The world around us has changed dramatically, and many lives upended. People have lost loved ones or livelihoods, kids are trying to learn remotely, businesses have had to close or reset their business model. Together, we feel that loss and are deeply grateful for essential workers: our employees, first responders, health care workers, retail personnel, caregivers and childcare providers working through this time.
And yet, there are some things that do not change – spring is coming, the need for human connection and basic life supports, learning, the beauty and draw of the outdoors.
Sustainable (adj.): 1. capable of being sustained [maintained at length without interruption or weakening]; 2. of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about this definition lately. It’s Earth Month, and as we honor the planet – its priceless natural resources, people and communities, and the critical work required to preserve it – our focus is also on ensuring that we and others can be sustained for a long time to come.
I am impressed by our tremendous employees who have faced many challenges together throughout our history – from the aftermath of 9/11 to the financial crisis – and with each one, have emerged stronger. Now, facing one of our greatest challenges, we’re inspired to see the values of our employees shine, alongside those of friends and neighbors stepping up to support one another. At Alaska Airlines, our values grew from our roots 88 years ago in Alaska: caring, connecting people, supporting communities and stewarding resources responsibly.
This Earth Month we’re focused on safety, on jobs, and on sustaining the places our employees and guests call home. Making flying matter, even when we’re flying less:
Safety of our employees and guests is our first priority, and in the face of COVID-19 that means enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures and other measures such as blocking middle seats to allow more social distancing, limiting interaction between flight crews and guests, and removing seatback contents (except the safety card) to limit the spread of germs.
Flying health care providers for free when they’re #GoingtheExtraMile to work where they’re most needed, in partnership with Angel Flight West. And we’re donating a free roundtrip ticket to each of those health care passengers for a little R&R when it’s time.
Donating resources like unused fresh and packaged food to local food banks, and retired entertainment tablets to people in recovery centers, addresses immediate needs.
Today, we know that there’s limited time to make significant change. COVID-19 has brought to life the profound impact of global change, and the fact that we’re all connected. At Alaska, even as we focus today on response to and recovery from COVID-19, we also continue work to address our impacts in carbon, waste, water, and specific efforts like sustainable fuels. It has been painful to make changes like pausing our inflight recycling program to reduce the chance of spreading germs – but we, like you, are adapting.
Horizon Flight Attendant sorting recycling during service – photo taken in 2018 by Ingrid Barrentine.
On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we’re grateful for our flight attendants who started the nation’s first inflight recycling program, years ago. We’ll get back to it. In the meantime, please don’t forget to #FillBeforeYouFly – or anytime.
What keeps us going today is caring for each other, for our guests and our communities—we want to be here, to continue these relationships, to connect, long into the future.
Flying matters, and it will play an essential role in enabling us to reconnect when this crisis is over. For now, we will continue to help our communities turn the corner together.”
Last night, my family and our neighbors had a “driveway block party.” We played Pictionary between easels 20 feet apart, strummed guitars, and my kids rode their bikes around the block.
Driveway Block Party, April 2020
The evening made me realize two things: first, how much I needed connection with friends and family. And second, on a sunny spring Seattle evening, surrounded by cherry blossoms and tulips, how much I needed to be outdoors.
We will keep working for both, and for you. Thank you for being a part of Alaska Airlines, and for inspiring us to sustain on all fronts.
How health care workers can fly for free on Alaska Airlines
We’re beyond grateful for medical workers everywhere who are going the extra mile to keep people safe and healthy. In appreciation of their heroic efforts, we’re giving each medical worker flying on us to provide coronavirus support a roundtrip ticket for some much-needed R&R in the future.
Recently, Alaska Airlines launched a program to fly medical workers for free to places where they are needed most to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
#GoingTheExtraMile is our way of recognizing individuals who are going above and beyond.
If you would like to donate your miles to help transport doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, visit the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Fund.
How health care workers can fly for free on Alaska Airlines:
What are the criteria for individuals or groups to be considered for this program?
You must be an essential health care worker (nurse, doctor, LPN, surgeons, etc.) and be in need of travel for humanitarian flight support. Groups can only be considered if traveling with 10 or less people per organization.
If I am a health care worker, how do I book my free flight?
To request a flight, visit our partner Angel Flight West’s website or call AFW directly at (310) 390-2958. They will verify if you meet the criteria and book your flight on Alaska Airlines.
What type of information do I need for booking my flight?
Besides the standard information required for commercial travel, please be prepared to provide supporting documents and contact information from the placement agency or hospital/organization you are associated with or directly supporting.
What type of ticket will be booked?
The ticket booked will be non-refundable, roundtrip, for travel between April and June.
Do I need to pay for my bags?
No, Alaska Airlines will cover your first four bags free of charge.
Where can I fly?
We are flying health care workers to any place Alaska Airlines flies in the United States.
How quickly can I fly?
We ask that you contact Angel Flight West at least three days prior to your travel.
When will I receive my free R&R ticket?
Tickets will be sent by mail once Alaska’s Airlines response to COVID-19 flight program is closed, the tickets are valid up to one year.
Would Alaska Airlines reimburse me if I paid my own way for travel and found out about the medical provider travel program later? No. You would need to go through our approval and booking process with Angel Flight West prior for the travel.
When travel isn’t an option, there’s #CouchGetaways. Join us every week for a virtual tour of our favorite Alaska destinations. This week, iconic SoCal city, San Diego.
Shannon Hansen, an Anchorage-based family nurse practitioner, packed a photo of her family and a pillow with a picture of her dogs (a gift from her daughter) before embarking on a 21-day assignment in a New York hospital to help treat patients with COVID-19.
She says she’s always had an overwhelming desire to help others and felt called to help in a big way now. “I am headed to New York to serve in any way possible to help lighten the burden of this terrible virus. Patients are alone without their family and I want to help relieve their fear and provide the best care possible.”
Desiree Cook, also a registered nurse and pediatric nurse practitioner in Anchorage, is joining her on the assignment. She says they were very eager to go to New York City as this is the area that needs immediate medical support.
We are happy and humbled to be a part of something so much bigger than us.” – Cook
Shannon Hansen and Desiree Cook on their way to New York.
The Anchorage residents met during their first semester in college in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2008 and have been best friends ever since.
With the help of our long-time giving partner Angel Flight West (AFW), Alaska Airlines flew Hansen and Cook together on Wednesday from Anchorage to New York.
“I am feeling very blessed to have the ability to offer any assistance that I possibly can while in New York,” Hansen said. “I am humbled by the generosity and support that is being provided by Alaska Airlines and Angel Flight West.”
We empathize with essential workers who are risking their lives in the fight against COVID-19. Especially, medical workers whose sacrifices in this pandemic are unlike anything most of us can comprehend. That is why in tandem with AFW we are flying medical workers to areas hit hard by the virus.
Alaska Airlines is providing 1 million LIFT miles to AFW to fly medical staff free of charge to different locations across the United States to help relieve overwhelmed medical care systems responding to COVID-19. We will continue to monitor and fly medical workers where they’re needed most and do everything we can to support their heroic efforts.
“We are inspired by the care and courage of Desiree and Shannon toward the patients affected in New York,” says Josh Olsen, Executive Director, Angel Flight West. “We’re proud to further partner with Alaska Airlines to help be part of the solution to the COVID-19 crisis by arranging flights for these nurses and other medical personnel relocating to help areas highly impacted by the pandemic. Even in the most difficult of times, Alaska Airlines continues to provide access to those most in need of transportation to/from healthcare in the communities they serve.”
Thank you for your service
Desiree Cook
The pledges Cook and Hansen are making are not being taken lightly. Cook says she’s thankful that she and Hansen both have supportive families.
“I will miss my husband, kids, and dogs the most. I have a happy 7-year-old boy, a full-of-energy, 2-year-old girl, and two adorable dogs,” said Cook. “I will miss the little things such as morning breakfast and bedtime routines with them.”
Since she can remember, Cook says she wanted to be part of the medical field.
“There has never been a specific reason or incident that led me in this direction, it is just a part of who I am and a calling I know I have always been meant to do. I honestly can say I have the best and most rewarding job,” she said.
From all of us at Alaska, we’re in awe of essential workers and medical workers like Hansen and Cook for their remarkable, unprecedented service during this trying time. Thank you, stay safe.
How to get involved
For information on donating miles to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool, visit our website.
Interested medical workers should reach out to Angel Flight West directly. Angel Flight West will initiate a screening to determine eligibility.
6 Alaska Airlines coloring pages you can color at home
While many of you are sheltering in place at home, we’ve got just the thing to give school kids and the “kids at heart” something to do while idling in quarantine. Here are a few of our favorite coloring pages that you can print at home or download on devices.
During this crisis, each of us is making the best decisions we can for ourselves, our families and our businesses.
Over the past several weeks, as more of our guests shelter in place at home, demand for air travel has plummeted. In recent days, some of our flights have had only several passengers onboard.
But it remains essential that we keep flying. Some of you have a critical need for us to get you somewhere, and it’s crucial we keep cargo moving, which includes transporting mail, food, medicine, medical supplies and an increasing amount of goods that are being ordered online.
These are unprecedented times that call for unprecedented measures.
We’ve therefore made the difficult decision to implement significant capacity reductions for April and May throughout our network. We’re decreasing our flying by approximately 80% systemwide for each month.
We normally average 1,300 daily flights, so that’s about 950 fewer flights a day.
Some regions we serve will see an even greater reduction of service, such as Hawaii, where the governor has issued a mandatory, 14-day self-isolation quarantine for all travelers entering the state. The state of Alaska has also initiated a similar quarantine process.
Outside of Alaska and Hawaii, we’re still maintaining our basic network footprint but with significantly reduced frequencies of service and the elimination of nearly all red-eye flights. For the capacity reductions, we also selected routes with lower load factors. This allows us to more easily accommodate guests who are traveling to get to their destinations in a timely manner.
Additional reductions are possible as we learn more about demand in the weeks ahead.
This is a time with a lot of uncertainty for many, and we’re thinking about all our guests and the communities we serve.
We’re also grateful to our tremendous employees – from the frontline to maintenance crews to those helping you make changes to your travel plans – who’ve kept our airline operating safely, and to our guests who have expressed their appreciation.
We are realistic about the challenges we’re facing, and those ahead. But we’re also eager to resume service and get back to flying our full schedule.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
This story was originally published on March 25, stating our flying was reduced to 70% systemwide for April and May. For additional information about our flexible travel policies and travel restrictions, please visit our travel advisory page.
Yes! Your current Mileage Plan status will be extended through December 31, 2021. That status will unlock even more benefits as we inch closer to our oneworld® launch in summer 2021.
What about companion certificates?
All companion certificates set to expire in 2020 will be extended. You’ll now have until December 31, 2020 to purchase new travel through November 26, 2021.
When can I expect to see my status’ new 2021 expiration date?
Your Mileage Plan status will automatically be extended at the end of the year to reflect the new December 31, 2021 end date.
With the extension of my status through 2021, will all usual tier benefits apply?
All status benefits will apply, with the exception of the 50,000 bonus miles associated with earned 75K status. Look for more details in a few weeks with info on how 75K members can earn additional bonus miles for travel this year.
I don’t have elite status but was hoping to earn it this year. Will elite tier qualification requirements be adjusted for those trying to earn elite for the first time?
Tier qualification requirements are not being adjusted at this time, but look for more information over the coming weeks on ways you can earn additional elite-qualifying miles this year.
I signed up for a status match challenge, but due to business travel restrictions, wasn’t able to meet the challenge requirements. Am I out of luck?
Members who enrolled in a status match challenge between December 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 will have their trial status extended through the end of 2021.
Questions about reservation changes and travel
How far in advance should you call to change flights?
We encourage you to take advantage of our online change/cancellation options and to reach out to our Reservations team only if you need assistance with a reservation that can’t be serviced online. Learn more.
I booked a companion fare, am I able to get it back?
If you cancel your reservations entirely, and it included a companion certificate, we’ll provide a replacement certificate within 7 business days with an expiration date of 12/31/2020. To purchase a ticket with your replacement code, you must use an Alaska Airlines credit card.
What happens if I need to change a flight booked with miles?
If you used miles to purchase your ticket for travel through May 31, you can make changes with no change fee, or if you cancel, we’ll re-deposit the miles in your Mileage Plan account (and even refund the taxes you were charged).
How long does it take to retrieve the miles back into My Account?
Your miles will be back in your account in 24-48 hours.
What if I purchased a nonrefundable First Class, main or award ticket?
If you purchased a nonrefundable First Class, main, or award ticket for travel that falls within one of our flexible travel policies, you may change without fee or, cancel your trip and deposit the funds into your My Account wallet or credit certificate via email.
What if I purchased a Saver fare?
If you purchased a Saver fare that falls within our flexible travel policy, you may cancel your trip and deposit the funds into your My Account wallet or credit certificate via email.
What do I do if I’ve already paid the change fee?
If you were recently charged a fee for a change or cancellation made to a trip that now falls under one of our flexible travel policies, please contact Reservations. We’ll take care of the change fee to your original form of payment.
What if I purchased my ticket through Expedia? Or another third-party website?
If you purchased your tickets through a third party, such as Expedia, another travel agency or another airline, contact them directly for assistance.
What if I’m traveling after May 31st?
For tickets purchased on/before February 26, 2020, our flexible travel policy only applies to travel through May 31, 2020. We will continue to evaluate the situation and may make adjustments as warranted.
Questions about Alaska Airlines’ operation
Are you canceling flights or grounding aircraft?
We are making the difficult decision to implement significant capacity reductions for April and May throughout our network. We’re decreasing our flying by approximately 80% systemwide for each month. We normally average 1,300 daily flights, so that’s about 950 fewer flights a day.
When do the reductions begin?
It’s not happening all at once, rather a bit at a time. The vast majority of the changes will be made by early April and will continue.
Should guests wait a bit to book travel for schedule changes to be made, to better know what their flight options are?
If a booking is made now and a guest’s flight is canceled, they will be rebooked on another flight. We will take care of our guests.
Are we temporarily stopping service to any markets with these reductions?
Some states have enacted travel restrictions, which have resulted in temporary market closures that impact service to Maui, Kona, Lihue and Costa Rica (view all regional advisories). We plan on continuing service to all U.S. cities that we currently serve.
Questions about our Lounges
Are you extending Lounge memberships?
Yes! All active members as of April 1, 2020 will be extended by six (6) months.
When will my membership expiration date be updated?
All membership expiration dates will be updated by May 1, 2020.
Will I get a new membership card?
By May 1, 2020, your digital membership card will be updated. 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.
Are Alaska lounges still open?
We’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily close all of our lounges, except our location at Seattle-Tacoma Airport in the D Concourse. Our current hours are available on our locations and hours page.
We’re operating as safely as possible.
– We paused the use of the fingerprint biometric scanner.
– We removed seats at high-density areas.
– We added signage to encourage social distancing.
– We are limiting each location to 50% capacity. Learn more.
Questions about safety, cleaning procedures
What safety measures is Alaska Airlines taking on board?
Safety is our top priority for both our guests and our employees. Below are some of the actions we’re taking to help keep our guests & employees safe. Learn more.
We’ve updated our onboard service to limit the interaction between our flight crews and guests.
We’ve removed all seatback contents, except for the safety card to limit the spread of germs.
We’ve enhanced our aircraft cleaning procedures between flights. Watch video.
We’ve suspended our warm towel service and blankets in First Class.
We’ve discontinued onboard sorting of recycling items to reduce touching guest-handled materials.
We’ll continue to collect and recycle materials on Horizon Air’s simplified service of water.
We’ve removed inflight entertainment tablets to make room for additional trash carts (except on flights to Hawaii and Florida).
What parts of Alaska Airlines’ aircraft get cleaned after each flight?
We’ve always had robust cleaning processes on our aircraft and will continue using disinfectants that are effective against viruses to ensure the safety of our guests and employees. As an extra level of precaution, we’ve implemented an enhanced aircraft cleaning process between our flights that are on the ground longer than an hour at our hubs. We’re focusing more attention on the areas of the cabin which are touched most frequently such as arm rests, seat belts, tray tables, overhead controls including air vents, light buttons, call buttons and exterior and interior door handles to lavatories.
All our aircraft that remain on the ground overnight get a thorough cleaning. In addition, our crews are also cleaning front and back of seats, window shades and handles to carry-on compartments.
Do Alaska Airlines’ airplanes use HEPA filters in the air vents? If so, how effective are they and how many aircraft have them?
Yes. Every Alaska Airlines aircraft uses High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters as part of our recirculation air systems. HEPA filters are believed to be effective to 99.95% or greater in removing particulate contaminants in the air. Through a combination of outside air and recirculated air, the air in the cabin is completely replaced by our air flow system approximately every 2 to 3 minutes.
What is Alaska doing to make sure their gates/counters are clean?
The safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. We’re encouraging our employees to sanitize work areas before and after they perform tasks, including gate and check-in counters, kiosks, bag sizers and stanchions. We’re also working with our airport partners and cleaning teams to set up additional cleaning runs to sanitize work surfaces.
Have more questions? For additional information, please visit our travel advisory page for all the details about our flexible travel policies and travel restrictions.
Healthcare workers around the country are in need of masks, gloves and other protective equipment now more than ever.
On Wednesday, Alaska Airlines transported materials that will be used to create 210,000 hospital-grade masks for caregivers at Providence’s 51 hospitals across the western United States.
Alaska’s flights carrying this cargo originated in Seattle and landed in Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles, where the masks will be assembled. They will then be distributed to Providence hospitals throughout Alaska, California, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Texas and Washington state.
The masks will be created by skilled craftspeople from Kaas Tailored, a furniture manufacturer in Mukilteo, Washington, which stepped in to produce the much-needed supplies. They also developed PPE design specifications to share with other manufacturers.
“For years, Alaska Airlines has helped us fly doctors, nurses and other medical personnel up and down the West Coast. Now more than ever, it’s mission critical to get protective equipment to caregivers, who are caring for millions of people in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, chief clinical officer for Providence. “We are heartened by all the great companies stepping up to the 100 Million Mask Challenge and hope more will join our efforts to protect our country’s caregivers.”
During this time of uncertainty, air travel continues to be an essential service. Alaska Airlines remains committed to helping medical professionals and lifesaving supplies get to the places where they are needed most.
“Every day, we carry essentials such as food, mail and lifesaving items, including crucial medication and medical equipment,” said Rick Bendix, Alaska Air Cargo spokesperson. “Across our network we’re packing our freighters and maximizing cargo in the belly of passenger aircraft to deliver essential goods to our customers throughout our expansive network.”
Looking for a change of scenery? Download our destination Zoom backgrounds
If you’re dreaming of transporting yourself to your favorite destination during a Zoom meeting, we’ve got you covered!
Below, you’ll find some amazing photos to download and use as a background for your next video call. If you don’t use Zoom, feel free to just save your favorites as travel inspiration.
Make one of these destinations your Zoom background in 3 easy steps:
Download and save your favorite pictures from the blog.
In Zoom, find the arrow next to the camera icon and click “choose virtual background” OR go to Preferences/Settings > Virtual Background.
Upload the picture you downloaded! Ta-da! A Zoom with a view!
If you’re still having issues uploading a background, please visit the Zoom Help Center.
Like you, we feel that getting where you need to go should be hassle-free and enjoyable. And yet, in these uncertain times, travel changes and cancellations have become the norm. But there is one thing you can absolutely count on: we care about you 24/7.
Alaska Airlines reservation agents are a constant and dependable source of reassurance and help when we need it most. Our employees have been working around the clock, many working overtime, handling an unprecedented amount of phone calls and social-media messages – the volume of guest outreach has been 200% higher than normal.
“Although we are happy to talk with you, the online service is there to help save you time during the highest call volumes ever seen,” says Reservation Agent Amanda.
To avoid longer wait times, please contact us only if you have travel in the next 72 hours. Pro tip: you can always change or cancel your travel online.
Glicel is a Seattle-based reservation agent and has worked for Alaska Airlines for 2 years.
Glicel, Reservation Agent
She moved to Washington state from the Philippines in 2005. She loves to travel (her favorite destination is of course the Philippines). When she’s not working, she likes to spend time with family and friends, playing with make up and volunteering at her son’s school.
How do you begin your work day?“I always have a quote in front of me, ‘Start a day with a grateful heart’. Isay it out loud before the start of every shift.” She says her day is also filled with black coffee and matcha green tea (only from Japan).
What your favorite part about your job?“Being kind. It goes a long way. You can brighten up someone else’s’ day with just one act of kindness.”
Tylor
Tylor is a reservation agent based in Boise and has been with Alaska Airlines for 1.5 years.
Tylor, Reservation Agent
How has work been for you lately & what advice do you have for our guests? “The increase in calls has been tough, but we are committed to helping each and every guest with their concerns,” he says. “My advice for guests who want to change their travel is the website is your best friend!” Tylor says changing your travel online is much easier, quicker these days due to larger call volumes.
What has been getting your through the busy days? “I really lean on my colleagues at a time like this. Even though we all work remotely, the communication and encouragement we get each and every day helps.”
Amanda
Amanda is based in Seattle and has been a reservation agent at Alaska Airlines for 2 years 8 months, 1 week, and 2 days – she’s been counting 😉
Amanda, Reservation Agent
Amanda is a single mom who loves working for Alaska Airlines. She enjoys being able to work from home and take her dogs for a walk on her breaks to breathe, and get some fresh air.
Her advice: “Try online first,” she says if you’re looking to change or cancel your travel plans. “The online system works well and if you want to change or cancel the reservation the system is correct in telling you what it can offer.” She says it also saves your time waiting for an agent and can be done in minutes.
How she keeps her wits: “I drink a lot of coffee and water and try to get enough sleep,” she says. “I also lean on a couple of group agents I went to training with as we help support each other when we need to vent. We truly celebrate our successes and struggles, and even our failures together.”
Sara
Sara is a reservation agent based in Phoenix and has been with Alaska Airlines for 3.5 years.
Sara, Reservation Agent
Do you have a mantra? “I believe that sharing smiles and laughter with our guests, definitely sets the tone for good calls. We are all real people and not robots, which our guests really appreciate.”
What keeps you going? “I drink water and snack on popcorn most days,” she says. “I’ve also been going on hikes, listening to tunes, and chasing sunsets after work.”
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From all of us at Alaska, we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe, healthy and happy during this unprecedented time.
For information on donating miles to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool, 
