Why this airline is set to "vanish" overnight
It’s one of the world’s most beloved airlines – but today the airline has taken its last flight ever.
Ranked as one of the US’s favourite airlines, Virgin America is no more after being taken over by Alaska Air as part of a $US2.6 billion deal.
Today, all check-in counters, kiosks, signs and gate areas branded as Virgin America will be removed from 29 airports around the US and Mexico.
The two final flights bearing the Virgin America name were Virgin America Flight 1182 which departed San Francisco at 9.30pm, and Virgin America Flight 1948 which took off for Los Angeles at 9.32pm local time.
The airline had a big celebration for those on-board the last flights.
“We’re planning to delight our guests flying on these last two flights with a few surprises,” Alaska Airlines said.
Today we say goodbye to Virgin America. Starting tomorrow, signage will be removed and operations will be moved to a unified passenger experience including one gate area, check-in counter and reservation system under @AlaskaAir. pic.twitter.com/QaMApHspUu
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) April 24, 2018
Super fans of the airlines have also planned their own celebrations.
“We’ll be having a get-together in the gate area before the flight,” frequent flyer Nate Vallier, who owns an airline IT company, told USA Today.
“We’ll have posters, memorabilia and other swag to hand out and, after the flight, we’ll be gathering in the Alaska Airlines lounge in LAX to toast to the sunset of the Virgin America brand.”
Most airlines are in the news because of customer complaints, but not Virgin. The airline had a 7/10 rating on Skytrax and was famous for its safety video.