Year in review: Top destinations & trending moments of 2019
Before heading into the New Year, we’re pausing to celebrate. From carrying a record number of guests – nearly 47 million – to serving the healthiest meals in the sky and striving to be the most sustainable airline, we’re smiling wing to wing thanks to some notable moments this year. Take a look.
The gift of miles brings HBCU students home for the holidays – and opens doors to careers
UNCF uses LIFT Miles donated by Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members to fly students at historically black colleges and universities home for the holiday break, as well as send them to career-development events like the annual HBCU Innovation Summit.
We apologize to our guests who had an un-merry travel experience at Sea-Tac Airport
As of Sunday afternoon, all bags left behind at Sea-Tac Airport have been sent to their intended destinations. Our teams worked quickly to make sure that happened, understanding how problematic and frustrating it has been for our guests not to have their belongings – especially during holiday travel.
Home for the holidays Q&A with Russell and Ciara
This year, Alaska is getting in the holiday spirit by offering priority boarding to anyone wearing a holiday sweater on Dec. 20, National Ugly Holiday Sweater Day. We’re also offering holiday-inspired beverages and cocktails in our lounges, and we debuted a holiday-themed plane dubbed the “Snowplane.” Hear how our CFO Russell Wilson and Ciara are spending their holiday.
Alaska Airlines ‘North Pole’ flight makes life a little brighter for well-deserving children
This weekend, our annual Fantasy Flight arrived at the “North Pole” to bring smiles and holiday cheer to 65 children, many of whom live in shelters or transitional housing.
Ground Support Leader Tim Jordan is always ready for a challenge
Last year, Tim Jordan’s boss sent him an email asking if he had ideas for motorizing the heavy boarding ramps for Horizon’s Embraer 175 aircraft, which required four people per ramp to manually move into place. “I emailed him right back with, ‘Challenge accepted.'”
Seattle Chocolate: “A culinary journey around the world”
The truffles that Alaska guests can enjoy inflight are made at a Seattle factory where visitors can taste the nuances of culinary-inspired chocolates inspired by flavors from around the globe.
Flight Attendant Ava McWilliams Ellington serves up the best spirit and gumbo
San Diego–based flight attendant Ava McWilliams Ellington is known for her imagination, big heart and her gumbo isn’t bad, either! This year, she received our highest customer service honor, for always looking up, pushing higher and putting others first.
And to all, a good flight: We hope your travels are merry and bright
While the holidays can be packed with trips, gifts and loved ones you adore, Alaska’s connecting people to places, while bringing the holidays onboard. In a limerick or two, see how we’re bringing the holidays to you!
How Alaska Airlines’ Chief Football Officer Russell Wilson inspires and lifts the world around him
Every venture Russell Wilson and Ciara take on together, business or philanthropic is intended to be a world-changer. “That’s a core essence of our decision-making,” Wilson says. “Is it going to inspire someone? If it doesn’t, then it’s probably not for us.”
Donate Hero Miles to military families on Giving Tuesday and double the impact
Alaska Airlines proudly partners with 10 nonprofits as part of our LIFT Miles program (formerly Charity Miles), which gives Mileage Plan members the ability to donate miles to organizations in need. On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, Alaska will match up to a million LIFT Miles donated that day.
We’re all about giving: See how our week of LIFT impacted communities around the country
Last month, more than 700 Alaska employees across our network came together to make flying matter during our companywide week of giving back to the communities we serve, called the Week of LIFT. See the impact we had.