Image copyright AlaskaAirlines

Alaska Air Group has agreed to buy Virgin America in a $4bn (£2.8bn) deal to create the fifth largest US airline.

It will enable Seattle-based Alaska to expand into lucrative hubs such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The two boards "unanimously approved" the deal, which will see Alaska acquire Virgin America for $57 (£40) a share.

However, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said there was "sadly nothing [he] could do to stop" the deal.

It is the first US commercial airline merger since US Airways and American Airlines combined in 2013 to make the world's largest carrier.

'Sadness'

Image copyright Frazer Harrison Image caption Sir Richard expressed "sadness" at Alaska Air's deal to acquire Virgin America

Virgin America, which accounts for about 1.5% of US domestic flight capacity, was listed on the US stock market in 2014 as an offshoot of London-based Virgin Group.

In a company blog, Sir Richard said: "I would be lying if I didn't admit sadness that our wonderful airline is merging with another.

"Because I'm not American, the US Department of Transportation stipulated I take some of my shares in Virgin America as non-voting shares, reducing my influence over any takeover. So there was sadly nothing I could do to stop it."

He added that consolidation is a trend that "cannot be stopped", with the four largest airlines now controlling more than 80% of the US market.

Expansion

Alaska and its partner regional airlines, which in total account for about 5% of US domestic flight capacity, serve more than 100 cities in the US, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico.

If the deal gets approval from US government regulators and Virgin America shareholders, the companies expect to complete the transaction by 1 January 2017.

Brad Tilden, chairman and chief executive of Alaska Air Group, said: "With our expanded network and strong presence in California, we'll offer customers more attractive flight options for non-stop travel."

Virgin America shares surged 40% to $54.52 - just below the offer price - in early trading.

Alaska, which was reported to have beaten competition from rival airline Jet Blue for the company, fell 4.7% to $78.15.