>> here's abc 7 news reporter lieian melendez with more on the merger. >> reporter: alaska airlines employees were greeted by their future co-workers from virgin america. together as one they will create the fifth largest carrier in the country. >> is this a good day? >> yeah. >> what do you think of the airplane? >> reporter: don't get used to it. the plane was designed just for the celebratory flight. what comes next is a big unknown. for now the slogan is more to love. >> the other thing i love about this purpose statement we're not done. >> reporter: for now the airlines will continue to operate separately. the details of the merger will be hammered out beginning next year. alaska air group purchased the burlingame-based virgin america for $2.6 billion and alaska made it clear it wanted to become the dominant west coast carrier with a combined fleet of 226 planes and nearly 19,000 employees. san francisco mayor ed lee said it will give silicon valley