Improved communication between our pilots and ATC – without even talking
For decades, air traffic controllers have relied on a system that uses two-way radio to transmit instructions and route changes to planes waiting to take off. Pilots jot down these notes on paper, and then read the instructions back to the air traffic controllers. If there’s a misunderstanding, the process must be repeated until it’s…
Travel alert: Hurricane Irma
Update: Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m. PDT Due to the impacts of Hurricane Irma, Alaska Airlines and Virgin America have extended flexible travel policies to airports that were impacted by the storm.
Travel alert: Hurricane Norma
Both Alaska Airlines and Virgin America are keeping very close watch on Hurricane Norma and its potential impact on flights and airport operations along Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Based on the current forecast, Hurricane Norma is predicted to make landfall on Sunday and we will be evaluating the impact to the schedule as this weather…
Travel alert: Sonoma County Wildfires
Update: Oct. 12, 2017 at 2:15 p.m. PDT Alaska Airlines has resumed some flights in and out of Charles M. Schultz-Sonoma County Airport. Due to wildfire dangers in the area, the airport had been closed since Monday. Please go to alaskaair.com to check on the latest status of flights through Sonoma County. Update: Oct. 11,…
Travel Alert: Winter weather expected to impact some flights in Seattle on Sunday
Wintry weather is expected to continue with forecasts showing snow beginning early Sunday morning and continuing through midday. In anticipation of this weather event, Alaska Airlines has canceled 25 flights in and out of Seattle between 6 a.m. and noon Sunday, Nov. 5.
Alaska Airlines partners with WSU to add flights between Seattle and Pullman during key dates
Alaska Airlines is excited to announce additional flights between Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for those times when Cougars want them most. In partnership with Washington State University, Alaska is adding flights during the school’s start to the spring semester in early January, and during dates around WSU’s spring break in March.
Alaska Airlines ready to tackle wintry conditions at Sea-Tac and Portland
When winter weather is forecast, preparation is essential for Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Virgin America– especially when it comes to the potential for light snow and ice in Seattle and Portland, which are primary hubs. Whenever conditions get too cold and moisture is present, there’s a chance frost or snow can accumulate on aircraft…
Flights in Northeast canceled because of massive winter storm
UPDATE: 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4 Alaska Airlines and Virgin America continue to keep close watch on a massive winter storm that’s causing problems today in the Northeast with heavy snow and blizzard conditions. Both airlines have canceled an additional six flights Thursday (Jan. 4) and seven flights Friday (Jan. 5) in and out of…
Alaska unveils 13 daily departures to 8 destinations from Paine Field
UPDATE 1/22/19: We’re postponing our scheduled start of service from Paine Field until March 4, 2019. Our latest post has all the details. UPDATE 10/17/18: Alaska Airlines service out of Paine Field is expected to begin in early 2019. We’ll be sure to provide an update as soon as we have more information to share. ORIGINAL POST…
What’s an ATC delay? Here’s what can cause them – and what Alaska Airlines is doing behind the scenes
Few things are as frustrating as sitting on an airplane waiting out an “ATC delay.” ATC is airline-speak for Air Traffic Control, a program governed by the Federal Aviation Administration. It manages the flow of planes as they arrive and depart airports. ATC’s top priority: safety. That includes maintaining a safe amount of separation between…
Taking new roads in the sky: NASA and Alaska Airlines are making it happen
Have you ever been stuck in traffic and thought: “There has got to be a better way to get where I’m going”? Pilots often think the same thing up in the air. In the hours before takeoff, airline dispatchers specifically plan flights and file flight plans using the best information available at the time. But…
Information on Horizon Air Incident
Update: 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2018Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air appreciate the thorough investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into the incident on Aug. 10, 2018. The FBI found this was an isolated, unanticipated incident by one individual. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) investigated the incident separately and determined there are no…
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