can expect a more streamlined travel experience, with the Alaska mobile app and website serving their travel needs.

When it comes to combining two companies, it’s a huge lift and takes a lot of effort. In working to obtain a single operating certificate, a dedicated team of employees from both carriers invested more than 70,000 hours to streamline and merge operating procedures, manuals and training programs.

Changes that benefit our guests

Alaska Airlines offers West Coast-inspired beer and wine choices. Over the summer, Alaska poured a rosé made with grapes from Washington’s Columbia Valley.

During integration, there have been a lot of accomplishments – large and small – to benefit guests:

  • More than 200 free movies and TV shows can be streamed directly to personal devices plus free texting on Alaska and now Virgin America flights.
  • At some airports, both airlines have co-located operations, with more to come.
  • Flyers at both airlines now enjoy a single loyalty program (Mileage Plan) and credit card.

The new year means continuing integration progress. Here’s a look at some of what’s ahead:

  • High-speed, satellite Wi-Fi is on the horizon for Alaska’s entire fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft beginning this spring.
  • Upgrades to on-board menus, with more options in First Class; West Coast-inspired beer and wine choices; and new, fresh meal selections in the Main Cabin to join the popular fruit and cheese plate.
  • Blue mood lighting will appear on more and more aircraft.
  • Flight and ground crews begin wear-testing new uniforms designed by Seattle’s own Luly Yang, with a roll-out across the company in 2019.
  • In January, the first Airbus plane gets painted with Alaska’s colors.
  • Updated and expanded airport lounges are in the works, with New York’s JFK lounge opening in April, and the new 15,000 square-foot flagship lounge at Seattle opening next year.

Every day, Alaska Airlines is focused on creating an airline people love, with great service and value, low airfares and a generous loyalty program. With caring employees and a constant commitment to safety, Alaska is eager to be the airline of choice on the West Coast, and ready for a 2018 filled with new accomplishments.

••••

Comments

  1. Hope the unified mobile app has an “Add to Wallet” (iOS) feature that actually works for boarding passes.

  2. I think I may have cancelled my credit card. Can you reissue?

  3. Congratulations Alaska! You’ve been our airline of choice. However in your haste to add routes, we lost the ONLY same-day, one-stop connection from YLW to TPA. We’d love to see this service resumed.

  4. Congratulations! There is so much we like about AlaskaAir….your people on the ground, in the air and ON THE PHONE! How wonderful to know that a real person is on the other end of that line! That real person has always been able to help me with whatever my concern
    So, great customer service is the key. You must take very good care of your staff bc they always seems so happy to be a part of AlaskaAir, so willing and capable of helping and so very grateful for our patronage. Oh yes, and they are all located in the USA. How refreshing. Your website is user-friendly, mahalo nui loa for that, too!
    Please keep and even improve your award travel. It is the best we have ever known.
    Suzanne and Mitch Wright

    1. I second everything in this email. I actually look forward to my calls to customer service, knowing that the person on the receiving end will be friendly, knowledgeable, and empowered to help, which of course makes every call more efficient, effective, and leaves a positive impression.

      I second the other post about wave change fees. As 75K member, I greatly appreciate this flexibility and perk.

      Other perks I’ve yet to take advantage of but look forward to doing so one day include wine-case shipping out of STS, ski lift tickets, and upgrading friends.

      The two friends I nominated for MVP status couldn’t have been more appreciative – thanks, Alaska! This is what an airline and a loyalty program should be! Keep it up, please!

  5. I have flown with Alaska Air For 40 years Im now 81 years old I fly to the lower 48 a lot. on my last trip l paid for up greated seats and on the return trip they put me in the back of the plane never told me the seating had changed till I checked in at Seattle .i live in Aaska and all my family is in the lower 48

  6. I love Alaska Air! I love the direct flight from Newark to Portland, but the only direct flight from Portland to Newark is at 6:25 in the morning! Possible to add another? Love Alaska. It’s like flying with real human beings. Congratulations on your merger and many thanks for your great customer service.

  7. PLEASE offer flights to/from MILWAUKEE, WI!

  8. The number one service Alaska Air provides better than any other airline in operation is their pet friendly flights. No other airline holds a candle to Alaska in the pet service they provide and I fear some of my routes will be assigned to Virgin America and they do not accept pets on any of the popular West Coast Mexico or Canada tourist destinations. I have seen some Alaska flights from San Francisco to Cabo change to Virgin flights and it has made it such a mess for people like myself who live in Cabo and travel with 3 pets. If the Virgin flights could be accommodating to pets on these short international flights to Mexico and Canada that would be by far the best service improvement for this airline merger. One superior pet friendly airline merging and creating a larger network of pet friendly flights. I say hoo-rah!

  9. I am so excited to hear of your added flights to and from Paine field. I fly in to see my son and his family fairly often and this will be a big benefit for us all. Alaska Air is the best for on time departures, early boarding, pleasant and helpful staff and all around great service. I wouldn’t fly any other airline. You rate 5 stars! *****

  10. Well, if we are adding our wishes to a Wish List–non-stop Washington DC to Oakland. Jet Blue used to have such a flight and it was full whenever we used it.
    Kudos–we have flown Virgin America for several years and have always found all aspects of the experience easy – booking, boarding, flying–and many times we have arrived ahead of schedule!! If you can believe that!
    We have really like the special seats in Economy–I have had several operations in the past 2 years and this is a really comfortable way to fly.
    What will the name be? I like Alaska Virgin. When flying from Washington DC it is exciting to say – ALASKA AIRLINES, but we would hope that Virgin gets some credit for doing such a good job that you can buy an excellent airline and make it bigger and better

  11. I am a 75k Gold MVP so obviously I fly AK often. In my opinion the biggest standout perk in the whole MVP program is the waived change fees you offer MVP Gold (I don’t know of any other loyalty program that offers this). This one perk is the biggest reason out of the last 120 flights I have booked all but 10 have been on Alaska/Horizon. If this were also offered to all seniors then a senior could get the whopping savings just by booking well in advance without worry.

  12. Please provide a non stop Orlando to LAX earlier than 8 pm.

  13. All this is wonderful IF you give Lewiston ID back their flight schedule! I cannot take advantage of these improvements if I don’t have regular air service to Seattle!

  14. How about a direct flight between Portland OR and Wenatchee WA. Any one that would like to see this fight let Alaska know.

  15. Alaska Airlines-you truly are superior in service, comfort and class compared to many of your competitors. Keep up the good work!

  16. awesome! looking forward to enjoying the new services 🙂

    1. I love Alaska Airlines and fly from Medford to Seattle or Portland to get to Ontario CA. Would really really love to see a direct flight to Ontario added.

  17. I would love a direct/non-stop flight from Palm Springs to Boston 🙂

  18. Would love to see another flight added to Wichita-Seattle. One flight a day is not enough.

  19. I agree with rates for seniors, that would be a great benefit.

    1. If providing a senior airfare rate proves to be too much of a challange at this time, how about considering senior rates when purchasing extra milage during the interim. Extra milage can contribute to destinations which might not otherwise be affordable.

  20. A few more direct flights to frem, Sea-Tac to o Pittsburgh is needed

  21. Love the idea of senior discount for my parents to visit. Also direct flight to Portland Oregon and Palm Springs would be wonderful. Previous FCA 2 PDX disappeared. Love Alaska Airlines and their crew, hopefully Virgin Airlines crew will be retrained to be as courteous as Alaska’s crew.

  22. Please more direct flights to Toronto, Canada

  23. Please add any early flight from Burbank to JFK!

  24. I would like to see a flight from Pasco to L.A.

  25. Need more flights out of Monterey, CA (MRY)

  26. All I ask is that you NOT follow Delta down the dark hole of charging customers more to get an assigned seat in coach. Never been angrier with an airline and will book away from them as long as you don’t follow suit. On an $800+ ticket no less!

  27. Congratulations! PLEASE, PLEASE add a non-stop from LAX to BWI (other than the red-eye) — we LOVE the flight from BWI to LAX and would like to travel Alaska BOTH ways (and avoid Southwest!!

  28. Gosh, I would have rather had upgrades to most airports rather than a whopping $650M just to one that I’m unlikely to travel to much if at all. That decision doesn’t feel like the “New” Alaska Airlines but rather a re-emphasis of the old. Too bad.

    Looking forward to the others…..Here’s to hoping you can eclipse United competitively (which has been our only real choice here in SFO for decades – an airline steeped with more customer “penalties” than pro-customer service.

  29. Need direct flite from Seattle to Mazatlan
    Also first class bag tags to get better bag service
    Would like same meal choice from Mazatlan to LA that coach gets
    Frank
    Gold

  30. Congrats! – I could REALLY….REALLY use a direct from PDX to DIA….. Pretty Please!

  31. Would love service to Hawaii

    1. Alaska has offered service to Hawaii for years from Oakland – most of not all islands

  32. More direct flights from Philadelphia to Portland Oregon

    1. Always loved Alaska Air, great to see your growth. Name of new merged AL? Virgin Alaska?

      1. It was announced many months ago that the combined name will be Alaska Airlines – Virgin will no longer exist.

  33. When will we know about some new routes for 2018? Would love to see Seattle to Louisville!

  34. I flew with your airline for the first time last week, on the recommendation of others (BWI – SEA.) I loved it and was planning to make your airline my airline of choice going forward.

    One of the things I loved about it was the comfort of the seats, the space – not like a sardine can like other airlines. I flew a 73H Boeing 737 800 Jet.

    Now, you are talking about changing the seating space, adding more upgradeable seats, which makes me think you are going to shrink the other seats. Please confirm one way or another.

  35. Congrats! I’m glad it’s now official ???????????? On Dec 31, I flew on Virgin Air from LAX to HNL with my husband using our Companion Fare. As MVP on Alaska, I expected our 3 bags to be free. I was only allowed 2 free suitcases and had to carry my small bag as a carry-on. The Virgin Airlines Rep said only MVP allowed 2 free bags, not anyone traveling together. But after this agreement is official, my traveling companions will get free baggage too. Please confirm. Thank you. Love flying on Alaska to HNL esp with free MaiTai on the final round of beverage serving. Virgin only did one serving then you have to order your next beverage. No hot food either. Hope Virgin Airlines will step up to Alaska’s fine standards !!! Congratulations

  36. Congratulations! We love flying Alaska because of the great staff you have. Will look forward to all the new perks.

  37. I love to fly Alaska Airlines! Always have pleasant experiences with them. Crew is kind, accommodating, and seem to be happy at their job. Flights are almost always on time, and love how quickly baggage is ready for pick up. Airplanes are clean and roomy…I never feel like a sardine packed in a can! I’ll never fly United or American again as it seems they’ve gotten too big to really care about their customers as individuals. Keep up the great work!

  38. I notice that you are making 200 movies and TV channels available to our “devices” — does this mean that we have to bring our own devices in order to access this inflight programing? You are going to remove one of the best things about Virgin America — inflight entertainment from displays on the seats in front of us? It was the comfort and convenience of Virgin America which made my wife and I loyal flyers in their service. If you change these things for lesser “stuff” — you’ve lost us.

    1. Amen to Jim Ayars! That’s what kept us going on East Coast flights. That and how quirky fun Virgin America is, especially the safety videos.

    2. Agreed!

    3. I will be glad to see those monitors disappear. Too much needless flicker and light emanating from them. It drives me nuts that I can’t power them down once for the entire flight, that the airline keeps popping them on and then they stay on. Even more infuriating that they are on for empty seats.

  39. Can we get SMF to PSP flights again. After years of using Alaska to go to Palm Springs and back to Sacramento we miss that route. Help!

    1. How about PSP to JFK? Nothing was showing for October yet.

  40. Congratulations! And thank you for listening for our voices from loyal virgin America costumers. Hope you’ll keep the good quality and good service of virgin America. And keep it unique and original west coast airline, keep the nice and relaxing ambiance. Looking forward in the future, can’t wait to fly again with your airline again. Great job keep people happy and keep our journey enjoyable!!!

  41. I’ve wanted to see these changes for long time: meal choices in the back of the plane, not just beef jerky for a dinnertime flight ORD-PDX and a better choice of quality wines for sale in coach.

    1. Absolutely. Better wines all the time in all cabins. And off-duty tastings for FAs along with tasting notes. Would be nice to counter the philistine trend of “would you like red or white?”

  42. Please don’t forget about those of us in smaller markets. I have always been loyal and grateful to Alaska for stepping in to the Sonoma County market when nobody else would. But the Virgin America acquisition really doesn’t do anything for those of us here in the pre-Virgin market, as far as I can tell, in fact, we’ve had a step backwards in the loss of elite benefit sharing with AA as of 1/1/18. I’m hoping we will see something somewhere that benefits us “little people” that will help make up for that loss.

  43. I also second Mr. Ayd’s and Ms. Brown’s suggestion for senior discounts.

    1. Alaska can be a leader in this field Activate senior discounts

      1. I love Alaska Airlines – I would love it even more often if you had a senior rate! We really are nice people!

  44. Seriously disappointed you have sacrificed the Virgin. I have long traveled on both airlines and appreciate what each offers. I think you have made a poor decision to kill what could have been your premier brand. You’ll lose your Virgin customers as soon as another hip brand hits the jetstream, just as Jet Blue lost share when Virgin arrived on the scene. Still, I know this is how Alaska has expanded since Day One. So, I’ll reserve judgment … until I am unhappy on an SFO-JFK flight. And I’LL MISS THE REALLY COOL SAFETY VIDEO.

  45. I second Mr. Ayd’s suggestion of a senior discount. What a great way to break out of the airline crowd and fly above the others. Most seniors love to travel and an airline that rewards and encourages seniors to use those retirement dollars wisely would be a big hit. Seniors are also very loyal when they find a good thing!

    1. I would love to get on the band wagon for a discount for Senior. We are limited with income and had to work to take care of our families and it would be great in our golden years to be able to go see our families of just to see the world since we wasn’t able to do it in the younger ages.

    2. Here’s another vote for senior airfare rates.

  46. Does Alaska Air give discounts to seniors over 65 years old. If not, it might be studied by Alaska Airlines. Alaska Air Lines could be the first major airline to come up with a plan that increases senior flyers.

    1. Good idea Mr. Ayd

    2. I would love this to happen!

    3. I agree!! I’m a Senior on a budget but love to fly to see my daughter and family!!????

    4. I agree

    5. As a senior who flies frequently from Kansas City to Seattle, I would love to see special senior rates so that I could visit my family in Seattle more frequently.

      1. Me too!

      2. This is a great idea and seniors deserve any benefits a company can offer.

    6. Kudo Mr. Ayd. My husband and I too, frequently fly from San Diego to Seattle or Sacramento to visit families. That will be awesome ???? if seniors can have a special rates.

    7. Benefits for senior flyers is a great idea.
      Also, include Virgin America’s policy of allowing passengers who have the Alaska Airlines signature Visa card to have early boarding privileges.

      1. Yes please!!!

      2. This senior agrees! And get me to the east coast too!

    8. And I agree wholeheartedly! My family is located all over and I love to travel. On my recent trips to Wichita I received the nicest assistance and courtesy from the entire crew. Thank you Alaska Airlines and continued success.

    9. I love your idea!

    10. Yes I agree

    11. I agree with Mr. Ayd

      1. I agree also. Family moving from Seattle to Phoenix, assuming Alaska goes there too?

    12. Indeed sounds good to this 63 year old ha ha

    13. Great idea.

    14. Best suggestion I’ve heard in a long time. As a frequent Alaska Air flyer to/from BOS to visit daughter in VT, I would more than be willing to fly more frequently if that incentive were there!

    15. Sounds like a great suggestion . Would fly more!

    16. Second the motion Mr. Ayd

    17. Great idea and being a senior it would sure making travel a lot easier, also a direct flight from PDX to KTN would sure help us, as having to change planes in Seattle is a terrible experience. Would certainly like to hear from you regarding this! Thank you for your consideration! Bonnie Lee

    18. I fly Alaska twice a year to Cabo. I would love to see that applied to their already great service.

      1. I commented on the senior discount.

    19. Senior Discount would be great and could get Alaska more travelers.

    20. well…. why not! 🙂

  47. The Strong keep on Growing !, Keep up the solid reputation you have Alaska!! I Love this company!!

  48. I would love to see a lounge at SAN T1!

    1. Yes, that former United Club space is begging for a lounge!

  49. Congrats Alaska! Please provide an Alaska Lounge at SFO Term 2 soon! 🙂

    1. Agreed!

  50. Is there a timeline for complimentary upgrades on Airbus planes? Thanks! Looking forward to the JFK lounge.

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