Newest Airline Merger to Positively Impact DIA Routes

In today's business landscape an airline merger is not that unusual, but the one announced by Alaska Air Group Inc. will have some impact on DIA travellers.

According to Reuters, Alaska Air Group Inc. said they had agreed to buy Virgin America Inc. for $2.6 billion to expand its reach in on the west coast.

Both airlines are known for outstanding customer service and low fares; the merger will also help Alaska to broaden its presence California and with expanded routes the network between the two airlines will be able to provide customers with 1,200 daily departures.

Alaska Airlines has been ranked #1 among the nine largest carriers in the United States by The Wall Street Journal for overall operational performance for three years in a row while Virgin America has placed #2 in the same study for the past two years.

Virgin America has been voted "Best Domestic Airline" in both Travel + Leisure's Annual World's Best Awards and Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards for the past eight consecutive years.

Alaska Airlines has been ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers" by J.D. Power for eight years running and has been ranked #1 for on-time performance six years in a row by FlightStats.