End to Branson's US dream as Virgin America officially fades into history

Virgin America's sale, which occurred despite a protest by Branson, a minority shareholder, marked the beginning of the British billionaire's retrenchment from airlines

The last vestiges of the Virgin America brand are now aviation history, bringing a formal end to Richard Branson’s brash, groundbreaking effort to put some European flair—replete with cheeky branding and mood-lighting—into US skies.

Alaska Air Group Inc. has finished repainting the Airbus SE fleet it acquired when it bought the Branson-backed carrier three years ago. The 71st and final Alaska Airbus A321neo was scheduled to roll out of a painting facility in Victorville, California Sunday after nine days of refurbishments, resuming commercial service Monday. Alaska is still working to convert all of the former Virgin interiors, a task it expects