The shareholders of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America have approved the merger of the two airlines announced last April. With this hurdle cleared, the two airlines are expected to formally confirm their merger in the fourth quarter of this year. The new entity will offer 1,200 daily departures from its hubs in Seattle, Anchorage and Portland, to which will now be added those in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Increased service from these hubs will also provide greater access to the international network of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America partners. The integration of Virgin America into Alaska Airlines will give Alaska Airlines access to key East Coast destinations, including New York JFK, La Guardia and Newark, as well as Washington National. The merger makes the new entity one of the largest airlines on the West Coast.
Identity of the new Alaska Airlines/Virgin America :
- 1,200 daily departures
- Hubs in Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle.
- 280 aircraft, average age 8.5 years
- Both brands will be preserved
- Future headquarters in Seattle
