Trying to reassure frequent flyers about the Alaska Air Group acquisition, Virgin America CEO David Cush told Elevate members that his airline needed the merger “to compete in this consolidated environment,” which finds Delta, American, United, and Southwest controlling “more than 80 percent of the U.S. market.”

The communication to Elevate members, which Virgin America filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, confirms that the Elevate program will merge into Alaska’s Mileage Plan loyalty scheme but argues that it will be beneficial to Elevate members because they will have access to a large network in North America and they will be able to take advantage of Alaska’s “robust international partner network.”

Cush noted that the transaction would take several months to close and the two airlines — and loyalty programs — will operate independently for some time.

“As the only airline headquartered in California, Virgin America has always been intent on shaking up the status quo in the airline industry,” Cush wrote. “Our goal has been to do no less than to reinvent the flying experience for the better — with innovative amenities and milestones like being the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi and power outlets.