Alaska Airlines adds co-branded IPA to premium beverage line-up

Two beloved Pacific Northwest brands come together to create the ‘Cloud Cruiser,’ a co-branded IPA now being served 30,000+ feet in the air and in select Lounges

Alaska Airlines is now serving its first-ever custom craft beer brewed for the carrier by Seattle-based Fremont Brewing. Alaska’s newest IPA will be offered complimentary in First and Premium Class, for purchase in the Main Cabin and served in select Lounges. 

The ‘Cloud Cruiser’ is the result of two beloved and popular Pacific Northwest brands coming together to create a top-tier beverage to add to our premium line-up,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines managing director of guest products. “The only place in the world you’ll be able to find this one-of-a-kind craft beer is if you’re flying on Alaska or in one of our lounges. We have already received feedback from the first guests to taste our new premium West Coast product who say they can’t wait to fly us again and order another can of ‘Cloud Cruiser.’”   

Fremont Brewing, which crafts small batch artisan beers in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle using the very best local ingredients, worked closely with Alaska to produce a variety of blends to taste test 30,000 feet in the air before both companies chose the bright orange, melon and tropical notes of the brewery’s India pale ale. 

“‘Cloud Cruiser’ IPA is brewed with a select blend of malts and Washington grown to stay fresh in the air with you,” said Matt Lincecum, Fremont Brewing’s Founder and Owner. “Fremont craft ‘Cloud Cruiser’ using years of experience providing beer to Alaska’s flights across the country. Brewed Fresh to be Brought Fresh to you. Because Fresh Beer Matters!” 

The uniquely designed can showcases an Alaska Airlines 737-8 MAX soaring among the clouds above a retro-inspired backdrop of snow-capped mountains, trees and water synonymous with Washington state.  

Alaska and Fremont creative artists worked collaboratively from brainstorming ideas for the co-branded can to the final drawing board. 

“The collaboration between Alaska and Fremont is not just about the artwork on the can, it is the story of two Seattle-based brands that share common values, coming together to create a remarkable product we hope brings a smile to our guests who drink it,” said Jonny Mack, Alaska’s studio creative manager.

“We felt that a national park inspired design with one of our aircraft, in Alaska colors, speaks to our roots in the Pacific Northwest. The creativity and thoughtfulness that went into the design of this can is just another example of bringing to life our value of ‘Being Remarkable.’ It’s amazing to be part of an Alaska Air first and I’ll raise a can of ‘Cloud Cruiser’ to many more!” said Mack.

Download media kit for images

Meet the Artists

Jonny Mack

Jonny Mack leads The Studio and has worked at Alaska Airlines since 2017. His most recognized work includes the design of several of our famous holiday sweaters and more than 20 special liveries to name a few. Among his favorite is the “Our Commitment” aircraft, which features the profiles of the next generation of leaders: the children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska’s employees. Jonny’s son is among those faces.

“Every single day, I am excited by the work that I get to do and the impact it has on our guests,” said Mack. “It’s really amazing to be part of an Alaska Air first. I’ll raise a can of ‘Cloud Cruiser’ to many more!”

Dan Stuckey

Dan Stuckey grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Seattle. As luck would have it, his neighbor was starting a brewery and the rest is history. Dan currently lives in California with his wife and children. 

“It was a pleasure collaborating with the Alaska Airlines team to develop the Cloud Cruiser can—representing the iconic Alaska Airlines plane and logo in the sunset sky against the background of the Cascade Mountain range—we had fun using every color we could squeeze onto this can,” said Dan Stuckey, Fremont Brewing Graphics Manager. 

From dream to reality: Line aircraft technician trainer forges path in aviation

Watch video👇🏼

Photos & video by Ingrid Barrentine

Darren, an Alaska Airlines line aircraft technician trainer based in San Francisco, was introduced to the airline industry by his mom, who served as a flight attendant.

“Being exposed to airplanes at a very young age, and being able to fly and go on trips was just amazing,” said Darren.

His mother introduced him to the joy of travel, often bringing him along on layover trips. He credits her for igniting his passion for aviation.

“I love airplanes, just seeing them every day, being able to touch them, and to allow others to realize that there’s many opportunities with Alaska.” 

Darren knew he wanted to work for an airline after growing up in Florida. “I got tired of the heat and was like ‘I’m out.” After studying Aeronautics at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Darren started his career as a Maintenance Technician with Virgin America.

A year and a half later, he became part of the Alaska family through the merging of the two companies. After a few years in a technician role, he saw an opportunity to grow into a training role.

It’s been a nice ride being able to see the difference in people that come through and the impacts I’ve been able to make with them as a trainer … a few coworkers have told me they will never forget the way I made them feel, and how much effort and work I put into them,” he said. 

In his spare time, Darren doesn’t stray far from aircraft. In addition to his maintenance career, he is also pursuing his private pilot license.  There have been bumps along the way personally and financially, but he doesn’t let it stop him. If there’s one thing Darren will say about himself, it’s that he is determined and ambitious.

The fact that he was born with mild to severe hearing loss has not held him back in his pursuit of excellence in his career. Often, people don’t realize that he has hearing loss, but he certainly doesn’t shy away from letting people know.

“I always share that because that’s part of me,” said Darren. “Just because I have a disability doesn’t mean that you need to avoid or feel like we can’t communicate.” 

Darren is not one to shy away from a challenge and acknowledges that he often must work harder than most given his circumstance.

“I have felt overlooked at times in my life because of my disability, and not given a chance. So, when I sense that, or feel it indirectly, it tells me I’m just going to have to go above and beyond, which I always do,” he says. 

There can be many misconceptions about working with someone with a disability, but Darren says he has a team that surrounds him with support and care.

“My co-workers … I cannot be thankful enough for the support they give and being able to depend on them, and they can depend on me,” he said. “Those friendships are lasting because there are things I’m always going to remember from my time here at Alaska.” 

 “I am a hard worker, and I am ambitious. And I belong in Alaska.”

– Darren, Alaska Airlines line aircraft technician trainer, SFO

“I Am …” at Alaska Airlines

Our “I Am…” Campaign kicked off in January to celebrate Heritage Months and the diversity of our employees. Keep an eye out for the “I Am…” logo throughout the year to read their inspiring stories.

We’re sharing Darren’s story in honor of Black History Month, which starts February 1 through March 1. At Alaska, we believe Black History Month is an opportunity to look back and to look forward – to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to recognize how much work we have left to do.

Love is in the air: Couple gets married on an Alaska Airlines flight, sparking countless love stories 

This Valentine’s Day, we popped a question to our guests: “Has Alaska ever played a role in your love story?” And so many of you said YES! Check out some of the stories we received below.

Saying “I do” at 30,000+ feet 

It’s not every day you witness a wedding on a flight, but if you were on Cydne & Grant’s flight to from Portland to Las Vegas last October, you did!

When planning their wedding, the adventurous couple tried to meet their friends & family in the middle of Portland and Salt Lake City. They decided on a reception in Vegas and a sky-high wedding. Cydne admits she jokingly brought up the idea, “why don’t we get married on an airplane?” Her then-fiancé, Grant, LOVED it.  

“After shocking all the Customer Care employees at Alaska with our idea, we finally got an answer, ‘yes we can do it—but we have to choose a flight long enough to have time to stand and get the pilots okay when we arrive.’ We held our breath for the day in hopes of good weather and the pilots’ final okay.”

While weddings on our aircraft aren’t a regular occurrence, our crew went above & beyond to create an unforgettable experience for Cydne, Grant, and their loved ones on their special day.

As nervous as we were for the unknown, the flight and ceremony were perfect. It could not have gone better! We are so thankful for Alaska and all they did for us that day. We continue to fly Alaska everywhere—they will forever be special to us. I already have 3 trips planned this year on Alaska!” 

– Cydne

Together, their wedding party was about 30 people. Grant and Cydne enjoyed First Class, both for the first time! Her kids were seated in Premium, right behind them so they could still see them and have them close during the ceremony.  

“We had one of our best friends, who is ordained, marry us. I walked down the aisle of First Class, and we said our vows where First Class meets Premium,” she said. “When we landed in Vegas, we were escorted by an Alaska employee who took our group through the airport down to baggage claim where Alaska had a sign and gifts waiting for us. We posed for pics with the flight crew and station employees.” 

Photos by EMJ PHOTOGRAPHY

Going the distance.

Alaska Airlines made our long-distance relationship possible! I live in California and my boyfriend lives in Oregon- thanks to Alaska we’ve been able to see each other almost every other weekend. After a year of long distance, we’re finally moving in together. Thank you, Alaska! ❤️ 

– Jenefer

A quick connection.

I was heading home after visiting my parents in Spokane when I noticed a handsome stranger sitting in the waiting area for my short flight to Seattle. When we boarded, he was one row up and across the aisle from me. His friends were seated directly across the aisle from me and started asking about the book I was reading. Eventually, the handsome stranger turned around and started asking me questions and we totally hit it off. We talked for the rest of the flight about skiing, the Pacific Northwest, and my recent relocation to DC.

When we landed in Seattle, he asked me to lunch. He is now my husband of twelve years, and we have three sons. We would like to say that our first date was at the SeaTac C gates. 

– Katherine

Nothing’s better than an airport hug.

My now husband and I first started dating when we lived in Seattle. When we met, he was going to be moving to Chicago to finish school, so our time was meant to be short. However, our love blossomed and after a couple of months, we decided to give long distance a try. Alaska ferried each of us back and forth each month for alternating Chicago & Seattle visits. Alaska is absolutely a part of our love story—sitting on board in sheer excitement and anticipation waiting to see each other is an amazing memory and part of our budding romance journey. And now almost 9 years later, we have Alaska to thank for keeping us together that first year! 

– Ian

oneworld, one big proposal!

Amar & I were in a long-distance relationship for the first 1.5 years. Alaska Airlines (along with a number of oneworld carriers) helped connect our cities but also our hearts.

To not include Alaska Airlines as part of our proposal story and celebration wouldn’t be right. We had the opportunity to do a proposal photoshoot on a flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC with the help of such a fantastic crew! With so much “love in the air,” we look forward to traveling on Alaska Airlines from Washington, DC to Los Angeles again, where we are getting married this June! 

– Anuj

A decade in the making.

My husband and I were long-distance for about 3 years. I lived in Southern California, and he lived in Portland, Oregon. For those 3 years, we only flew with Alaska because they had the best times and prices between Ontario and Portland. Without Alaska, we would not have been able to maintain our relationship. Thank you. We just got married this past October and celebrated 10 years together. 

– Becca

From the ground up, love wins.

William and I both work for Alaska. We met back in 2016 as Ramp Agents for Horizon Air in Los Angeles. To be exact, we met at Gate 66 at Terminal 6 at LAX. We had been loading an aircraft for a flight and William came to assist with the flight. 8 years later, and engaged for 4 years, we both work side by side, still!

William is now the Station Manager of San Diego, and I (Kristina) am now the Inflight Supervisor in San Diego. We both built our careers here at Alaska Air Group from being Ramp agents, Fleet agents, stores agents, leadership roles, inflight and even moved from LAX to SEA to SAN. I would of never of met William if it wasn’t for Alaska Air Group. Our love for Alaska & aviation has only grown with the love that we have for each other. 

– Kristina

In love with each other & Alaska since ’98.

Our love story began when I traveled to San Diego from Seattle for a summer vacation in 1998. A Seattle girl meets a San Diego boy. Love at first sight! It was a year of long-distance dating and travel on Alaska Airlines to visit each other almost every month. I still have the paper ticket mementos. Alaska helped keep the love alive and make a long-distance relationship seem not so far away.

This Seattle girl eventually moved to her dream city with her dream boyfriend. A year later, we both moved to Seattle. Fast forward to 2006 we got married in San Diego. Alaska was there to help fly family members to join us for the big day.

My love and I travel wherever Alaska goes, with the kids often in tow. We love how Alaska has been part of our love story and is a huge part of our family. Anniversary trips, family vacations, weddings, and that epic 1998/1999 year of travel is where our love story began. 🥰

– Sarah

A match made in paradise.

Imagine being handed a ticket to paradise, not knowing it would also lead you to the love of your life. That’s exactly what happened to me, thanks to Alaska Airlines. I was set for a solo adventure in Kauai, the Garden Isle, known for its lush landscapes and serene beauty.

On a spur-of-the-moment decision, I invited Bryan, a recent acquaintance with a spirit as adventurous as mine, to join me. The island’s magic, coupled with unexpected companionship, turned our journey into a tapestry of memorable experiences and emotions.

Our love story owes its beginning to a generous gesture from Alaska Airlines. A solo journey transformed into a shared adventure, laying the foundation for a bond that would grow beyond the confines of the trip. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with a single ticket to an unknown destination. 

– Tiffany

Love is truly in the air.

Josh and I met while working at Alaska at Portland International Airport and we still work there today! We love working flights together. We have taken multiple trips on our flight benefits and have made awesome memories. I don’t think I would have ever met him not working for Alaska ❤️ thank you for helping me find my best friend 😉 

– Maggie

Progress continues as Alaska Airlines negotiates a new, market-competitive flight attendant contract

You’ve probably heard that we’re in active contract negotiations with our flight attendants through their union, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). We have a strong history of successfully negotiating with our union partners, reaching agreements that benefit employees while also securing the long-term success of the company.

We remain optimistic in the negotiations process. With six recently closed labor deals at the company and a tentative agreement reached in January for a new contract for our technicians, we’re hopeful to do the same for our flight attendants as soon as possible. AFA and Alaska leadership have met twice in the last three weeks and are continuing to bargain and meet with a mediator. Discussions have been productive and in the last two sessions, we reached four tentative agreements.

We respect our flight attendants’ right to communicate what’s important to them during the negotiating process. You may have heard about one recent step, called a strike authorization vote, which was conducted by the union. This type of vote is a common step in the negotiation process. It is not a call to go on strike right now.

The voting ends today, and the results could be released at any time. We expect our flight attendants will approve the measure based on previous industry votes.

Regardless of the vote results, this does not mean our flight attendants are on strike or about to strike. Our guests and operation will not be impacted by the decision in the near term or possibly at all. 

While talk of a strike is concerning, especially for our guests and the communities that rely on our service, it would not happen quickly. Many more steps would need to take place over many months, if not longer, before a strike is even possible. See below for an overview of the negotiations process.

Additionally, you may see off-duty flight attendants demonstrating in various hubs today as part of the union’s mobilization efforts. We respect and support the right of our flight attendants to engage in these activities and do not expect any disruption to our operation or service as a result.

Alaska Airlines better connects Portland with more flights to popular destinations 

As the West Coast’s premier airline, we offer our guests a premium travel experience with the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class and a generous loyalty program 

Alaska Airlines is ramping up our growth in Portland to provide our guests with more choice and convenience. We’ve added more than 20 daily departures starting this summer to sought-after destinations from the Rose City. Our capacity has increased by 25%, improving connectivity and providing additional travel options. 

We’ve been the largest carrier in Portland for more than 20 years. We don’t take that for granted. It’s important for us to provide our guests with a variety of convenient flight options at PDX along with the addition of new routes. We know travelers have a choice and we want them to fly with us,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. 

All our guests – whether in Portland or across our expanding network – can take advantage of a premium travel experience on their next Alaska flight. We are the West Coast’s premier airline offering our flyers the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class; no change fees; multiple fare offerings; the most generous loyalty program with Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status; 30 global partners; and West Coast food and beverage on board. 

With Sunday’s big game, we turned to the biggest advertising moment of the year to spotlight our premium products and services, including highlighting our most legroom. Our new campaign can now be seen in the Portland, Seattle, San Francisco/Bay Area and San Diego markets.  

Our winter-spring seasonal flight between Portland and Redmond/Bend is so popular that we added a second daily roundtrip starting Oct. 1. We also extended our nonstop seasonal flying from Portland to Billings, Kansas City and Minneapolis until the end of the year – service was set to end in late summer. Tickets for all our flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com. 

Book Now

Alaska currently serves 53 nonstop destinations from Portland, including a few new destinations on our route map. On Nov. 17, we began nonstop service to Miami. Year-round flights to Nashville start on March 14. By this summer, we’ll have more than 100 average daily departures from Portland. 

“We’re thrilled about the added flights out of PDX. As our largest carrier, more Alaska flights means even more options for travelers, whether they’re flying cross-country or within the state. And the increase in service means more visitors for our concession and ground travel partners – the local businesses that are the heart of our region and bring so much excitement to our airport,” said Dan Pippenger, chief aviation officer at the Port of Portland. 

We’re excited about our future in Portland. We’re putting the final touches on the design of our all-new Flagship Lounge at PDX. It’s currently scheduled to open in the 2025-26 timeframe with more than 10,000 square feet of space that will provide double the seating of our current Lounge spaces. The atmosphere will be infused with the Pacific Northwest spirit like our award-winning Flagship Lounge at the N Concourse in Seattle. Lounge members and guests will enjoy a barista station with hand-crafted espresso beverages and drip coffee from Stumptown; complimentary beer, wine and house spirits; our signature Loungers to relax in; and a custom fireplace. 

Alaska Airlines B and C lounges at Portland International Airport.

 
* Out of any U.S. airline excluding lie-flat seats 

Spring break escapes: Your ultimate guide to leisure destinations with Alaska Airlines 

If you are dreaming of your next warm, sunny vacation, these leisure destinations are must-adds to your list of spring break and summer getaways. 

MEXICO 

Alaska Airlines has served Mexico for more than 35 years. We now fly to eight incredible cities in Mexico, each with a unique blend of history, vibrant culture, natural beauty, and entertainment, including Cancun, Guadalajara, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Los Cabos, Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.   

We’ve hand picked five of the best spots in Mexico for stunning beaches, exciting nightlife and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in a beautiful tropical setting.

Manzanillo (ZLO)
Zihuatanejo (ZIH) 
Puerto Vallarta (PVR) 
Cabo San Lucas (SJD) 
Cancun (CUN) 
Fun Fact: Alaska offers more flights between the West Coast and Mexico than any other US-based carrier!
Book Now

BELIZE (BZE) 

This spring break, dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Belize Barrier Reef for world-class snorkeling and diving experiences, explore ancient Mayan ruins like those at Xunantunich, and trek through lush rainforests teeming with wildlife for an unforgettable adventure in paradise. 

Belize (BZE) 
Belize (BZE) 
Belize (BZE) 
Book Now

LIBERIA, COSTA RICA (LIR) 

Visitors can hike through the stunning landscapes of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, where you can witness volcanic activity and so much natural beauty. For those looking for more down time, you can rejuvenate in natural hot springs, and for thrill-seekers, we recommend experiencing canopy tours amidst lush tropical forests for an exhilarating eco-adventure. 

Liberia, Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa Rica
Book Now

FLORIDA 

If you’re looking for sun-soaked beaches, thrilling theme parks, and vibrant nightlife, offering a diverse range of activities for a memorable vacation experience—Florida is for you!  

Whether it’s lounging on the sands of Miami Beach, enjoying world-class dining and shopping along Las Olas Boulevard or enduring thrill-seeking rides at Busch Gardens, Florida has something for every spring breaker. 

Tampa
Miami
Fort Lauderdale
Book Now

Alaska Airlines flight attendant saves rare flamingo eggs during flight; Zoo honors her with naming of newly hatched chick

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Amber has had some unusual requests in her 10 years of flying, but being asked to help save some flamingo eggs just about topped them all.   

The request came during a flight from Atlanta to Seattle last August.  

“A passenger rang the call button and asked if I would help keep some eggs warm,” Amber said. 

Befuddled, she inquired further and learned that the guest wasn’t crying fowl.   

The guest was a zoo official transporting rare Chilean flamingo eggs from Zoo Atlanta to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo and the incubator keeping them warm had stopped working.  

Thinking quickly, Amber went to the galley, found some rubber gloves and filled them with warm water. She brought them to the zoo official who quickly wrapped them around the eggs, making a cozy nest. Guests seated nearby offered their coats and scarves for extra insulation.  

Being resourceful and thinking on their feet are traits Alaska Flight Attendants are known for, even when it comes to our feathered guests.  

I was glad to help,” Amber said, adding that she and fellow crew members kept checking with the zoo official during the flight and replacing the gloves as the water cooled.  

Months later, Amber received a surprising call from the zoo asking her if she’d like to meet the baby flamingos she had saved.  

“I was honored and so happy that the chicks had hatched—all six of them!” she said. 

Amber and her granddaughter, Sunny, were honored guests of Woodland Park Zoo, treated to an exclusive tour that included a delightful ‘meet and greet’ with the recently-hatched chicks. The adorable birds showcased their fluffy gray feathers and long, skinny legs, with the zoo explaining that the flamingoes’ signature pink color only emerges in adulthood.  

The six Chilean flamingos mark the first hatching of the species at the zoo since 2016 and bring the zoo’s current flamingo flock to 49. 

“We are forever grateful for the heroic measures Amber took to help keep our precious flamingo eggs warm and viable,” said Gigi Allianic, from Woodland Park Zoo. “This means the world to our zoo family. They would have been lost if you hadn’t gone above and beyond for us.” 

The zoo recently completed a public poll to name one of the flamingo chicks.  If you go to the zoo today, you can meet all six of them—Magdalena, Amaya, Rosales, Gonzo, Bernardo—and Sunny, after Amber’s granddaughter. 😊 

“Having baby Sunny meet flamingo Sunny was just wonderful,” Amber said. “I am excited to see them both grow up.”   

Alaska Airlines invests in its people with $200 million in payouts and enhanced travel perks 

Alaska Airlines employees are wrapping up the week on a positive note, as our annual incentive payout brings the total payouts for Air Group Employees to $200 million for 2023.

Our company’s annual payout, called Performance Based Pay (PBP), is determined by our performance towards specific company-wide goals for safety, guest experience, sustainability and profit.  

Despite facing our share of headwinds last year, we once again delivered an excellent operation from start to finish. As a result, employees earned an above-target PBP payout for the third year in a row and 16th time in the 21-year history of PBP. This equates to more than 6 percent of most employees’ annual pay last year. 

Credit to our employees, who are the strength of our airline,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “I am especially pleased that we exceeded our targets in both Safety and Guest Satisfaction, which directly reflect the care, attention to detail, and the quality of work that our people deliver every day.” 

Quick math:  

  • Our plan is generous and consistent, averaging 7.73% of annual pay over the past 10 years. If you make $50,000/year – that adds up to nearly an additional $39,000 total in 10 years.  
  • If you look at the last 15 years, those numbers are even more impressive, averaging 7.96% of annual pay, which is nearly an additional $60,000 total in 15 years for someone making $50,000/year. 

The PBP payout is in addition to the approximately $30 million in 2023 operational bonuses that employees earned for achieving monthly on-time and customer satisfaction goals. The combined monthly and annual 2023 payouts paid to employees totals $200 million. 

As an added way of saying thank you, we also awarded four one-way confirmed travel passes for every eligible employee at the company. These passes can be used anywhere throughout our network—like these new & exciting leisure destinations below 👇🏼

Employees asked for better travel perks, and we listened.  

While most airline programs offer travel privileges to parents and dependent children, we realized we had an opportunity to improve our program to reflect our diverse workforce with a variety of family structures. We already extend travel privileges to one spouse or partner as well as all dependent children plus two parents for every employee, and now we’re expanding the definition of loved ones.  

We are one of the first airlines to allow greater flexibility in who can access our employee travel program. Beginning this month, employees are able to designate up to two people in lieu of parents to enjoy their travel privileges. This means that employees can now extend any unused parent travel benefits privileges to adult children, friends, siblings or anyone special to them. What’s so special about this change is that the idea came directly from our employees.  

For the inaugural year of this expanded program, 43% of our employees have taken advantage of the change and added new loved ones to their travel privileges. 

More ways to fly  

In addition to unlimited standby travel, we are always looking for more ways to encourage our employees to take to the skies. On average, every year—including 2024—we gift our employees two roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska flies.  

They can use these tickets to book important or celebratory trips well in advance. If employees don’t want to use these confirmed tickets, they’re now able to trade them in before they expire for Mileage Plan miles that can be used on Alaska or any of our airline partners.   

Speaking of miles, in honor of our 90th anniversary, we gifted each employee 90,000 miles – that’s enough for a roundtrip ticket anywhere in the world.   

A valuable part of our total rewards  

We love how much our employees love to travel and 2023 was a year for the record books. Here are some of the highlights:  

  • In 2023, 80% employees used their travel privileges to fly at least once. 53% of their spouses or domestic partners, 61% of their children and 37% of their parents also hitched a ride.  
  • On average, our employees are able to find a standby seat 75% of the time!  
  • The most popular employee destination outside of our hub cities were Spokane, WA, Phoenix and Las Vegas.    

Alaska Airlines creates Hawai‘i Community Advisory Board to deepen local ties

New advisory board will enable a stronger connection with Hawai‘i communities

In an effort to continue cultivating a deep and enduring relationship with local Hawai‘i communities, Alaska Airlines announced today the establishment of the Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board (HICAB). The HICAB will support Alaska’s ongoing commitment to developing a true and authentic understanding of Hawai‘i’s people and culture as the airline combines with Hawaiian Airlines – honoring the legacy and significance of this beloved brand and reinforcing Alaska’s expanded role in Hawai‘i.

For over four decades, we have had a Community Advisory Board in the state of Alaska to seek input from communities across the state,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO. “Over the years, this exchange of ideas and information has helped us remain deeply connected to communities across a vast region that, like in Hawai‘i, are uniquely reliant on air travel. The CAB functions to ensure that our business and service are informed by local needs. We have been proud to serve Hawai‘i for over 16 years, but we know we have more to learn and feel a great responsibility to serve the people of Hawai‘i for generations to come.”

The 16-member HICAB represents Alaska Airlines guests in Hawai‘i by diversity of gender, ethnicity and industry sector, including non-profit, education, healthcare, business, tourism and agriculture. The board also ensures geographic diversity with members from each of the main Hawaiian Islands who will serve either two- or three-year staggered terms. The HICAB will be a corporate and community sounding board for Alaska in Hawai‘i, providing feedback and recommendations on Alaska’s business approaches and initiatives, local current events, and community investment needs.

The inaugural HICAB members are:

Paula Akana

President & CEO, The Friends of ʻIolani Palace

Nāʻalehu Anthony

Founder, Palikū Documentary Films

Todd Apo

VP, Community Partnerships & Public Affairs, Hawai‘i Community Foundation

Rosie Davis

Executive Director, Huli Au Ola, Maui County Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

Stephanie Donoho

Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association

Art Gladstone

EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Hawai‘i Pacific Health

Hōkūlani Holt

Director of Kahōkūala, Hawaiian Cultural Arts Institute, UH Maui College

Stephanie Iona

Community Outreach Manager, Kekaha Agriculture Association

Meli James

Cofounder, Mana Up

Valerie Janikowski

Program Administrator, Lānaʻi Kinaʻole

Kūhiō Lewis

CEO, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Colbert Matsumoto

Chairman, Tradewind Group

Ben Rafter

President & CEO, Springboard Hospitality

Trisha Kēhaulani Watson-Sproat

President, Honua Consulting

Jayson Watts

Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Mahi Pono

Kūhaʻo Zane

COO & Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs & SZKaiao Creative

“The HICAB will be instrumental in shaping the future of Alaska Airlines in Hawai‘i,” said Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines Regional Vice President, Hawai‘i. “Their insights into our local community’s needs and preferences will guide our decision-making, ensuring that our services and initiatives not only resonate with Hawaiʻi residents, but also foster sustainable growth.”

For more information on Alaska’s combination with Hawaiian Airlines, visit our joint website at https://localcareglobalreach.com/.

Alaska Air Group reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 results 

Announced agreement to acquire Hawaiian Airlines

Achieved record annual operating revenue of $10.4 billion

SEATTLE — Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Air Group’s 2023 accomplishments were significant,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “I want to thank our people for delivering a reliable operation, industry-leading cost performance, and a strong 7.5% adjusted pretax margin. As we navigate early 2024, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, providing a premium experience for our guests, and delivering durable financial performance. I am also grateful for how the team has rallied together to demonstrate tremendous professionalism and care in the midst of a challenging start to 2024 for them and our guests. Alaska is a resilient company with a track record of operational excellence, and we are confident in the plans we have laid out to ensure that success moving forward.”

Financial Results:
  • Reported net loss for the fourth quarter and net income for the full year 2023 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $2 million, or $0.02 per share, and $235 million, or $1.83 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 of $22 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, and $58 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.
  • Reported net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $38 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, and $583 million, or $4.53 per diluted share. These results compare to 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.
  • Generated an adjusted pretax margin of 7.5% for the full year 2023, among the highest in the industry.
  • Recorded $2.6 billion in operating revenue for the fourth quarter, and a record $10.4 billion for the full year 2023.
  • Reduced CASM excluding fuel and special items by 6.6% in the fourth quarter and 2.6% in the full year compared to 2022.
  • Generated $1.1 billion in operating cash flow for the full year 2023.
  • Repurchased approximately 2 million shares of common stock for $75 million in the fourth quarter, bringing total repurchases to approximately 3.5 million shares for $145 million for the full year 2023.
  • Recognized more than $400 million in bank card partner commissions in the fourth quarter and $1.6 billion for the full year 2023, representing a 13% year-over-year increase compared to the full year 2022.
  • Air Group employees earned $200 million of incentive pay in 2023 by achieving profitability, sustainability, operational, and safety targets. The payout represents more than three weeks of pay for most employees.
  • Received an investment grade credit rating of “Baa3” from Moody’s Investors Service, citing the Company’s “strong business profile and conservative financial policy.” 
Balance Sheet and Liquidity:
  • Ended the year with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 46%, within the target range of 40% to 50%.
  • Repaid $40 million in debt in the fourth quarter, bringing total debt payments to $282 million for the full year 2023.
Operational Updates:
  • Agreed to purchase Hawaiian Airlines for $18 per share in cash. The proposed combined airline will preserve both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands and provide guests with an expanded network across the Pacific.
  • Placed our first 737-800 freighter into operating service, with a second 737-800 freighter expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Announced Alaska’s 30th global airline partner, Porter Airlines, opening new opportunities for guests to travel to Canada from the West Coast.
  • Announced new routes beginning in 2024, including: Seattle-Toronto, Anchorage-New York JFK, Anchorage-San Diego, and Portland-Nashville.
  • Enhanced partnership with Condor Airlines with a bilateral codeshare agreement that enables Alaska and Condor to sell each other’s flights.
  • Completed sale of ten Airbus A321neos to American Airlines, with eight transactions occurring in the fourth quarter and two in January.
  • Introduced inflight contactless payment Tap to Pay, an industry first, providing customers with an easier option to make purchases while flying.
737-9 MAX Grounding:
  • Preparing to complete the final inspections on all of our 737-9 MAX aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service after the inspection has been completed and any findings resolved.
  • Completed requested inspections of all 737-900ER aircraft with only one minor finding which was immediately corrected.
  • Initiated a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight to enhance quality control on new aircraft.
  • Began enhanced quality oversight program at the Boeing production facility, expanding our team to validate work and quality of our aircraft as they progress through the manufacturing process.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates:
  • Partnered with climate-tech company CHOOOSE to offer guests the ability to purchase sustainable aviation fuel credits or support nature-based climate projects upon check-out.
  • Through Alaska’s Care Miles program, Mileage Plan members donated over 100 million miles to 22 different charities in 2023.
Awards and Recognition:
  • Named Worldwide Airline of the Year by the Centre for Aviation at the World Aviation Summit in Abu Dhabi.
  • Achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equity Index in recognition of Alaska’s policies and practices supporting LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
View full financial data

Next steps with the Boeing 737-9 MAX and aircraft quality assurance

Updated on Jan. 13, 2024

Alaska Airlines began preliminary inspections this weekend on a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring more data from Boeing before approving the manufacturer’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions that will be used to conduct final inspections on all 737-9 MAX and safely return the planes to service. Up to 20 of our planes could undergo preliminary inspections. 

Moving forward 

Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world. 

Last week’s incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement. 

Boeing leadership has publicly said that this incident is the result of a “quality escape.” This week, we engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line for Alaska. 

We welcome and appreciate the FAA’s recently announced steps to audit and review all safety processes in the production of the 737-9 MAX aircraft, and more broadly at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s supplier that builds the fuselage for the planes. 

In addition to the FAA’s review and oversight, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:  

  • Our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight, and will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.  
  • Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.  

Over many decades, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing. With a commitment to transparency and candor, we are dedicated to working together to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes for our employees and guests.

Information about Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and our 737-9 MAX fleet

NTSB issues preliminary report on Alaska Flight 1282

Latest update: 1 p.m. Pacific, Feb. 6

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report today, Feb. 6, involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. This is part of the NTSB’s established process during an investigation that it continues to lead.

Alaska’s safety and technical representatives, along with Boeing representatives, remain in close contact with the NTSB. Since this remains an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the details we can release or confirm. We defer questions to the NTSB.

Safety is always our top priority. As this investigation moves forward, we have full confidence in the safety of our operation and aircraft.

Photos by Ingrid Barrentine / Alaska Airlines

Our first 737-9 MAX planes return to service as final inspections continue 

9:30 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 26

Alaska Airlines has completed final inspections on our first group of 737-9 MAX aircraft as we move forward to return the fleet to commercial service. We’ll resume flying the 737-9 MAX with Flight 1146 from Seattle to San Diego on Friday afternoon, Jan 26.  

On Jan. 24, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the detailed inspection and maintenance process for the 737-9 MAX to return to flying. Our Alaska technicians began the inspections that night. We expect inspections on our 737-9 MAX to be completed by the end of next week, allowing us to operate our full flight schedule. 

Each of our 737-9 MAX will return to service only after the rigorous inspections are completed and each plane is deemed airworthy according to FAA requirements. The individual inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours per aircraft.  

We remain extremely grateful to our skilled Maintenance and Engineering team that is shouldering the inspection work and safely returning the planes to service, along with gratitude to all our employees who continue to help support our guests. 

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Previous Updates

8 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 25

Final inspections of our 737-9 MAX fleet underway to safely return the aircraft to service 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, approved a thorough inspection and maintenance process for the 737-9 MAX aircraft. Alaska Airlines is now performing these detailed inspections of our planes. 

Each of our aircraft will only return to service once the rigorous inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy according to the FAA requirements. We have 65 737-9 MAX in our fleet. The inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours for each plane.   

Following these inspections by our skilled Alaska Maintenance technicians, we expect to bring our first few planes back into scheduled commercial service on Friday, Jan. 26. 

At the request of the FAA, our Maintenance technicians completed preliminary inspections on 20 of our 737-9 MAX aircraft two weeks ago. The data we collected was provided to the FAA for further analysis. Those findings informed the FAA’s final orders for thorough inspections of the door plug on each of our 737-9 MAX aircraft. We are now implementing those final orders. 

With the first of our 737-9 MAX set to resume flying on Friday, we’ll add more planes back into service every day as inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy. We expect inspections on all our 737-9 MAX to be completed over the next week.  

We greatly appreciate the FAA’s diligence and commitment to safety to get the 737-9 MAX safely back in the air. 

5 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 24

Final inspections of our 737-9 MAX fleet begin to safely return the aircraft to service 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, approved a thorough inspection and maintenance process for the 737-9 MAX aircraft. Alaska Airlines is ready to perform these detailed inspections of our planes. 

Each of our aircraft will only return to service once the rigorous inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy according to the FAA requirements. We have 65 737-9 MAX in our fleet. The inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours for each plane.   

Following these inspections by our skilled Alaska Maintenance technicians, we expect to bring our first few planes back into scheduled commercial service on Friday, Jan. 26. 

At the request of the FAA, our Maintenance technicians completed preliminary inspections on 20 of our 737-9 MAX aircraft two weeks ago. The data we collected was provided to the FAA for further analysis. Those findings informed the FAA’s final orders for thorough inspections of the door plug on each of our 737-9 MAX aircraft. We are now ready to implement those final orders. 

The first of our 737-9 MAX will resume flying on Friday, Jan. 26, with more planes added every day as inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy. We expect inspections on all our 737-9 MAX to be completed over the next week.  

We greatly appreciate the FAA’s diligence and commitment to safety to get the 737-9 MAX safely back in the air. 

5 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 20

Our Maintenance and Engineering technicians completed preliminary inspections of a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft as requested by the FAA. We provided the data to Boeing, which will share it with the FAA for further analysis and consultation.

We’re awaiting the next steps based on this collection of new information, including the final inspection orders so we can begin safely returning our planes to service.

The ongoing grounding of the 737-9 MAX continues to impact our operations with all 737-9 MAX paused. This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them. We also have a Flexible Travel Policy in effect.

Alaska has 65 737-9 MAX planes in our fleet of 231 737 aircraft.

10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 18

Our Maintenance and Engineering technicians completed preliminary inspections of a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft as requested by the FAA. We provided the data to Boeing, which will share it with the FAA for further analysis and consultation.

We’re awaiting the next steps based on this collection of new information, including the final inspection orders so we can begin safely returning our planes to service.

The ongoing grounding of the 737-9 MAX continues to have a tremendous impact on our operation. We’ve extended the cancellations of our 737-9 MAX flights through Sunday, Jan. 21. This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them. We also have a Flexible Travel Policy in effect.

Each day of 737-9 MAX cancellations for Alaska impacts between 110 to 150 flights, depending on the flight schedule for a given day. Our sister regional carrier, Horizon Air, continues to help get our guests to their destinations by flying some routes that Alaska would normally fly with the 737-9 MAX.

Alaska has 65 737-9 MAX planes in our fleet of 231 737 aircraft.

12:15 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 17

Our Maintenance and Engineering technicians completed preliminary inspections of a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft as requested by the FAA. We provided the data to Boeing, which will share it with the FAA for further analysis and consultation.

We’re awaiting the next steps based on this collection of new information, including the final inspection orders so we can begin safely returning our planes to service.

The ongoing grounding of the 737-9 MAX continues to have a tremendous impact on our operation. We’ve extended the cancellations of our 737-9 MAX flights through Friday, Jan. 19. This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them. We also have a Flexible Travel Policy in effect.

Each day of 737-9 MAX cancellations for Alaska impacts between 110 to 150 flights, depending on the flight schedule for a given day. Our sister regional carrier, Horizon Air, continues to help get our guests to their destinations by flying some routes that Alaska would normally fly with the 737-9 MAX.

Alaska has 65 737-9 MAX planes in our fleet of 231 737 aircraft.

7:20 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 13

Alaska Airlines began preliminary inspections this weekend on a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring more data from Boeing before approving the manufacturer’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions that will be used to conduct final inspections on all 737-9 MAX and safely return the planes to service. Up to 20 of our planes could undergo preliminary inspections. 

Moving forward 

Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world. 

Last week’s incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement. 

Boeing leadership has publicly said that this incident is the result of a “quality escape.” This week, we engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line for Alaska. 

We welcome and appreciate the FAA’s recently announced steps to audit and review all safety processes in the production of the 737-9 MAX aircraft, and more broadly at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s supplier that builds the fuselage for the planes. 

In addition to the FAA’s review and oversight, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:  

  • Our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight, and will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.  
  • Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.  

Over many decades, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing. With a commitment to transparency and candor, we are dedicated to working together to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes for our employees and guests. 

6 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 12

 Today, the FAA communicated its instructions for preliminary inspections of some of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.  

Data collected from these inspections will inform the FAA’s ultimate issuance of a global Method of Compliance (MOC) and the process to complete inspections of the full fleet – a required step to safely return the aircraft to service. Read more from the FAA here. 

Alaska has 231 737 aircraft in our fleet. 65 of those planes are 737-9 MAX. 

Additional 737-9 MAX flight cancellations through Tuesday 

With the grounding of the 737-9 MAX still in place, we’ve made another difficult decision to cancel additional flights that were scheduled with that aircraft.  

We’re working as quickly as we can to notify our guests of cancellations through Tuesday, Jan. 16. This equates to between 110-150 flights per day. The decision allows us to give our guests further clarity and begin notification and reaccommodation processes.  

More information for impacted travelers can be found at the bottom of this page.  

We’ll begin repositioning some of our 737-9 MAX aircraft for inspection 

In the coming days, we will begin repositioning designated 737-9 MAX aircraft to our primary maintenance bases. This will allow us to perform the required inspections as soon as the approvals are given. Key points to keep in mind: 

  • Any 737-9 MAX maintenance flying is authorized and permitted under the FAA’s Emergency Airworthiness Directive. 
  • These special flight permits are not new or unique. They are a regular activity in aviation. 
  • Flights are flown by our specially trained functional check flight crews. 
  • No passengers or flight attendants will be on the maintenance flights. 
  • These flights will be designated with a four-digit flight number beginning with a 9, such as AS 9834. 

Horizon Air helps keep our guests moving 

During the grounding of the 737-9 MAX, Alaska’s sister regional carrier Horizon Air is helping to get our guests to where they need to go. 

Through Sunday, Jan. 14, nearly 5,000 guests will fly on 90 flights to destinations across our network on a Horizon E-175 jet instead of a 737-9 MAX aircraft they were originally scheduled to be on.  

Horizon even recently flew a nonstop flight to Dallas-Ft. Worth – an airport the airline does not usually serve. The airline also added 23 flights to and from Las Vegas for the popular CES conference this week.  

10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 12

As of today, Friday, Jan. 12, Alaska Airlines continues to wait for documentation from Boeing and the FAA to begin inspection of our 737-9 MAX fleet.   

We regret the significant disruption that has been caused for our guests by cancellations due to these aircraft being out of service. However, the safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority and we will only return these aircraft to service when all findings have been fully resolved and meet all FAA and Alaska’s stringent standards.   

We have made the decision to cancel all flights on 737-9 MAX aircraft through Sunday, Jan. 14, while we conduct inspections and prepare fully for return to service. This equates to between 110-150 flights per day. We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to reaccommodate impacted guests on other flights. More information for impacted travelers can be found at the bottom of this page.  

As a reminder, three things must be in place prior to beginning inspections: 

  • A final Multi-Operator Message (MOM) provided by Boeing, providing inspection details for the 737-9 MAX aircraft as approved by the FAA.  
  • A global Method of Compliance (MOC) published by the FAA with details for approval of operators’ inspection processes to ensure compliance with their Airworthiness Directive. As a party to the NTSB investigation, the FAA works to ensure that inspection details address findings that may have surfaced during this process, even if not yet shared with the public.  
  • Detailed inspection instructions and processes developed by Alaska Airlines for our maintenance technicians to follow to conduct thorough inspections per the FAA’s specifications.   
10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 10

As of today, Wednesday, Jan. 10, Alaska Airlines continues to wait for documentation from Boeing and the FAA to begin inspection of our 737-9 MAX fleet.  

We regret the significant disruption that has been caused for our guests by cancellations due to these aircraft being out of service. However, the safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority and we will only return these aircraft to service when all findings have been fully resolved and meet all FAA and Alaska’s stringent standards.  

As of this morning, we have made the decision to cancel all flights on 737-9 MAX aircraft through Saturday, Jan. 13 while we conduct inspections and prepare fully for return to service. This equates to between 110-150 flights per day. We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to reaccommodate impacted guests on other flights. More information for impacted travelers can be found at the bottom of this page. 

As a reminder, three things must be in place prior to beginning inspections: 

  • A final Multi-Operator Message (MOM) provided by Boeing, providing inspection details for the 737-9 MAX aircraft as approved by the FAA. 
  • An Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) published by the FAA with details for approval of operators’ inspection processes to ensure compliance with their Airworthiness Directive. As a party to the NTSB investigation, the FAA works to ensure that inspection details address findings that may have surfaced during this process, even if not yet shared with the public. 
  • Detailed inspection instructions and processes developed by Alaska Airlines for our maintenance technicians to follow to conduct thorough inspections per the FAA’s specifications.  

We will continue to provide updates as progress is made.  

12:45 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 9

We continue to await inspection and maintenance instructions from Boeing and approval for the procedures from the FAA. Until then, the Boeing 737-9 MAX fleet will remain grounded. 

When we are able to proceed with the formal inspection process, all aircraft will be thoroughly inspected in accordance with detailed instructions provided by the FAA in consultation with Boeing. Any findings will be fully addressed in a matter that satisfies our safety standards and FAA compliance. The formal inspections will also require documenting all findings and those will be reported to the FAA. No aircraft will be returned to service until all of these steps are complete. The safety of these aircraft is our priority and we will take the time and steps necessary to ensure their airworthiness, in close partnership with the FAA. 

As these steps remain pending, we continue to experience disruption to our operation with these aircraft out of service. As of 12:30 pm. Pacific, we have cancelled roughly 109 flights for today due to the 737-9 MAX grounding.

6:50 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 8

We continue to wait for final documentation from Boeing and the FAA before we can begin the formal inspection process.  

As our maintenance technicians began preparing our 737-9 MAX fleet for inspections, they accessed the area in question. Initial reports from our technicians indicate some loose hardware was visible on some aircraft.  

When we are able to proceed with the formal inspection process, all aircraft will be thoroughly inspected in accordance with detailed instructions provided by the FAA in consultation with Boeing. Any findings will be fully addressed in a matter that satisfies our safety standards and FAA compliance. The formal inspections will also require documenting all findings and those will be reported to the FAA. No aircraft will be returned to service until all of these steps are complete. The safety of these aircraft is our priority and we will take the time and steps necessary to ensure their airworthiness, in close partnership with the FAA. 

10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 8

This morning, Boeing issued a multi-operator message (MOM) which provided inspection details for the 737-9 MAX aircraft, which have been approved by the FAA. Two additional steps must occur before inspections can begin:

  • FAA must approve operators’ inspection processes to ensure compliance (called an Alternate Method of Compliance, or AMOC);
  • Alaska must develop detailed inspection instructions and processes for our maintenance technicians to follow.

As we await further information from the FAA and work through these important steps, our technicians have prepared each aircraft to be immediately ready for the required inspection when instructions are finalized.

We recognize that additional questions remain about the details surrounding Flight 1282 that we are unable to address at this time. Because this is an active investigation, we must receive permission from the NTSB to provide information about the aircraft and its prior maintenance. We will provide information as soon as the NTSB permits us to do so.

As these steps remain pending, we continue to experience disruption to our operation with these aircraft out of service. As of 8:30 a.m. Pacific, we have cancelled roughly 140 flights for Monday due to the 737-9 MAX grounding.

6:30 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 7 

While we await the airworthiness directive (AD) inspection criteria from the FAA and Boeing, our maintenance teams are prepared and ready to perform the required inspections of the mid exit door plugs on our 737-9 MAX fleet.

The 737-9 MAX grounding has significantly impacted our operation. We have cancelled 170 Sunday flights and 60 cancellations for Monday, with more expected. Cancellations will continue through the first half of the week, and we encourage guests with travel plans to continue to check their email and alaskaair.com for updates.

We will continue to share information as we’re able.

2:30 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 7

As we navigate the impacts of the 737-9 MAX grounding on our operation, we have cancelled 170 Sunday flights affecting roughly 25,000 guests. We expect additional significant cancellations through the first half of the week.

We are awaiting further instruction from both the FAA and Boeing to begin the required inspections on the door plug of our 737-9 MAX fleet and will share information as we’re able.

6 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 6

The investigation into what happened on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Friday, Jan. 5, is underway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has now assumed the lead role in the investigation. Alaska’s safety and technical teams, along with representatives from Boeing, are closely involved in supporting the NTSB.    

At this early stage, here are details that we can share:  

  • As we shared last night, Alaska made the decision to temporarily ground its 737-9 MAX fleet pending inspections which began early this morning. 

  • Today, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive (EAD), requiring all operators of the 737-9 MAX aircraft to conduct specific inspections before returning the aircraft to service.  We are working with the FAA to ensure that our inspections meet their detailed requirements and comply with the EAD, but this process will take more time.  

  • Our voluntary temporary grounding of our 737-9 MAX fleet and ongoing work to comply with the FAA’s EAD has impacted travel plans for many of our guests. As of 4pm PT today, we have cancelled 160 total flights, affecting roughly 23,000 guests. We are identifying necessary cancellations for tomorrow and expect the disruption to last through at least mid-week. A flexible travel policy is in place for guests to change or cancel their flights. Guests should visit alaskaair.com for rebooking options. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this has caused our guests. 

  • Eighteen of Alaska’s 737-9 MAX aircraft received in-depth inspections as part of heavy maintenance checks and continued in service today until we received the FAA’s EAD. These aircraft have now also been pulled from service until details about possible additional maintenance work are confirmed with the FAA. We are in touch with the FAA to determine what, if any, further work is required before these aircraft are returned to service.  

  • The aircraft involved in flight 1282 was delivered to us on Oct. 31, 2023. The part of the aircraft involved in this event is called a plug door – a specific panel of the fuselage near the rear of the aircraft.  

  • Several guests onboard experienced injuries that required medical attention. All guests have now been medically cleared. 

We will continue to share information as we learn more. Thank you to our guests for their understanding as we safely return our fleet of 737-9 MAXs to service.  

12:00 p.m. Pacific, Jan 6

Early this morning, our maintenance team began a detailed inspection process in connection with our decision to temporarily ground our fleet of Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Of the 65 737-9 aircraft in our fleet, it was determined that 18 had in-depth and thorough plug door inspections performed as part of a recent heavy maintenance visit. These 18 aircraft were cleared to return to service today.  

The inspection process of the remaining 737-9 aircraft is expected to be completed in the next few days. We will provide additional updates on the progress of our inspections. 

9:00 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 6 

As of this morning, inspections on more than a quarter of our 737-9 fleet are complete with no concerning findings. Aircraft will return to service as their inspections are completed with our full confidence.  

We deeply apologize to our guests whose flights have been impacted. Guests whose travel has been impacted can go online to view flight options and rebook travel, place the value of their ticket in their Mileage Plan Wallet for future use, or request a refund.

For Pacific Northwest Travelers: We’ve been receiving many questions from guests traveling to Texas. Flights on Saturday and Sunday from Seattle to Houston are not impacted. Return flights next week are also not affected.

11:42 p.m. Pacific time, Jan. 5
A statement from Alaska Airlines CEO, Ben Minicucci:

At Alaska Airlines, safety is our foundational value and the most important thing we focus on every day. Following tonight’s event on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding our fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections. We anticipate all inspections will be completed in the next few days.

I am personally committed to doing everything we can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent way.

We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight, and will share updates as more information is available. The NTSB is investigating this event and we will fully support their investigation.  

My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants. We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are traveling in the days ahead.

-Ben

7:55 p.m. Pacific time, Jan. 5

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, experienced an incident this evening soon after departure. The aircraft landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 171 guests and 6 crew members. The safety of our guests and employees is always our primary priority, so while this type of occurrence is rare, our flight crew was trained and prepared to safely manage the situation. We are investigating what happened and will share more information as it becomes available. 

Timeline of 737-9 MAX return to service:

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The careful work we’re doing during the inspections 

With the approval and direction of the FAA, Alaska technicians will begin the required, detailed inspections.   

For the inspection process, the 737-9 MAX has two door plugs – one on the left-hand side of the plane and one on the right in the middle of the cabin. Both door plugs must be inspected according to the FAA-approved inspection guidance. We’ve put together a summary of the inspection checklist:  

  • Before opening the mid-cabin door plug, we will confirm it was properly installed by ensuring all hardware is in place and all clearances are measured and recorded 
  • We will then open the door plug and inspect for any damages or abnormalities to the door and seal components, including the guide fittings, roller guides and hinges, and inspect nut plates and fasteners  
  • We will resecure each door plug and ensure it is sealed properly per approved FAA guidance before the aircraft is returned to service  
  • Each inspection, including recording detailed measurements of hardware location, could take at least 12 hours for each aircraft 

We’re grateful to our skilled maintenance and engineering team members who are undertaking the inspections and safely returning our fleet to service.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Maintenance and Engineering teams will continue to inspect the two door plugs at least every 24 months when each plane undergoes heavy maintenance checks as part of our standard protocol. In addition, we will inspect the door plugs on new 737-9 MAX aircraft we receive right after delivery. 

We currently have a Flexible Travel Policy in place through Feb. 2 for our guests to make other travel arrangements. For guests who are not comfortable flying on a 737-9 MAX right now, we’ll work with them. If they request it, we can move them to a different flight on another aircraft. We take great pride in our customer service and want everyone to have a great flight. 

The aircraft type is shown in the “Details” tab when booking a flight on alaskaair.com. After booking, it’s found in the guest’s reservation under “Flight Details.” 

Our first 737-9 MAX flight was on March 1, 2021. It was a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles.

Our 737-9 MAX carries 178 passengers with a seating configuration of 16 First Class seats, 24 Premium Class seats and 138 seats in the main cabin. 

A message from Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci

Our next steps with the Boeing 737-9 MAX and aircraft quality assurance. 

Full Video Transcript

Hi everyone, I’m Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines.  

On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was involved in an alarming incident when a door plug was ejected from the Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft. 

I am so incredibly grateful to the crew who responded with extraordinary professionalism and returned the flight and all aboard safely to Portland. And I sincerely apologize to everyone on board the flight for what you experienced.  

That evening, I made the decision to voluntarily ground all our 737-9 MAX fleet, pending further information and inspection. The next day, the 737-9 MAX aircraft across the U.S. were grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

As a loyal guest of Alaska Airlines, I know these issues impact you, and you may have questions about what this means not just for your travel plans, but for the safety of you and your loved ones.  

Please know there is nothing more important to all of us at Alaska Airlines than the safety of our employees, and you – our guests. Owning Safety is our number one foundational value, and one that is deeply personal. This value guides our actions today, and every day.   

With that in mind, here is an update on what has transpired since last Friday – and some next steps: 

  • We have 65 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft, which make up about 20% of our fleet. Since Alaska Airlines and the FAA have grounded these aircraft, that means we are canceling between 110 to 150 flights every day.  
  • We will return these aircraft to service ONLY when all findings have been fully resolved and meet the stringent standards of Boeing, the FAA and Alaska Airlines.   
  • With respect to the cancellations, I’ve asked our team to give guests as much advance notice as possible, and our Reservations team is working around the clock to re-accommodate people on other flights. To all who have been impacted by these disruptions, I am sorry. When you make plans, you put your trust in us, and we haven’t been able to deliver.  

We’ve started inspections 

  • Over the past week, I’ve spent time with our teams, including the excellent Maintenance & Engineering professionals in our Seattle hangar. They walked me through a 737-9 MAX aircraft that was prepared for inspection. I witnessed firsthand the rigor they bring to their work – how they pay attention to every detail and follow their processes to ensure the safety of our aircraft.  
  • We began inspections on January 13, in response and according to the FAA’s instructions and we are making good progress.   The findings from these inspections, and those of other airlines, will be compiled by Boeing and FAA to determine the appropriate next steps in order to return the 737-9 MAX Fleet safely back to service. At this time, we do not yet know how long this process will take but will keep you updated as much as we can.  

Additional actions we’re taking 

  • Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world. 
  • Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement.  
  • We engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line to Alaska Airlines.  
  • We welcome the FAA’s added review and oversight in response to this situation, and the specific steps that Boeing announced to strengthen quality controls and assurance in their operations.  
  • In addition to these steps, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:  
  • Last week, our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight. They will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.  
  • And, starting this week, we will enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, adding more experienced professionals to the teams that validate work and quality on the  production line for the 737.   
  • Alaska has flown Boeing aircraft since 1966. In the many decades since, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing based on accountability, transparency and candor.  
  • It’s on this foundation that we are dedicated to working together with Boeing to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes and for our employees and guests. 
  • “Proudly all Boeing” is not just a tagline, it’s a commitment. It’s our pledge to you that when you choose an Alaska flight, the aircraft you are on is safe. And as the leader of this company, I’m putting all my energy toward ensuring this remains true.  

Closing 

  • In closing, I want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding through this difficult time. Thank you for your loyal support of our airline and thank you for being kind to our employees.  
  • My personal thanks also to the Alaska and Horizon team members who are working long hours conducting inspections and navigating through disruptions in our operations while taking good care of all of you who are traveling.  
  • Our collective commitment to safety is unwavering, and we will ensure we are even safer and stronger going forward.  
  • Thank you.  
Overview:

Flight 1282:

On Friday, Jan. 5, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its fleet of 65 737-9 MAX after a door plug detached during flight 1282 from Portland, OR to Ontario, CA. This was a harrowing flight for our guests and crew, and we’re grateful that all individuals have been medically cleared. 

Quality Control:

Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes. Learn more.

For Impacted Guests:

For guests whose flights have been impacted, we encourage them to visit alaskaair.com for self-service options. We apologize to those who have been inconvenienced as we work to reaccommodate everyone as quickly as possible.

A  flexible travel policy  remains in place systemwide. You may change or cancel your flight. If your flight has been canceled, please follow these rebooking instructions. 

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