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RIP Virgin America: Alaska's First Retrofitted Airbus Is Now in Service

Feb. 19, 2019
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3 min read
Alaska A320
RIP Virgin America: Alaska's First Retrofitted Airbus Is Now in Service
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Virgin America technically ceased to exist on April 25, 2018, and most of its jets have been repainted to match the colors of Alaska Airlines, which bought the smaller airline. Inside the planes, things were not as radically different from the days of Richard Branson's onboard flair. Sure, live TV, on-demand food ordering and the famed Virgin safety video were retired, but features like purple mood lighting and the opulent white leather first-class recliners remained. Unfortunately though, as we've long known, these things wouldn't last forever.

To standardize the experience across all its aircraft, Alaska is retrofitting the Airbus aircraft inherited from Virgin America, scrapping many of the things that made them unique. While Alaska hasn't provided any updates since the initial announcement back in 2017, we now know that the first retrofitted A320 has entered service.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsnJYGAFHb1/

The 12-year-old A320, registered N628VA, is the first of 73 Airbus aircraft to be retrofitted, with 12 seats in first class, 24 seats in Premium Class and 114 in the main cabin -- from 8, 18 and 129, respectively. It's operating mostly short-haul flights, but has already made appearances on several transcontinental routes as well.

As expected, mood lighting is now set to a fluorescent blue and seatback entertainment screens were replaced by personal device streaming. Standard coach seats lost an inch of pitch, though that shouldn't be too noticeable as the new slimline seats provide more legroom at knee level. The biggest difference with these seats is their padding.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsnJlYRF33M/

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With more premium seats up front, Alaska elites could look forward to more complimentary upgrades. However, more seats came at the expense of legroom. Up front, Premium Class seats offer 35 inches of pitch, and first class seats offer just 41 inches, compared to the previous industry-leading 55 inches. The fully adjustable leg rests, lumbar support and massage functions? Those are gone too. Unlike most cabin refreshes, these aren't more appealing to most passengers than the previous version.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsnJ20bFYCA/

While there's just one retrofitted aircraft flying today, several other A320s (N623VA, N625VA, N630VA, N635VA and N639VA), as well as a larger A321 (N928VA), are currently at Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) getting cabin modifications and will enter service soon. Alaska expects to have its entire Airbus fleet retrofitted by the end of 2019.

(Photo by Benji Stawski / The Points Guy.)

You can find out if your flight will be operated by a retrofitted aircraft on Alaska's website. This model is listed as “Airbus A320,” while the ones with the original interiors just say "Airbus Series." Regardless which plane you end up getting, rest assured you'll have access to key amenities such as power outlets at every seat and in-flight Wi-Fi.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.