Alaska Airlines Buys Virgin America Official

: By acquiring Virgin, Alaska "leapfrogged" JetBlue—who also bid for the airline—to secure a stronger position against the "Big 4" (American, Delta, United, and Southwest).

: The merger allowed Alaska to expand significantly in California, particularly at high-demand hubs like San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX). alaska airlines buys virgin america

In April 2016, Alaska Air Group announced its acquisition of Virgin America for approximately in cash ($57 per share), with a total transaction value of roughly $4 billion including debt and leases. The deal, which officially closed on December 14, 2016 , made Alaska Airlines the fifth-largest carrier in the United States. Strategic Rationale : By acquiring Virgin