Branson feels 'sadness' over Virgin sale he couldn't stop

While shares of Virgin America jumped more than 40 percent on its $4 billion sale to Alaska Air, the airline's founder isn't pleased.

Sir Richard Branson expressed his disappointment on the Virgin Group blog.

"I would be lying if I didn't admit sadness that our wonderful airline is merging with another," he wrote.

"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."

Branson explained that he had started Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Virgin America because of his dissatisfaction with the flying experience and service on other commercial airlines.

"As more airlines consolidated and grew larger and more focused on the bottom line, flying in the US became an awful experience," Branson wrote.

"Virgin America became the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi, soothing mood lighting, touch-screen seatback entertainment, an on-demand food ordering platform, and power outlets at every seat on every flight. Our unique and stylish product and brilliant customer service have won every major travel award," he wrote.

"The airline has also done something almost inconceivable in the airline industry: Virgin America won the hearts and fierce loyalty of consumers around the country. People love this airline."

Branson reiterated his concern about the inevitable trend of mergers in the airline industry.

"Consolidation is a trend that sadly cannot be stopped. Likely feeling the same competitive pressures as Virgin America, Alaska Airlines approached Virgin America with a proposal to merge," he wrote.

"The important thing now is to ensure that once Alaska witnesses first-hand the power of the brand and the love of Virgin America customers for our product and guest experience, they too will be converts and the US traveling public will continue to benefit from all that we have started."

Read the full post on the Virgin Group blog.