Alaska Air clashes with Richard Branson over licensing fees

[TexasTowelie]

DALLAS — Alaska Air Group could be headed toward a showdown with Richard Branson over millions of dollars in licensing fees.

Alaska took control of Virgin America this past year. Branson, the British billionaire who helped create Virgin America, told reporters in Seattle this week that Alaska must pay royalties for the Virgin name under a licensing deal that runs until 2040.

But Alaska — which plans to drop the Virgin brand, probably in 2019 — has a different opinion.

Alaska’s general counsel said Wednesday that Branson was correct only about the length of the contract.

Read more: http://www.seattletimes.com/business/alaska-air-clashes-with-richard-branson-over-licensing-fees/

[GP6971]

1. Hmmm...this could be interesting

I rarely fly Alaska anymore, but they are a good airline with a good reputation. Flew a lot with them in the 80s and 90s when they were great, not just good.

[Submariner]

2. In the late '80s the Alaska Airlines office in Ancorage or Fairbanks

had an office cat who was found stowing away in a meal cart full of salmon on a flight to Seattle I think. There was a cool photo of the cat with a Alaska Airlines ID badge that said "CAT".

Unfortunately it was pre-internet so I could not find the picture. The cat became the airline mascot after that salmon stealing stunt.

[GP6971]

3. I can believe that

Alaska went out of their way to accommodate their passengers. I was in the military during the first Gulf war and was a courier bringing plans down to our unit. Briefcases handcuffed and all that. I flew on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I got to know the flight crews very well. One day I showed up on a Monday and the flight attendant asked if I was off schedule or if they were.

Funny at the time.