If you’re ditching alcohol for “Dry January,” a popular trend where you abstain from alcohol during the first month of the year — or not — we’re sharing some of our favorite mocktail recipes we’ll still be using way past January! Enjoy these non-alcoholic beverages on your next flight or when you pop into some of our lounges all month long and beyond.
Depending on what you’re looking for, many of these canned mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits taste and look like the real deal.
Onboard your flight:
Sparkling mocktail anyone?
Create your own non-alcoholic flavored sparking water or tonic! Order a sparkling water or tonic water and add in some citrus flavor with one of three true citrus flavors including lemon, lime and grapefruit for a refreshing sparkling mocktail.
Looking for something comforting to sip on during your flight?
Order a Teavana Mint Majesty. It’s free of caffeine and full of soothing mint flavor.
Want something smooth & sweet?
Try a can of coke over ice with creamer.
In the lounge:
“Cranberry Mule”
Ginger Beer, Cranberry Juice, Garnish with Lime | Recommended by lounge team @ LAX and PDX.
“Resolution Solution”
Pomegranate Syrup, Sparkling water and sugar | Recommended by our lounge team @ ANC.
“Frostbite”
White Grape Juice, Pineapple, Lime, Garnish with Blueberries | Recommended by our lounge team @ PDX.
“The JFK Dream”
Sour Mix, Pineapple Juice, Pomegranate mix and a splash of soda | Recommended by our lounge team @ JFK.
Cranberry “Sangria”
Cranberry Juice, Ginger Beer, Lemon Lime and Orange | Recommended by our lounge team @ SEA.
“Shirley Ginger”
Lime juice, grenadine, ginger beer & splash of club soda (left).
“Cucumber Cooler”
Muddled cucumber, lime juice, simple syrup & club soda (right).
Are just some of our favorites @ SFO Lounge.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic beer, we have those too—like the Clausthaler (pictured above at our) at our SFO Lounge—check out more n/a beers below:
Brooklyn Brewery
Non-Alcoholic Special Effects: Hoppy Amber, IPA and PILS | Recommended by lounge team @ JFK.
Athletic Brewing Co.
Non-Alcoholic Run Wild IPA| Recommended by our lounge team @ SEA.
Athletic Brewing Co. Non-AlcoholicLiteand Sam Adams Just the HazeNon-Alcoholic IPA | Recommended by our lounge team @ ANC.
Alaska Airlines named official airline of Portland Trail Blazers
Alaska Airlines announced an expanded partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers organization, which includes being named the official airline of the NBA team. Portland is a crucial part of Alaska’s future, operating as a key West Coast hub where they serve the most nonstop cities of any airline.
The expanded partnership means Trail Blazers fans will see a lot more of Alaska during games and outside of basketball. Elements of this expanded partnership include sponsorship of Moda Center Theater of the Clouds, presenting “The Trail” docuseries that will soon be available in-flight, expansion of the popular “Wear in the World” promotion, new in-game features and social programs.
“Being a part of the Portland community for so many years is something we greatly value,” said Eric Edge, managing director of marketing and advertising. “Between our loyal guests and the thousands of our employees who live and work in Portland, we’re dedicated to creating strong connections with organizations throughout the region. We believe that sports can strengthen a community, and we look forward to seeing all the exciting things we can do together with the Trail Blazers.”
“We are thrilled to name Alaska Airlines the official airline of the Portland Trail Blazers,” said Andrea Bailey, EVP & Chief Revenue Officer, Portland Trail Blazers. “Alaska is a leading brand in Portland and has continuously invested in the Portland community. We’re excited to partner with them on various initiatives including bringing our fans closer to the team via the new docuseries, The Trail.”
Alaska Airlines in Portland
Throughout the year, we offer up to 105 daily flights from Portland to 45 cities across North America, the most of any airline. Guests can also reach hundreds of international destinations through our fellow oneworld member airlines and additional global partners – including destinations like Reykjavik, Iceland and London, England nonstop from Portland. Over the next three years, Alaska plans to invest in a new terminal and lobby at Portland International Airport as well as a new 10,000 square foot flagship lounge.
Q&A with SFO-featured Artist Anne Neely about sustainability: responsibility and stewardship for the next generation
What do an airline and an artist have in common? A desire to keep growing, learning, and creating paths to keep the places we love beautiful and be more sustainable for the long term.
A powerful painting in blues and greens called Offshore by Artist Anne Neelyis proudly displayed in Alaska’s San Francisco airport lounge, inviting guests and employees to take a moment to reflect on our collective responsibility to live and fly more sustainably.
It is an honor to host this piece, a symbol of our commitment to making our business and industry more sustainable, to care for our guests and the places where we live and fly for the long term. Alaska is on a path to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, a path that will require us to listen, learn, collaborate and create new solutions for the future.
Anne’s work is about sparking conversation and reflection; we sat down with her to discuss her focus on water and our work on sustainability.
Diana: Could you talk about your journey as an artist and how you came to this work?
Anne: Growing up, I spent much of my time in the natural world. The wonderment I felt grew into visual expression and I became a landscape painter. About 2000, I started living on the coast of Maine and became acutely aware of the daily changes in water – levels, temperatures, currents. My paintings began to tell a story about water, and through color and mark making, I created a visual imaginative language. My hope is that these paintings will awaken the viewers’ curiosity to think about water differently.
Diana: What led you to focus your work on water and climate issues?
Anne: Marq De Villiers’ book, “Water, Our Precious Resource” was pivotal and introduced me to ideas which captured my imagination, like underground aquifers, foreign to us visually.
Water is a living force – it has moods with the weather, tides, waves and river currents that keep it in constant motion. Living with water – next to, surrounded by, always dependent on it – makes one aware of both its power and fragility, a very humbling concept.
I have always been interested in the interconnectedness of all things that science seeks to understand but, for me, the difference is, through my paintings, I try to reveal the unseen and the wonder of the universe that engages me, especially the critical role water plays.
Diana: What is your hope for this painting?
Anne: Painting, for me in general, is to experience an issue or an idea and transcend it visually into an experience for the viewer. It’s not about the literal picture, and it is not a decorative object but a place to discover something, explore and learn from it.
In Offshore, there is both beauty and foreboding. My hope for this painting is that the viewer will be taken, perhaps in a moment of reverie, by the scene’s beauty, and imagine what is happening, and think about their responsibility and stewardship.
In my work on water and climate, there is a balance, often fragile, of beauty and a problem we must consider. I appreciate that Alaska recognizes its responsibility as a company and as people. I am grateful to see flight attendants sorting the recycling and working to reduce waste. That’s just one example. But we also need new solutions to tackle the challenges facing our climate to mitigate some of the human impacts on our planet for future generations.
We are so often busy in life – we don’t have time to let our minds wander. But sitting in the airport, we do have a few minutes. We are in between things. So, I hope people will take a few minutes to get in touch with their imagination, to wonder what this painting means to them.
A note from Diana:
When I was younger and actively painting myself, I came across a quote by artist and dancer Agnes DeMille that resonated with me. She said, “living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what’s next or how … The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after a leap in the dark.”
Art prompts us to expand our thinking – to imagine and discover new possibilities. That is also needed on the path to net zero. Solutions like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to decarbonize aviation are known and proven by partners like SkyNRG, Neste, and others – but there is not enough available. Further action and expansive thinking, and significant support from public policy, are required to reduce cost and scale supply. Other, newer like electrified aircraft, fuel produced from recaptured carbon dioxide, and removing carbon from the atmosphere are also needed – and at greater scale. We’re grateful to partners like ZeroAvia, Twelve, and others we connect with through our venture arm, Alaska Star Venture, who’re working to bring new innovations to life.
Diana and Anne with Neely’s “Offshore” at Alaska’s San Francisco Lounge.
Anne Neely continues to make and share her art from her studios in Boston and in Jonesport, Maine. She has won multiple awards for her work and worked in artist residencies in the United States and Europe. Her work can be found in the collections of The National Gallery in Washington DC, The Whitney Museum and the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, and numerous others. She also taught art to high school students from 1974 to 2012. About her painting style, Neely wrote in 2014: “The marks help define the passage of time in both the work and in the course of making it.” Learn and see more of the artist’s work at anneneely.com.
Alaska Airlines plans to hire more than 3,500 employees in 2023
If you’ve ever thought about working for an airline, 2023 might be your year. Alaska Airlines is announcing plans to hire more than 3,500 new employees this year in a variety of roles and functions. As we continue to grow and bring dozens of new airplanes into our fleet, we need thousands of people to join the Alaska family.
From maintenance technicians to contact center agents, flight attendants to pilots, customer service agents to software engineers, we will have jobs available for anyone who wants to be part of our team.
Most of the new jobs are based at our hubs in Seattle and Portland, as well as locations up and down the West Coast. Benefits like the ability to work from home and flexibility of schedules are also available with some roles. Many of the positions do not require previous airline experience, so it’s the perfect time to try a new career. The openings will be posted at careers.alaskaair.com throughout the year.
It’s an exciting time to join our team, and we’re eager to welcome more great people to Alaska,” said Andy Schneider, senior vice president of people at Alaska Airlines. “We offer a wide variety of positions, and we pride ourselves on nurturing talent and providing opportunities to learn new skills and move into new, challenging roles. Come join our winning team!”
Here’s a look at the approximate number of new hires for each role we’ll be looking to fill this year.
550 Pilots
1,000 Flight Attendants
1,000 Customer Service Agents
100 Ramp Service Agents
240 Contact Center Agents
135 Maintenance Technicians
500 Management
3,525 Total Employees
Why work for Alaska?
Creating an airline people love starts with our commitment to creating an airline where kind, remarkable and hardworking people can love what they do and who they work with. The work is exciting, we support each other and operate as one team, and you can travel the world. It’s unlike any other work environment.
We provide travel privileges to explore and connect with family and friends; competitive pay and unique bonus programs to reward you when the company does well; and strong benefits for your health and wellness.
We commit to providing career development in an inclusive workplace where you can grow your career. Many of our management employees began their careers in frontline positions and then took an opportunity to move into a supervisor or corporate role. The opportunities are endless.
Whether you’re thinking about traveling to a beloved spot or finally checking off a bucket list destination, the question is not whether to take a trip, but rather where to go. We’ve got just the places for you to visit this year and the best way of getting you there!
Austin, Texas
Austin is packed with things to do like paddling next to the magnificent city, live music, outstanding places to eat, and enjoying its general weirdness.
With a growing list of spots to grab a bite, entertainment and more, El Paso is worth getting to know. It’s also a gateway to some pretty cool places, just under four hours, including White Sands National Park, Big Bend and Marfa, an eccentric small town, known for its art installations like Prada Marfa and mysterious lights at night.
Don’t miss spring’s wildflowers in Grand Teton National Park and hit the slopes at nearby ski resorts open November-April, best ski days tend to be February-March.
Located in southern Oregon, Medford has many paths to take to adventure from excursions down the Rogue River to sights at Crater Lake National Park and it’s also a great starting point to drive the scenic highway to the Redwood Forest.
Sitka has dozens of superb hiking trails in the Tongass National Forest that offer unique opportunities to spot eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of “wild” Alaska, it’s actually the largest national forest in the United States.
For some of the best epic fluffy powder runs for downhill skiing and snowboarding, head to Steamboat Springs from November to April, with the best time usually being right after the holidays and February through mid-March.
Zihuatanejo or Zihua — as the locals call it — is where you go to unwind when you want to leave the world behind for a bit. It’s a sleepy off-the-beaten-path beach town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast full of sea life, pristine beaches and serene views.
Alaska Air Group subsidiary Horizon Air has named 27-year industry veteran Jason Berry as senior vice president of operations.
Berry rejoins Alaska Air Group after two years as vice president of cargo at Air Canada.
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Jason back,” said Horizon Air President Joe Sprague. “Adding talented operational leaders like Jason is great for our business and it’s important for our long-term success at Horizon and Alaska. On a personal level, he is a fantastic person, he ‘gets’ Horizon and he knows our culture, and I’m excited to work with him again.”
Jason Berry returns to Alaska Air Group as Horizon Air’s senior vice president of operations.
Horizon Air has a reputation for operational excellence and led the regional industry for schedule completion rate in 2022.
In 2019 and 2020, Berry served as president of Alaska Airlines’ wholly owned subsidiary McGee Air Services, where he was president with oversight for all aspects of aviation services ground handling, aircraft grooming, airport mobility services, check-in and gate services.
From 2012 until June 2019, he led Alaska Air Cargo with direct responsibility for all aspects of cargo operations and compliance including revenue growth.
In 2022 he was named Air Cargo World’s “Executive of the Year.”
Berry graduated from Central Washington University and earned an Executive MBA at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.
Our operations are back to normal after winter wallops. To our guests: Thank you for your patience
WEATHER UPDATE: In the wake of the winter storms, our operations have returned to normal across our network. We continue to help our guests with travel arrangements for flights that were canceled over the past week and a half, including booking them on other airlines to get them to their destinations. To make traveling less burdensome for those looking to book new flights in the wake of weather disruptions, we have lowered our fares in select cities.
For guests whose travel was affected by winter weather, refunds and reimbursemetns are available. Learn more here.
Generally, freezing rain is more challenging than snow and causes airline operations to slow down significantly or even halt completely until weather conditions improve. Aircraft must be completely clear of ice or snow to maintain the aerodynamic integrity and be safe for flight. It generally takes longer to clear an aircraft of ice than it does to clear it of snow.
While it is never our goal to disrupt someone’s flight, especially around the holidays, the safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority. If you are traveling this week, we encourage you to check the status of your flight before heading to the airport and take advantage of our flexible travel waiver, which has been extended and now includes Portland and Seattle, to rebook your travel.
Here’s what to do if your flight is impacted and a look at our strategy to fly in winter weather:
Should your flight cancel, you can rebook your trip online or on Alaska’s app
If your flight is impacted for any reason, you should receive a notification from our team and an accommodation on a new flight if flights are available. If you need to make further changes, you can use our app or go online to rebook your travel.
Should you wish to hold the value of your ticket(s) and decide to move your trip to a future date, you may place the value of your ticket in your Mileage Plan Wallet for future use or request a full refund by viewing our refund options.
Sometimes things like winter weather force you to adjust your travel plans. In those instances, we have a flexible travel policy you can use to waive the difference in the price of a new ticket (rules apply) and as always, we don’t charge change fees. Learn more
Download Alaska’s app
Our app is the perfect tool to have on hand when you fly with us. You can use it to check in, pay for bags and stay up to date on any changes to your reservation—it’s like having a travel agent at your fingertips.
Pro-tip: Turn on app notifications to get alerts from us + retrieve your boarding pass in one easy swipe on your home screen.
Sign up for flight notifications
Stay in the know by signing up for flight notifications via text or email. Unless otherwise noted, we will use your primary email address linked to your reservation for all communications.
If you’re using the app, be sure to refresh your reservation frequently and check your messages!
Call us, if you can’t rebook online
While we understand your first reaction might be to call our reservations team when your flight has been canceled, we’ve found you can save time by rebooking your trip online or on our app.
If your flight is impacted, you should receive a priority phone number to call via email if you’d like to discuss alternate options with one of our reservation agents—who are a constant and dependable source of reassurance and help when you need it most.
For all other reservation questions, guests can call 1 (800) 252-7522.
Why do the impacts feel worse in Seattle?
Seattle is Alaska’s hometown, and our operations represent the largest percentage (by a wide margin) of departures and arrivals at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) compared to other airlines. Because of this, more of our guests are impacted when something impacts operations at Seattle. If another airline’s main hub got hit with a snowstorm, hurricane or power outage, they would be disproportionately impacted.
For context, SEA has a very small footprint by acreage compared to other metropolitan airports. This constrains our ability to deice our entire schedule of flights in wintry weather. Because the space doesn’t allow for that type of volume, we have to thin out our schedule to keep planes moving.
December 20, 2022; de-icing winter operations in snow at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Why do we cancel flights before snow and ice arrives?
We use numerous tools and resources to help us predict the weather. When our forecasts tell us to expect snow or ice, we know we need to act. Freezing temperatures and precipitation mean that we need to deice our aircraft before they can safely fly (more info on that below). Much like putting chains or studded tires on your car before hitting a snowy road, deicing aircraft slows down our operation. This means we can’t move our normal number of aircraft into and out of the airport. In order to reduce traffic jams, we need to proactively cancel flights from our schedule so we can keep as many aircraft moving as possible.
If we need to cancel flights, we try and let impacted guests know as early as possible. This means it could look clear and beautiful outside, but your flight tomorrow may have been canceled.
Why does an airplane need to be deiced?
Whenever there’s any snowfall or ice on our aircraft, we begin deicing procedures as part of our safety protocol. Aircraft cannot safely operate if there is snow or ice accumulation on the wings or tails, so it’s critical that we remove it before takeoff.
We have a full fleet of trucks, equipment and personnel across our stations ready to do that work, along with a well-stocked amount of deicing solution. They work as quickly as the airport and weather conditions will safely allow. However, deicing aircraft at the gate can lead to longer wait times on the tarmac—but safety comes first.
📹 If interested in deicing b-roll, download it here.
December 20, 2022; SeaTac, WA | Photo by Joe Nicholson
Watch Alaska Airlines surprise college students with the “Gift of Travel” to fly home for the holidays
Alaska is making a difference in peoples’ lives this holiday season by giving back. From flying college students facing housing insecurity home for the holidays to our Pack the Plane efforts to stock the shelves of local food banks.
When Jaideven Tabios-Suesue moved away from the only place he’d ever called home to pursue “an opportunity of a lifetime” as a defensive back for the San Jose City College Jaguars – he knew it wouldn’t be easy.
He was more than 3,000 miles away from his 14 siblings and didn’t have the means to visit if he felt homesick let alone during school breaks.
This month, we surprised Jaideven and two of his teammates experiencing housing insecurity with the “Gift of Travel” for the holidays. The students were identified through our relationship with the San Jose Evergreen Community College District Foundation, a non-profit that supports student access and success through philanthropy.
“Hearing the exciting news that Alaska Airlines would be supporting three of our students faced with housing and financial challenges by flying them home to Anchorage and Boston to be with their families for the holidays was a tear-jerking moment.”
Rosalie Gutiérrez Ledesma, executive director of government and external affairs for San José and Evergreen Community Colleges.
Ledesma said 68% of the San José City College students who responded to a 2019 #RealCollege survey indicated they struggle with housing and 25% said they were experiencing homelessness without permanent housing.
Two San Diego State University students identified through Wesley House in San Diego were also surprised with flights to visit their families, including Carson Timar. The senior, who wants to be a high school teacher, said he didn’t have permanent housing for more than a year before finding affordable housing through Wesley House.
Before Timar moved from Dallas to San Diego, he had discovered a close family friend had taken his entire college savings.
“I was talking to my roommate about Christmas and got emotional because it was such a question mark and I wanted to see my mom,” he said. “Genuinely, it means so much.”
The “Gift of Travel” didn’t stop with flights for the students to visit their families. All five students were given $500 gift cards and $1,000 to put toward future rent. Alaska is also donating a total of $10,000 to the Wesley House of San Diego and and San José Evergreen Community College District Foundation to support the important work they do for our future generation.
We work and live in California and want to be part of the solution of helping the most vulnerable members in our community. Care is at the core of our DNA here at Alaska Airlines and giving back to our communities is one of the best ways we can demonstrate that care,” said Neil Thwaites, regional vice-president of California for Alaska Airlines.
About the students:
Jaideven Tabios-Suesue currently attends San José City College as a first-year student athlete. He and his 14 siblings were adopted by his grandparents in Anchorage, Alaska after his father was incarcerated and his mother left for another state. Jaideven is the first one in his family to pursue college and is earning straight A’s as a Business major. He hopes to transfer to San José State University in pursuit of being a Spartan on-and-off-the-field.
Jeremyah Rollins is a San José City College freshman and offensive lineman for the Jaguars, the school’s football team. The first person he wants to see when he returns home to Anchorage, Alaska is his mother, who raised him on her own. Jeremyah said his mother is his “everything” and the reason why he “is playing football today and in college.” When the family of one of Jeremyah’s teammates learned he couldn’t afford a place to live in the Bay Area, they opened their doors and welcomed him into their home. He hopes to soon find a job and afford a place of his own.
Larissa Chacon is a first-generation Latina student at San Diego State University and is in her third year as a sociology major with minors in Women Studies and Honors. The San Francisco native works two jobs in order to pay for her affordable housing unit through Wesley House. Larissa and her brother were separated from their mother at a young age before being reunited years later.
Mike Holt is a freshman is a San José City College freshman and a wide receiver for the school’s football team. He moved from Massachusetts and immediately found himself struggling to stay housed. He currently has several roommates and shares his room to be able to afford rent. He said that “moving across the country makes me miss my family and if I can see them, that’s all I would want for the holidays.”
Carson Timar is a San Diego State University senior where he is an English major. His dream is to become a teacher. He currently works as a Special Education Assistant at a local high school. Before Carson moved to California from Dallas, Texas — he learned a close family friend had taken his entire college savings. He experienced housing insecurity for more than a year before finding affordable housing through Wesley House.
Giving back this holiday season
We packed 36 planes with food for the hungry
When Alaska first started the Pack the Plane holiday food drive in 2009, the idea was to fill an entire virtual plane based on the weight of food and what a plane could hold. This effort grew over time to eventually include partnerships with local food banks as well as online donations. This year’s numbers are still coming in, but so far we’ve packed 36 airplanes, raised $171,000, worked 415 volunteer hours, and donated 6,400 pounds of food to 104 food banks across the cities where we fly.
We flew children to the North Pole
Our annual Fantasy Flight recently arrived at the “North Pole” to bring smiles and holiday cheer to dozens of Spokane-area children, many of whom live in shelters or transitional housing.
For most of the children on board it was their first time on an airplane. Flight 1225 (as in “Dec. 25”) departed Spokane, Washington for Santa’s hometown. Upon arrival, the children were treated to an elaborate party – a true winter wonderland! Hundreds of employees and family members volunteered as elves to make the experience special.
For children who don’t have much, the special treatment provides a momentary lift this time of year – and memories to last a lifetime.
Employees in Milwaukee and Fairbanks filled in for Santa
If you celebrate Christmas, writing letters to Santa feels exciting itself but imagine what a magical feeling it would be to get a reply! That’s what little ones who traveled through Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Wisconsin between Nov. 18 and Dec. 2 are experiencing this month.
During that week, travelers dropped letters to Santa with a list of wishes in a special red mailbox. From there, our Milwaukee station employees shipped the mail to our Fairbanks station, along with photos of a holiday trio of stuffed animal friends who watch over the special delivery.
In Fairbanks, Alaska, agents replied to every letter and, in partnership with the Milwaukee Airport, purchased gifts for the children who wrote to Santa and are mailing them each a surprise.
This joint effort between Alaska and the Milwaukee Airport called Letters to Santa started a few years ago and brings holiday joy to every season.
What is freezing rain and why is it so challenging for air travel?
Captain Bret Peyton is Alaska’s managing director of standards, fleet and operational control as well as the FAA-designated director of operations. He has been flying for Alaska for 22 years.
Captain Bret Peyton
As everyone at Alaska is working hard to get our guests to their holiday destinations, our forecasts are calling for freezing rain in the next few days. I want to explain why that’s so challenging for our operation.
First of all, safety is our highest value at Alaska Airlines, and we never operate a flight unless we know it’s completely safe.
Now to the freezing rain. Let me explain how freezing rain occurs and why it impacts our operation so much. Freezing rain occurs when warm, moist air overrides colder air at the surface. This is called a temperature inversion. The temperature inversion causes super cooled water droplets to adhere to any surface like an aircraft wing or even power lines and tree branches.
The effects of a freezing rain storm in 2012.
We’ve all seen those pictures of power lines with icicles on them. Can you imagine if that was an aircraft wing? Clearly, we cannot operate in those conditions.
Traditional deice methods can combat freezing rain, but only in light conditions. Moderate or heavy freezing rain produces conditions that are almost impossible for any airline to operate in.
Because the forecast is so variable over the next couple days, we’re unsure how much freezing rain we’re going to get in Seattle and Portland, but we do anticipate having at least some freezing rain in these two main hubs.
Our pilots at Alaska Airlines are very well-versed in operating in wintertime conditions, and we will not operate an aircraft unless it’s safe. Suffice it to say if the aircraft is moving, it’s safe to do so.
Be assured, everyone at Alaska Airlines wants to get you to your destination safely this holiday season. We’ll do everything in our power to get you where you need to go. In the meantime, keep your eye on the forecast, check on your flight before you leave for the airport, and take advantage of our flexible travel waivers if you can. From everyone at Alaska Airlines, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
Alaska’s Fantasy Flight brings out the kid in everyone and shows how kindness is the best gift of all
We only get so many opportunities in life to truly believe in magic.
This weekend, Alaska Airlines made us all believers! On Saturday, I suited up in my best elf attire to visit the “North Pole” on Alaska’s “Fantasy Flight,” which was filled with Santa’s helpers (like me) and more than 50 kids from local communities.
Before stepping foot in the Spokane Airport, I had no idea what to expect. As other volunteers added finishing touches to their hair and makeup, adjusting their badges with names like Jet, Aqua, Flash, Juggles, and Shorty, I overheard how life-changing this day is for so many people.
It’s “elf” me!👆🏿
You will never be the same after today, it will change you,” said a volunteer, many of whom have been part of this event for 10+ years and work for Alaska and Horizon Air.
When the kids arrived at the airport, they were greeted with applause and big hugs from us elves. Each young person had an elf assigned to them to help guide and walk them through the day. They were fitted with “I Believe” t-shirts, took pictures for their special North Pole passports, walked around meeting elves, and got their autographs. The airport lobby was filled with elves and the sounds of holiday music.
Although I couldn’t begin to imagine how it would affect me, I personally know how these moments can impact a child. As a kid born into the system and aged out of foster care, acts of kindness like this gave me hope during the holidays. They made me feel remembered and showed me a tiny glimpse of what I deserved from life, despite my circumstances.
As I walked around the gate, meeting everyone, signing special North Pole passports, and playing games, I met McKayla, a 7-year-old, big brown-eyed first-timer to the North Pole. We danced and laughed as she shared her love for gymnastics and her excitement about going to the North Pole with me and Tinsel Bell, her assigned elf. She’s always wanted to meet Santa and looked forward to getting on the big plane wrapped with a bow.
Me, McKayla and Tinsel Bell. Fantasy Flight was hosted on Alaska’s Gift of Travel Plane.
This is Flight Attendant Carole’s 15th year flying the Fantasy Flight.
One of Alaska’s most senior flight attendants, Carole S, welcomed everyone on board. She has never missed a Fantasy Flight—rumor has it, she even extended her 55-year career with the airline to take one final trip for its 15th-year milestone. She was so warm and kind, along with the rest of the crew who calmed any nervous flyers with special snowballs and goodies throughout the flight.
For many of the gleeful little ones, it was their first time on a plane, and best believe us, elves made sure they had the best trip possible.
Elves led in holiday songs, started snowball fights and constantly updated everyone on the position of Santa’s Sleigh as we navigated our way to the North Pole. When we landed and the doors flung open, we were greeted by a parade of elves, cheering and high-fiving, lining the walkway to a private hangar, a.k.a. ‘the North Pole.’
Kids jumped up and down, and the little girl in me squealed too! At that moment, I felt a little tap on the back of my arm. I turned around to see McKayla; she said, “I found you, I was looking for you the entire flight. We made it to the North Pole!” I high-fived her and said, “I was looking for you too, we made it!” At that moment I cried, I remembered my own journey to “the North Poles,” and I understood how magical that moment must have been for her.
Fantasy Flight means so much more than serving underprivileged kids and giving them a day of sugary snacks and gifts from Santa. It is a moment when kids who are often overlooked get a chance to be the focus of attention and experience what it means to have a moment in time to be celebrated simply for existing.
Shortly after arriving, Mrs. Claus met the children to ask if they knew why they had been invited to the North Pole. The kids looked around to see if anyone had the answer; she said that when she and Santa looked out over the night sky, they were the brightest stars of all. She said they had to get them to the North Pole to tell the kids just how special they were.
Each child had a moment with Mrs. Claus before meeting Santa. I found myself in tears (again) as I watched her speak with them. She was so present and connected; I could imagine what it felt like for them to have that special one-on-one time with so much happening around them. It was a tender moment I’ll never forget.
When it was time for McKayla to meet Santa, she asked both Tinsel Bell and I to join her. She found her name written boldly on the last page in Santa’s book. Moments later, the curtain was pulled back and she ran to greet him sitting atop his sleigh.
After telling Santa what she hoped to get for Christmas, he called her back to let her know he had something special for her. An elf pulled out an oversized sleigh bag, bigger than her, filled with toys handpicked with her in mind.
I followed McKayla and Tinsel Bell back into the workshop, where she began sorting the gifts in her bag. With each toy she pulled out, she gasped and yelled, “I always wanted one of these!” I cried watching her, remembering hopes and dreams in my own life and moments when they came to be. She looked at me and said, “you’re getting emotional. Why?” I told her I was just so happy that she got to meet Santa so he could see how special she was.
The night wrapped with everyone gathered around the fireplace as Santa and Mrs. Claus read aloud “The Polar Express” (one of my favorites). Each child was given a blanket and pillow to match their cozy jammies and their own copy of the book. At the end of the story, Mrs. Claus reminded us that magic will always exist as long as we believe, and each child was handed a special bell, like the boy in the story.
Fantasy Flight is a chance to be remembered, seen, and looked after by someone who truly cares about you. Although I wasn’t assigned a child of my own to escort as an elf, it was undeniable that McKayla and I were meant to find each other. She has my whole heart.
As I prepared to say goodbye to McKayla, I signed her passport booklet one more time with a special note, letting her know that she was the best part of my day. As I gave it back to her, she ripped her picture out of it, handed it to Tinsel Bell, then took her personal key to the North Pole and put it around my neck. She said, “I want you guys to have these to remember me. You were my most favorite part of this day.” I cried, again.
Me & McKayla
I hugged McKayla and told her never to forget the magic that lives within her — today was just a preview of all of the special moments that belonged to her. I told her to always look for the good things and believe that she is worthy and deserving of them and that I would always be thinking of her here at the North Pole until we found each other again.
We headed into the “Magic Transporter,” filled with fog and lights to sing one final chant that landed us back in Spokane, where an SUV-stretch limo was waiting to take McKayla and the other children safely back home. As we walked McKayla out, she blew kisses and waved until the doors shut and we stuck around to catch them all. Once she was gone, Tinsel Bell and I burst into tears, so thankful for what we had just experienced together. Filled with so many emotions, we walked back into the North Pole and hugged other elves to reminisce on what we had just witnessed.
At the beginning of the day, I couldn’t quite understand what made this flight so unique, but by the end, I fully understood. A little bit of magic exists in all of us. We just need to make space for it and to remember anything’s possible. Fantasy Flight helped me remember the power of magic and how acts of kindness, big or small, can be the best gift of all.
Yesterday, we hosted our first-ever “Flyer Forum” in Seattle to engage with Mileage Plan members about upcoming valuable oneworld benefits, new additions to our fleet, and innovations to improve our guest experience.
At the in-person event, hosted by Seattle Kraken Play-by-Play Announcer Everett Fitzhugh, our loyal guests heard from our President and CEO Ben Minicucci and a few of our Alaska leaders about what’s ahead in 2023 and beyond.
We wanted to do something different and special to deepen our connection with our most loyal guests,” said Alaska Air Group President and CEO Ben Minicucci. “This was about us sharing exciting things on the horizon and hearing how we can offer the best care now and for years to come.”
Last night’s event took place at a facility where we also host day-long retreats for our guest-facing employees with the goal of welcoming 13,000 employees through exercises that emphasize care.
1. We are growing with our largest aircraft order, ever.
2022 was a big year for Alaska and our regional partner, Horizon Air. We ratified 5 labor deals, announced the transition to a single fleet of aircraft and hired more than 6,000 new employees. By the first quarter of 2023, we’ll be back to 2019 flying levels and on-track for sustainable growth.
By 2026, we’ll have a fleet of more than 400 aircraft, and we’ll have one of the youngest fleets in the industry —the average age of our mainline and regional fleet is 9 years as of November 2022.
2. We are upgrading the airport experience.
Over the next 3 years, we’re investing $2.5 billion in overall improvements to enhance the airport experience within our hubs and focus cities, including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Alaska.
3. Our goal is to get you through the lobby in 5 min or less.
At Alaska, our goal is to have our guests get through the lobby in 5 min or less through innovative technology and self-serving tools like our electronic bag tag program and mobile app.
Print bag tags faster: We’ve launched electronic bag tags! This will allow guests to tag their bags before arriving to the airport by setting it up through the mobile app.
Automated bag drops: You won’t have to get in line to drop a bag. But our amazing agents will always be there to help.
Track your checked bags on our app: This is a feature that many guests have asked for. A lot of other airlines do it, but we’re going to go further, by adding the ability to keep tabs on your bags within our mobile app. Stay tuned!
4. oneworld elite benefits are worth crowing about. And soon you will be able to buy tickets with 10 global airlines on alaskaair.com.
If you’re a Mileage Plan elite, one of the best things about joining oneworld is that your elite status automatically carries over when you fly on other oneworld partners, a group of world-leading airlines with connections to more than 900 destinations in 170 territories. The more you fly with Alaska, the more benefits you’ll unlock on not only us, but internationally. Learn more.
Elite flyers can get priority check-in, access to preferred seating and priority waitlist when on standby, priority boarding, bonus miles and more depending on tier status. oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members can also access partner lounges when traveling outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.Soon, guests will be able to book travel on 10 oneworld airlines using alaskaair.com.
5. We’re committed to making care count.
We have survived and thrived for 90 years by creating value for everyone who depends on us – employees, guests, our stakeholders and our communities. Connecting with our guests at events like these is just one of the ways we are demonstrating care and making sure our amazing guests learn what we’re all about and the good work our employees are doing.
Care is more than our legacy. It’s also the key to our future. Working in some of the most unforgiving conditions in the world, we understand what matters most: keeping our guests and each other safe, doing what’s right and creating meaningful connections. As we continue to grow, we are committed to making care count.
CARE for our people. CARE for our planet. CARE for our guests.
Reasons why Alaska Airlines is taking the ‘ugly’ out of holiday sweaters
It’s that time of year again to look fly at every festive soiree with Alaska’s holiday sweater!
Fashion expert Tan France calls holiday sweaters “a win-win.” He insists they’re acceptable enough to transition from a daytime look to an after-hour happy hour event without drawing too much attention.
Take it from fashion expert Tan France who says: “holiday sweaters are the epitome of a win-win.” He insists they’re acceptable enough to transition from a daytime look to an after-hour happy hour event without drawing too much attention.
Here are some other reasons why we think ‘ugly’ sweaters should no longer get that wrap:
It’s giving ‘born to stand out.’
“You become pretty hard to miss when you have a sweater with such a great color scheme and all the retro vibes to go with it,” says Denise, a first officer for Alaska based in Seattle. “When choosing the perfect sweater, pick one with a motive that inspires or represents you. Just have fun with it!”
Even if you’re on mute, at least your outfit pops on camera.
Exhibit A:
Call it “festive” or “vintage” what matters most is how it makes you feel.
What I love about the sweater is how bright and comfortable it is. The style, designs and color just put you in the holiday spirit,” says Darren, one of our line aircraft technician trainers in San Francisco.
They’re soft, cozy and easy to pack.
“Alaska’s 2022 holiday sweater is a swanky design blending fashion and holiday fun. Roll your sweater loosely in tissue paper and tuck in a candy cane or two,” says Matthew, an Alaska flight attendant in San Diego. “To find the best one, look no further than the 2022 Alaska Holiday sweater. Perfect for everyone on your list. Pro tip: purchase one size larger for extra comfort.”
It goes great with a French tuck.
Holiday sweaters have become a style all on its own. It’s a great way to block out the winter blues and add some fun and flare at any age,” says France.
They never go out of style.
Snag this year’s Alaska Airlines sweater & perfect gifts for the travel lover in your life
This year’s festive threads should make you feel extra cozy as temperatures drop. Our design is a throwback to a classic and features Alaska’s signature snow planes and other festive décor. You can purchase Alaska’s holiday sweater and other unique airline swag online or at our company store, located in SeaTac, Wash.
