Virgin America
A former US low-cost airline known for stylish Airbus cabins and entertainment-led service, Virgin America operated primarily from San Francisco before being absorbed into Alaska Airlines.
About Virgin America
Virgin America was founded in 2004 and began commercial service in 2007 as a US low-cost airline associated with Richard Branson’s Virgin brand. Although Virgin Group licensed the name and held a minority interest, the carrier was structured to satisfy US ownership rules. Alaska Air Group acquired Virgin America in 2016, and the airline ceased operating under its own brand in 2018 after integration into Alaska Airlines.
San Francisco was Virgin America’s primary hub, supported by a substantial operation at Los Angeles. Its network comprised 60 routes serving 18 destinations across the United States and Mexico. New York, Washington and Boston were also important departure points, while other notable cities included Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale and Cancun. The network concentrated on transcontinental flights and service between major metropolitan and leisure markets.
Virgin America operated an all-Airbus narrow-body fleet built around the Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 families. Aircraft generally offered First Class, Main Cabin Select and standard Main Cabin seating. The airline differentiated its low-cost model through mood-lit cabins, seatback entertainment, onboard food and drink ordering, and Wi-Fi on many flights. Amenities, baggage and advance seat selection could still involve additional charges depending on the fare and cabin booked.
The airline did not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Its loyalty programme was Elevate, through which members earned points and could redeem them for Virgin America flights and selected partner travel. Following the Alaska Air Group acquisition, Elevate was discontinued and members were transitioned to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Travellers can therefore no longer earn or redeem Elevate points or book new Virgin America-operated services.
Virgin America’s principal strength was a passenger experience that felt distinctive for a low-cost US carrier, particularly its modern cabin design, entertainment system and transcontinental product. Its comparatively small network was also a limitation, offering fewer connecting options than larger competitors. Because the brand and operating certificate have been retired, Virgin America now has historical rather than bookable relevance; present-day searches may instead surface Alaska Airlines services on former routes.
Good to know
Flying with Virgin America — what to expect
Airline No Longer Operating
Virgin America ceased operating under its own brand in 2018 following its integration into Alaska Airlines. Former Virgin America routes may now be offered by Alaska Airlines or other carriers.
Elevate Was Retired
Elevate was Virgin America’s frequent-flyer programme, but it was discontinued after the acquisition. Members were transitioned to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
Airbus Fleet
Virgin America flew Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Its cabins were especially associated with mood lighting, seatback entertainment and onboard ordering.
Fare Extras
As a low-cost carrier, Virgin America could charge separately for services such as checked baggage and certain seat assignments. Historical fare inclusions varied by cabin and ticket conditions.
Strong Transcontinental Focus
The airline was particularly visible on routes linking San Francisco and Los Angeles with major East Coast cities. San Francisco was its main connecting hub.
Network overview
Where Virgin America flies
Virgin America operates 60 routes to 18 destinations across 2 countries, its longest sector reaching Boston to San Francisco (4,341 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Virgin America flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Boston → San Francisco
4,341 km · BOS → SFO
The longest sector in the Virgin America network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Virgin America
LAX - SFOLos Angeles → San Francisco1h 8m544 kmJFK - LAXNew York → Los Angeles5h 4m3,974 kmLAX - JFKLos Angeles → New York5h 4m3,974 kmSFO - LAXSan Francisco → Los Angeles1h 8m544 kmPDX - SFOPortland → San Francisco1h 31m886 kmSEA - SFOSeattle → San Francisco1h 45m1,092 kmSFO - PDXSan Francisco → Portland1h 31m886 kmSFO - SEASan Francisco → Seattle1h 45m1,092 kmDFW - LAXDallas → Los Angeles2h 47m1,983 kmJFK - SFONew York → San Francisco5h 16m4,152 kmLAX - SEALos Angeles → Seattle2h 16m1,536 kmORD - LAXChicago → Los Angeles3h 43m2,803 kmORD - SFOChicago → San Francisco3h 55m2,966 kmSEA - LAXSeattle → Los Angeles2h 16m1,536 kmSFO - JFKSan Francisco → New York5h 16m4,152 kmReviews of Virgin America
TripAdvisor · 2018–2020- 534
- 49
- 35
- 20
- 12
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Flew Virgin America and then Virgin Australia back
They overbooked (somewhat common( so the airline put me in Business Class. It was much better. Our son also flies on this airline and I can now see why.
Posted May 2020 by James D
Outreach flight to Puerto Vallarta
All of our flights were good. All boarded early and left on time. The cabin service was good and we were as acomfortable as you can be flying economy.
Posted March 2020 by WR Bird
Totally good flight from Melbourne to Gold Coast
Painless check-in. Everything on time. Flight crew were excellent. Seats fine for short haul (2 hours). No problems, hassles or other put off. Our selected check in kiosk failed as it ran out of baggage tags, and the baggage drop machine failed, but we had… See more immediate and competent personal attention. The Virgin employees were on the ball. Machines will never replace people. NOTE: This is review of Virgin Australia, NOT Virgin America (now Australian Airlines) For years I have thought Virgin the best domestic ariline in Australia. This trip did not disappoint.
See lessPosted February 2020 by Yankee in 0z, Melbourne
Love the AirBus with the Misting System
Alaska Airlines is my favorite airline. They are consistently the best with On-Time Service, Friendliness, and Professionalism. They fly the Boeing 737 and the Airbus 319 & 320. I like the 320's with the misting system. It is a nice touch when you board. The… See more service, staff and the crews are the best. The food is standard airline food but it is above average.
See lessPosted December 2019 by baja-alan, Cabo San Lucas
Very average
The only reason I took this flight is that it is the only non-stop to San Diego for the west coast of FL .... Ft Meyers, Sarasota (where I live), Tampa and Orlando Market...which is ridiculous!! The flight was good. The service was good but to go across… See more country and not offer decent food/sandwiches is a disgrace. I have complained before but to no avail. I will be going on a 1 stop flight, the next time I fly to San Diego. The long drive is just not worth the non-stop advantage.
See lessPosted December 2019 by janiss
A Great Flight
I flew from San Diego to San Francisco on Alaska Airlines and enjoyed my time on board. It was the first time that I had flown with them and believe me it will not be the last. They made me feel so welcome. It was a most enjoyable trip.
Posted October 2019 by josieb170, Toronto
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Virgin America — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Virgin America tickets are no longer sold because the airline was absorbed into Alaska Airlines. For equivalent routes, compare current fares across flexible dates and avoid peak holiday and weekend travel when possible.
- Virgin America served major US cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Orlando and Philadelphia, as well as Cancun in Mexico. The airline ceased operating under its own brand in 2018.
- Virgin America’s longest route was Boston to San Francisco, covering about 4,341 km nonstop. It formed part of the carrier’s important transcontinental network.
- Virgin America historically allowed cabin baggage subject to size, weight and storage requirements, but its policies are no longer current because the airline has ceased operating. For a present-day itinerary on Alaska Airlines or another carrier, check the operating airline’s published allowance.
- Virgin America’s busiest departure cities were San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, New York and Boston, in that order by number of routes. San Francisco was the airline’s principal hub.
- Virgin America’s primary hub was San Francisco International Airport. Los Angeles was its other major base, with Washington, New York and Boston also among its busiest departure markets.
- Virgin America served exactly 18 destinations across 2 countries and operated 60 routes. These figures describe its historical network, as the airline no longer operates.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Virgin America no longer operates, searches may show Alaska Airlines or other carriers serving its former routes.