Fun fact: Alaska was first U.S. airline to sell tickets online
This news release was originally issued on Dec. 27, 1995, and is reposted here in its entirety in honor of Internet Day Oct. 29, which commemorates the day when computers at UCLA and Stanford first made a host-to-host connection. Alaska was the first airline in the U.S. to explore the uncharted world of the Internet, with a…
Havana inaugural isn’t Alaska’s first flight to Cuba
When Alaska Airlines began service to Havana on Jan. 5, it wasn’t the first time the airline had flown to Cuba. In the early 1970s, Alaska flew U.S. Military Airlift Command charter flights to the base at Guantanamo Bay, as well as charters to Caribbean locations such as Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Panama. Some of…
Tahoe City: Come for the world-class skiing, stay for the small-town vibe
I’d only been to the Tahoe House Bakery two times before, but the women behind the counter addressed me by my first name when I ordered a bacon cheddar scone and a decaf latte. “Good morning, Jo.” I smiled honestly, but nervously, caught off-guard by the familiarity and the friendliness. As I waited for my…
Video: Alaska’s quirky 1980s ads that landed director in Advertising Hall of Fame
Pausing from a TV commercial shoot back in the day is Director Joe Sedelmaier (front, center). Can you guess who was Alaska’s then-CEO in this photo? The unconventional Alaska Airlines TV ads from the 1980s and ’90s got a little fresh air at this year’s American Advertising Hall of Fame ceremony. The commercials were directed…
5 must-do’s on Maui, Hawaii’s Valley Isle
I’m an island girl. I love the sun, sea, and sand. And I’m lucky—because I work for an airline, I can run off to Hawaii for the weekend, which I’ve done more than 20 times. Maui is my favorite getaway. There are so many beautiful beaches within easy reach. And if I get the urge…
An adventurous Kauai “babymoon”
“You’re brave,” a teenaged boy with elaborate dreadlocks and a tattoo of a dinosaur told me as I hoofed it up one of the steeper sections of the hike to Hanakapi’ai beach along the Na Pali Coast. I shot him a smile. “Oh this is nothing,” I bowed my head with false modesty. The truth…
CEOs of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines fly 1929 plane that has historical ties to both companies
Two aviation geeks met up last week to fly an old plane. That usually wouldn’t be noteworthy, except the pilots just happened to be Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden and Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley. And this exact aircraft – a 1929 Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker, tail number NC251M – has historical ties to both airlines.…
Flying nonstop to Pittsburgh: Here’s how to make the most of your visit
With affordable, nonstop Pittsburgh flights departing Seattle daily, those from the Pacific Northwest can get a feel for why the city is becoming known as one of the country’s most livable. Pittsburgh has reinvented itself. Gone are the days of factories and pollution; instead, the steel city is a hub of culture and innovation set…
Maui: The island for sun lovers
When someone says Hawaii, you think: laying on the beach all day with a cold beer or cider, jumping in the water for a swim, and then back to the shore for a nap or some light reading. You’re not here for an adventure — you’re here for a vacation. Well, Maui’s your spot! This…
Oahu: The island for go-getters
You came to the Hawaiian Islands for a little R&R, but that doesn’t mean you want lounge on the beach all day. How about some snorkeling and surfing? Shopping and people-watching, and maybe some museum-strolling? And we haven’t even started on nightlife. Oahu is Hawaii’s busiest island, with most of the activity centered around the…
Kauai: The island for nature lovers
Nothing is more rejuvenating than being out in nature. Breathing fresh air, exploring a waterfall, feeling the sun on your skin… or even just gazing at a horizon of sea meeting sky. You probably enjoy the local wildlife or have a lot of appreciation for new and unusual flora. Even when you travel to urban…
Hawaii: The island for sightseers
You are an adventurer. You travel to a place because it’s different and new. Before you leave on your trip, you probably check travel blogs to find out what there is to see. You’ve got a list of the hot spots, and you’re ready to chat with locals in search of hidden gems. The island…
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