Virgin America Vanishes Along With Branson’s U.S. Dream
Alaska Airlines just finished repainting the red-and-white Airbus fleet it purchased, but a major decision awaits the once “all-Boeing” carrier.
The last vestiges of the Virgin America brand are now aviation history, bringing a formal end to Richard Branson’s brash, groundbreaking effort to put some European flair—replete with cheeky branding and mood-lighting—into U.S. skies.
Alaska Air Group Inc. has finished repainting the Airbus SE fleet it acquired when it bought the Branson-backed carrier three years ago. The 71st and final Alaska Airbus A321neo was scheduled to roll out of a painting facility in Victorville, California Sunday after nine days of refurbishments, resuming commercial service Monday. Alaska is still working to convert all of the former Virgin interiors, a task it expects to complete by next spring.