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Alaska is first airline to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone – giving guests more choice for how to pay

Whether you’re on your way to a celebratory vacation or coming home after a long business trip, that inflight beverage always hits the spot. Coming soon to your next flight, you can pay for your alcoholic beverage or snack pack with just a simple tap from your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, other digital wallet, or contactless credit or debit card – no more swiping!

Our flight attendants use iPhones onboard the aircraft to make sure you’re seated correctly, deliver your pre-ordered meal, offer you an elite chocolate and take snack and alcohol orders. Because of new technology from Apple and our partnership with Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, we can now use those iPhones accept your contactless payment method of choice.

“We’re constantly innovating to give our guests the most seamless and caring experience possible,” said Charu Jain, senior vice president of innovation and merchandising. “We’re proud to partner with Stripe to be the first airline to bring Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone technology to flight.”

How does it work?

When it’s time to pay for your beverage or snack pack, simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, your contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the flight attendant’s iPhone. The payment will be securely completed via NFC technology.

Voila! It’s that easy.

Tap to Pay on iPhone is rolling out on select flights and will be available across our fleet in the next few months.

Pre-order your meals before you board!

We’re constantly bringing new and interesting meals onboard our flights. You can catch the latest menu here. All meals onboard our flights must be preordered at least 20 hours before your flight.

Here’s how you pre-order on the Alaska Airlines app:

  1. Log in and locate your upcoming trip from app home screen.
  2. Under flight info, locate “food pre-order”
  3. Make your pre-order selection and follow steps to store your credit card information for an easy, touch-free transaction on board.

Between pre-ordering your meal and tapping to pay for your cocktail, we’re making it as easy as ever to enjoy your flight. This is just another way we are innovating to bring our guests the most seamless experience possible – from our airport lobbies to the aisles of our aircraft.

Alaska Airlines celebrates 35 years of connecting guests with Mexico 

We’re proud to be the #1 U.S. carrier from the west coast to Mexico with the most nonstop flights and destinations to Mexico. And, today, marks the 35th anniversary of our first flight ever to Mexico!  

On that historic Tuesday in 1988, Alaska became an international airline when we began nonstop service between San Francisco and Mazatlán. We then began service from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta the following day. 

Today, we serve 8 incredible cities in Mexico, each offering a unique blend of history, culture, natural beauty, and entertainment, including Cancun, Guadalajara, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Los Cabos, Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.  

From November 14-16, travelers can score flights to several popular tourist destinations across Mexico including, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Loreto, Cancun and Zihuatanejo, for as little as $99 one way. More details on this special sale can be found here.

Book now

Cancun (CUN) 

  • Enjoy the stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. 
  • Explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza. 
  • Experience vibrant nightlife in the Hotel Zone. 
  • Go snorkeling or diving in the nearby cenotes and coral reefs. 

Guadalajara (GDL) 

In Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, explore the rich cultural heritage by visiting historic landmarks like the Cathedral and the Instituto Cultural Cabañas, savor traditional cuisine including birria and tequila, enjoy mariachi music, and stroll through the vibrant Tlaquepaque district for artisan crafts and local art. 

Tips from Lezly, Alaska customer service agent trainer in GDL:

Guadalajara is the origin of most of the Mexican traditions for what our country is known for! The mariachi, the charros, the tequila is all from here. If you visit us, walking downtown should be on your list— there are beautiful buildings with so much history you would really love.  
Don’t miss the food restaurants like los chilaquiles, casa bariachi or La chata, are very good options. Finally, if you have time to visit Tlaquepaque, Tequila and Chapala Lake these towns around the city will fascinate you.

– Lezly, Alaska customer service agent trainer in GDL
Downtown Guadalajara (photo from Lezly) 

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (ZIH) 

Revel in two distinct experiences — enjoy resort-style beaches and watersports in Ixtapa, and savor a laid-back atmosphere, local culture, fresh seafood and vibrant markets in the charming fishing town of Zihuatanejo. 

Los Cabos (SJD) 

In Los Cabos, savor the stunning beaches, partake in water activities like snorkeling, whale-watching and sportfishing. Also, explore the iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas and experience the vibrant nightlife or the laid-back luxury of San José del Cabo’s historic district. 

Loreto (LTO) 

Venture the quaint historic town, visit the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, discover marine life while snorkeling or kayaking in the Sea of Cortez, and hike in the stunning Sierra de la Giganta mountains for breathtaking vistas and nature encounters. 

Manzanillo (ZLO)

A picturesque coastal gem on Mexico’s Pacific shore, Manzanillo welcomes visitors with endless activities. Start your adventure by basking on pristine beaches, including Playa Miramar and Playa La Audiencia, where you can soak up the sun, swim, and engage in water sports.  

For a cultural touch, explore the colorful downtown area and visit the iconic Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Don’t miss the scenic Malecon, offering seaside promenades and a vibrant atmosphere with eateries and shops. If you’re a nature enthusiast, head to the nearby eco-park, El Salto, for hiking and bird-watching in lush surroundings. Manzanillo is renowned for its sportfishing, and you can embark on deep-sea fishing excursions to reel in impressive catches. The city’s seafood is legendary, so savor the freshest catches at local restaurants. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Manzanillo offers a delightful array of experiences along its sun-kissed shores. 

Mazatlán (MZT)

One of the more exciting tourist attractions, Mazatlan cliff divers often jump several times a day from a 45-foot cliff known as the Pearl of The Pacific.
  • Explore the enchanting Historic Center, with its colonial architecture and iconic Angela Peralta Theater.  
  • Don’t miss the picturesque Plazuela Machado, a hub for dining and cultural activities.  
  • The El Faro Lighthouse provides panoramic views, while the Malecon invites leisurely strolls along the oceanfront.  
  • Explore the Golden Zone for lively nightlife, exceptional seafood, and shopping.  
  • Adventure seekers can take panga tours to nearby islands or enjoy a tranquil day trip to Stone Island. 
The Plazuela Machado

The Plazuela Machado is one of the oldest in the City of Mazatlan; historical records tell us that it was built in 1837 under the auspices of a rich merchant in silver, fabrics and pearls, Don Juan Nepomuceno Machado.  
Originally an esplanade was built for La Plazuela, which was surrounded by 36 majestic stone benches and leafy orange trees, the reason for the latter, so this place was known for a long time as the ‘Paseo de los Naranjos.’ 
La Plazuela Machado is one of the venues of the Carnival festivities, since year after year a gastronomic exhibition is held in this place, in which the best and most representative restaurants in the town participate. 

– Luis, Alaska customer service agent in MZT 

Puerto Vallarta (PVR) 

  • Relax on beautiful beaches and enjoy water sports. 
  • Stroll along the Malecon boardwalk. 
  • Take a boat tour to the Marietas Islands or Los Arcos. 
  • Experience the vibrant nightlife in the Romantic Zone. 

You must visit Marietas Island, you can only get there swimming. It’s a great experience. Rhythms of the Night is at the top of the list “must do in PVR” this is a cruise, dinner, and a show like no other.   

– Karen, an Alaska customer service agent in PVR  

Alaska Airlines is rolling out new global award redemptions

With focus on simplicity, value and availability, Mileage Plan members will have new options to choose from across our 24 partner airlines; award redemptions to start at 4,500 miles each way  

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles have long offered outsized value for our members who work hard to earn and save their miles. That’s why we’re making it even easier and more rewarding to go global with our Mileage Plan program with upfront information that’s clearer and more user-friendly. We’re also expanding award availability so our members can find more award space when they want to travel.  

We now have a more straightforward set of award charts for all our oneworld and partner airlines that will be effective in March 2024. The new charts are divided into three regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific. They provide clearly defined ‘starting from’ redemption rates that vary depending on the distance being flown*. 

With the new distance-based structure, 60% of partner nonstop routes in economy class and 64% of routes in business class will start at a lower price point. The streamlined information gives a better idea of how many miles are needed to fly to and within regions of the world with short-haul awards starting as low as 4,500 miles each way (down from 7,500). Many shorter-distance flights within continents will start at up to half the current price.     

We’re also expanding access to premium economy awards with more partners than ever before, including American Airlines and Japan Airlines, at award levels starting just 30% higher than economy*.  Awards start at only 6,000 miles one-way in premium economy (down from 12,500) and business class is available from 9,000 miles each way (down from 20,000).  

All our partner redemption pricing will be one-way so our guests can mix and match which airlines they’re flying, say British Airways on an outbound flight from Seattle to London and then Finnair from Helsinki to Seattle for the return.  

Mileage Plan has long been known for offering great value on global redemptions with access to some of the most aspirational premium products and destinations,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales at Alaska Airlines. “We’re excited to provide a more straightforward award proposition while doubling down on the opportunities our guests will have to find amazing values.”  

Alaska has consistently offered some of the best global award redemptions in the industry. Our March 2024 enhancements will provide our guests with more options and even more value: 

• We’re creating additional itineraries when combining Alaska flights with partner flights, providing more availability when connecting to global partner destinations.  

• We’ll open access to increased award inventory on 10% of partner routes covering more than 370 global destinations. This gives members the flexibility to use additional miles to fly when they want in the cabin they want. 

• We’re adding new awards between and within regions outside of North America, such as Madrid to London, Paris to Sydney, or Tokyo to Singapore. 

• We’re reducing the miles required to some of our most sought-after global destinations.  For example, award pricing to London and Tokyo will be reduced by 15% on average when traveling nonstop from the West Coast.  

• Beginning in 2024, we’ll offer regular global partner award sales with quarterly, limited-time promotions featuring special pricing of up to 50% off specific partners, routes or destinations.   

• We’ll continue to offer one of the most generous stopover policies on award tickets in the industry. Stopovers allow for a free stop in a partner’s hub on the way to a final destination, squeezing in two trips for the price of one. Many other carriers allow no stopovers at all or only one stopover on roundtrip itineraries. 

We’re committed to continuing to develop new ways of adding flexibility for our Mileage Plan members. In the future, members will be able to redeem award tickets with a combination of miles and money that will give them more control. We’ll also offer mileage redemption when combining two partner airlines in a single itinerary on a one-way trip. Plus, we’ll further enhance the value of Mileage Plan miles by introducing the ability to redeem miles on car rentals.  

*For partner-only nonstop itineraries. Pricing may vary on partner awards that include connecting segments on Alaska. 

Lonewolf and Indiana: From Air Force buddies to Alaska pilots

When a guest posted that her Alaska Airlines pilots had flown together in the Air Force, we had to look into it. After some digging, we found that, indeed, First Officer Lloyd and Captain David served in the U.S. Air Force in the ’90s and today often coordinate their schedules to fly together.  

It’s a friendship that started while hunkered in a tent eating MREs (Meal, Ready-to-Eat or prepacked grub) over 25 years ago. They were two different guys from vastly different parts of the country, but united in a passion and dedication to serve their country. 

Llyod (left) and David (right) in the U.S. Air Force | And, both of them at Alaska Airlines years later.

Lloyd grew up in Maine and got the bug to fly soon after graduating from college as part of Air Force ROTC. After pilot training, he moved onto being an instructor on the T-37 and then flew the C-141 Starlifter and the C-17 Globemaster. He also did an exchange for four years as an instructor pilot on the T-34C for the Navy.  

It was while flying the C-141 at an exercise at McChord Air Force Base (known today as Joint Base Lewis-McChord) in Tacoma, Washington that he met David, a farm kid from Indiana. 

David grew up with his neck craned to the sky watching military jets fly routes over his family’s small farm. He pursued an aeronautical engineering degree and landed a job at Boeing, where he soon decided he’d much rather fly the airplanes than analyze them. So, he applied to the Air Force and, after training, flew the C-141 out of McChord and then the C-12J (a Beech 1900C twin turbo prop) on a tour in South Korea. 

It was at McChord that he ended up seated next to Lloyd as his instructor on a training flight. “We needed to block four hours, so instead of just beating up the pattern at McChord we flew the aircraft up to British Columbia. It was a beautiful flight day, and a memorable one flying over Vancouver Island.” 

The two aviators ended the day and went their separate ways.  

“We didn’t figure we’d see each other again, so we said our goodbyes,” Lloyd said.  

But fate had other plans.  

Three months later, Lloyd and David found themselves once again randomly assigned together for a training exercise.  

“We spent three days living in a tent eating MREs,” Lloyd said. “It was during this time that we found we had a lot in common.” 

They flew together more over the years and stayed in touch, sharing a love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, motorcycles and cars. David retired in 1999, joined the Air Force Reserve and soon after was hired at Alaska.  

Lloyd stayed in the service as an instructor and did a stint “flying a desk” as he says, in Korea.  But it wasn’t long after he announced that he was planning to hang up his military flight suit that he got a call from his old friend. It went something like, ‘hey let’s get the band back together.’ Lloyd applied at Alaska and joined the airline in 2012. 

Today, the Alaska captain/check airman and first officer often bid their trips together, savoring the time to reconnect and catch up.  

“We enjoy flying together so much that I tell passengers if they have half as much fun as Lloyd and I will be having flying them, that they’re going to have a great time,” David said. 

David likes to rib Lloyd about whether he plans to execute a Navy or an Air Force landing on any particular day, as he taught for both branches of the service. (Ask any Navy or Air Force pilot if there’s a difference and you’ll get an earful.) 

Guests on their flights get a kick out of hearing their story, oftentimes commenting to each other or stopping at the flight deck as they deplane, thanking them for their service.  

Radio Host Carla Marie’s post. A frequent flyer on Alaska, said she got “chills/tears” when she heard their story.  

The serendipity of it all is not lost on the two.

It really is a great experience to have this long history together and share our joy of flying for Alaska Airlines,” David said. “When we are at 35,000 feet and enjoying the amazing view, we still sometimes look at each other and find it hard to believe we have such a fantastic job and are able to do it together.”  

Alaska Air Group rated investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service in initiation of coverage

Strong rating illustrates Moody’s confidence in Alaska’s financial strength, disciplined cost management, operational excellence, and increasing global presence

]Moody’s Investors Service has rated Alaska Air Group with an investment grade credit rating in their initial assessment of the airline, citing the company’s “strong business profile and conservative financial policy.”

The agency assigned Alaska a rating of “Baa3,” which signals that the airline is a stable and good investment.

In a release announcing Alaska’s investment grade rating, Moody’s stated “Alaska’s operations have produced a very competitive, if not leading, operating margin for several years. Moody’s expects this performance to continue.”

Moody’s also highlighted the carrier’s membership in the oneworld alliance and enhanced partnership with American Airlines, the ability for Alaska guests to book flights on 18 other airline partners directly on alaskaair.com, and the airline’s portfolio of quality product offerings.

“The company has three classes of seating on its entire fleet, including its regional subsidiary Horizon Airlines’ Embraer E175 regional jet aircraft. Twenty-five percent of the seats on every aircraft are in premium cabins. The cabin layout facilitates capturing customers across income and budget levels, whether for leisure or business travel.”

Alaska’s legacy of maintaining a strong balance sheet has positioned the carrier to operate without significant debt, weather economic downturns and capitalize on investment opportunities. It has also allowed Alaska to produce industry-leading profit margins even in challenging years – benefiting shareholders through returns and employees through payout programs.

Rose City meets Music City. Alaska Airlines adds new Portland-Nashville nonstop

Alaska Airlines is doing it again – we’re adding another nonstop from the Pacific Northwest to a much sought-after destination in the heart of Tennessee: Nashville.

We continue to grow in Portland with a new route that’ll connect the Rose City with Music City – a counterpart that also loves great food, dynamic music and a vibrant culture. Our daily, year-round flights start on March 14, 2024. Tickets are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com. 

We’ll be the only airline with nonstop service between Portland and Nashville with a convenient mid-morning departure from Portland and a late afternoon departure from Nashville, which will become our 53rd nonstop destination from Portland next year. Alaska has been the largest carrier in Portland for more than 20 years. We now serve more destinations nonstop from Portland outside of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho) than we did in 2019.  

We’re always focused on better connecting the Pacific Northwest with new nonstops in our network,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. “We know there’s a strong desire by our guests for an easier way to travel between Portland and Nashville. Our new flight will link a pair of exciting regions that both have wide-ranging, festive entertainment and sports scenes as well as growing business centers.” 

Route Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft 
Portland – Nashville 9:00 a.m. 3:20 p.m. Daily 737 
Nashville – Portland 4:25 p.m. 7:35 p.m. Daily 737 
All times local 

We’ve been working on adding even more flight options in Portland. On Nov. 17, we’ll begin our new nonstop service to Miami.

Seasonal flights between Portland and Redmond/Bend resume on Nov. 23. Flights to Vancouver, B.C. from Portland resumed this past June. 

Book now from Portland

Alaska Airlines rekindles nostalgia with ‘Greatest Hits’ Menu, bringing back beloved inflight meals this winter

New and returning items in First Class and Main Cabin will bring guests the perfect blend of nostalgia and chef-curated innovation 

Alaska Airlines is taking a walk down memory lane by bringing back its most loved dishes starting this month through spring 2024, along with a selection of new seasonal chef-curated meals and a line-up of exciting beverages. 

The ‘Greatest Hits’ menu is made up of beloved past entrees based on feedback from guests and crew. Of the 35 First Class entrees, two dozen are returning fan favorites, including the Jerk Chicken with coconut curry fried rice and Kalbi Beef in a Korean BBQ sauce.  

Kalbi Beef – Korean BBQ braised beef steak, coconut curry fried rice, sesame fried greens, and a Korean BBQ sauce.

Alaska is also launching new dishes made of fresh ingredients that are sure to become popular hits among guests, including the Steak & Shrimp and Mediterranean Lentils, available in First Class. 

Everything Bagel Strata – Baked egg and bagel strata, everything bagel seasoning, served with grilled chicken-apple sausage, potato pancakes and a roasted red pepper sauce. (left) | Southwest Ranchero Eggs – Chicken chorizo sausage, toasted farro, marinated pinto beans, cage-free scrambled eggs, cotija cheese, salsa verde, and scallions. (right)

Celebrity favorite — Alaska’s Sesame Chicken and Rice — will continue to be served to our First Class guests through the winter! Actor and comedian Dax Shepard recently posted on social media he “was still reeling” over two servings of the roasted chicken with sesame teriyaki glaze on an Alaska Airlines flight from Burbank to Portland. 

Jerk Chicken – Pan-seared Caribbean spiced chicken breast, fried plantains, roasted baby pepper, cilantro lime rice, Jamaican jerk sauce. (left) | Mediterranean Lentils – Slowly braised spiced lentils, turmeric roasted cauliflower, pickled onions, roasted tomatoes, sliced almonds, and an olive & herb dressing. (right)
550+ miles 
🍽️ Fruit Plate with Ellenos® Granola & Yogurt 
🍽️ Plant-Based Granola & Fruit (vegan & made without gluten ingredients) 
🍽️ Protein Plate with Curry Apricot Dip 
🍽️ Signature Fruit & Cheese Plate 		775+ miles
🍽️ Apple Walnut Salad 
🍽️ Beet’s So Fly Salad 
🍽️ Fall Harvest Salad 
🍽️ Gochujang Chicken Sandwich   
🍽️ Kale & Blood Orange Salad 
🍽️ Pesto Chicken Sandwich 
🍽️ Sesame Chicken & Rice 
🍽️ Tillamook® Burger 
1100+ miles
🍽️ Agrodolce Chicken 
🍽️ Everything Bagel Strata 
🍽️ Ginger Beef Lo Mein 
🍽️ Jerk Chicken 
🍽️ Moroccan Chicken 
🍽️ Peruvian Steak & Rice 
🍽️ Poblano Corn Omelet 
🍽️ Pulled Pork Breakfast Scramble 
🍽️ Southwest Ranchero Eggs 		1525+  miles
🍽️ Roasted Chicken & Delicata Squash 
 
2100+ miles
🍽️ Kalbi Beef 
 
To Hawaii: 
🍽️ Smoked Salmon & Curried Vegetables 
775+ miles 
🍽️ Jetsetter’s Jam 
🍽️ Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter 

To/From Hawaii:  
🍽️ Tillamook® Cheeseburger 		1100+ miles
🍽️ Beet’s So Fly Salad 
🍽️ Charcuterie Platter 
🍽️ Chicken Curry Wrap 
🍽️ Chicken Shawarma 
🍽️ Fall Harvest Salad 
🍽️ Morning Protein Platter with Smoked Salmon Dip 
🍽️ Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich with Bacon and Scallion Aioli 

In the Main Cabin, guests will once again have the option to pre-order the Chicken Curry Wrap and the popular Beets So Fly Salad made with a medley of flavors including pickled beets, mixed greens, feta cheese and chicken breast in a Dijon balsamic dressing.  

Jetsetter’s Jam, our signature fruit & cheese, Tillamook® Cheeseburger 
Beets So Fly Salad

“Part of redesigning our menu every few months means trying new entrees and saying goodbye to old ones. But there is always a meal that guests can’t wait to eat again and don’t want to see go. We looked back at what entrees guests and our crews loved the most over the years and built a menu around our top favorite Alaska dishes,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines. 

Alaska is also excited to announce a line-up of new beverages, which will be available on flights starting Dec. 1, including freshly brewed Stumptown Coffee, that will pair perfectly with Alaska’s new oat milk creamer and Portland-based Stash Tea’s English Breakfast, Super Mint and Premium Green flavors.

Remember to easily pre-order your favorite meals as early as two weeks before your flight and up to 20 hours prior to departure in all cabins using Alaska’s industry-leading pre-order feature. 

ICYMI: Alaska recently announced its partnership with Portland-based Stumptown Coffee to create a proprietary blend designed specifically for enjoyment at 30,000 feet where tastebuds react differently. This unique coffee offering will be available in all cabins by Dec. 1. These beverages join a collection of other premium West Coast products such as Straightaway Cocktails (Portland), Sierra Nevada Brewing (California), Seattle Chocolate (Washington), Fremont Brewing (Seattle), Tillamook® Cheese (Oregon) and Beecher’s ® Cheese (Seattle).   

Our custom roast will be available exclusively on all Alaska flights starting this fall and will be on every flight by Dec. 1, 2023. Plus, guests can sip Stumptown in our Portland and JFK Lounges where we’ll be proudly serving Stumptown’s Holler Mountain for our brewed coffee and Hair Bender in our hand-crafted espresso beverages. Trapper Creek will also be available as a decaf option. 

New menu items in First Class: 

550+ miles
🍽️ Apple & Gouda Chicken Sausage Breakfast Sandwich 
🍽️ Moroccan Chickpea Salad (vegan & made without gluten ingredients) 		775+ miles
🍽️ Chicken Sandwich with Red Pepper Spread 
1100+ miles
🍽️ JUST Egg™ Mexican Egg Bites   (vegan & made without gluten ingredients) 
🍽️ Mediterranean Lentils (vegan & made without gluten ingredients)  
🍽️ Parmesan Scrambled Eggs with Bacon 		1525+ miles
🍽️ BBQ Bacon Burger   
🍽️ Fried Rice with Chicken 
 
2100+ miles 
🍽️ Steak & Shrimp 
 
To Hawaii: 
🍽️ Parmesan Scrambled Eggs with Portuguese Sausage 
🍽️ Pineapple Oat Cakes 

New menu items in the Main Cabin:  

1100+ miles
🍽️ Morning Protein Platter with Greek Yogurt   
🍽️ Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich with Black Forest Ham & Lemon Aioli 

Alaska puts in a lot of effort to cultivate a comfortable and rewarding guest experience and part of that includes its inflight food and beverages,” said Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100K member Sterling Pearson who is excited about the return of Alaska’s Kalbi Beef First Class entrée.

“It was absolutely delicious and one of my personal favorites. It has well-paired flavors, between the sauce and the meat. The presentation was also top-notch. I think the fact that Alaska is putting in the effort to bring back past menu items shows their dedication to giving passengers what they enjoy the most and is also an example of how Alaska cares about the guest experience.”

Give the Gift of Travel from Alaska Airlines this holiday season  

This holiday season, the sky’s the limit with gifts from Alaska Airlines that will make your adventure-seeking loved one’s dreams of exploration come true. With the holidays quickly approaching, sharing a few offers from Alaska that may be of interest for any travel-centric gift guides you’re developing this year. 

Buy, share or gift miles. 

Build up your own Mileage Plan™ account or share your up to 100,000 miles with someone else to provide endless opportunities for adventures and moments that will be cherished forever.  

Gift miles  

Alaska gift certificates. 

Unlike the fleeting joys of the season, these gift cards come with no expiration date.* Let the traveler in your life choose when and where they want to take flight, turning your thoughtful gesture into a timeless memory. Always in supply. Instant delivery.  

Buy now 

Donate miles for Maui 

Contributions made to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool through December 31, 2023 will be donated to Kanu Hawai‘i and Maui Rapid Response to provide travel support for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires.  

Donate miles  

Relax & unwind in our Lounges. 

From freshly brewed coffee to scrumptious pancakes and comfy seating, holiday travel doesn’t have to be so stressful after all. Enhance the airport experience and gift a ticket to relaxation, comfort, and a carefree airport experience with an Alaska Airlines Lounge Pass. Plus, for the avid traveler, consider a year-long Lounge Membership. 

Lounge about

Treat yourself to bonus miles. 

You deserve a treat. Shop 1,100+ stores through Mileage Plan™ Shopping to earn up to 1,500 bonus miles. Shop online or in-store, offer ends Nov. 17, 2023. 

Shop the bonus

Warm up with 60,000 bonus miles. 

Right now, get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening an account with an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card. 

Apply now 

Drive, save and earn. 

Hitting the road from the runway? Don’t miss out. Alaska Mileage Plan members save up to 35% off Avis and Budget base rates and earn up to 1250 miles per rental.* 

Book now

Additional restrictions, taxes and fees may apply.* 

Alaska Airlines celebrates enhanced partnership with Condor Airlines 

Bilateral codeshare agreement provides a more seamless travel experience for guests 

Alaska Airlines is expanding our partnership with Condor Airlines – one of our global partners since March 2017 – with a bilateral codeshare agreement that enables Alaska and Condor to sell each other’s flights. Last week, Condor began marketing and selling more than 70 Alaska routes across the U.S.

This past summer, Alaska began marketing and selling from Condor’s 12 U.S. gateway cities – including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles (LAX) and Anchorage – to Frankfurt, Germany, the carrier’s home airport. These flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com.

A codeshare agreement allows each airline to sell seats on one another’s selected flights as if they were their own, in a sense putting their “code” on the flights. It offers a seamless travel experience for guests across the two airlines. Flyers will enjoy the simplicity of purchasing connecting flights on both airlines using one reservation, along with seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and checked baggage during their travel.

Tauber, Germany

We continue to bolster our international partner portfolio, giving our guests convenient access to more of the globe. Condor provides a key link with its nonstops from Alaska’s gateway cities to Europe and beyond,” said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines. “We look forward to expanding our codeshare with Condor to destinations beyond Frankfurt in the near future.”  

Condor’s newest addition to its fleet is the Airbus A330neo, known for the quietest cabin in the world compared to other aircraft of its size. Condor flies the A330neo between the U.S. and Germany in a three-class configuration: business, premium economy and economy.  

The airline recently launched its new business class product with lie-flat seats that include a larger bed and wider legroom, plus a gourmet menu and beverage service. Premium economy class also offers additional legroom with footrests to help stretch out, and meal service and complimentary beverages. All classes enjoy generous storage space, state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems with 4K monitors and Bluetooth connectivity to use with personal wireless headphones. 

Condor is expanding in the U.S. The airline recently announced it will begin new nonstop service from both Miami and San Antonio to Frankfurt in May 2024. 

Alaska is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional airline partners, our guests can earn and redeem miles all over the world through our highly acclaimed Mileage Plan program. Elite status on Alaska automatically matches tier status in oneworld so members can enjoy all the benefits that come with it right away. 

Horizon Air names 28-year industry veteran, Jason Berry, as president 

This week, the Horizon Air Board of Directors elected Jason Berry as president of Horizon Air. A 28-year industry veteran, Berry will lead strategy, oversee operations and engage the airline’s nearly 3,500 employees, as the airline continues to deliver exceptional regional air service on behalf of Alaska Airlines. Berry replaces Joe Sprague, who is retiring as Horizon president after four years and will shift to a senior advisor role at Alaska Airlines.     

Berry joined Horizon in early 2023 as senior vice president, operations. In this role he oversaw key aspects of the airline’s operations including employees in the regional carrier’s four largest workgroups.  

“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know our Horizon team over the past nine months and our employees are truly remarkable,” Berry said. “Horizon is an incredibly well-run airline, and our people have a special dedication and heart. The opportunity to lead Horizon is an immense honor.”  

Prior to his role at Horizon, Berry spent two years as vice president of cargo at Air Canada. He also previously led Alaska Air Cargo and McGee Air Services.   

Jason is a fantastic leader with a tremendous amount of industry experience and a passion for Horizon and its people,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “I look forward to his continuing contributions to Air Group’s success and am excited to welcome him to this leadership role.”   

Berry comes from an aviation family. He started his career on the ramp while still in high school and brings years of industry experience and knowledge to his role as Horizon president.  

In 2019, Berry served as president of Alaska Airlines’ wholly owned subsidiary McGee Air Services, where he had oversight for all aspects of aviation services ground handling, aircraft grooming, aircraft mobility services, check-in and gate services.  

From 2012 until June 2019, he led Alaska Air Cargo. In this role, he had direct responsibility for all aspects of cargo operations and compliance. While there, he oversaw the transition of the Boeing 737-400 combi aircraft to next generation 737-700 freighters.  

In December 2022, Berry was named “Executive of the Year” by Air Cargo World magazine.  

Berry graduated from Central Washington University and earned an Executive MBA at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. He lives near Tacoma with his wife and three daughters. 

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Alaska Airlines pulls out all the stops for 100-year-old’s birthday

When a frequent flyer wrote in that his mother-in-law was turning 100 and wanted to celebrate on Alaska Airlines — you know, we broke out the party hats and pulled out all the stops.  

Velma is a spry 100-year old woman who lives in assisted living and still drives. She attributes her good health to a shot of Crown Royal Whiskey with water every evening.  

She loves being with her family, who live in Florida, but doesn’t travel often, according to her son-in-law. But that changed five years ago when he surprised her with a trip to Orlando on Alaska for her 95th birthday. During the flight, Velma confessed that she found flying Alaska quite enjoyable and said if she reached the age of 100, she’d do it again. 

And Velma kept her word. On Oct. 6, she boarded Alaska Airlines Flight 340 to fly to Orlando, on her 100th birthday.  

“We had so much fun,” said Flight Attendant Wendy, who along with Flight Attendants Jena, Darshan and Emily made sure Velma felt like a birthday girl.  

Before boarding, Velma got a special meet and greet with our pilots. Our agents led guests in a round of “Happy Birthday.” Once on board, the celebration continued.  

Using supplies they had on hand and crafting chops that would make Martha Stewart jealous, they fashioned empty silver coffee bags into a crown, strung pretzel and Biscoff packages into a sash and crafted paper streamers.  

And, of course, they poured her favorite adult beverage, with a splash of water (even though Crown Royale isn’t a regular item on our beverage carts).  Upon landing employees in Orlando greeted Velma with a “Happy Birthday” sign.  

Velma’s return trip the following week was equally enjoyable, with special attention from our crew on board.   

Velma and her family with the crew on her return flight. 

“It was such an honor,” said Wendy, who noted that Velma also got a nice tote of Alaska logo goodies, provided by the company. 

Now back home, Velma has the crown, sash and the sign on display in her assisted living apartment — all reminders of her birthday trip.  But it doesn’t appear that her suitcase will be gathering dust anytime soon — as she just signed up for our Mileage Plan 😊.  

 I want to thank all of the employees who made Velma’s birthday trip flights so very special,” said her son-in-law Michael who is an Alaska Million Miler. “I have flown a lot of miles on Alaska, and other carriers as well, and I know that no other airline would have done anything remotely like this to make our 100-year-old mom so happy. You have the best employees, and they really care about your passengers. This is why I continue to fly Alaska.” 

Alaska Airlines debuts new ‘Mickey’s Toontown’-themed airplane featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals at Disneyland Resort

Alaska Airlines celebrates the return of Mickey Mouse in its fleet with latest special edition aircraft

Alaska Airlines’ newest, uniquely themed aircraft will be soaring through the skies today with a touch of magic from everyone’s favorite pal, Mickey Mouse. After the big reveal of this specially themed plane at a gate ceremony in Seattle, passengers will board the inaugural flight to Orange County, Calif., to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth” at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Named “Mickey’s Toontown Express,” the celebrated plane is now flying on routes across Alaska’s network.

Adorned with playful images of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, along with their pals Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park, the Boeing 737-800, tail number 565AS, is Alaska Airlines’ eighth livery in collaboration with Disneyland Resort. For the unique design – which even includes Chip ‘n’ Dale on the boarding doors and winglets – it took artists over 400 hours and 20 days to hand-paint the brightly colored aircraft exterior from nose to tail.

“It’s heartening how much our Disneyland Resort-themed airplanes spark joy in our guests — young and young at heart. What makes this even more special is the return of Mickey Mouse on an Alaska Airlines plane since he made his debut on our fleet eight years ago,” said Sangita Woerner, Alaska’s senior vice-president of marketing and guest experience. “Alaska’s long-standing relationship with the Disneyland Resort has helped to create unforgettable experiences for our guests and employees. As a family-friendly airline, it speaks to the care we strive to show everyday with these special touches.” 

Knowing the joy the Disneyland Resort-themed planes can bring to families, Alaska Airlines and Disney sent several families and special guests on the inaugural flight to experience Alaska’s everyday level of care before heading off to Orange County, including priority boarding for families with children under two, family seating at no additional charge, coloring books and the popular Kids’ Choice Picnic Pack and Jetsetter’s Jam Sandwich for guests flying in our Premium and Main Cabins. The “Mickey’s Toontown Express” plane will offer activity books and snack packs onboard with designs that feature Mickey Mouse and his pals, while supplies last.

“Our relationship with Alaska Airlines is more than 25 years strong and truly celebrates the magic of Disney,” said Sybil Crum, vice president of marketing and commercial strategy at Disneyland Resort. “The plane’s artwork marks Alaska Airlines’ eighth transformation of an aircraft featuring Disney artistry and exhibits the excitement and playfulness of the re-imagined Mickey’s Toontown. We’re so delighted for the opportunity to create even more memorable experiences for our guests together.”

The plane’s exterior artwork is inspired by Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park, a whimsical and newly reimagined, animated neighborhood where families can explore, play, discover and unwind together while enjoying new interactive experiences, familiar favorites and the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. 

Guests will be able to fly Alaska’s “Mickey’s Toontown Express” livery for the next several years before it reaches the end of its normal rotation.

Alaska Airlines’ other Disneyland Resort-themed liveries include “Friendship and Beyond at the Disneyland Resort,” which portrays larger-than-life versions of Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” friends Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park, and the “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland Resort,” a space-black livery that celebrates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre land of adventure at Disneyland Park. The space-black 737-800 boasts the iconic Millennium Falcon on the tail chased by TIE fighters.

Guests can always book their next trips to Southern California (or more than 120 other destinations) at alaskaair.com. And once there, it’s always a perfect time to visit Disneyland Resort and all the destination has to offer.

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