Alaska Airlines announces our 30th global airline partner, Porter Airlines

Our first Canadian airline partner starts service to Los Angeles and San Francisco next month; guests can book travel on Porter at alaskaair.com and earn miles  

Alaska Airlines is welcoming a new global airline partner: Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that begins its inaugural nonstop service between Toronto and both Los Angeles and San Francisco in January. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased later today at alaskaair.com. Mileage Plan members who buy Porter flights on our website also earn at least 100% of the miles flown and 100% elite-qualifying miles. 

Porter Airlines opens new opportunities for our guests to travel to Canada in style,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales at Alaska Airlines. “We’re thrilled to partner with a vibrant and growing airline that offers a refined experience including top-notch inflight service and terrific onboard amenities.” 

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, CN Tower Cityscape.

Porter’s new routes will link Los Angeles and San Francisco to Canada’s largest city and beyond with connections to destinations across Eastern Canada including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. Porter will fly the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft between California and Toronto, which is known for its quieter flying and greater fuel efficiency than previous generation technology.  

The E195-E2 is like the E175 flown by Alaska’s regional carrier, Horizon Air, and our regional partner SkyWest – it flies 132 passengers instead of 76 with no middle seats. Mileage Plan members will feel at home on Porter’s flights where they can enjoy similar inflight amenities such as fresh food options, onboard entertainment and generous legroom – some of the same things they love about Alaska. With PorterReserve, flyers can book an all-inclusive economy experience that includes two checked bags, dedicated airport check-in, early boarding, front-of-cabin seating with extra legroom, and premium snacks and beverages. 

“Porter has been redefining economy air travel for more than 17 years. As our network expands across North America, this partnership with Alaska Airlines will enable travelers in the western U.S. to enjoy our elevated onboard experience when flying to Toronto and throughout Eastern Canada,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “Alaska and Porter emphasize service excellence on each and every flight, so this partnership is a natural fit for our passengers.” 

Porter is Alaska’s 30th global partner airline. Porter’s daily nonstop service between Los Angeles-Toronto begins on Jan. 16 with the airline’s operations conveniently located alongside Alaska’s gates at Terminal 6 at LAX. Porter’s San Francisco-Toronto service will launch the following week on Jan. 25. Porter is now selling flights with Alaska connections on its website. 

Book now

Alaska and Porter will continue to strengthen our partnership next year. Coming in 2024, Mileage Plan and VIPorter members will earn miles in their respective loyalty programs no matter where they book their flights. Next year will bring even more benefits with access to mileage redemptions with enhanced availability for both Mileage Plan and VIPorter members on each other’s airline. 

Learn more about our 30 global partners, including our membership in the oneworld global alliance, at alaskaair.com. With oneworld and our additional airline partners, our guests can earn miles all over the world through our highly acclaimed Mileage Plan program, and also redeem miles with many of our partner airlines. Elite status with Alaska automatically matches tier status in oneworld so members can enjoy all the benefits that come with it right away. 

Alaska Airlines teams up with Best Day Brewing to add craft non-alcoholic beer to its premium beverage lineup 

At just 55 calories per can, Best Day Brewing Kölsch offers guests in all cabins  a healthier alternative to traditional beer without sacrificing the classic taste 

We’re now offering happy hour without the hangover on every flight with its new and refreshing beverage offering. Just in time for Dry January, the premier West Coast carrier is serving Best Day Brewing Kölsch—the first non-alcoholic beverage to join Alaska’s premium beverage line-up.  

Starting this month, Best Day Kölsch will be complimentary in First Class and Premium Class and available for purchase in the main cabin service on flights where a full beverage service is offered.  

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Best Day Brewing holds the title of the #1 selling non-alcoholic Kölsch in the United States*. This distinctive Kölsch offers a crisp and refreshing experience, featuring a toasty malt character and lighter hoppiness with 55 calories per can. The non-alcoholic beer, like all of Best Day’s products, is non-GMO, Kosher and vegan.  

We are always looking for healthier food and beverage options that allow our guests to maintain their lifestyles without sacrificing the taste or quality of the product they’re consuming,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines managing director of guest products. “Best Day Brewing achieves that with its craft non-alcoholic beers founded right here on the West Coast.”  

Best Day Brewing embodies a tectonic shift in the world of beverages. As consumers’ relationship with alcohol evolves, the future of drinking is about having the freedom of choice without sacrificing quality or experience. Sales of non-alcoholic beers have surged, growing 31% each year for the past four years*. Even more emblematic of this shift, 94% of non-alcoholic beer consumers continue to buy beer, wine, and spirits*.  

“At its core, the partnership with Alaska Airlines and Best Day Brewing is about celebrating life’s adventure. Having our non-alcoholic Kölsch at 30k feet is about enjoying all the upside of cracking open a great tasting beer and acknowledging that when you land your journey is just beginning,” said Tate Huffard, CEO of Best Day Brewing.  

Best Day Brewing employs a unique brewing process, crafting all their beers first to full strength before carefully removing the alcohol. This method, conducted at temperatures no higher than fermentation temperature, preserves the aromas and flavors of exceptional beer.  

Infused with Hallertau Blanc hops, Best Day Brewing Kölsch exudes fruity aromas with white grape characteristics, while traditional Cologne malts pay homage to the beer’s roots, delivering a premium non-alcoholic beverage.  

“I’m excited to travel with an airline that’s inclusive and offers a drink to their passengers who live a sober life or like the taste of beer, but not the effects of alcohol,” said Brittney Childs, Alaska Airlines mileage plan member and loyal guest who tipped Alaska about the Best Day Brewing’s craft non-alcoholic beers when she posted a can on her social media account. “Breweries have come such a long way in making non-alcoholic beers taste good and Best Day Brewery has definitely achieved that. I like that I can enjoy a non-alcoholic beer on the ground and now, in the air when I fly Alaska Airlines.”  

For our media kit, including still images and b-roll, click here.  

Sleigh the holidays with Alaska Airlines’ nostalgic, sustainable Holiday Sweater + priority boarding! 

At Alaska, we don’t just fly. We sleigh.

This holiday season, we celebrate the beauty of family traditions, both cherished and new. Just as we have embraced the festive tradition of our holiday sweater for six years, we’re thrilled to see the next generation of flyers creating their own timeless memories with us. 

Featuring a new twist on our classic snow planes, this year’s sweater is sure to keep you feeling extra cozy and is a testament to sustainability. Made from 70% recycled post-consumer polyester, our threads embrace holiday spirit while making a positive impact on the planet.  

With more families trading tangible gifts for the intangible joy of shared experiences, our ever-expanding network can connect you to destinations across the world, making new travel traditions memories that will last a lifetime.   

Stand out this holiday season & score priority boarding by wearing your festive spirit on your sleeve – or rather, your Holiday Sweater – on Dec. 15, National Holiday Sweater Day. Anyone wearing a holiday sweater on flights served by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air that day can board early, following group B. *Any guests with First Class tickets or airline status will board first in their typical fashion. 

Alaska is celebrating the holidays throughout December, with festive décor and boarding music, as well as free holiday movies to help flyers have a merry flight. 

Amidst one of the busiest travel periods of the year, we’re focused on delivering care and bringing joy to our guests. As the ‘merrier carrier,’ we want to make every moment of your journey memorable. Our holiday sweater is just one of the many ways the team at Alaska is delighting guests and employees this holiday season,” said Eric Edge, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of marketing and advertising. 

Airports are busier than ever in December. As a reminder, anyone traveling during the holidays is encouraged to arrive to the airport at least two hours before their flight given anticipated congestion at the airport.

Holiday Travel Tips

How to purchase our custom sweater  

  • In person at Alaska’s Company Store: Drop in and purchase a sweater at our shop (19235 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98198). Due to the volume of guests in the store, we are unable to accept phone orders on the first day. You can also email the Company.store@alaskaair.com, and we’ll fulfill the order received while supplies last. 

  • Online at our Company Store website: Our sweaters are now on sale while supplies last. Please note, there are multiple shipping options on the website. 
••••••

Local Care, Global Reach

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to combine, expanding benefits and choice for travelers throughout Hawai‘i and the West Coast, including connectivity across Asia, Oceania and the Pacific.

Alaska Airlines opens the world to travel with more direct bookings with our partners 

Go global! Our guests can now purchase thousands of flights to more than 500 destinations across 20 oneworld and additional partner airlines directly at alaskaair.com  

Are you eager to lose yourself far away from home? Maybe get swept up in the awe of Paris; absorb the history, food and beauty of Japan; head down under to Sydney to dive into jaw-dropping Australian beaches. Alaska Airlines can help get you there with the power of alaskaair.com and the rewards of our Mileage Plan program. From Austin to Auckland or Zihuatanejo to Zanzibar, alaskaair.com can now take you to more than 500 global destinations.  

We recently surveyed 1,000 flyers nationwide to understand the destinations on their bucket lists*. One thing is clear: International travel remains BIG.

Nearly 85% of U.S. travelers plan to cross the Atlantic or Pacific in the next three years to visit overseas hot spots. 

  • Nearly half of the respondents say they’re most interested in visiting Europe if they take a trip outside the U.S. in the next year. The United Kingdom, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany and Greece register as top choices. 
  • One in 10 of those surveyed say they’re most interested in heading to Oceania with Australia as their top choice followed by New Zealand and Fiji.  
  • About the same number of travelers – one in 10 – say Asia captures their attention with Japan ranking as the preferred destination followed by South Korea and the Philippines. 

We’re building a world-class, direct booking platform with access to a robust portfolio of domestic and global partners. Your hassle-free journey starts at alaskaair.com where tickets for flights can be purchased for travel onboard premium global carriers that include Air Tahiti Nui; Finnair; Iberia; Japan Airlines; Qantas; Qatar Airways; STARLUX Airlines, and more. You can buy tickets with our partners in all classes of service (maybe treat yourself to business class?). 

Premium Economy on STARLUX Airlines
Business Class on Condor Airlines

The power of our oneworld and partner airlines is now fully accessible by our flyers who can book their overseas travel directly on our website,” said Andrew Harrison, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Alaska Airlines. “When you book at alaskaair.com, you earn elite qualifying miles for every mile flown, no change fees and triple miles for all purchases when using the Alaska Airlines credit card.” 

Alaskaair.com offers a unique booking proposition with key benefits when purchasing tickets directly, including more rewards, more ease and more care: 

Fly a mile, earn a mile with us and our partners:

Our Mileage Plan members earn 100% of the miles they fly on our partners when booked at alaskaair.com.** For overseas roundtrips that cover thousands of miles, that’s thousands of Mileage Plan miles earned. We’re the only U.S. airline that offers this level of loyalty to our members. 

Earn valuable elite qualifying miles on our partners when booking partner flights on alaskaair.com:

Mileage Plan members earn at least 100% of the miles flown as elite qualifying miles (EQMs) that apply toward elite status with us.** We have a faster path to becoming an elite flyer than other U.S. airlines. And status with us equals matching tier status within the oneworld alliance and all the benefits that come with it. 

All flights purchased on alaskaair.com with our credit card earn triple miles:

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card offers triple miles on all ticket purchases at alaskaair.com including overseas flights on our partners. Every dollar spent is three miles earned when using our credit card to purchase all flights on our site. 

Here’s a scenario:

You and three of your family members travel from San Francisco to Tokyo on our fellow oneworld member Japan Airlines.

You buy roundtrip tickets for $2,000 each on alaskaair.com using your Alaska credit card.

4 tickets x $2,000 apiece x 3 miles per dollar spent = 24,000 total Mileage Plan miles earned.

Plus, if miles flown on the Japan Airlines flight are credited to your Alaska account, those are additional miles earned – one mile for every mile flown.

That’s more than 10,000 miles for each person roundtrip!

No change fees. Ever:

There are no change or cancellation fees when booking with us. And that includes partner flights.** 

Buying tickets with our partners on alaskaair.com is simple:

Many of our guests know our website, and most already have a Mileage Plan account with their profile information and payment details stored. That information is ready to use when purchasing overseas travel with our global partners. Plus, you can see all your trips in one place. And don’t forget about our award-winning guest service and care we’re known for.  

With oneworld and our additional airline partners, our guests can earn and redeem miles all over the world through our highly acclaimed Mileage Plan program.

We’re rolling out new global award redemptions in March 2024. With a focus on simplicity, value and availability, Mileage Plan members will have new options to choose from when booking flights with miles on our 24 partner airlines. We’ll offer award redemptions starting as low as 4,500 miles one-way. We’re also expanding award availability so our members can find more award space when they want to travel.

Learn more

 

* To gather the data, Alaska Airlines conducted an online survey earlier this year with a third-party research partner in the U.S. among 1,000 Americans over 18 who have taken a domestic or international flight in the past three years.   

** Saver or basic economy tickets are excluded. Effective for flights on or after Jan. 1, 2024, Mileage Plan members who book on alaskaair.com earn 100% of the miles they fly on our partners. These miles are elite qualifying miles (EQMs) that apply toward elite status with us. 

Alaska Airlines earned a score of 100 on HRC’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index  

Alaska Airlines is a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, our partners and allies alike, and we are committed to creating an environment where our guests, employees and business partners feel included and belong.  

Today, we are proud to announce we have achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.  

Our improved score, up from 90 for the last few years, reflects our commitment to inclusivity, including reinstating domestic partner benefits, employee toolkits for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Benefits and Guidance to Support Employees Transitioning in the Workplace and updated language in existing policies that already allowed domestic partners to receive benefits to be clearer.  

Receiving a score of 100 from the HRC underscores our commitment to creating an environment where all employees feel safe to be themselves. I am proud of the improvements we have made for our LGBTQ+ community,” said Andy Schneider, senior vice president of People, “Together with members of the Pride Crew Business Resource Group we are making a difference for all employees.”   

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work is ongoing and includes everything from improving the guest experience to incorporating best practices in how we do business and much more.  

Read more below on how we care for and support the LGBTQ+ community and employees.  

Creating an inclusive travel experience  

From the moment you book a ticket to when you reach 10,000 feet and climbing, we care about creating an inclusive travel experience.  

To show our commitment, we have:  

  • Upgraded our reservations systems to provide guests with expanded gender options – ‘X’ (unspecified) or ‘U’ (undisclosed) identifiers are available across all Alaska platforms. 
  • Moved to use gender-neutral plane greetings for inflight announcements.   
  • Partnered with film festivals and independent film studios to create a Pride Month collection for our inflight entertainment.  

Supporting our employees 

We encourage our employees to bring their authentic selves to work, and our commitment is to ensure a welcoming, safe and respectful work environment for all. 

Here are some of the ways we have and continue to create an inclusive environment for employees: 

  • Updated our grooming and uniform guidelines to provide employees with more individuality and gender expression at work, and became the first US carrier to develop a universal uniform piece. Our Business Resource Group (BRG) Pride Crew was instrumental in providing feedback and was a key partner in the development of the universal uniform piece.  
  • Introduced personal pronoun pins.  
  • Launched diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education modules/content on how to be an LGBTQ+ ally. 
  • Added domestic partners to health benefits and updated language in existing policies that already allowed domestic partners to receive benefits to be more explicit.  
  • Adjusted our benefits to meet the full WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) standards and requirements. If an employee has an eligible person on their benefits that is transgender and needs to utilize benefits, they can do so.   
  • Raised the inclusive Pride flag at our corporate headquarters building in SeaTac, WA, and unveiled a Pride-inspired plane on an Airbus aircraft in 2021 (which was respectfully retired in 2022 as part of our company’s plan to move to an all-Boeing fleet for mainline flying by the end of 2023).   

Better together  

To meet and honor our commitments, we must also work with partners who understand the space better than us.   

For the 16th year in a row, we’ve partnered with the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) – Washington State’s LGBTQ and allied Chamber of Commerce and the largest of its kind in North America. GSBA represents over 1,300 small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.  

Through the GSBA, we’ve invested over $300,000 in business development and expanding economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ business owners and helped raise an additional $200,000 in direct support for the GSBA’s Scholarship and Education fund. 

We are a national member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and sponsor HRC fundraisers along the West Coast. Some of our other partners include Lambda Legal and we provide in-kind support to smaller grassroots organizations and fundraisers such as the LGBTQ Community Center Fund, LGBTQ Center of Orange County, National LGBTQ + Bar Association, Southeast Alaska LGBTQ Alliance, and many more. 

In 2019, we joined a growing coalition of over 300 businesses across the U.S. to voice our public support for the federal Equality Act, and with our community partners, we sponsor and participate in Pride parades, Pride nights with sports partners and events across the West Coast every year.    

••••••

Alaska Airlines delivers a dose of joy to a Navy mom battling cancer through our Gift of Travel 

Heather Nysted could barely contain herself. She had just flown Alaska Airlines from Milwaukee to San Diego and was waiting to surprise her cousin, Amanda Bjyrd, a Navy corpsman, who is battling cancer. 

The moment she spotted Amanda the tears began to flow — happy tears, not sad. The two close cousins hadn’t seen each other in two years.  

It was all part of Alaska’s “Gift of Travel” program, which gives the magic of travel to individuals or groups who deserve it the most. This “Gift of Travel” provided trips for injured or ill veterans and service members to fly home during the holidays in partnership with the nonprofit Warrior Foundation Freedom Station in San Diego.  

However, when non-profit leaders told Alaska not every active-duty service member they help are able to fly because of medical conditions or issues, like Bjyrd, we knew we had to bring the holidays to them instead. That’s when Alaska orchestrated Nysted’s travel plans behind the scenes to make it a surprise—and all the more special. 

Being able to actually see her in person, and to give her a hug was so amazing. I am just so grateful to Alaska Airlines for this opportunity,” Nysted said. 

Two peas in a pod 

Bjyrd and Nysted grew up together. They were like sisters. When Bjyrd joined the Navy and was stationed in sunny San Diego, they kept in touch and planned to visit each other regularly.   

But life threw Bjyrd a curveball. 

Diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2021, she confronted a barrage of treatments, surgeries and obstacles. Balancing the roles of mother, Navy hospital corpsman and cancer warrior, she took on the challenges with unwavering strength.  

But she allowed that stoicism to melt a bit when she saw her cousin in person. Having her “bestie” fly in to be with her for a few days was just what the doctor ordered.  

“She means the world to me,” Bjyrd said. 

Amanda Bjyrd (left) Navy Corpsman, and Heather Nysted 

The Gift of Travel 

Alaska’s “Gift of Travel” started as a grass roots effort to give back to those who deserve the magic of travel, but can’t because of personal, financial or other obstacles. 

“Our Gift of Travel ensures that these seriously ill and injured active-duty service members won’t spend the holidays alone,” said David Tucker, MD of public affairs in California. “Service members like Amanda make incredible personal sacrifices for us all. Being able to provide her a little bit of care and comfort is what our airline is all about.” 

Alaska is also giving the “Gift of Travel” to two dozen other veterans, who are supported by the Warrior Freedom Foundation, with roundtrip flights from San Diego to their hometowns or city of their choice for the holidays. Alaska’s own Military, Veterans & Allies (MVA) BRG group is also supporting the non-profit’s cause with a $2,500 donation.  

“When Amanda and Heather reunited, it was apparent just how meaningful Alaska’s Gift of Travel is for active service members and their families,” said Mia, an talent acquisition partner at Alaska and member of Alaska’s Military BRG. “We all cried, a lot.”

Planting our heart in California 

Alaska Airlines has continued to grow our California presence in 2023 with four new route announcements from San Diego, solidifying our position as the airline with the most nonstop destinations from the market.  In all of California, we’ll have launched nine new routes by the end of this year and added frequency to more than 30 more.  As we continue to grow our presence across the state, partnerships like this one with the Warrior Foundation Freedom Station show how much we care. 

••••

Alaska Airlines launches nonstops between Seattle/Everett-Honolulu and Portland-Miami 

We’re taking our guests to popular vacation getaways: Seattle area’s second airport now connected to Hawaii; Miami becomes fourth Florida city with nonstops from Portland 

Alaska Airlines welcomed guests today seeking warm temperatures and sunny skies on our new nonstop flights between Seattle/Everett-Honolulu and Portland-Miami. The daily, year-round flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com. 

“Travel demand to leisure destinations to relax and recharge remains strong, especially to sun and fun locations as cooler weather settles in,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. “Our new nonstop between Seattle/Everett and Honolulu is our first regularly scheduled service connecting Paine Field to Hawaii. And our new coast-to-coast route between Portland and Miami links two destinations that were the largest underserved cities for each airport.” 

For a growing number of our guests, Seattle/Everett – home to Paine Field Snohomish County Airport – is a more convenient option with a smaller terminal and an upscale lounge atmosphere. It’s located about 25 miles north of downtown Seattle. We launched commercial service there in March 2019 when the new facility opened.     

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For those traveling between Honolulu and Washington State, flying into Seattle/Everett is a less congested option and offers a different way to access the greater Seattle area,” said Daniel Chun, director of sales, community and public relations in Hawaii for Alaska Airlines. “With this new flight, we’ll fly a combined six nonstops a day to the two Seattle area airports from Oahu, providing our leisure and business travelers with a variety of flight times that work best for them.” 

We now fly from eight West Coast gateways to Hawaii: Anchorage, Seattle/Everett, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego. From these airports, we serve Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Island of Hawaii with an average of 30 nonstop, peak-daily flights. 

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In Portland, we’ve been the largest carrier for more than 20 years. With our new service to Miami, we currently fly to 52 nonstop destinations from the Rose City. Miami is the fourth Florida city we serve nonstop from Portland joining Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa. We also fly nonstop to Miami from Seattle.  

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

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

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

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

How does it work?

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

Voila! It’s that easy.

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

Pre-order your meals before you board!

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

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

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

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

Alaska Airlines celebrates 35 years of connecting guests with Mexico 

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

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

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

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

Book now

Cancun (CUN) 

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

Guadalajara (GDL) 

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

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

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

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

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (ZIH) 

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

Los Cabos (SJD) 

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

Loreto (LTO) 

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

Manzanillo (ZLO)

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

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

Mazatlán (MZT)

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

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

– Luis, Alaska customer service agent in MZT 

Puerto Vallarta (PVR) 

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

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

– Karen, an Alaska customer service agent in PVR  

Alaska Airlines is rolling out new global award redemptions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lonewolf and Indiana: From Air Force buddies to Alaska pilots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But fate had other plans.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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