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Alaska Airlines partners with Punky Aloha Studio on Hawaiʻi-themed airplane

Artwork will be inspired by Hawai‘i’s Pledge To Our Keiki

In celebration of more than 15 years of service in the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska Airlines is partnering with Hawaiʻi-based illustrator, Shar Tuiʻasoa of Punky Aloha Studio to design our second special-edition painted aircraft in honor of the Aloha State. The artwork for the new aircraft will reflect Hawaiʻi’s Pledge To Our Keiki and will be revealed later this year.

Tuiʻasoa is an acclaimed illustrator and author known for her bold, colorful, and strikingly modern graphic style that showcases Polynesian heritage. Punky Aloha Studio is Tui‘asoa’s illustration studio where she creates illustrations for murals, books, magazines, and product packaging. The Hawai‘i-born artist has worked with Amazon, Disney, Target, AT&T, Sephora, The New York Times and many other recognized companies.

I’m excited to partner with Alaska Airlines to design a powerful message in a unique way to a global audience,” said Tui‘asoa. “I’m honored to draw inspiration from our keiki (children) who have pledged their commitment to mālama ‘āina (care for the land) and hope that the end result will motivate others to do the same.”

The desire to work with Tuiʻasoa has been on the minds of employees for a while now, with Alaska’s employee-led Pacific Islander Alliance (one of the company’s 12 Business Resource Groups) having passionately advocated for her work as a skilled artist proudly representing Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islander culture.

With the recent retirement of our first Hawaiʻi-themed livery, we are thrilled to work with another local artist to honor our connection to the Islands,” said Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines’ Hawaiʻi director of sales, community, and public relations. “We love Shar’s work, and we share many of the same values and commitment to Hawaiʻi. It’s our goal to not just paint an airplane, but to carry the message about being a mindful traveler and invite our guests to join us in caring for Hawai‘i and the many places we live and fly.”

Last year, Alaska partnered with Hawaiʻi non-profit, Kanu Hawaiʻi and signed the Pledge To Our Keiki – an invitation for residents and visitors to give back during their time in the Islands. Students from schools across the state created the Pledge as a commitment to respect and care for the island places they call home so that future generations can continue to enjoy all that Hawai‘i has to offer. This week, Alaska joined Kanu Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, Superintendent of Education Keith Hayashi and other partners in a conference to support the launch of the Pledge To Our Keiki throughout Hawaiʻi’s public schools.  

In 2013, Alaska painted our first Hawaiʻi-themed airplane after hosting a statewide “Paint-the-Plane” contest for local students, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools. Dubbed the “Spirit of the Islands,” the unique paint theme depicted Hawaiʻi’s cultural diversity and was designed by a local artist and Honolulu high school junior Aaron Nee. Nee’s design was selected from among more than 2,700 submissions by students across the Hawaiian Islands. After nearly a decade of flying throughout Alaska’s route network, the Spirit of the Islands was ready for a repaint and the livery was retired in May 2022.

After nearly a decade of flying throughout Alaska’s route network, the Spirit of the Islands 737 was ready for a repaint. New livery coming in 2023! 

International Women’s Day: Inspiring the next generation of women with wings

Recently, an all-female crew flew an extra special flight to Seattle. It was Capt. Callie’s last flight with Horizon Air, our long-time regional airline sister company and her first time having flown her mom and grandfather as guests in the main cabin.  

Caille’s grandfather.

“It was great. I’m proud of her. She found what she wanted and stuck to it,” said her grandfather, a Boeing retiree. 

Soon, Callie will pilot aircraft with Alaska Airlines, where her mom has been a flight attendant for over 30 years. This transition from Horizon to Alaska is a great example of our Pilot Pathways Program at work and how it creates the most direct flight path for Horizon pilots to make the move from a regional to a major airline, if desired, as simple as possible.  

“I look forward to that [Callie flying for Alaska]— to flying with her in the future,” her mom said. 

“It was a pretty special flight for us,” said Callie.
Cailee and her mom.

From the ground up

Callie began working for Horizon Air in 2015 as a ramp agent in Yakima.  She later transferred to Redmond, Oregon, where she would earn her wings and fly that commemorative flight before transitioning to first officer at Alaska.

From the start, women have played a major role in building up the aviation industry. While there has been improvement over the years, there is still room for more representation in the flight deck. 

Women like Callie and her co-pilot Meagan on flight 2342 have fought for more representation in the industry and now have greater opportunities to become pilots, ground crew and executives. The question is, do young girls know this? To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re championing women like Callie and Meagan to show how far the industry has come in recent years and set an example for future generations of women in aviation. 

Capt. Callie and First Officer Meagan
Caille’s grandfather.

“I wish I would have known the path to take to become a pilot at a younger age. If someone had reached me in my high school years and showed what the career actually looked like, I probably would have done it a lot sooner,” said Horizon First Officer Meagan, who earned her wings when she was 22. 

Training the next generation of pilots 

Last March, Alaska and Horizon teamed up with Hillsboro Aero Academy, a premier flight school in the Pacific Northwest, to launch the Ascend Pilot Academy (APA). This new development program, designed for aspiring pilots, provides a simpler, more financially accessible path to becoming a commercial pilot at Horizon and, eventually, Alaska. The program is part of a larger effort to address a growing pilot shortage and increased travel demand. 

In partnership with Hillsboro Aero, we expect to register and train up to 250 students a year. Additionally, our Ascend Pilot Academy aims to provide aspiring pilots with a more accessible path to becoming a student pilot. Enrolled cadets will be eligible for access to financial aid and a stipend of up to $26,463 upon signing on to work for Horizon Air. 

Ascend Pilot Academy

Similar stories:

Groundbreaking pilots have their sights on closing the gender gap
Women who fix & fly: Celebrating Alaska’s aircraft technicians on International Women’s Day
Women who landed their dream jobs & are making history at Alaska

When you fly with Alaska Airlines, we guarantee your family sits together. And we don’t charge you for it.

We know you’re focused on a lot of different things when traveling with your kids. (Did you pack enough snacks? Did you confirm a favorite toy made the trip?) One important issue you won’t have to worry about when flying with us:  We guarantee young children will be seated with their families. 

Guaranteeing at least one adult travels with any child who’s 13 or younger is part of Alaska’s long-standing, family-friendly policies. We’ve always cared for families on our flights. And it’s something we’ve never charged for.

As a dad of eight, I understand the challenges that come with taking a family vacation,” said Andrew Harrison, our chief commercial officer. “Traveling with kids is stressful enough – you shouldn’t have to worry about being separated from them on your flight. All of us at Alaska take pride in caring for your family, which is why we guarantee that children under 13 are always seated with you. It’s the way we’ve operated for years because it’s just the right thing to do.” 

We guarantee that children 13 and under will be seated next to at least one accompanying adult at no additional cost, including for Saver fares, assuming the following conditions are met:

  • The child and accompanying adult are booked on the same reservation
  • The accompanying adult chooses seats for the entire reservation or skips seats for the entire reservation, and does not make changes to seat assignments once they’ve been assigned
  • Adjacent seats are available in the same class of service your child is ticketed in at the time you book your flight
  • The plane’s seat layout allows adjacent seating based on the number of children in your reservation
  • Your original plane hasn’t been switched to a smaller aircraft

There are plenty of discussions happening right now in the industry and beyond about how airlines can improve the travel experience for families. At Alaska, we’re proud to be ahead of the curve when it comes to keeping families together when they’re flying with us.

By the way, we offer special amenities for our youngest fliers: For inflight entertainment, we have our dedicated Kids Zone with featured new releases including a new partnership with Rebel Girls; designed for younger tastes, our Kids Picnic Pack is available for purchase on our flights longer than 775 miles; our special Junior Jetsetters program allows children 5-17 years old to travel unaccompanied; and our pilots and flight attendants always have wings at the ready to hand out to help trigger a smile.

See you on board soon. And bring the kids!

Alaska Airlines is bringing Black Girl Magic to First Class with McBride Sisters wine

Sourced from some of California’s finest winegrowing regions, Alaska Airlines has partnered with the McBride Sisters Wine Company, the largest black-owned winery in the country to bring award-winning wines to its guests for when it’s time to take any occasion up a few notches. 

Our goal is to introduce customers to west coast wines that they fall in love with and seek out after getting off the plane with us,” says Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska’s managing director of guest products. “The partnership with the McBride Sisters and Black Vines may be amongst the first in the space, but it won’t be the last.” 

Writer & Content Creator Noel Burgess

McBride Sisters Collection Chardonnay & Red Blend 

The Chardonnay, with a pale golden color, has aromas of lemon curd and honey, pineapple and ripe pear. Soft and balanced texture, with a slight hint of toasty oak that balances the palate and persists with the fruit. Complexity and character without weight. 

This is not your gramma’s Chardonnay.” 

– McBride Sisters website

Cherry and plum dominate the aromas, gently laced with cedar and vanilla, the Red Blend is a well-rounded wine, great with any meal or on its own with great conversation. Extended oak aging softens the finish and brings with it a suggestion of baking spices and cocoa. 

James Thomas, DEI Director

Since joining Alaska in 2021, Alaska’s DEI Director James Thomas has been working to increase overall diversity and inclusion in every facet of the airline, including their business partners.  

In his previous role as the DEI Director at Chateau St. Michelle, the oldest and most acclaimed winery in Washington State, Thomas met Fern Stroud, the founder of Black Vines, an organization that brings together Black winemakers and enthusiasts to build a community and showcase their craft to the world. 

“I was eager to introduce Robin and Andrea [the McBride sisters] to Alaska because of the sisters’ achievements in business and their unique story,” stated Stroud.   

Alaska Airlines sponsored this year’s 12th annual Black Vines Toast to Black Wineries and Diverse Art Festival in Oakland, CA. The vibrant event brought oenophiles from around the country to toast diverse wine brands, including:  

Being able to work side by side with so many seasoned and new Black owned wine makers was exhilarating,” said Jamishia Ramsey, founder of Black Excellence Wine Company. “There were so many people of all shades who came from all over the country to meet the winemakers and try our wines. Being able to connect and relate with all these beautiful people no matter what background or race over wine was top tier.” 

Photos from the 12th annual Black Vines Toast to Black Wineries and Diverse Art Festival last weekend. (Maria Cid)

The McBride Sisters are more than a brand.   

Robin and Andrea were linked by wine before they ever met. Unbeknownst to them until they were young adults, they were half-sisters—raised on opposite sides of the world.

Once they met, they soon realized they shared much more than matching DNA. Robin, raised in Monterey, California, and Andrea, raised in Marlborough, New Zealand, both share a love for wine. After nearly 20 years of success on the ground, the sisters are taking to the skies with their first airline partnership.   

Our brand is about experiences,” said Robin. “When we lend our products and time, it is meant to be sustainable and beyond the months of February or March. We look for partners who are just as invested in our story as they are in our brand. We want to be part of the traveler’s experience and are excited for the collaboration with Alaska.” 

Alaska Airlines Flight Pass subscription service turns one

We’re celebrating our milestone with a discount for new subscribers

Alaska Airlines is the only U.S. major airline to offer a subscription plan that enables guests to earn miles and book flights in advance with no blackout dates. We’re celebrating our one-year anniversary with a promotion for new subscribers and a look back at the program’s growth. Starting today, new subscribers who register for Flight Pass by March 8 will be eligible for 20% off the first three months of their subscription*.  

With Flight Pass, subscribers can book roundtrip flights to destinations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and now Salt Lake City at a fixed and consistent price,” said Neil Thwaites, regional vice-president of California for Alaska Airlines. “Subscribers now have an affordable and convenient way to connect with friends, family and colleagues.”  

Flight Pass launched in February 2022 as the only flight subscription service in the country with nonstop flights throughout California and select cities in Nevada and Arizona. The service allows subscribers to lock-in lower-than-average main cabin fares for a full-year with plans starting at $49 per month and no change fees.  

The popular subscription service exceeded first-year projections, which prompted the expansion of the program last fall to a fourth state, Utah, without increasing its monthly price. We announced in November the additions of popular nonstop destinations between Salt Lake City and San Francisco as well as San Diego.    

“Each month Flight Pass grows steadily, and members are renewing their subscriptions because of the value and flexibility their plans offer them,” said Thwaites. “Subscribers love being able to lock-in a monthly price for their travel on an airline that offers the most flights on the West Coast.”  

Flight Pass insights to-date:   

  • Flight Pass exceeded first-year projections.
  • The service is growing steadily among Millennials and Generation X, who make up the majority of subscribers; Gen Z subscribers are proportionally growing more than any other age group.  
  • The majority of subscribers reside in Northern California.    
  • Subscribers fly mostly from San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose.  
  • The most popular plan among Flight Pass options is the $49 per month service that includes six roundtrip flights a year.   

In California, Alaska operates over 330 peak day flights from our hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as other cities across the state including our key focus cities of San Diego and San Jose. As the only major airline based on the West Coast, we’ve proudly served California for more than 40 years.  

*Flight Pass promotion terms and conditions:

This promotion is a limited time offer from Feb. 23 to March 8, 2023. Alaska Airlines reserves the right to modify or cancel the offer at any time, without prior notice. If you received your promotional code from a third party, that third party may have separate terms and conditions that apply.  

1.     Offer is limited to one promotional code per new customer and for new subscriber accounts only. New customers are those who have never signed up for an Alaska Airlines Flight Pass subscription prior to this offer. The offer is contingent upon the new customer signing up for a full, 12-month subscription to Flight Pass.  

2.     Guests should visit flightpass.alaskaair.com to receive the promotional code. 

3.     Each promotional code applies only to qualifying subscription plans.    

4.     This offer is non-transferrable and may not be resold.   

5.     If your subscription is cancelled before the end of your subscription period for any reason, you agree that your credit card will be charged for the full value of the promotional discount you received.   

6.     If you violate any of the offer terms, the offer will be invalid.   

Alaska Airlines names new vice presidents to lead key business priorities

Following a year of record revenue, Alaska Airlines is strengthening its leadership bench to increase focus in key areas of strategic performance needed for the company’s continued growth. Spanning functions including investor relations, sales, network and revenue management, these leaders will be responsible for the direction of critical finance and commercial initiatives.

“I have had the privilege of working alongside each of these leaders for years,” said Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci. “Their expertise will be essential as they lead these core business priorities, and I’m confident they’ll keep pushing Alaska forward.”

Kirsten Amrine – VP, Revenue Management and Network Planning: As the vice president of revenue management and network planning, Amrine will set Alaska’s long-term strategy for strategic pricing and revenue management as well as establishing the vision and execution of a highly competitive network and schedule. Amrine joined Alaska Airlines in 2006 as an analyst and has held various roles in revenue management. Most recently, she served as the managing director of revenue management, guiding the company through the decline and resurgence of demand that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laurie Baur – VP, Tax: Baur is focused on providing strategic leadership for all areas of tax, including financial reporting and tax planning. After joining Alaska in 1992 as a senior tax accountant, Baur became the head of the tax department in 1995 and has served as the chair of the tax committee of Airlines for America (A4A). Baur most recently served as the associate vice president of taxes.

Brett Catlin – VP, Loyalty, Alliances and Sales: Catlin joined Alaska in 2017 as managing director of guest products and most recently served as vice president of network and alliances. In this expanded role of vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales, Catlin will now also be responsible for deepening corporate sales and agency relationships, growing the Mileage Plan program and co-brand portfolio, and building a world-class alliance proposition.

Ryan St. John – VP, Finance, Planning and Investor Relations: St. John oversees the execution of resource planning, financial planning, analysis, forecasting and investor relations. His team determines optimal staffing for all frontline workgroups and ensures Alaska maintains its industry-leading cost position. St. John joined Alaska in 2008 as a ramp operations policy and procedures specialist and most recently served as associate vice president of finance and resource planning where he led an overhaul and centralization of crew resource management and workforce planning.

Brooke Vatheuer – VP, Audit Programs: As the vice president of audit programs, Vatheuer is responsible for setting the strategic vision and leading enterprise-level audit and assurance programs. Her team provides independent, objective audit services for Alaska’s most complex and important business and operational processes. Vatheuer joined Alaska in 2007 as an internal auditor and has held various finance, strategy and operations roles at both Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines. Most recently, she served as the managing director of audit programs.

In addition to elevating leaders at Alaska Airlines, sister carrier Horizon Air has promoted a 22-year veteran to oversee finance functions.

BJ Colby – VP, Finance and Resource Planning: Colby will be responsible for financial operations, workforce planning, strategic planning and project execution. Colby also leads Horizon’s capacity purchase relationship with Alaska Airlines and led the company through the decision to transition to an all-Embraer fleet of E175 aircraft.

“BJ’s passion, financial and planning expertise, and more than 20 years of experience with Horizon Air are helping to position our regional airline for continued success,” said Horizon Air President Joe Sprague.  Colby joined Horizon in 2000 as a financial partner and has since held various roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, he served as the associate vice president of finance and resource planning.

Catch a sneak peek before the Big Game of Alaska Airlines’ new commercials featuring Tan France, Nick Cho + employees 

Being the most caring airline starts with employing first-class people who go the extra mile for every single guest. Every single day.

Sharon M., a lead customer service agent based in New Jersey, was among nearly two dozen employees selected to star in a series of TV commercials that will begin airing before Sunday’s big game on Feb. 12.

Sharon M., a lead customer service agent based in New Jersey, was among nearly two dozen employees selected to star in a series of TV commercials that will begin airing before Sunday’s big game on Feb. 12. 

“I get to represent a company, it’s tremendous,” she said. “I get to continue to live my dream. I cried.”

Sharon, a former radio host and current voice actor, was given a speaking part in the spot alongside celebrity fashion designer Tan France and TikTok creator Nick Cho.

As someone who has worked as a flight attendant, I know how difficult the job can be and have been so impressed with the Alaska Airlines team. Working with their employees was a joy. They are so attentive, thoughtful and were everything I have come to expect from Alaska.”

– Tan France

Our latest commercials promote the care and value we bring to our guests every day:

With the Alaska Airlines Visa® card, you + someone special can enjoy Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ to anywhere we fly – with no blackout dates – and no change fees.

☝🏼 Many of the people in this commercial—aside from Tan France—are Alaska employees.

Earn miles 30% faster on us compared to other U.S. airlines—and Alaska miles never expire.

The dream team

Our employees experienced a real-life Hollywood casting call when they auditioned for their parts, received call-backs and showed up on the day of filming at Mineta San Jose International Airport for hair, makeup and wardrobe.

“I think it’s great that Alaska asked us to be part of something so amazing,” said Sunny S., a customer service agent in San Jose who played an extra in the commercials. “We are employees, we are frontliners, we understand the airline industry. To have that moment to be in a commercial and to be asked by Alaska to do so, it was a warm feeling.”

Our employees are at the heart of our brand and it’s their remarkable, caring service that makes Alaska so special. We’re thrilled to have them be such a core part of our new commercials,” said Eric Edge, managing director for marketing and advertising at Alaska Airlines.

Ryan and Hikma on set with Tan & the team.

In his commercial debut Ryan D., a senior analyst on our strategic crew planning team, shared a meaningful moment with one of our flight attendants, played by Hikma S., when he signed: “Thank you.”

Ryan, who radiates kindness and is Deaf, says he was excited to learn “on-set” he would be given a bigger role than he was originally cast—one that fulfilled his desire to represent the Deaf community.

“The company really does care about the Deaf community and that’s very important to me. I think it was amazing to see actual employees in these commercials,” said Ryan. “It shows the company wants us to be a part of the brand and that’s really cool.”

Care shouldn’t be rare. 

At Alaska, we care wherever—and whenever—we can—for our guests, employees and communities.

Care includes having more nonstop flights from the West Coast than any other airline, while offering the most generous loyalty program in the skies.

It means keeping our earth healthy through sustainable practices and being the first U.S. airline to eliminate onboard plastic-use (shout out to Boxed Water™️ & our recent move to ditch plastic cups for good).

It means showing up for our guests in big and small ways to make their day. Care is reflected in everything we do, and we hope you see it for yourself. Share your stories with us on social using the hashtag #AlaskaCarelines.

From a space shuttle to a 737 – a pilot’s journey to Alaska Airlines

From an early age, newly minted Seattle First Officer, Nicholas Patrick always knew he wanted to fly. The UK native learned to fly in the Royal Air Force Reserve while studying engineering at Cambridge University.

His pursuits lead him to receive a PhD in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and he became a flight instructor. He moved to Seattle to work for Boeing in flight deck design.

In 1998, Patrick was selected by NASA to become an astronaut. He moved to Houston and trained for eight years, which included flying the T-38 in preparation for two space shuttle missions to the International Space Station.

I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or a test pilot,” Patrick said. “At the time, there were no British astronauts, so the U.S. was the logical place to pursue a career in space and aviation.”

NASA/Robert Markowitz

From space walks to spectacular views

One of Patrick’s motivations to pursue a career in space and aviation was his love of seeing the world from above. When asked about his favorite memories from his time as an astronaut, two memories immediately stood out. The first was when he saw his hometown from 250 miles above the Earth.

Patrick recalled, “a friend of mine called me up to Discovery’s flight deck: ‘hey Nick, you’ve got to get up here, we’re about to pass over England’. I floated up to the flight deck where my friend was looking out the window. There was England coming over the horizon. Even though it was night, you could see the layout of the lights. I could identify the big cities like London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Leeds. I could see a darker patch on the coast of Yorkshire where I was born. It’s quite moving to see the place you were born from off the planet.”

His second fond memory from space was performing a spacewalk on his second mission.

I had a couple of moments to myself before my next task and was holding on to the Space Station with one gloved hand on a handrail I had just installed when I looked down. All I could see was a bright yellow glow. It was as if someone had taken a big piece of gold and put a spotlight on it. Then, I realized we were over the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. It was the bright sunlight shining back up off the sand. It was spectacular!” said Patrick.

Alaska is his favorite airline (obviously!)

Patrick retired from NASA in 2012 to work for Blue Origin as the Senior Director of Human Integration and a Flight Director for the New Shepard sub-orbital launch program, which sent its first crewed mission to space in 2021. 

Patrick retired from NASA in 2012 to work for Blue Origin as the Senior Director of Human Integration and a Flight Director for the New Shepard sub-orbital launch program, which sent its first crewed mission to space in 2021.  A few months after that first crewed flight, Patrick directed the mission that sent actor William Shatner to space.

“I loved the goals and challenges at Blue Origin, but I realized the thing I enjoyed most about my job day-to-day was the operations side,” Patrick recalls.

When he started to think seriously about commercial aviation, Alaska was the clear choice because of our Seattle Hub and his previous guest experience flying with us. Patrick remembers the first time he flew with Alaska for work.

I realized that Alaska was the friendliest airline I’d ever flown,” Patrick fondly remembers. “Everyone was happy and helpful, and the standards were very high.”

He described a time he was walking through SeaTac after a flight home from the launch site. “I was lost in thought, when I heard somebody say, ‘can I help you?’ As I looked around, I realized it was an Alaska customer service agent asking me if I needed directions. I replied, no, but thank you very much.”

Patrick was amazed by the kind gesture and friendly smile he received, “they didn’t know whether I was flying with Alaska that day; they just wanted to help me. And I thought, you don’t see that very often.” Anyone who knows our employees, knows these moments of care are what make Alaska special.

Looking forward to joining our Alaska Pilots

As a new First Officer at Alaska, Patrick is looking forward to being part of a company that prioritizes safety and teamwork, as well as reliability and profitability. He looks forward to the fun challenge, learning more from peers and the pace of operations.

“From the training staff to the pilots I’ve met, people have been helpful and knowledgeable. It’s been a wonderful environment to learn in, especially since Alaska pilots place so much emphasis on mentoring,” Patrick noted.

As a new First Officer at Alaska, Patrick is looking forward to being part of a company that prioritizes safety and teamwork, as well as reliability and profitability. He looks forward to the fun challenge, learning more from peers and the pace of operations.

It’s clear from his excitement to get back to the skies and the familiar sights and sounds of a flight deck, it’s an environment he thrives in. “From seeing sunsets and sunrises from above to the muted roar of the engines and the hum of the air conditioning system – they’re all part of the experience of flying that I love.”

Alaska Airlines expands our San Diego network with new coast-to-coast nonstops

We’re adding nonstops to Washington, D.C. (IAD) and Tampa (TPA); guests can upgrade their cross-country flights with travel in our award-winning First Class and Premium Class cabins

We know keeping California connected is important. That includes offering our guests more convenient options to fly nonstop from coast-to-coast. As part of Alaska Airlines’ continuing commitment to Southern California, we’re adding new, daily nonstop flights between San Diego and both Washington, D.C. (IAD) and Tampa (TPA). Service to Washington, D.C. starts June 15, and service to Tampa begins on Oct. 5. We’re also adding new daily nonstop service between San Diego and Eugene, Oregon (EUG) on June 15.

Our guests in San Diego asked for more nonstops to the East Coast and we’re excited to add service to both the nation’s capital and to Florida’s vibrant Gulf Coast,” said Neil Thwaites, regional vice president of California for Alaska Airlines. “With convenient daytime schedules, award-winning service and a premium product offering, guests will arrive refreshed and ready-to-go.”

With the new routes to our network, we’ll serve 35 nonstop destinations from San Diego with the most nonstops of any airline. This includes flights to the Northeast, Northwest, throughout California, Mexico, Florida and to all four major islands in Hawaii, along with other locations.

All flights from San Diego offer a three-class cabin. Our guests in First Class and Premium Class enjoy early boarding and the most generous legroom of all domestic carriers. With our award-winning service, our First Class offers complimentary hot meals based on a seasonal menu with a range of fresh, bright West Coast-inspired flavors along with a variety of beverages. Flyers in Premium Class can also take advantage of complimentary cocktails, hand-selected wines and local beers.

Tickets for all flights can be purchased now at alaskaair.com. If you need to make alternate travel plans with us, there are no change fees to do that.

The announcement of new destinations on Alaska Airlines is a great way to start the year,” said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority President & CEO. “Our community benefits from the addition of flights to the East Coast and Pacific Northwest. We thank Alaska Airlines for the addition of these routes and their continued partnership at SAN.” 

New routes schedule for San Diego

Start DateCity PairDepartsArrivesFrequencyAircraft
June 15, 2023San Diego-Washington, D.C.8:00 a.m.4:10 p.m. Daily737-9
June 15, 2023Washington, D.C.- San Diego10:15 a.m.12:30 p.m.Daily737-9
Oct. 5, 2023San Diego- Tampa8:40 a.m.4:25 p.m.Daily737-9
Oct. 5, 2023Tampa- San Diego5:30 p.m.7:40 p.m.Daily737-9
June 15, 2023San Diego- Eugene, Oregon2:30 p.m.4:50 p.m.DailyE175
June 15, 2023Eugene, Oregon- San Diego11:30 a.m.1:50 p.m.DailyE175
All times local.

In California, Alaska operates over 330 peak day flights, including from our hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as other cities across the state including our key focus cities of San Diego and San Jose. As the only national airline based on the West Coast, we’ve proudly served our guests throughout California for more than 40 years. We also offer residents of California something unique: Flight Pass, our pay-by-month subscription service for flights throughout the state and to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Phoenix.

With the E175 flying Horizon’s future, we bid farewell to the Q400 

For Horizon Air Capt. Perry Solmonson, saying goodbye to the Q400 is bittersweet. The turboprop aircraft has played a pivotal role in his career since he joined the airline in 1989.  

Solmonson says his favorite part of flying the Q400 comes from his role as a check pilot – an experienced pilot who evaluates and certifies the knowledge and skills of other pilots. 

Horizon Air Capt. Perry Solmonson

Over the years, I witnessed so many extraordinary pilots who truly have the ‘touch’ with this airplane,” said Solmonson. “Horizon has some amazing aviators here. It’s a privilege to serve in an organization that attracts and retains such gifted pilots, a legacy I know we’re continuing on the E175.”   

The Embraer 175 jet or E175 is now the sole aircraft flown at Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines’ long time regional airline sister company, as we continue to modernize our fleet. The last commercial flight of the Q400 was on Jan. 26 between Spokane and Seattle – exactly 22 years after its first revenue flight for Horizon on Jan. 26, 2001. 

“We’re at a unique moment in time,” said Joe Sprague, president of Horizon Air. “With our shift to a single fleet of E175 jets, we’re laying a major new cornerstone of the foundation for our future.”   

Flying two smaller fleets of aircraft wasn’t sustainable or cost effective for Horizon. Two of everything was required: parts, tools, training programs and more. Aside from pilots, every workgroup needed to know two aircraft types. Moving to one fleet type allows us to better focus all of our resources, which is important during a time of unprecedented pilot attrition throughout the regional airline industry.   

Yesterday, the Q400 took its last commercial flight between Spokane and Seattle. 

The E175 jet is efficient and much quieter than the turboprop, plus it flies faster. It’s well suited for small and developing markets in our network across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.  

Our guests tell us again and again they enjoy flying the E175.

If you haven’t flown it yet, its benefits might surprise you: 

  • The jet aircraft has three classes of service, just like our 737s 
  • Our elite members can enjoy upgrades to First Class and Premium Class 
  • All seats are window or aisle – there are no middle seats 
  • There are larger overhead bins than the Q400 for stowing carry-ons 
  • There’s inflight entertainment with more than 800 free movies and TV shows to watch on your personal devices 
  • There’s Wi-Fi connectivity on board, and we’ll begin upgrading to streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi on the jets starting in early 2024

Horizon currently flies 33 E175s with more on the way. By the end of 2023, we’ll have 41 jets and by the close of 2026 we’re scheduled to have 50 of them. 

“We’re nimble and we respond to changes quickly,” he said. “Horizon has succeeded at this for 41 years and I know we’ll continue that going forward.”  

With the transition from the Q400 to the E175, Solmonson says Horizon just keeps getting better.   

Alaska Air Group delivers strong fourth quarter 2022 and full-year results

Delivered industry-leading full-year adjusted pretax margin of 7.6%;
Record annual revenue of $9.6 billion, up 10% versus 2019;
Employees hard work recognized with performance-based bonuses totaling 10.5% of annual pay

Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2022, and provided an outlook for the first quarter ending March 31, 2023.

2022 was a year of significant recovery and accomplishment for Alaska Airlines,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “Despite many challenges during the year, we ran one of the best operations, signed five new labor deals, and executed the majority of our single fleet transition. The results we posted today signal how well our teams are navigating this recovery. I want to thank our employees for their commitment to our success, and for the work they do every day to take great care of our guests. I am confident that we are well positioned to grow, compete and out-perform in 2023.”

Financial Results:

  • Reported net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of$22 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, and $58 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 of $18 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, and $478 million, or $3.77 per diluted share.
  • Reported net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $118 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, and $556 million, or $4.35 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and net loss for the full year 2021, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $31 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, and $256 million, or $2.03 per share.
  • Recorded $257 million of incentive pay in 2022 earned by employees for meeting or exceeding profitability, safety and emissions targets. The payout is the richest in the 20-year history of the plan, representing nearly six weeks of pay for most employees.
  • Recorded $2.5 billion in operating revenue for the fourth quarter, resulting in $9.6 billion in operating revenue for the full year 2022, the highest annual total in company history.
  • Received nearly $1.5 billion in annual cash remuneration under the renewed co-brand credit card arrangement with Bank of America, the highest level in the program’s history.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity:

  • Announced plans to resume share repurchases in early 2023 to offset annual dilution. Repurchases are expected to range from $75 million to $100 million in 2023.
  • Ended the quarter with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 49%, within our target range of 40% to 50%.
  • Repaid $52 million in debt in the fourth quarter, bringing total debt payments to $385 million for the full year 2022.
  • Held $2.4 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Dec. 31, 2022.

Fleet Updates:

  • Retired ten Airbus A320 aircraft and nine Q400 aircraft during the fourth quarter. All remaining A320 aircraft have since been retired and all remaining Q400 aircraft will be retired by the end of January 2023.
  • Amended a previously existing aircraft purchase agreement with Boeing to convert 52 737 MAX aircraft options to firm purchases for delivery between 2024 and 2027. Alaska also added an incremental 105 delivery positions to purchase 737 MAX aircraft between 2026 and 2030.
  • Received four 737-9 aircraft during the quarter, bringing the total 737-9 fleet to 37.
  • Received three E175 aircraft during the quarter, bringing Horizon’s total E175 fleet to 33.

Other Operational Updates:

  • Partnered with Lyft to offer Mileage Plan members one mile for every $1 spent on all Lyft rides in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Added a new Mileage Plan partner, Mokulele Airlines, to offer guests more convenient connections within the Hawaiian Islands, starting in early 2023.
  • Launched the first U.S. electronic bag tag program, enabling guests to tag their luggage through the airline’s mobile app before they reach the airport.
  • Opened the renovated C Concourse Lounge in Seattle, the first of several investments that will improve the lounge experience with more seating and food and beverage choices for guests in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Environmental, Social and Governance Updates:

  • Donated a retired Q400 to the Portland Community College Foundation, providing students of the Aviation Maintenance Technology and Aviation Science programs the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on a commercial aircraft.
  • Completed the transition to paper cups for inflight beverages, which will replace more than 55 million plastic cups each year with a more sustainable alternative.
  • Donated 55 million miles to 20 different charities through Alaska’s Care Miles program in 2022.
  • Created a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Disability Office dedicated to ensuring Alaska becomes a leader in disability inclusion.

Tune in:

A conference call regarding the fourth quarter results will be streamed online at 8:30 a.m. PDT on January 26, 2022. It can be accessed at www.alaskaair.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call.

Full earnings financial data:

Statistical data, reconciliations of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, further details regarding results and a glossary of financial terms can be found in our Earnings Release as filed with the SEC.

View full earnings financial data

Alaska Air Group announces webcast of fourth-quarter 2022 financial results

Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss 2022 fourth quarter financial results at 11:30 a.m. EDT/ 8:30 a.m. PDT, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.  A webcast of the call will be available to the public at www.alaskaair.com/investors. An archive of the call will be posted on the website later that morning.

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