This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Only days away from Alaska killing off the Virgin America brand, we have some sad news about the elimination of a popular amenity that passengers enjoyed on the carrier.
On March 1, Alaska ended live TV on all Virgin America Airbus aircraft. However the airline did double the movie selection, all of which are free, in order to compensate for the reduced entertainment options.
Alaska is trying to standardize the experience across all its aircraft, and that includes doing away with some of the things that made Virgin America unique.
So, what does standardization mean in regards to in-flight-entertainment (IFE) on Virgin jets? Over the next 18 months as Alaska retrofits all of its acquired Virgin Airbus aircraft with new interiors, we’ll see the move to a “bring your own” device IFE program and the removal the Virgin Red IFE system.
Virgin RED offered free live TV, movies, free TV shows, games and the ability to order food, drinks and other amenities from the screen installed in the seat-back headrest.
In its place, fliers will be able to stream content to to their own devices, i.e. a smart phone or tablet. On longer flights Alaska offers its own tablets to rent that come pre-loaded with movies, TV shows and more, and newly installed Alaska seats will come with “integrated tablet holders.”
Alaska is loading the current Virgin RED systems with content that it says matches its own offerings.
The only other US airlines that offer free live TV are American, JetBlue, Southwest.
Know before you go.
News and deals straight to your inbox every day.
NEW INCREASED OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
