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Alaska Airlines Dropped Virgin America Brand But Still Must Pay $160 Million For It, Court Rules

by Gary Leff on February 17, 2023

Feb 17 2023

Richard Branson pledged he would do launch a new Virgin airline in the U.S. if Alaska Airlines dropped the name, which suggests Branson certainly thought use of the trademark reverted to Virgin. He repeated the claim multiple times.

Virgin’s position at the Commercial Court of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales is that Branson was effectively lying – that Virgin had no right to use the trademark for an airline in the U.S. anymore – and that Alaska Airlines had purchased the exclusive right through 2039 whether they used it or not.

Virgin Is Suing Alaska Airlines For $160 Million Because Carrier Stopped Paying For Its Brand

by Gary Leff on October 11, 2022

Oct 11 2022

Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America in 2016 and did away with the Virgin brand. Virgin had a nicer first class product, so it was sad to see planes reconfigured. Alaska committed to its Boeing fleet, in contrast to Virgin’s Airbus narrowbodies.

What did Alaska get out of the deal? Slots and gates at congested airports, many of which Alaska has walked away from or underutilized. And they overpaid in a $2.6 billion deal for the privilege, having outbid JetBlue.

United’s President Thinks Low Cost Airlines Can Never Compete Successfully. He’s Wrong.

by Gary Leff on May 27, 2019

May 27 2019

United Airlines President Scott Kirby declares that new low cost carriers cannot succeed because United will match their pricing. Kirby’s view seems extremely misguided for four simple reasons.

Truth Telling: There are Almost No Terrorists Here, and Another Frequent Flyer Program for Sale

by Gary Leff on August 23, 2018

Aug 23 2018

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

The Most Generous Airline for Carry On Bags Clamps Down

by Gary Leff on April 9, 2018

flight attendant putting bag in overheard bin

Apr 09 2018

Unlike One Mile at a Time I don’t buy that the reason is many Alaska Airlines customers connect to other airlines with tougher carryon baggage allowances — that they are reducing how much customers can bring on board in order to “help” customers and make travel “easier.”

Alaska Airlines May Add Lie Flat First Class Seats for Cross Country Flights

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2018

Feb 19 2018

Virgin America offers padded leather recliner chairs in first class with foot rests and 55 inches seat back to seat back. That’s incredibly generous for most domestic routes. American is shrinking their first class from a ‘generous’ 38 inches for their new domestic standard product.

However it’s not competitive on premium cross country routes where American, Delta, United, and jetBlue all offer flat beds in business class.

You Can Now Redeem American Miles for Virgin America Flights – Great Availability

by Gary Leff on January 29, 2018

Jan 29 2018

When Alaska Airlines obtained a single operating certificate with Virgin America, as far as the FAA was concerned they were a single airline. And I started to look at use of American AAdvantage miles on nominally Virgin America flights. However I didn’t see flights — which were offering award space — available to American AAdvantage. That’s changed.

Amazing Fare: Many US Cities to New Zealand From Just $239 Roundtrip February through June

by Gary Leff on January 23, 2018

Jan 23 2018

Available fares from Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas Fort-Worth, Charlotte, New York, Denver, Nashville, Chicago O’Hare, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, and Detroit.