Sidoti Downgrades Virgin America (VA) to Neutral

Morgan Stanley Upgrades Virgin America (VA) to Equalweight

April 5, 2016 7:30 AM EDT

Morgan Stanley upgraded Virgin America (NASDAQ: VA) from Underweight to Equalweight with a price target of $57.00 (from $33.00).

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Virgin America click here. For more ratings news on Virgin America click here.

Shares of Virgin America closed at $55.11 yesterday.

... More

IAM Comments on Virgin America (VA), Alaska Air (ALK) Deal; Union Representation Still Undetermined

April 4, 2016 6:37 AM EDT

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) General Vice President Sito Pantoja issued the following statement regarding the proposed merger of Alaska Airlines and Virgin America Airlines:

As expected, the industry consolidation among the major airlines is being repeated by smaller carriers trying to survive. While todays... More

Alaska Air to buy Virgin America for $2.6 billion

April 4, 2016 6:17 AM EDT

By Jeffrey Dastin

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alaska Air Group Inc said on Monday that it would buy Virgin America Inc for $2.6 billion in cash to become the top carrier on the U.S. West Coast and compete more effectively with larger airlines.

At $57 a share, the deal represents a premium of about 86 percent from Virgin America's stock price before reports in March that the company was considering a sale. Analysts characterized the price as steep but said the merger would strengthen Alaska Air.

"The perception is that they paid a very, very high price," said... More

Alaska Air Group (ALK) to Acquire Virgin America (VA) in $4B Deal

April 4, 2016 6:04 AM EDT

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK), parent company of Alaska Airlines, and Virgin America, Inc. (NASDAQ: VA) today announced that their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement, under which Alaska Air Group will acquire Virgin America for $57.00 per share in cash. Including existing Virgin America indebtedness and capitalized aircraft operating leases, the aggregate transaction value is approximately $4.0 billion. With an expanded West Coast presence, a larger customer base, and an enhanced platform for growth, Alaska Airlines will be positioned to provide more choices for customers, increase... More

Alaska Air nears deal to buy Virgin America for over $2 billion: sources

April 2, 2016 3:09 PM EDT

By Greg Roumeliotis and Jeffrey Dastin

(Reuters) - Alaska Air Group Inc (NYSE: ALK) is nearing a deal to acquire Virgin America Inc (NASDAQ: VA), the ninth-largest U.S. airline by passenger traffic, for more than $2 billion, having outbid JetBlue Airways Corp (NASDAQ: JBLU), people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

The acquisition would herald the first U.S. commercial airline merger since US Airways and American Airlines combined in 2013 to form the world's largest... More

Virgin America (VA) Near Deal to Be Acquired by Alaska Air (ALK) - WSJ

April 2, 2016 2:57 PM EDT

Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) is near a deal to acquire Virgin America (NASDAQ: VA), the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday afternoon.

Alaska Air Group's offer for Virgin America is seen topping JetBlue Airways'... More

Virgin America (VA) Sale Could Come on Monday, Says FBN's Gasparino

April 1, 2016 3:25 PM EDT

(Updated - April 1, 2016 3:41 PM EDT)

Virgin America (NASDAQ: VA) shares were on watch following a tweet by FBN's Charles Gasparino. According to bankers, a sale could come as early as... More