The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a single operating certificate to Alaska Airlines and Virgin America for the integration of the two airlines.
Alaska Airways completed the purchase of Virgin America in December 2016. Throughout 2017, the airlines worked to align their operating policies and procedures. Alignment is required by the FAA to qualify for a single operating certificate.
Customers will not notice any difference at airport terminals or online until late April. That is when the airlines will use a single reservation system on Alaska Airways’ website and mobile app.
“This is a big moment for our company,” Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines’ president and COO and Virgin America CEO, said. “We’re now recognized as a one airline in the eyes of the FAA. I want to congratulate and thank the teams at Alaska and Virgin America for their tireless work to get this done on time, including Gary Beck, the executive sponsor who led this project from the beginning. The CAVOK Group was also instrumental with this massive effort. And we greatly appreciate the assistance of the FAA, the Department of Transportation and other agencies as we accomplished this major milestone.”
The Virgin America loyalty program integrated with the Alaska Mileage Plan on Jan. 1.