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More convenience––less contact! Alaska Airlines is making travel almost entirely touch-free

Updated June 30, 2021

As more of our guests prepare to fly again, we’re gradually, thoughtfully and safely reintroducing onboard food and beverage services and have implemented numerous ways to make your travels almost entirely touch-free.

With the Alaska mobile app, you can check in for your flight, pre-order meals, generate a mobile boarding pass and so much more. Plus, our improved technology allows us to scan boarding passes up to six feet apart, print bag tags without touching the check-in kiosk and purchase food and beverages on board using your stored payment preference.

See what’s in the works to make your journey more convenient and touch-free:

Pre-order meals & store payment for touch-free purchase in the air

Great trips call for great planning! Now available in all cabins on trips 1,100+ miles, you can reserve your favorite snacks/meals using the Alaska mobile app or alaskaair.com from 2 weeks to 20 hours prior to your flight.

You can also store your payment preference using your Alaska Airlines account so when it comes time to pay for your meal in the air, you can do so touch-free.

For more details visit our website.

Print bag tags without touching the check-in kiosk

At the airport, you can print your bag tags by simply scanning your boarding pass (mobile or printed at home) at one of our kiosks.

Here’s how it works: Once you pay for your baggage fee(s) using the Alaska mobile app or online, you can simply walk up to our kiosk at the airport, scan your boarding pass and your tags will be printed from the kiosk where you can safely grab the tag from the machine to place it onto your bag(s). You can also print your bag tags from home if that’s easier or ask one of our agents for assistance.

Once you’ve placed your tag on your bag(s), you can safely drop off your baggage to one of our agents, while maintaining physical distance.

Scan boarding passes from a distance

Our gate agents are able to scan guests’ boarding passes using a mobile tablet or scanner while boarding. To help create more distance between guests, we’re providing our agents with the ability to scan a boarding pass from six feet away—if the conditions are just right. To scan from that far away, the boarding area will need to have good lighting and the barcodes need to be printed clearly. While we can’t achieve this laser-focus every time, our agents are working hard to “mind their wingspan” and taking every measure to keep our guests safe.

Touch-free check in, mobile boarding pass, prepaid bags

The Alaska mobile app is still the single best tool to limit contact while traveling. You can make sure your trip is as smooth as possible every step of the way by using it to check in for your flight, generate a mobile boarding pass, change seats and prepay for your bags. The app also keeps you up to date on your flight status, gate changes and boarding notifications. Download the app today if you don’t already have it!

Get a text or email instead of paper

Coming soon to an airport near you will be a messaging tool that our customer service agents will use—to avoid printing & handling boarding passes or receipts—that is capable of sending you a text message that includes all of your travel information with a link to your boarding pass, gate and seat assignment.

Agents can also email any receipts, such as bag fees, if needed.

Staying safe and connected: A message from Ben Minicucci

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Alaska has implemented nearly 100 actions to keep guests and employees safe, all part of Alaska’s commitment to Next-Level Care.

Some examples include:

  • Require guests and employees wear a cloth mask or face covering at all times when at the airport or onboard Alaska aircraft. Flyers must also complete a health agreement at check-in to acknowledge and attest to their willingness to adhere to the mask requirement.
  • Sanitizing wipes readily available to guests during beverage service on all Alaska and Horizon Air flights.
  • Enhanced cleanings of our planes in between every flight.
  • Hospital-grade HEPA air filters on every aircraft; an air filtration system that circulates fresh, outside air into the cabin every three minutes.
  • Limited onboard service to reduce interactions.
  • Hand-sanitizer stations throughout the journey and more.

next level care

Alaska Airlines is offering a handy way to be germ-free plus other relaxing remedies on board as part of Next-Level Care

In travel, details make all the difference. As soon as COVID-19 hit, we quickly implemented over 100 ways to bring you peace of mind while traveling, including pre-travel wellness checks, requiring face coverings, disinfecting aircraft between flights and much, much more. So, when we set out to choose a partner for providing in-flight sanitizing hand wipes, we didn’t just settle for effectiveness. We asked: “Who can help make our guests’ experience more enjoyable?”

The answer? EO– the leading personal care brand that produces luxurious, pure, essential oil-infused hand sanitizer, body care and hand soaps in scents inspired by nature – facilitating meditative moments of self-care, anywhere and any time.

Starting Aug. 21, EO’s alcohol-based, relaxing French lavender-scented sanitizing wipes will be available to guests during beverage service on all Alaska and Horizon Air flights. Aside from being 99.9% effective against common germs, EO’s sanitizing wipes are created with sustainably-farmed organic ingredients and biodegradable bamboo cloth. Even better? EO is a zero-waste, B-corp and certified green business – a perfect match for Alaska’s industry leading environmental efforts.

We understand traveling during the “new normal” can feel overwhelming so we hope these thoughtful details make it feel more comfortable.

Here are more ways you can make your trip relaxing, comfortable and healthy:

Take a moment for mindfulness

We’re all coping with a lot of change right now. Taking a little time to re-center can do a world of good. We have just the thing. Through our partnership with Headspace, we offer free inflight meditation sessions. Just look for Headspace in our entertainment portal, breathe deeply and let the stress melt away.

Plan your PPE (don’t forget your mandatory mask!)

Have you ever spent a travel day in the wrong pair of shoes? The same rules apply to traveling while wearing a mask. For a travel day that includes time in airports and on flights, you may want to opt for a mask that fastens around the back of your head, rather than your ears.

And, think ahead about disinfecting supplies you’ll want along the way. Bringing a travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer is probably top of mind, and now TSA allows you to bring even more – one 12 oz. bottle is allowed in your carry-on until further notice.

Pack strategic snackage

With limited airport and in-flight food and beverage services right now, you may want to shop in advance for snacks before your flight. Look for strong flavors but be careful not to get sucked into exclusively buying salty or sweet snacks. Dried fruit and nuts, pre-cut veggies, olives, cured meats and flavorful herbed crackers are great options to keep your stomach feeling full and satisfied. And maybe spring for that chocolate bar you’re always eyeing (Seattle Chocolate is a favorite) travel is supposed to be sweet, after all.

#FillBeforeYouFly

It’s easy to forget about hydration while traveling–and end up feeling pretty lousy as a result. The best and most sustainable way to drink enough water while you travel is to #FillBeforeYouFly. Bring your favorite (empty, of course) water bottle through security and fill it at your gate. We recommend filling up at a hands-free fill station if accessible. And, spread the word on social with a picture of your bottle and our hashtag #FillBeforeYouFly.

Clear the air with our HEPA filters

Speaking of breathing deeply, your overhead air vent is your friend–it provides clean, filtered air from outside the plane. While many people think airplane air is recirculated, it’s actually completely refreshed with outside air every three minutes by a system that uses two HEPA filters that are 99.9% effective in removing contaminates including viruses, bacteria and fungi. It’s a similar system to those used in hospitals, so don’t suffer in stuffy silence–keep the air flowing.

Feel like you’re at the beach by simply washing your hands

That’s right. Our signature soap “Ocean Citron,” made by Seattle-based Antica Farmacista, was specially created to give you cool blue ocean vibes with notes of California lemon, soft jasmine, lavender, green tea, among others. Antica’s refreshing ocean-inspired products can be found in all our aircraft lavatories (sanitizer if you’re traveling on a Q400) and in our lounges where you can enjoy it’s pairing lotion.

Flying may feel a little different these days, but with Alaska thinking of every detail and a little planning, the sky is still a pretty great place to be.

A genuine trailblazer, Alaska employee Toni triumphed Mt. Rainier & airline merger

One of the best things that ever happened to Toni Freeberg, director of business transformation and a 2019 Alaska Legend, may have been failing to summit Mount Rainier on her first attempt.

A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder who grew up climbing mountains near Denver, Freeberg moved to Seattle in 1987 after 15 months of traveling the world. Trained in business, she took a temporary job in Alaska Airlines’ Accounting department, figuring she might keep traveling after reaching the tallest local peak. But after being turned back by a blizzard, the chance to try again factored into a decision to stay in town another year. In that year, she found a permanent job at Alaska, met her future husband, and fell in love with working at the airline and living in Seattle, as well.

She summited Rainier the following summer.

Toni Freeberg

Freeberg’s persistence and adventuresome spirit have helped her greatly in her career. Over 32 years with Alaska, she has relished taking on varied projects—often very challenging ones—in the Marketing, Sales, e-Commerce, Mileage Plan and Revenue Management departments.

“I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been put into roles for things we hadn’t done before, where we were breaking new ground,” she says.

Today, Freeberg is part of the new Business Transformation team that explores broad, companywide initiatives.

Among her top past accomplishments was helping lead the integration of Alaska and Virgin America systems. And since the early 1990s she has been a leader in the Compassionate Assistance Relief Effort that is part of Alaska Airlines’ emergency response and preparedness team.

Freeberg finds time to volunteer at a local YMCA, as well. And she and her husband enjoy taking outdoor trips with their son and daughter, now grown. She says that there’s one thing she’s particularly glad they’ve instilled in their children: a sense of adventure.

Questions & Answers

What do you like most about your job?

I’ve had chances to move into new roles in areas of new focus for the airline, getting to build things from the ground up and getting to work with great people.

What is your best piece of job advice?

The advice I give my kids is to always strive to be the best at whatever job you have. You make the job what it is. Always believe you have the most important job, and make it the best you can.

What have your favorite trips been?

My thing is really adventure travel. Some highlights: Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and riding camels in Morocco.

What’s on your travel to-do list?

I’m planning Mongolia and Patagonia trips in the next two years. Antarctica is No. 1 on the wish list. … I’m a freak for penguins!

What do you pack when you travel?

The least amount possible.

Kudos from Toni’s Co-Workers

“Toni sets the stage for high-performance culture. She’s a go-getter who doesn’t turn away a challenge. She delivers results beyond expectations, especially under tough circumstances and under pressure.” —Agnes Zajac, Manager, Pricing, Seattle

“Integrity is one word that embodies Toni. She always says what she is going to do and does it. She sets clear expectations for her team and encourages others to believe in themselves.” —Rosalie Hallenbeck, Director of Business Transformation, Seattle

“She never hesitates to jump in and help, even if there is not a formal request. Toni leads by example, offering support, guidance and knowledge.” —Deena Parker, Senior Product Manager, e-Commerce, Seattle

“Toni is a woman of core strength, fierce caring, enthusiastic passion and unwavering commitment … with no fear of the unknown or new adventures. She leans in … to learn, lead others, have impact and have fun.” —Sandy Stelling, Managing Director of Business Transformation, Seattle

Alaska Airlines employees such as Toni are the reason for our excellence. Join us in creating an airline people love. Visit alaskaair.jobs.

Q&A: Why is Alaska Airlines using sustainable aviation fuel in San Francisco?

Alaska Signs a 4-Year Sustainable Aviation Fuel Offtake Agreement with Neste

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have long been pioneers in testing and implementing the use of Sustainable Aviation Jet Fuels (SAF) to reduce our carbon footprint and advocate for more sustainable flying. From testing sustainable aviation fuel made from forest residuals and non-edible corn, to conducting infrastructure studies around SAF production in the Pacific Northwest — sustainable flying is critical to our employees, guests, communities, and our future.

Building on our history and efforts to develop and prove the viability of SAF, we’re proud to share that we’ve entered a SAF offtake agreement with renewable fuel producer Neste!

Alaska’s partnership with Neste started over two years ago. The journey of developing SAF for the industry has been long coming, as experts meticulously evaluated the science behind varied production methodologies and how best to scale. Now, the science is proven and it’s a matter of building the market for a commercially-viable supply and continual use of SAF. This new partnership signals the first time that our airline will have a continuous supply of SAF to fuel our flights.

“This is a huge milestone for Alaska Airlines,” said Marianne Csaky, director of environmental affairs. “We’ve moved from single, one-off demonstration flights and proving SAF was safe and demand existed, to operationalizing this fuel as a standard part of our business at one of our hubs. There’s no more waiting, we’re here.”

Q&A

To get the low-down on how this works and the significance of this major milestone, we conducted a Q&A with experts at Neste and our own internal experts at Alaska, Kirk Myers, director of sustainability, Lauren Kriegler, director of fuel, and Marianne Csaky, director of environmental affairs.

Q. Why are we starting in San Francisco?

In 2018, Alaska, along with other airlines, producers (Neste being one) and fuelers, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with SFO to do a feasibility study on how to bring SAF to SFO. As Chair of the MOU Committee, Alaska’s fueling departments worked on finding solutions both with the airport and with Neste. The state of California has special incentives to promote the use of SAF (it’s called the low carbon fuel standard or LCFS).

Q. Is SAF safe?

Yes— Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel is a drop-in fuel with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure, requiring no extra investment. SAF is certified every step of the way to meet all ASTM standards for jet fuel safety. Currently, SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel until additional testing with pure SAF can be done. The US military is currently performing those test flights. Alaska Airlines has been a leader in sustainable jet fuel testing and has flown test flights on SAF produced from a number of different feedstocks starting in 2011.

Q. What kind of measurable difference is this making in the environment?

Over its lifecycle, Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel could have up to 80% smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional jet fuel, however, due to blending limitations this is a lower percentage Neste expects that the volume of SAF it plans to deliver to SFO for all three airlines could enable the equivalent of 1,200 carbon neutral commercial flights between SFO and NYC on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.

Q. What is it made from, and where is it made?

Neste’s sustainable aviation fuel is made from wastes including animal fats and greases and used cooking oil.

Neste operates renewable fuel production facilities in Finland, The Netherlands and Singapore. Production of this SAF starts at Neste’s Finland facility and is completed in the US, where Neste works with a local partner on the final stages of processing and product quality testing.

Q. Is SAF better for our planes?

SAF is superior jet fuel that will upgrade the jet fuel pool. Compared with fossil jet fuel, SAF burns cleaner in our engines and can reduce sulphur and particulates.

Q. What is the difference between SAF/Biofuel terminology?

SAF is jet fuel produced from renewable, biogenic raw materials (e.g. waste animal fats and greases, used cooking oil, vegetable oils), as opposed to fuel produced from petroleum-based raw materials (e.g. crude oil, coal, natural gas). Once SAF is blended with petroleum jet fuel, the blend may also be referred to as SAF.

Biofuel is a more general term used to describe fuel made from living matter, including the most common biofuel: ethanol used in gasoline.

We stand for racial equity and justice. We must do better.

As the world has reacted to the most recent racist attacks across our country and protests have continued in cities large and small, we’ve been listening to and learning from our employees, reflecting – and taking a hard look at the work we must do to advance racial equity and justice at Alaska Airlines and in our communities. We have taken time on this, because it is vital that our actions drive truly systemic change. We know we will continue to learn as we build our plans to advance equity. And we must do this together with our employees, guests and communities.

Some of the work so far has happened in listening sessions across the company, where courageous employees have shared what it’s like being the only Black employee in a workgroup, expressed frustration that they don’t see enough people in leadership who look like them, and shared the hurt of micro-aggressions that aren’t acknowledged.

“The most important thing is that this becomes an ongoing conversation where we listen to understand, and then respond,” says Sarah Keimig, Seattle station supervisor and chair of ABEA, Air Group’s Black Employees Allies and Advocates group, which advocates for employee advancement, community involvement and business alignment. “We have to make it so that if you bring up race, the room doesn’t tighten up. You talk about it and then you can fix some things. And then you need to talk about it some more.”

These listening sessions are a small but vital step for employees to help company leaders shape a plan of action to advance racial equity and create lasting change.

“We must work together to ensure our country is a place where all people are treated equally and have equal access to opportunity. Black Lives Matter. They matter in our company, on board our aircraft and within our communities.” – CEO Brad Tilden, from an email to employees on May 31

OUR COMMITMENTS

We stand with our Black employees and guests.
We live our values – to do the right thing and be kind-hearted.
Racial equity is a human rights issue. Every person deserves to be treated
with respect.
This is a journey. We will continue to learn and drive change.

Today, we start by stating our commitments, what we heard from employees, and some of our next steps in the work ahead to advance racial equity. As we move forward, we will share our actions and learnings along the way.

1. REPRESENTATION

“Representation came out as, ‘I don’t see anyone who looks like me. Therefore, I have no one to speak to when difficult situations come up.’” – John-Antony Dubreuil, IT senior test manager and an ABEA leader

“If you look at the challenging conversations we’ve been having, much of it has fallen on Black employees to lead and engage. That’s a byproduct of a lack of representation. I’m glad that we as a company are committing to address this.” – Brandon Knight, senior project manager and an ABEA leader

We will increase the representation of Black employees throughout our company – including at the highest levels of leadership. This means revising our recruiting and hiring practices to do a better job of reducing bias and hiring diverse talent as our company grows again in the future. We will also provide mentorship, sponsorship and leadership development to retain and develop the diverse talent we currently have.

2. CREATE AN INCLUSIVE
AND ANTI-RACIST CULTURE

“Empathy, understanding and support is so important. The fear of backlash was a serious concern that came through in multiple listening sessions. Having leadership that leans in and pushes back against those who would rather maintain the status quo is so important and impactful.” – Dubreuil

We will cultivate an inclusive and anti-racist culture where we are always learning, seeking to understand, and where everyone is seen and respected. We have long held safety as our number one value. Our employees deserve to feel safe when they come to work, and guests should feel safe on board. This means racism has no place in our workplace or on our airplanes. We commit to keeping all our spaces safe for everyone. We will ensure this safety by creating a workplace where we all continue to learn, including through annual training requirements, policy enhancements that are clearly communicated, and measurement systems that drive accountability and progress.

“Yes, Black Lives Matter. If you believe this, then together we must say that how our Black employees feel when they’re at work matters, opportunities – including promotions – for our Black employees matter, Black children (and their schools) matter, true criminal justice matters, and this thinking applies to many other areas of our lives.” – Tilden, from an email to employees on Aug. 7

3. RACIAL JUSTICE LEADERSHIP

“As long as I’ve been at Alaska, we’ve supported the UNCF in Seattle [United Negro College Fund]. As I look to the future, that gives me hope. We don’t have it all right at Alaska now. But at our core, this is something that we believe in, something that we’ve been actively contributing towards and something that we’re committed to do more of in the future.” – Knight

While we focus on change within our company, we will proudly share our belief and commitment to racial justice and take actions to advance racial equity in the community beyond our operation. We will stand with those who are working to transcend politics to bring people together for a more equitable future. We will deepen our partnerships and support for Black organizations to advance racial justice and educational equity and evaluate ways to advance that through policy and civic engagement. We will use our voice, our travel, our actions, our grants and support to move our communities and our country forward.

“In our hearts, I think that every one of us recognizes the injustice and inequity that our Black employees and customers live with, and I think we all know that we have an obligation to do everything within our power to make things more fair and more just…. We are starting on a journey. It is not going to be an easy journey, and it’s not going to be a short journey. But it’s time for us to start.” – Tilden, from an email to employees on Aug. 7

How to become BFFs with your mask before you fly

Updated August 5:

It can be hard for some people to wear a cloth mask or face covering at first, especially for a long period of time. However, the Center for Disease Control recommends everyone wear a cloth face mask in public where it may be difficult to maintain social distance. Plus, it’s required when you fly on Alaska Airlines.

You may be anxious about wearing one while you travel, but we’ve got you covered with some suggestions that will help you get used to wearing your mask. You might even become BFFs (best flying friends).

The opportunities are endless

Feeling creative? Make your own no-sew mask at home in 6 easy steps.

Masks come in all shapes and sizes, straps and colors to represent your personality. Like clothes, the first pick may not always be a winner so we recommend trying out different styles before you fly.

The key is to find something that covers your nose and mouth. Your mask should NOT be leaking air (especially around the bridge of your nose and cheeks). It should feel snug and also comfortable around your ears. The biggest pain point we hear is ear irritation, which most likely means the mask might be too tight or the straps need to be adjusted.

Find your perfect match

Before buying a ton of different masks to find your BFF, we recommend taking measurements of your facial structure at home to figure out your exact mask size. Here’s one way to do it:

Find a ruler or measuring tape to measure your face from the bridge of your nose (which is usually just below your eye line) to the indent on your chin (just below your bottom lip). It may be helpful to have someone assist you.

Match your measurements with the average mask sizes below:
Small 3 to 3.5 inches
Medium 3.5 to 4 inches
Large 4 to 4.5 inches
X-Large 4.5+ inches

Test the waters

To extra prepare, test out wearing your mask at home for the same amount of time as your flight and time it will take to travel at the airport. Nowadays, it is required to wear a mask while traveling through the airport and on Alaska Airlines.

Take them on a lunch date

Practice placing your mask on a clean paper towel or napkin before taking a drink or eating (pro tip: the exterior of the mask should be face down with the ties placed away from the inside). Or, store your mask in a clean paper bag. Don’t forget to use proper hand hygiene before putting on and taking off your mask.

Remember to freshen up

After use, it’s recommended to give your mask a good wash to clean the dirt and oil from your skin that gets trapped in your mask, which can lead to breakouts (nobody wants mask-ne). We’ve heard the best choice of cloth that can be washed multiple times is anything 100% cotton. It is effective, yet gentle on the skin. And you can also add your favorite spritz of perfume/cologne or essential oil to give it a nice lasting fragrance. Directions: How to wash cloth face coverings.

Don’t lie about your BFF

As part of a final warning, this yellow card could be issued to a guest who repeatedly refuses to wear a mask or face covering on our aircraft. Learn more

As of August 7, all Alaska passengers will be required to wear a cloth mask or face covering over their nose and mouth (except for children under the age of two) – with no exceptions.

Don’t be caught neglecting your mask or pretending to wear one when a flight attendant walks by, only to then remove it. Lying is not nice nor safe and if you don’t comply with the rules, expect a yellow card (not the type of card you hope for).

How NOT to treat them

  • Do not wear your mask under your mouth.
  • Do not pull your mask under your chin, even to drink.
  • Do not wear your mask on your elbow.
  • Do not hang your mask from one ear.

We want you & your BFF to have a great flight with us — mask up!

Alaska employees look forward to seeing you with your mask and promise to take the best care of you during your travels. Rest assured, we’ve thought of every step of the way to ensure you have a safe flight. Read more about our Next-Level Care.

Stay safe!

Top golf destinations, perks & travel essentials if you fly Alaska Airlines

As people seek safe outdoor recreation activities amid the coronavirus outbreak, golf is a safe bet where you can tee up while social distancing. And with Alaska’s Next-Level Care, you’re good to go!

Golfers who are ready to travel can get their daily dose of iron this fall with Alaska Airlines’ low fares to some of the country’s premier golf destinations.

“Golf is inherently consistent with the concept of ‘social distancing,’ as it can be played, even in groups, without any close physical interaction among players, or among the course staff,” said Brian Mogg, voted Golf Magazine Top 100 Golf Instructor & Golf Digest 50 Best Teachers in America. “In many ways, it’s the perfect activity for our new normal and has never been more popular.”

Brian Mogg

We asked Mogg and some of our partners who fancy golf to tell us their favorite spots around the country to go on golf trips and the essential items to bring. Here’s what they told us:

Play it safe

These days, most golf courses have implemented strict safety measures to protect golfers and course staff. Common adjustments may include:

  • Require staff members to wear masks and gloves — most courses allow customers to play without a mask if they are on the course but are required if they cannot remain 6-feet from someone outside of their party.
  • Make sanitizers, masks or tissues readily available.
  • Flags remain in the hole to reduce contact.
  • Install foam to fill the bottom of the holes to eliminate the need for golfers to reach into the cup to retrieve their ball.
  • Eliminate ball-washers and bunker rakes.
  • Remove on-course scorecards, pencils, golf tees, ball markers, etc.

Before you go, triple check the specific course’s website for the most up to date rules.

Spend time with family & friends

If you’re longing for a trip with your buddies, family or some alone time, golf is a great way to unwind and experience some of the best sights. Take it from some of our favorite pros:

Alaska Airlines Chief Football Officer Russell Wilson:

Seattle Mariners Pitcher Justin Dunn:

Justin Dunn

“Quarantine gave me the chance to start playing more so I started to really get into it. Me and my college roommates talk about doing a guys trip somewhere every year to just get away and go to a golf resort for the weekend or week and hang out and do a little get together,” said Dunn. “It’s definitely something I’m looking into and we’re trying to figure out how to make happen.”

Something Justin always brings to the course: “I’m superstitious. If I play well, I’ll wear the same clothes out again, and then my shoes, always my (Nike) shoes. I got to make sure they look good.”

Cody Ross former San Francisco Giants Outfielder:

Cody Ross

“I love golf because I get to do it with my family. I get to still play with my dad who’s 70,” said Ross. “My advice to golfers trying to get better during this time is get outside and play as much as you can if you are able. Watch videos online that show you the correct way to swing the club. I’ve never had a golf lesson but if you can, I highly recommend it.”

Cody’s favorite golf course: “Pebble Beach in San Jose, California. One of my most memorable golf trips is when I flew Alaska Airlines to San Jose to play golf at Pebble Beach for an event put on by the USGA to promote the US Open. I made my first Hole in one on the iconic hole #7 that trip. It is by far my most memorable golf experience.”

Pack the essentials

University of Washington Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coaches, Alan Murray and Mary Lou Mulflur suggest the following items to stay stylish and prepared no matter what comes up on your next golf trip:

  • A mask or face covering (you’ll need it for your flight!)
  • Shirts or pants that make a statement
  • An easy-to-store umbrella in case of showers
  • A long sleeve shirt or jacket for a chance of cooler weather
  •  Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Yardage books and rangefinders if you really want to get into the swing of things
  • A protective, high quality travel bag to protect your clubs—Mogg suggests Club Glove, a brand used by the pros for more than 20 years. Watch Mogg’s packing tutorial below ↓

Packing 101: Follow these steps so your clubs have a nice flight

Fly your clubs for FREE

That’s right, clubs fly free if you’re an Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold, MVP, Club 49 member, or booked a First Class ticket. The same benefit applies for Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® cardholders and counts toward your free checked baggage allowance. Otherwise, golf clubs fly for just $30.

Location, Location, Location

Pebble Beach, California

To help plan your next golf trip, below is a list of great golf destinations you can fly to on Alaska and tips from Mogg where you can have the time of your life.

Destination Must-visit public & private courses
Boston

The International Golf Club (GC) is the longest course in the U.S. and has two championship courses, the Oaks and the Pines. Overlooking the lush Nashua River Valley, the Oaks course has a scenic and diverse landscape that Fazio fully utilized.

The Country Club has hosted multiple USGA events with Francis Ouimet’s huge upset in winning the 1913 US Open and the USA Ryder Cup victory in 1999. The 2022 US Open will be played here.

The PGA Tour annually hosts the Deutsche Bank playoff event at TPC Boston each September.
Charleston

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island has hosted one of the most memorable professional golf events of all time in 1991 with the USA winning on the final putt. It also hosted the PGA Championship won by Rory McIlroy in 2012.

Yeamans Hall is a Top 100 course.
Columbus

Columbus might have the best private clubs in the US for a medium sized city. The public courses are good too with The Ohio State University course being the best.

Wilson Road Golf Course is Ohio’s only executive 9 hole golf course that features six par 3’s and three par 4’s making it a great place to learn or to tune up your golf game.
Denver

The views in Denver can be stunning, and Cherry Hills was the scene of Arnold Palmer’s great comeback win in the 1960 US Open.

Fossil trace is also an unusual course where you have to clear boulders, rusty pieces of equipment and footprints left by dinosaurs on holes 11 through 15.
Honolulu

Hawaii Prince GC is home to one of my academies and has 27 holes along with the only grass based driving range on the island.

Ko Olina is spectacular on the West side of the island while Turtle Point is adjacent to the North Shore and where world class surfing takes place.

Waialae Country Club (CC) hosts the annual PGA Tour Sony Open every January.
Kona Spectacular resorts dot the Big Island, PGA Champions Tour begins their season at the Hualalai Golf Course every January.
Las Vegas

TPC Summerlin hosts a PGA Tour event every October.

Shadow Creek is ranked 26th in the Top 100 Rankings, and can be played if staying at Wynn Resort. It has rolling hills and canyons from the flat desert floor north of Las Vegas and plenty of water.
Lihue

Huge variety of golf can be played here, with Princeville on the North side of the Island, Wailua on the East and Poipu Bay on the South. Poipu Bay used to host the PGA Tour Grand Slam of Golf for many years.

The opportunity to play The Club at Kukuiula is one of the best experiences in golf with both the service and the views.
Los Cabos

There are an abundance of great courses and options around Cabo San Lucas. Cabo del Sol has one of the best par 3 holes literally on the ocean as its signature hole.

Diamanté El Cardinal is one of the few Tiger Woods designed courses so far.
Maui

Given Maui’s idyllic setting, there are no bad places to play golf. Yet there’s a must-play venue, the Plantation Course at Kapalua, recently revamped by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The PGA Tour starts every year here with the Tournament of Champions on the North side of Maui.

The Gold and Emerald courses at Wailea deserve consideration as well that are close to the main hotels and beach area, as does King Kamehameha rising 750 feet above the island’s north shore.
Milwaukee

Erin Hills hosted the 2017 US Open and is about 30 minutes west of Milwaukee.

Whistling Straits is about 90 minutes north of the city on Lake Michigan and has hosted multiple PGA Championships and will be the host site for next September’s Ryder Cup matches (was supposed to host in 2020 but was postponed).

Black Wolf Run is an underrated gem adjacent to Whistling Straits and hosted the US Women’s Open in 2012.

Milwaukee CC is a Top 100 course.

Brown Deer Park is also where Tiger Woods played his first PGA Tour event as a professional.
Monterey

This is a rich area for golf with Pebble Beach always ranked close to #1 for best U.S. courses. The courses in this area have hosted so many Major Championships, with the 2019 US Open being the last one there.

Spyglass Hill, the Links at Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills and even modest Pacific Grove highlight are also great courses.
Orlando

Disney World began their phased reopening July 11 almost four months of being closed. Walt Disney World Golf remains available on their regular schedule and can be a fun family golf trip.

Moggs’ Academy resides at Waldorf Astoria GC. There is a great opportunity to cross paths with Tour Players if playing one of these courses in Central Florida.
Palm Springs

Palm Springs is the home of golf when the weather turns cold up North. PGA West and its numerous courses is part of the PGA Tour event in January.

Mission Hills has hosted the LPGAs first Major every April for the last 30 years and is the site of the famous winners who jump into the Dinah Shore pond by 18th green with family and caddy.
Phoenix

The Valley of the Sun offers endless combinations of multi-round golf days with 200-plus golf courses surrounded by stunning desert landscape, including We-Ko-Pa GC, Grayhawk GC, Talking Stick GC and Wickenburg Ranch.

If you only have time to play one of two courses in Scottsdale, opt for Pinnacle at Troon North GC, it’s a standout sweep through the desert.

While the PGA Tour only uses the TPC of Scottsdale for one week during the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Stadium course maintains top-notch playing conditions for most of the year.
Portland

Portland is a very visitor friendly city with plenty of sights and attractions to explore, including solid public and private golf courses, starting with Columbia Edgewater CC located immediately west of the Portland International Airport and two courses at Heron Lakes just a few miles from downtown. Waverley CC is also another beautiful private course that sits right on the Willamette River.

If you’re looking to drive a short ways out of the city for a green escape, head south toward Salem where you’ll find two popular golf courses at Langdon Farms and the Oregon Golf Association.

Bandon Dunes is likely the most well known golf course in Oregon and is highly ranked among golfers, although 5 hours south of the Portland, the resort can also be reached 3 hours from the Medford Airport where Alaska flies.
Puerto Vallarta One of the most famous holes in golf is the extra 19th hole at PuntaMita Golf Course. A 170 yard par 3 out into the ocean where only access is by boat (if it’s not too dangerous). It can be played as part of the regular course or as an extra hole, it is truly one of the most fun. and challenging shots to see if your ball can stay dry and on the green.
Redmond

Central Oregon has become quite a bucket list topper for true golfers from around the world. With 30 courses within 45 minutes of each other (three named Golf Digest’s Top 100). it’s hard to beat. Toss in endless outdoor adventures, nearly 30 breweries and perfect weather it’s a golfer’s dream.

Bend has beautiful golf resorts including Crosswater GC at Sunriver Resort, Pronghorn GC and Tetherow Golf Resort (a Scottish links course). Links courses – though not all – are typically located in coastal areas like Bend, on sandy soil, often rougher turf that lets the ball roll much further, with few water hazards and little – if any – trees.
San Diego

No golf trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to the city-owned North and South Courses at Torrey Pines, host of the 2021 US Open.

But more gold awaits in SoCal’s crinkled hills in the form of Omni La Costa Resort, Rams Hill GC, and Barona Creek, reopening this summer after a comprehensive renovation.
Salt Lake City

Park City has multiple courses that are spectacular in the summer.

Jeremy Ranch has hosted PGA events.
Seattle

Chambers Bay is in Tacoma, about 40 minutes south, and hosted the 2015 US Open won by Jordan Speith plus the 2010 US Amateur. It’s also home to Mogg’s Golf Academy, a premier venue for teaching the game of golf.

Gold Mountain GC in Bremerton is an 18-hole golf course with a relaxed restaurant, driving range & shop and has hosted the US Junior also won by Jordan Speith.

Sahalee CC has hosted the PGA Championship and US Senior Open.

To all our guests, tee it high & let it fly!

We’re the official airline of the Kraken!

NHL ANNOUNCES SEATTLE TEAM NAME, LOGO AND COLORS

It’s official! Kraken is the name of the National Hockey League (NHL) expansion team from Seattle.

In an announcement Thursday at the construction site for the new Climate Pledge Arena in downtown Seattle, the NHL’s 32nd team revealed its name, logo and colors. Flanked by construction workers charged with building the new site, team officials said the name was an ode to the region’s maritime history and was born of the fans.

The long-anticipated news follows last January’s big announcement that Alaska Airlines is the founding partner and official airline of the Seattle NHL team, and will have naming rights to the stadium’s atrium.

The Seattle Kraken will beginning playing in the 2021-22 season  and already has an enthusiastic following across the region and beyond.

“I love it!! It’s such a cool logo!” said Alex Wigoda, senior schedule planning analyst who, being from Pittsburgh is a die-hard Penguins fan. “I’m having an internal conflict though. Guess I can have an East Coast team and a West Coast team.”

RELEASE THE KRAKEN MERCH & SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE

Seattle hockey fans can support the community by simply buying the franchise’s new branded gear at releasethekrakenstore.com, including blue (with a dash of red) t-shirts, hoodies, hats and more.

Through Aug. 21, the Seattle Kraken will give all net sale proceeds to local non-profits YouthCare, Community Passageways and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle to end youth homelessness an create positive pathways and opportunities for BIPOC youth in our region. We couldn’t be more on board with that kind-heartedness!

Welcome to Seattle, Kraken!

Watch: Meet the Seattle Kraken

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant & Soul Food Chef Hampton Isom recognized for his ‘Giant’ heart

When Hampton Isom joined Alaska Airlines in 2015, he had no idea what would become of it and the joy he’d bring to people in the skies and his community.

Nominated by his peers, Isom, who is a flight attendant based in Seattle and also runs his own food truck business, recently won an initiative from the Brawny® paper towel brand for going out of his way to support his community.

Hampton Isom

The Brawny® Giants Initiative was created to recognize and support people who are going out of their way across the country to help those who’ve been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After roaming the globe, first as a professional basketball player and later a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, Isom aka “The Boss,” had big plans to bring his love of Cajun Cuisine to the Pacific Northwest while also giving back to people in need. Through “sweatin‘ and workin hard” and his Louisiana-rooted culinary skills, he created Dat Creole Soul, a nonprofit business in Seattle. He takes his cooking a step further by sharing hot plates with people who are homeless.

Whether he’s setting up shop down on Pine St. or at an annual festival or family reunion, when you see his Creole Soul truck pull up you know you’ll be taken care of with some hot food that “will stick to your ribs” like gumbo jambalaya, shrimp et tu fe, red beans and rice.

“When I got my food truck, every time I go out on location to sell food, the food that I have left over, instead of throwing it away, I will park somewhere and I got this sign that says ‘If you’re hungry stop on by and come get something to eat,’” he said.

Hampton says he hears the same questions and quips from guests almost every flight. From “If you were any taller, you wouldn’t fit in this plane” to “Do you play basketball?” And to reply, he says “You should’ve seen me with an afro,” and “yes” to playing basketball – Isom played in college and professional for 12 years in Turkey, Italy and Australia.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Isom says he grew up poor and knows what it’s like to be hungry. He says if he can help someone avoid it, he will.

“I grew up in the projects, food stamps the whole nine yards. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to be hungry, I know how it feels to be cold,” he said. “It’s easy to give. Everyone has to eat plain and simple. More importantly, the world just needs to come together as a whole and everybody needs to be nice to somebody, it doesn’t cost anything to be nice.”

Before applying to work at Alaska, Isom was nervous that a 7-foot tall Black man might not be the best fit for working inside of an airplane all day or night, but it happened. Not only is he giant by nature—many airlines do have maximum height limitations that fall well under 7-feet—but he’s also a ‘Giant’ to people in his community.

“When it comes down to the grind, everyone I work with is ‘in.’ I use that same motto when I’m helping the homeless—I’m all in—whether I get donations from somebody or whether I gotta do it myself,” Isom said. “If I don’t get donations or a lot of stuff I just go out of pocket because I chose to go down this road to feed people and I will do it until I can’t do it anymore.”

Isom received a supply of Brawny® paper towel and a donation toward his business as part of the recognition.

Over eight weeks, Brawny® asked consumers to nominate their friends, family members and neighbors who are making a difference. Brawny® recognized and supported recipients like Isom (of course) with paper towels and donations to help him and others continue the work they are doing.

“Being a giant has nothing to do with a person’s height but everything to do with the action they take to bring good to this world,” says Katie Kolesky, Senior Director of Brand Building, Brawny®. “Giants like Hampton embody the Brawny® brand purpose of inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges with strength and resilience and do things from their hearts without expecting anything in return. We’re honored to help him continue to cook meals with love, kindness and compassion.”

Michelle Spackman, an Alaska flight attendant based in Los Angeles, nominated Isom for the award. She says she’s only met him a handful of times but he made a lasting impression on her and that he just has something about him.

“He could not be a more deserving person. Forget the fact that he is 7 feet tall and what he is doing with the community. Just as a person, Hampton is remarkable. There’s no other word that describes him,” Spackman said.

Michelle Spackman

Alaska talks about going above and beyond and when you go through his posts, you see what he’s doing with the community and he even takes his time to go out to hand out flyers that say ‘my truck will be here at this date and this time and if you want a hot meal I will be here.’”

Spackman says she is normally the type of person who fast forwards through commercials and for whatever reason, she stopped to watch the Brawny® Giants Initiative commercial. She says the first person that came to my mind was Hampton.

“Whether he won or not, I’m glad there was somebody, a virtual stranger, who did something for him and to affect his life. He’s a legend in the making.” – Michelle Spackman

Photo shot by Ingrid Barrentine in 2019.

For more information about Isom & what’s on his menu visit Dat Creole Soul’s website and check out other Brawny® ‘Giants’ taking action here.

Katharine McEntee contributed to this story.

Donate Alaska Airlines miles to support HBCU students with UNCF

Alaska Mileage Plan members can donate miles to UNCF to fly students to and from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as well as career-development opportunities like the annual HBCU Innovation Summit and more.

Miles donated will continue to help students fly to college tours at HBCUs, travel back and forth between school and home, and participate in a variety of leadership development programs and other programming offered by UNCF.

Robert, an aspiring economics major at Norfolk State University of the graduating class of 2020.

“Thank you Team Alaska and the Mileage plan family. Your generous support helps our UNCF students achieve their college and career dreams. Education can break the cycle of poverty and together we create access to educational opportunity, one student at a time,” said Linda Thompson-Black UNCF Pacific Northwest Area Development Director.

UNCF is one of more than a dozen other nonprofit organizations supported year-round by Alaska’s Mileage Plan members through the airline’s LIFT Miles donation program. Since 2011, members have donated more than 300 million miles.

Related: The gift of miles brings HBCU students home for the holidays – and opens doors to careers.

How to give

Mileage Plan members can donate as few as 1,000 miles through Alaska’s LIFT Miles program at alaskaair.com/donatemiles. Bonus: Donating will help keep your account active if you haven’t been flying or redeeming as frequently.

UNCF also accepts cash donations for its various programs, including scholarships, mentorship and other programming. Learn more at uncf.org.

UNCF brings dreams within reach

In 2017, Alaska Airlines named UNCF a LIFT Miles partner which allows Alaska Mileage Plan members to donate miles to assist the organization in fulfilling its mission.

Founded in 1944, UNCF is the national leader in the effort to expand college access for Black students and other minority groups.

Sanyh Aarons, student at Benedict College.

“UNCF does amazing work, and we’re thrilled Mileage Plan members have the opportunity to help further this organization’s mission,” said Shaunta Hyde, a UNCF board member and Alaska’s managing director of community relations. “We chose UNCF because the work they do has a direct impact on underserved Black communities across the United States.”

Supporting young people and helping them to pursue their educational dreams is an initiative that Alaska strongly supports. Alaska believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to have the best start in life, and education allows them the opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams.

Additional partner organizations Mileage Plan members can donate to include The Nature Conservancy, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Medical Teams International, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, National Forest Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, Dream Foundation, Angel Flight West, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief pool, and the Alaska Airlines Miles for Youth. Learn more at alaskaair.com/donatemiles.

Alaska Airlines plans to start reopening Lounges Aug. 1

We’re providing our guests with Next Level Care on board, at the airport and in our Lounges.  We’ve made some changes to our Lounges to ensure your comfort and safety. Please continue to check back for updates as the situation evolves. Thank you for your patience, flexibility and understanding during this time.

Locations & hours

  • Currently, only our SEA D Concourse Lounge is open.
  • Effective Aug. 1 we will be reopening our Lounges in ANC, PDX, LAX and SEA North Satellite.
  • Our current hours are available on our locations and hours page.
  • We’ll continue to update this page with any additional closures or changes to hours of operation.

Cleaning + Safety

  • Employees are taking temperature checks before starting each shift.
  • We are limiting each location’s capacity based on local restrictions, which in most cities is currently 50%.
  • Guests and employees are required to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
  • Hand-sanitizing stations have been installed in multiple locations throughout each Lounge.
  • Foot-pull door handles have been installed in each restroom.
  • Our staff will be continuously cleaning each Lounge throughout the day.
  • We will be replacing physical newspapers with complimentary online access to digital media while on our Lounge Wi-Fi.
  • We have added signage to encourage social distancing and have removed seats at high-density areas.
  • When checking-in, we request that you hold out your boarding pass to our staff to scan, rather than passing your phone or boarding pass to them.
  • We have paused the use of fingerprint scanners.

Food & beverage

  • While self-service buffets are most likely a thing of the past, fresh food options will be available in locations where current local restrictions allow.
  • Pre-packaged snacks will be available in all locations.
  • You’ll see our team continuing to wear gloves and only pour drinks into clean glasses.
  • Beer, wine and liquor selections will be reinstated as local authorities permit.
  • We’ve removed free-standing water towers and instead encourage guests to ask for a clean glass or bring a water bottle that our barista would be happy to fill for you.

Memberships

  • This spring all guests with an active membership as of April 1, 2020, received a 6-month extension.
  • Your digital membership card was updated in May.  To access, open the Alaska Airlines mobile app, go to “Account,” then click “Alaska Lounge card.”
  • We no longer send out physical membership cards, except upon request. To request a physical card, please email Alaska.Lounge@alaskaair.com with your Mileage Plan number.

Alaska Airlines is setting sustainable goals to make flying matter

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic changed many of your plans and ours. On top of the public health crisis, many around the country and world have lost their jobs and are experiencing an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. Our eyes have also been opened wider to the senseless race-related violence and painful experiences that our Black neighbors, friends and colleagues live with every day. In addition, the challenge of climate change remains critical to address. These are not easy times, but they do remind us how deeply we are connected, and how critical our individual and collective actions are.

At Alaska Airlines, we know something about connection: our top priority is to connect people safely, with fantastic travel experiences and a workplace our employees are proud of. Flying is – and will remain – an important part of how we see family, do business, learn about other cultures and explore the world. It’s up to us to keep it thriving for many years to come and to do so in a way that is responsible to all those who depend on us.

Photo by Ingrid Barrentine

A few years ago, we began using the term “LIFT” for our long-time efforts around environmental and social impact, riffing on the physics principle at the root of aviation. And today, we released our 2019 LIFT Report, which includes data we use to hold ourselves accountable for goals set over the last decade to measure our performance and progress in these areas. The report shares progress in areas such as fuel emissions, waste management and reduction, employee engagement, and supplier labor practices – and 2020 goal attainment in areas such as safety and supporting education opportunity.

This year, to increase transparency, we are also reporting according to Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) guidelines including deeper commentary on safety and climate. We are proud of our industry leadership on aviation safety and have expanded that focus to the personal health and safety of our guests and employees in light of COVID-19. We also know that our greatest material impact is the carbon generated through burning fuel in our operation and that this has an impact on the climate. We hold ourselves accountable to continue to address that impact through ongoing effort to improve fuel efficiency, use of sustainable aviation fuels and investment in carbon offsets.

This work is as imperative as ever to address racial equity, economic opportunity, and climate change. In the next year, we will roll out new five-year objectives to reflect our commitments in each of these areas, including our impact on carbon, waste and water. We’ve learned from the coronavirus pandemic that our collective actions have impacts around the globe – and, that they can change a trend. These global challenges will require action from all of us. We are grateful for your support and partnership on this continued journey in creating “lift.”

Here are some of our sustainability efforts:

We’re reducing aircraft emissions by:

  • Investing in sustainable aviation fuels that are renewable and produce less emissions.
  • Purchasing more efficient aircraft and upgrading existing planes with advanced design features.
  • Using technology to fly safer routes that use less fuel.

We’re producing less waste by:

We’re making flying matter by:

Many of these initiatives are truly employee-driven.

Our robust recycling program (which we’re itching to return to) began in the mid-80s from the passion of a Horizon Air flight attendant. Though inflight recycling is paused during Covid-19 to reduce risk for guests and employees alike, we look forward to restarting on all our flights.

Our business resource groups, such as the Green Team and Air Group Black Employees Allies & Advocates (ABEA) push us to learn and continue to improve. They’ve created training and education programs, connected employees to volunteer and mentor to support young people’s educational and career advancement, and helped galvanize installation of water bottle filling stations and a move to #FillBeforeYouFly away from plastic water bottles in our offices.

Our safety reporting systems are a top priority every day – and since 2014, Alaska Air Group has honored more than 1,200 employees with the Safe Operations Award & Recognition (SOAR) program, in which peers nominate their fellow employees who’ve gone above and beyond to keep our operation safe.

See the full 2019 report here

We can’t do it alone.

When it comes to making an impact, we all have a role to play. At Alaska Airlines we are building toward a more equitable and sustainable future. With your help, we can make flying matter and help our planet thrive.

Here’s what you can do:

#FillBeforeYouFly: We’re partnering with The Lonely Whale to reduce plastic bottles by making sure you fill up your reusable water bottle before you board. Every time you bring a prefilled water bottle on an Alaska flight and post it to social media with the hashtag #FillBeforeYouFly, we are planting a tree with help from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Learn more

Donate Charity Miles: Our Charity Miles program offers members a unique and meaningful way to support important causes and use travel for impact. In 2019, our passengers donated 73 million miles, valued at over $2 million, to [10 partners, including The Nature Conservancy and the National Forest Foundation]. Read more

Pack light, fly direct, and purchase carbon offsets: Every pound you bring on the plane and every mile you travel matters. We encourage every guest to take the least amount of luggage possible and to pick the most direct flights to reduce the amount of emissions it takes to get you and your luggage to your destination. If you want to do more, you can offset your travel by participating in our carbon offset program. More info

Learn more about our sustainability efforts at FlySustainably.com.

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