Virgin Americas Brand's Last Day

Today, marks the last day of the Virgin America brand, as the airline will become solely Alaska Airlines. VRD1948 (SFO-LAX) was the final Virgin America flight this evening.

Alaska Airlines And Virgin America Under One AOC

The FAA awarded Alaska Airlines a single Air Carriers Certificate today, signaling a further step in its merger with Virgin America. From tomorrow, it will signal the end of the Virgin America flight codes (VX/VRD) and their call-sign "Redwood", as all will come under the Alaska Airlines flight code and call-sign.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Virgin America's N925VA

Virgin America's N925VA (msn 7999) flew in this afternoon from LAX this afternoon as VX1057.  With the full merger between Alaska and Virgin America looming, the newest A321-253N wears a special Alaska-esque livery.

Alaska Airlines Launches SFO-KOA

Alaska Airlines launched daily service between San Francisco and Kona today, using Virgin America's A320-200s, and flight code (VRD1041/1042). This is Virgin America's third Hawaii destination.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Virgin America Upgrades SFO-HNL To A321neo

Beginning today, Virgin America has upgraded their SFO-HNL [VRD51/50] service from the A320-214(ceo) to the A321-253N(neo). N921VA "neo kid on the block" (msn 7589) has been scheduled for the next few days.

Virgin America's N921VA

Virgin America's first A321-253N(neo), N921VA "neo kid on the block" (msn 7589, f/n 921), made a stop at HNL today as VRD51 from SFO. It was the first flight to HNL by an A321neo. It returned a few hours later to SFO as VRD50.

With only two A321neos, and a third on order, it may be sometime before Virgin America uses the LEAP-1A powered A321 on their Hawai‘i service.

Alaska's N493AS

Alaska's special livery 737-990ER arrived today from Seattle. N493AS (s/n 41727, l/n5738) wears a vibrant paint scheme to commemorate Alaska's acquisition of Virgin America.   

Virgin America Brand To Disappear In 2019

Alaska Airlines announced today, that the Virgin America brand will be going away at an undetermined date in 2019. Elements of Virgin America's in-flight service will be retained, and incorporated into the Alaska Airlines in-flight service and experience.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Virgin America To Begin SFO-KOA

Alaska Airlines announced they are launching seven new route pairings based out the Bay Area with their Virgin America arm; one of the new routes will be daily service between SFO and KOA, that will launch on December 14th.  Alaska also announced six other new Bay Area route pairings on the mainland with their E175s.

Virgin America Launches LAX-HNL Service

Today, Virgin America begins daily service between LAX and HNL, with N282VA "Judy Ann" (msn 6704) making the first flight as VRD57, and VRD60 (HNL-LAX).

Daily service between LAX and OGG begins on June 14th.

Further details in this Virgin America press release.

Alaska To Buyout Virgin America

Alaska Airlines announced today that they are buying out Virgin America for an aggregate price of $4 billion, and creating the west coast's premier carrier. The buyout will expand Alaska's presence in California, as Virgin America's two hubs are at SFO and LAX. Of course, this buyout will require government approval that is expected by January 2017.

Alaska will decide the future of Virgin America's 60 A319s and A320s (as well as the latter's orders with Airbus), as it could either keep the VRD fleet, or sell it off and order more 737s.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release, and this Virgin America press release.

Virgin America Announces LAX Service

Virgin America announced today that they will launch daily A320 service from LAX to HNL on May 5, 2016; and service between LAX and OGG on June 14, 2016.

Further information in this Virgin America press release.

Virgin America Launches Maui Service

Virgin America launched its thrice-weekly service between SFO and OGG today. VRD39 is the SFO-OGG segment, and VRD42 is the OGG-SFO segment.

Virgin America Launches Hawai‘i Service

In their own style, Virgin America launched service between SFO and HNL today, with VRD51 making its inaugural flight that arrived to hula dancers, Virgin America flight attendants and HNL Station personnel, and local dignitaries. N281VA "Pineapple Express" [top photo], adorned with a special decal by street artist Si Scott, arrived on Runway 4R, and taxied to the South Hardstands. 

Instead of the festivities held at the gate, the airline chose to hold its inaugural arrival on HNL's South Ramp. Aboard the maiden revenue to Hawai‘i was Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson [above photo], along with Virgin America CEO David Cush. Hawai‘i Governor David Ige was on-hand to greet the flight as well.

After the event was complete, the A320-214 was towed to the main terminal for its return flight to SFO as VRD50.

Virgin America Proving Flight

Virgin America [VX/VRD] has begun proving flights ahead of the November launch of their SFO-HNL service. N281VA "Pineapple Express" (msn 6669, f/n 281), an A320-214, made today's proving flight as VRD8281, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin America Announces Hawai‘i Flights

Virgin America [VX/VRD] announced today that they will begin daily flights between SFO and HNL on 02 November 2015, and daily flights between SFO and OGG on 03 December 2015. The airline will use new Sharklet-equipped A320s for the Hawai‘i routes, and is in the process of obtaining their ETOPS certification. With this new service, Virgin America will compete against Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. 

Further information in this Virgin America press release.

Virgin America will become the first US carrier to attempt A320 ETOPS service between the west coast and Hawai‘i. CrankyFlyer offers their analysis of why Virgin America can succeed with A320 ETOPS operations.

Virgin America To Hawai‘i?

In an interview with Airline Reporter, Virgin America CEO David Cush intimated that the airline plans to enter the west coast-Hawai‘i market in 2015, as the airline receives more Sharklet-equipped Airbus A320s (part of a 40-plane order to boost the fleet to 90 by 2016).

Virgin America is currently a code-share partner with Hawaiian Airlines.

The Sharklets, similar to the Blended Winglets on 737NGs, enhance performance parameters of the A320 series. It's noted in the Virgin America press release if any of this current order (which also includes an option for 20 more A320 series) if these airliners will have the New Engine Option (NEO).

Virgin America's N634VA (msn 3359) is pictured above in a 2010 photo taken at LAX, on short final to Runway 24R.

Hawaiian And Virgin America Code-Share

Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin America have reached a code-share and frequent flyer program agreement that allows reciprocal benefits for passengers of both airlines.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release. Airliners Gallery's World Airline News had this report earlier this morning.

Virgin America ETOPS Proving Runs?

A Conde Nast Traveler blog is reporting that SFO-based Virgin America [VX/VRD] will soon be flying ETOPS proving runs between SFO and HNL. The article states that "the airline is in the early stages of ETOPS flights, but did not specify Hawai‘i".

More information in this Jaunted.com article.

The above photo shows one of Virgin Americaʻs A320-214s, N622VA (msn 2674), at LAX, clearing Runway 25L in November 2010.