VX1795 LAX-PDX 29 DEC 17 (First)

Being a big Virgin Fanboy, I used my recent trip to California to get a last bash in on Virgin America before the brand starts to disappear into the blandness that is Alaska Airlines.

I really wanted to do a full transcontinental trip but it didn't work either cost wise or with the itinerary of the main trip. As it happens I managed to get a day trip out to Portland going direct from LAX and then back into LAX via SFO. (Having been there a few days previously). I got a semi decent deal on First Class and I was all set!

First thing I noticed from the last time I flew VX is that they have moved terminals at LAX and are now in Terminal 6 with Alaska. The check in area has tried to recreate the feel of the T3 area but has not succeeded, and it looks like a lame attempt at the cool funky area it used to be.

Security was easy enough, but there no real fast track in US airports.

As a result of the terminal move, the lovely VX Loft is now gone, replaced by The Alaska boardroom. One difference I noticed is that everyone is afforded access who is in First now, with VX it only used to be Status or TransCon first class that got in for free, but there was no arguments with me getting in.

The Boardroom was boring as lounges go, it was crowded, and with a limited selection, but I had a bagel and some OJ and it was better than waiting in the terminal. As you might have read from my main VS TR, I wasn't well, so I headed over to the gate little early, but they started boarding early too, which I found a bit strange.

I was the first person on the aircraft. I must say I do find VX's First Class seats incredibly comfortable and the leg room was fantastic.

Pre Departure drinks swiftly in hand, with a top up, the line of "I'm really sorry I don't have any white wine, is Champagne okay?" made me laugh! I didnt even realise that VX did Champers, we were soon in the sky leaving the lovely California sunshine behind.

I had the chicken salad which was really nice, and for a 1hr50 flight I thought was okay some hot options would have been nice. The snack basket was passed around after mains, and the cookies in it were fantastic! Drinks were topped up constantly.

Arrived into a rainy Portland a few minutes ahead of schedule. Now I must stress at this point, that this was the day when the flu really really seemed to take hold, I actually don't know how I managed to even get up that morning, I took the train down into downtown Portland, and between the rain and the flu, took a picture of the courthouse looked at a few shops and within an hour was on a train back. I hopped over to Concourse C to go to the Alaska lounge, not sure if I would get in, but was welcomed with no quibble, again it was bland, but had good view out over the apron, and some lovely hummus and salsa.

One thing did annoy me, was their was a woman serving alcoholic beverages to Alaska Credit Card holders, and was plying them with drink after drink, approached me "Do you hold the Alaska Card sir?" when I responded with "No" she just walked off as if I was dead to her!

The flights back via SFO were very much in a similar vein, but I did get a good chat wit the VX station manager who said that many of the staff were not enjoying the transition and at some of the out stations there was a lot of uncertainty over jobs, which is quite sad.

Overall, I am glad I got a last watch of that fantastic safety video, one of the best and most engaging in the industry, and delighted to fly this wonderful creative little airline once more. A few days later the "VX/Redwood" flight numbers stopped all replaced by Alaska/AS and the VX loyalty scheme closed.

By the end of this year the brand will have gone all together.

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[mitchja]

Thanks for the TR. Glad you managed to fly VX before they disappear into oblivion.

I have never really got Alaska. Whilst they do what it says on the tin, that's about it. Nothing special and nothing to shout home about and just another bland American carrier.

It is a crying shame that the Virgin America brand will be gone soon as despite the many many haters (mostly from other US carriers), VX certainly shook up and rattled the US domestic airline market.

Yeah, its funny VX made a YouTube marketing video about a flight on "Blah" airlines long before the merger was even thought about. I have to say that other than the woman who considered me worthless of her attention cos I didnt have their credit card, almost all of the Alaska lounge staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, in particular at LAX, VX's website doesn't make it clear that you get lounge access at stations other than LAX and I asked at the desk in LAX if they knew about PDX and the woman was so helpful it was refreshing.

I don't see the two airlines sitting very well along side each other though, if you recall, JetBlue were the other interested party and whilst I've not flown JetBlue personally, but friends have, their service and route network would have been a more complimentary fit to VX, and I think would have appealed to the "Millennial" generation VX go after.

[mitchja]

Never flown JetBlue either, but they do seem to have fallen from grace somewhat now over the last 12 months or so if you read and believe various internet blogs etc. They don't have a very good record for on time departures either.