Airlines

Virgin Wins $160 Million Alaska Airlines Trademark Lawsuit

On Thursday, a judge in London ruled that Virgin Group is entitled to royalties even though Alaska Airlines Inc. no longer uses the Virgin brand, and the company won the trademark dispute for almost $160 million.

Alaska is obligated to pay a yearly “minimum royalty” payment of almost $8 million, according to Virgin entities Virgin Aviation TM Ltd and Virgin Enterprises Ltd. In a written decision issued on Thursday, Judge Christopher Hancock stated that the minimal royalty was “a flat fee payable for the right to use the Virgin brand, whether or not that right is taken up.”

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Virgin’s acquisition of Alaska included “a branding agreement running until 2039 with clear commitments,” a company representative said, adding, “We are glad the court agreed with our arguments.”

According to a representative for Alaska, the case “lacks merit, and we intend to appeal the decision.”Before Alaska Air Group Inc. completed its $2.6 billion acquisition of Virgin America, Virgin gave a trademark licence to Virgin America to use its brand in connection with the running of a domestic U.S. airline.

In 2018, Alaska’s operations were integrated with those of Virgin America, and the Virgin name was dropped the following year. In October, Virgin informed the London High Court that Alaska is required to make the yearly payment as Virgin America Inc.’s legal heir.

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Alaska’s attorneys said that it was “commercially nonsensical” to be bound by a contract that would cost it $8 million year for trademarks it does not intend to use. Hancock, however, found that the agreement indicated that “Virgin America should pay a continuing minimum charge for the right to re-use the Virgin brand, whether or not they choose to do so.” According to the judge, the conditions of the contract “must be examined from the standpoint of Virgin and Virgin America… instead of from Alaska’s viewpoint.

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Related Topics:Alaska Airlines Virgin America

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.