Virgin America No Longer Exists
As of Thursday morning, Virgin America as an independent airline no longer exists. Yes, you might still see its red and white tail flying through the skies or sitting at an airport gate, but the airline as we've known it for the last 14 years no longer exists. Wednesday's flights were the final to be operated as Virgin America, VX or "Redwood."
January 11, 2018, is the first day that Virgin America and Alaska Airlines are operating under a single operating certificate. Now, instead of operating the two as separate entities — with both VX- and AS- marketed and operated flights — all flights are AS-operated in the eyes of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
While it might not mean much for the average passenger yet, AvGeeks are saying goodbye to one of the best parts of the airline. The carrier's well-known — and beloved — callsign "Redwood" is gone for good, replaced instead with Alaska's callsign of just "Alaska."
As for the next steps of the merger, passengers should expect to see the Virgin America livery slowly phased out. According to Airline Geeks, the first former Virgin America Airbus aircraft could be in service with Alaska's livery as soon as January 21. The next step for the merger: As of April 25, passengers will also be redirected to book all travel through Alaska's site.
Even if you're a big fan of Virgin America and sad to see the airline start to disappear for good, Alaska's said that it plans to keep some of the customer-friendly touches that differentiate Virgin from its competitors. Alaska said it plans to keep Virgin's cabin lighting and free entertainment. Plus, the carrier said that it's rolling out Wi-Fi to its entire fleet by 2019 and increasing the number of first class seats on former Virgin Airbus' from eight to 12.
This is the second major step in 2018 for the two airlines combining as one. As of January 1, the Virgin America Elevate program folded into the Alaska Mileage Plan program. And now, Virgin America as an airline no longer exists.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees