If you are searching for Virgin America to book a new flight or manage an existing reservation, you have likely noticed that the airline’s digital presence has changed significantly. For many travelers, Virgin America represented a unique flying experience defined by modern cabins, mood lighting, and high-tech amenities. However, the airline underwent a major transition that affects how you interact with the brand today.
In 2018, Virgin America officially merged with Alaska Airlines. This merger combined the two West Coast-based carriers into one unified airline. As a result, the Virgin America brand was retired, and all operations were integrated under the Alaska Airlines name. This guide will help you navigate how to book flights, manage your travel, and understand what happened to your loyalty points during this transition.
How to Book Flights Today
Since the merger is complete, you can no longer book flights directly through a Virgin America website. Instead, all routes previously serviced by Virgin America are now managed by Alaska Airlines. To book a flight, you should visit the official Alaska Airlines website or use their mobile application.
When searching for flights, you will find that many of the popular routes originally established by Virgin America, such as those flying out of San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX), are still active. Alaska Airlines has maintained a strong presence in these hubs, ensuring that travelers still have access to the same destinations.
Steps to Book Your Travel
- Visit the Alaska Airlines booking portal.
- Enter your departure city and destination.
- Select your travel dates and the number of passengers.
- Review the available flight times, noting that the flight numbers will now begin with the Alaska Airlines code (AS).
- Complete your purchase using a credit card or mileage points.
Managing Your Existing Travel and Credits
If you have questions regarding past travel or are looking for information on credits that were issued years ago, the process has moved entirely to the Alaska Airlines customer service system. Because the merger was finalized several years ago, most legacy Virgin America tickets have expired or been converted.
If you hold a credit or a voucher that was originally issued by Virgin America, it is important to check the expiration date. Most of these credits were required to be used within a specific timeframe following the merger. If you believe you have a valid credit, contacting Alaska Airlines customer support is the most direct way to verify its status.
What Happened to Elevate Points?
One of the most common questions from former Virgin America flyers concerns the Elevate loyalty program. When the airlines merged, the Elevate program was discontinued, and members were encouraged to move their points to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
The transition period for points conversion has largely passed. During the integration, Elevate points were typically converted at a rate of 1 point to 1.3 Mileage Plan miles. This allowed loyal Virgin America customers to keep their earned value and apply it toward future travel on Alaska Airlines or its global partners.
Managing Your Mileage Account
If you previously had an Elevate account but never activated your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, you should contact mileage member services. They can help you determine if your account history was successfully migrated and if any miles remain available for use. Having your old Elevate account number or the email address associated with the account will speed up this process.
Virgin America vs. Virgin Atlantic
It is easy to confuse Virgin America with Virgin Atlantic, but they are two distinct entities. This is a common point of confusion for travelers looking to manage their bookings. Understanding the difference is key to reaching the right customer service department.
Virgin America was a United States domestic carrier based in California. As mentioned, it is now part of Alaska Airlines. If your travel was within the U.S. or to Mexico, you are likely looking for Alaska Airlines.
Virgin Atlantic is a British international airline based in the United Kingdom. It primarily operates long-haul flights between the UK, North America, Africa, and Asia. If you have an international booking or are looking to fly to London, you should visit the Virgin Atlantic website, as they remain an independent carrier and were not part of the Alaska Airlines merger.
The Legacy of the Virgin America Experience
Many travelers miss the specific aesthetic and service style of Virgin America. While the brand name is gone, Alaska Airlines has worked to integrate several features that Virgin fans loved. This includes enhanced high-speed satellite Wi-Fi, updated cabin interiors, and an expanded selection of West Coast-inspired food and beverages.
The merger also expanded the reach of the original Virgin America network. Travelers now have access to more destinations across North America, as well as the ability to earn and redeem miles with a wider array of international partners through the Oneworld alliance, which Alaska Airlines joined in 2021.
Customer Support and Assistance
If you encounter issues while trying to manage a flight or if you have specific questions about a past reservation, the Alaska Airlines help center is your primary resource. They offer several ways to get in touch:
- Phone Support: You can call their general reservations line for immediate assistance with bookings.
- Texting: Alaska Airlines offers a text-based customer service option for quick questions.
- Social Media: Reaching out via official social media channels is often a fast way to get a response regarding travel updates.
- Help Pages: The online help center contains searchable articles regarding baggage policies, check-in procedures, and flight status.
Conclusion
While the Virgin America name is no longer active in the skies, your travel needs can still be met through Alaska Airlines. By redirecting your booking and management efforts to the Alaska Airlines platform, you can access the same routes and modern service you enjoyed previously. If you are looking for more tips on navigating airline mergers or managing your travel loyalty programs, explore our other articles for helpful guides on making your next trip as smooth as possible.