Alaska Airlines announces new flights to Anchorage from Detroit and Sacramento  

hero-ANC

Summary

Alaska Airlines will offer the most nonstop destinations ever from Anchorage this summer, with 15 nonstop routes to the Lower 48 and Hawaii.

New seasonal nonstop flights: Anchorage to Detroit: Weekly, roundtrip flights begin June 14, 2025. Anchorage to Sacramento: Weekly, roundtrip flights begin June 14, 2025.

Resumed daily service: Fairbanks to Portland: Daily nonstop flights start May 15, 2025.

Tickets for these routes are available now at alaskaair.com.

We’ll offer the most nonstop destinations ever this summer from Alaska’s largest city along with daily Portland-Fairbanks service; other new nonstops begin this week across our network

For the first time this summer, Alaska Airlines is connecting Anchorage to both Detroit and Sacramento with seasonal nonstop flights, as well as resuming nonstop service between Fairbanks and Portland. Weekly, roundtrip flights to and from Detroit and Sacramento begin on June 14, 2025 – which adds up to 15 nonstop destinations between Anchorage and the Lower 48 and Hawaii, the most we’ve ever served in the summer. We’ll start flying the Fairbanks-Portland route on May 15, 2025. Tickets can be purchased now at alaskaair.com.

Our new routes provide guests with more options than ever to vacation this summer in the great state of Alaska. The nonstop flights from Detroit and Sacramento will put travelers right in the heart of Alaska by skipping a layover, and Portlanders can enjoy nonstop service to Fairbanks.”

– Kirsten Amrine

Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management at Alaska Airlines

“Summer is a tremendous time to visit The Great Land of Alaska with our long, warm days, tremendous culture and adventure, and amazing wild Alaska seafood. There’s so much to do around Anchorage, and the city is a perfect jumping-off point to venture out to communities across the state, as well as hopping on a cruise. For Alaskans, we now have even more nonstop destinations to visit family and friends this summer.”

– Marilyn Romano

Regional Vice President of Alaska at Alaska Airlines

New nonstop routes

Here are the 15 nonstop destinations we’ll fly between Anchorage and the Lower 48 and Hawaii this summer:

Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York JFK, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.

We’re also launching a variety of new seasonal routes this week across our network with nonstops from Sacramento to the warm, sun-filled destinations of Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; Orlando and Tucson. We also now fly nonstop for the winter season between Boise and Orlando – home to major theme parks – in addition to our new service linking New York JFK and Puerto Vallarta.

Start of new service this month

Alaska’s elevated travel experience offers a blend of comfort and caring service for a seamless journey, including no change fees, the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class, and the most generous Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status. For inflight entertainment, our guests can enjoy hundreds of free movies and TV shows streamed to their devices. Our mainline flights are enabled with streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi available for purchase, the option to pre-order from a range of fresh meal selections and power outlets at every seat to charge devices. 

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

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

 

Alaska Airlines names new vice president of maintenance and engineering

Logo

Summary

Executive John Wiitala joins Alaska with more than 34 years of airline experience

Alaska Airlines has named John Wiitala as its new vice president of maintenance and engineering. In this principal leadership role, Wiitala will lead professionals throughout the division who maintain the highest levels of safety and compliance with more than 237 mainline Boeing aircraft across multiple maintenance bases.

Wiitala joins Alaska after 34 years with United Airlines, most recently as vice president and chief engineer of tech operations, safety and compliance, where he was responsible for the United fleet. Prior to that role, he was vice president of technical services. Wiitala joined United in 1992 and held other engineering jobs throughout the organization including director of engineering and managing director of project engineering.  

His responsibilities at Alaska will include line maintenance operations; maintenance of airframes, components and engines; stores and distribution; quality assurance; maintenance planning; engineering and reliability; and fleet projects.   

Among his accomplishments at United, he expanded the scope of operations of the airline, which grew from under 450 aircraft to 944. He was on board during the United-Continental merger, helping the airline successfully navigate integration and grow its multi-fleet operations.   

With over three decades in technical operations’ leadership roles to include both narrow and widebody aircraft, I welcome John’s expertise, leadership and vision as Alaska becomes a global airline. John will lead our team to uphold the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance for Alaska’s fleet while combining operations with Hawaiian Airlines.” 

– Constance von Muehlen

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alaska Airlines

Wiitala began his aviation career in 1988 in project engineering at Aircraft Modular Products in Miami. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa and has served on the board of Argonaut/Davis High School, a Cleveland-based school that empowers youth to pursue pilot and technician certifications. 

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and across the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

Flight 1282, one year later – what we’ve learned and how we’ve changed

Summary

On Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its fleet of 65 737-9 MAX aircraft after a door plug detached during Flight 1282 from Portland, OR to Ontario, CA. This was a harrowing experience for everyone onboard and we are deeply grateful for the courage and professionalism displayed by the crew of AS 1282 who kept everyone on the aircraft safe that day. 

Immediately following the event, Alaska’s quality and audit team conducted a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems. We also enhanced our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft by adding experienced members of our own team to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.  

Today, we are sharing an update from Alaska’s VP of Audit, Brooke Vatheuer, on what we’ve learned and the progress we have seen in Boeing and its suppliers’ production line, its work processes, training and safety culture.

January 5th will mark one year since a door plug detached from one of our aircraft after takeoff on Flight 1282 from Portland, OR to Ontario, CA. It’s fair to say this event changed our airline and our industry. We continue to extend our sincere gratitude to our crew for their exceptional skill, courage and professionalism in ensuring the safe return of everyone to Portland.  

As we mark one year since the door plug incident, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned, the changes we have implemented and the path forward. This incident has provided us with valuable insights into our operational practices and has strengthened our commitment to safety and compliance across all levels of our organization. Together, we have made significant strides in collaboration with Boeing and our other partners, which we will continue to build upon. 

What we’ve learned and the changes we have made 

Aviation safety is based on many layers of oversight. In the past year, we have spent a lot of time with Boeing leaders reviewing their improvement plans, sharing SMS (safety management systems) best practices and monitoring their progress.  

In addition to oversight from the FAA, our visits to Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita (which makes the fuselage) and the Boeing factory in Renton have allowed us to directly observe the ongoing improvements and offer an additional “second set of eyes.” Our audit team is actively engaged with Boeing’s production quality and control systems. By walking the factory floor and interacting with management and frontline employees, we have fostered transparency and openness, providing us with the necessary information and access to execute our oversight activities. 

To further enhance our oversight at Boeing Renton, we have augmented our team with three M&E employees who possess expertise in aircraft maintenance and inspection. Our three Aircraft Acquisition Representatives (AARs) are now on-site at Boeing five days a week, covering different shifts and remaining on call to conduct inspections as defined by our standards. Ausgael, our business partner, is also present seven days a week, providing continuous oversight. Additionally, we continue to have three engineers at the Boeing delivery center to perform customer walks and oversee customer flight duties, helping to ensure that our aircraft undergo thorough inspections prior to delivery. This further reinforces our commitment to demanding and maintaining rigorous safety standards and requiring that all aircraft meet our expectations before delivery. 

We have also seen improvements in Boeing’s Mechanic Training Program, which now includes extended training periods and increased hands-on opportunities. There has been a focus on communicating the importance of safety and compliance, with a strong emphasis on voluntary reporting. Furthermore, we have observed positive changes in work processes, particularly regarding traveled work, where a SMS risk assessment framework is now employed to manage tasks effectively. We are encouraged to see Boeing leadership’s focus on safety and their commitment to cultural change. 

What are our next steps

Alaska’s employees excel and take pride in our culture of safety, which involves persistent efforts to improve operations in all areas, including in our relationships with Boeing and its suppliers. We are optimistic about Boeing’s dedication and positive momentum in making significant improvements thus far. Looking ahead, we have planned several visits to Boeing in 2025 to ensure our teams and Ausgael are inspecting our aircraft thoroughly and to observe Boeing’s continued process and cultural improvements firsthand. Additionally, we will extend our efforts to the 787 line in Charleston as we prepare for future deliveries.  

Safety is not just a policy – it is our core value that guides our actions every single day. Each of us plays a role in maintaining the safety for each other and our guests. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to safety and your dedication and pride toward ensuring our aircraft are safe and our operations are reliable. 

 

Brooke Vatheuer 

Vice President, Audit Programs 

A Look Back at 2024 with Alaska Airlines 

Summary

In 2024, Hawaiian Airlines combined with Alaska Airlines!

Added 19 new routes, offering guests more than 300 routes to choose from.

Invested in 7+ million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Donated 45,485,298 miles to nonprofits or charities.

Let’s take a moment to look back at some of the biggest highlights of the year.

Welcoming Hawaiian Airlines

This year, we combined forces with Hawaiian Airlines! Together, we’re stronger than ever, offering our guests access to more destinations, award-winning service and an unparalleled travel experience.

1,400+ daily flights to over 140+ cities.
Access to 1,200 destinations worldwide with our global partners and oneworld Alliance.
A boost in financial strength, setting us apart from competitors and securing our future. Learn more

Going more places

We didn’t just grow—we soared! With 19 new routes added this year, we now offer a total of 338 routes connecting you to incredible destinations. Whether you’re chasing the sun, reconnecting with loved ones, or exploring new opportunities, our expanding network makes it easier than ever to get there.

In May, we launched nonstop service from Seattle to Toronto.
Became the only airline to offer a direct route from San Diego (SAN) to Washington DC (DCA). Daily year-round service begins in March.
Added new routes to stunning places like Vail, Colorado and Australia or New Zealand — book now at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com.

Elevating the premium travel experience 

We’re committed to delivering a premium travel experience with exceptional service, spacious seating, elevated dining options, and seamless connectivity.

Announced in July, we’re excited to increase our premium seat mix on Boeing narrowbody aircraft to 29%, with plans to expand premium cabins on the widebody fleet being developed. This expansion will add 1.3 million premium seats annually to our mainline fleet, giving guests even more opportunities to upgrade!
Elevated our in-flight dining experience with enhanced menus featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients that celebrate the diverse regions we serve. Highlights include:

– The return of hot meals in the Main Cabin.

– A collaboration with James Beard award-winning chef Brandon Jew to reimagine our First Class menu.

– Becoming the first U.S. airline to serve hoppy water, a non-alcoholic alternative that is becoming increasingly popular.

– A ready-to-enjoy Straightaway Nitro Espresso Martini, crafted with smooth espresso made by Portland-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters – our coffee partner behind our custom blend.

– Awarded the Best Inflight Food & Beverage from Business Traveler North America for delivering innovative, top-quality meal and beverage options for every guest — no matter the seating class.

fall-offerings-header
Unveiled our new state-of-the-art location at San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Harvey Milk Terminal 1 in June, reinforcing our position as SFO’s second largest carrier.
Opened a stunning and spacious 11,000 sq ft lounge in San Francisco and refreshed our most popular lounge in Anchorage, doubling the amount of seating for guests to take a load off and enjoy epic views of the tarmac and beyond.
In August, we celebrated the opening of Portland’s stunning new terminal, marking another milestone in our commitment to enhancing the travel experience at PDX. As the largest carrier at Portland International Airport for over 20 years—with 110 peak daily flights—we’ve also invested in cutting-edge technology to make every journey smoother and more enjoyable for our guests.
We improved our electronic bag tag enabling guests to tag their bags from the comfort of their home & get through the airport lobby in under five minutes. Following feedback from our initial users, we’ve enhanced the product with some new features.
banner image

Supercharging Mileage Plan benefits 

Whether you’re a Mileage Plan MVP or a first-time flyer, you’re at the heart of everything we do.

This year, we announced elevated benefits, choices and enhancements that make it faster than ever to secure elite status. Learn more >
In November, we made Flight Pass even better. Three years since becoming the first U.S. airline to introduce a groundbreaking subscription service, we’ve made it easier than ever to unlock lower-than-average fares to select cities from California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah for a year. Most flights cost just $0.01, plus taxes and fees.
Teamed up with Bilt Rewards to offer members the ability to earn miles when they pay in rent and neighborhood spend. Bilt Rewards points can then be converted to Mileage Plan miles at a 1:1 ratio: Every 1,000 Bilt Rewards points equals 1,000 Mileage Plan miles.

Investing in our EverGreen journey

We set a long-term goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, and 2024 marked major strides forward towards this goal.

Invested in 7+ million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Learn about SAF ›
Renewed our partnership with Airspace Intelligence (ASI), whose innovative Flyways AI Platform uses AI technology to optimize flight paths, helping us minimize environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency.
In May, we became first U.S. airline to link guest participation in purchasing SAF to loyalty with an accelerated path to elite status. Guests now have the option to reduce their environmental impacts by purchasing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credits right in the booking path. Plus, Alaska Mileage Plan™ members who buy SAF credits can earn elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) for their contributions!
Partnered with Ridwell and r.Cups to pilot sustainability initiatives this summer, showing how small changes can lead to big impacts.
In July, we welcomed global attendees to Seattle for the inaugural Bloomberg Green Festival, a multi-day sustainability event where Alaska was the official airline sponsor.
Via our investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures, collaborated with leading innovators like JetZero to develop a blended-wing body aircraft that uses up to 50% less fuel and produces fewer emissions.

Supporting Our Communities

Alaska Airlines has always believed in giving back to the communities we call home.

Donated 45,485,298 miles to nonprofits or charities Donate miles ›
In February, we teamed up with the Trail Blazers to host the annual HBCU to the Pros game. Portland-based pilots and recruiters met with youth and encouraged them to consider careers in aviation and gave the students a spin in a flight simulator.
With over 30 company-sponsored volunteer events, we logged 1,200 hours of service, making a real difference during our annual Week of Care, a week where our team comes together with the communities we serve. From preparing 3,700 meals in Seattle, to packing 15,500 meals in Phoenix, to sorting 7,000 pounds of food for those in need, our efforts truly took flight to help ensure vital resources reached those who need them most.
In partnership with local organizations, we flew more than 60 Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) high school juniors from Seattle and Portland to tour historically Black colleges and universities across the U.S.
Our annual Aviation Day in Seattle welcomed nearly 1,500 participants including Scouts, STEM groups, Civil Air Patrol and other clubs from across the Pacific Northwest. Aviation Day provides the opportunity for youth to gain hands-on experience and meet professionals in the aviation industry.
In July, our Maui CARE Flight program provided hope and mental health breaks for families affected by the Maui Wildfire. Partnering with Hawai‘i leaders, we’ll donate up to 180 roundtrip tickets (equivalent to one airplane) every month from August 2024 to December 2025, following last year’s donation of 32 million CARE Miles, which helped over 650 residents in rebuilding their lives.
Alaska Airlines is now the official airline sponsor of Coachella and Stagecoach! Our extensive flight network offers seamless connections from major West Coast hubs across the Pacific Northwest, California and beyond. And for festival goers in select cities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, we’re making it easier than ever to get to both Coachella and Stagecoach next year.
coachella-hero

Happy New Year!

Thank you for flying with us and being part of our journey this year! Here’s to reaching new heights together in 2025 and beyond!

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

 

Alaska Airlines continues international expansion with new flights to London and Reykjavik from Seattle, with a first look at our new global experience

We’re charting a bold new course across the Atlantic with the launch of two new nonstop routes to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland, from our growing global gateway in Seattle starting next spring. We’re also debuting Alaska’s striking global exterior design that will be featured on our growing fleet of up to 17 widebody 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Alaska Airlines announces new routes connecting California and the Pacific Northwest

Alaska is further expanding our network connecting destinations across the Pacific Northwest and California with new routes that start flying in October.

Ciao Italia! Alaska Airlines announces new nonstop service between Seattle and Rome

Alaska Airlines is continuing the celebration of our new global gateway in Seattle by adding Rome, Italy, to our international destination lineup. This is the first time in history that Seattle will be connected to Italy via a nonstop flight.

Jet-set to Japan: Crew-approved Tokyo travel tips

Thinking about visiting Tokyo? We followed our favorite travel advice and asked the experts — our flight attendants — for their top tips.

Fall in love with Seoul: Why autumn is the best time to go

Our new nonstop service between Seattle and Seoul launches on Sept. 12.

Alaska Airlines welcomes Philippine Airlines, our newest global partner

Our guests can soon book nonstop flights on Philippine Airlines from Honolulu and our West Coast hubs to Manila at alaskaair.com, plus earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles.

Alaska Airlines continues to grow in San Diego with a 30% increase in flights and three new nonstop destinations

New nonstops from San Diego to Chicago O’Hare, Denver and Phoenix will launch later this year, all with multiple daily departures. We’re also significantly expanding the number of frequencies on some of our most popular routes, by 50% or more, to meet growing demand for our premium product.

Fly on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines to Sydney or Auckland this year and we’ll award you with MVP elite status through 2026

Earn MVP status when you complete a roundtrip flight in 2025 with Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines between the continental U.S. (excluding Hawai’i) and Sydney or Auckland.

Alaska Airlines announces new nonstop flights between Seattle and Seoul Incheon beginning Sept. 12 on Hawaiian Airlines

The new route will link the Pacific Northwest and South Korea as Alaska builds our hometown Seattle hub into a new global gateway

Alaska Airlines inaugurates nonstop service between San Diego and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Guests on our inaugural flight received a special send-off from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria before departing for the nation’s capital

Stretch your vacation time in 2025: Turn 15 days into 55 days of nonstop adventure

If you're ready to make 2025 your most adventurous year yet, we’ve got just the ticket to help your travel plans soar!

Attention Oregonians! Alaska Airlines announces three new nonstops around the state 

We're continuing to grow in Portland — one of our key West Coast hubs — along with adding new nonstop flights in Oregon to destinations across the state and country.

Holiday Travel Tips with Alaska Airlines: Your Guide to a Smooth Journey

holiday-tips

Summary

If you’re one of thousands of Alaska Airlines guests traveling on our flights this holiday season, make your trip even smoother by taking a few key steps to save time during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

The holiday season is here! Whether you’re visiting family, planning a quick getaway, or diving into festive celebrations, travel is a big part of the season for many. We know it can be busy, but don’t worry — we’ve pulled together some travel tips to help you breeze through your holiday journey, so you can focus on what really matters: connecting with loved ones, making memories, and enjoying all the things that make this time of year special.

Travel tips:

Download Alaska’s mobile app

With the Alaska Airlines app, all your travel essentials are just a tap away.

Skip the lines by checking in through the app.

Get real-time flight updates, gate information and a convenient mobile boarding pass.

Pay for checked bag(s), make seat changes, and so much more, right from your phone.

Preorder food for your flight app

The food line is another one you can skip!

Preorder a delicious meal directly to your seat on our app or website.

Reserve your meal ahead of your flight any time from 2 weeks up to 20 hours before travel.

Stay flexible

With unpredictable weather and potential delays, it’s good to keep your plans flexible. 

Alaska Airlines offers easy rebooking options & no change fees so you can adapt your travel plans if necessary.

For all Alaska Airlines travel, please visit our airport guides before your trip. Ticket counter hours, recommended arrival times, airport services and baggage/check-in cut-off times vary by airport.

Prepay for checked bags

Use our mobile app to prepay for checked bags and save time at the airport. 

Each guest can bring one carry-on and one personal item, with a $30 fee for the first checked bag and $45 for the second.

If you’re an Alaska Airlines credit card holder, Elite Mileage Plan member, or U.S. military member, your first checked bag is free.

Stress-free travel for kids + pets

Stressing over strollers or getting your four-legged family member on a plane? We have resources to help you with that!

Alaska offers complimentary gate checks for strollers and car seats, ensuring that they are out of your way on board, but ready and waiting when you arrive.

We also provide resources for unaccompanied minors and guarantee young children will be seated with their families—without any additional fees.

Likewise, check out Alaska’s pet travel policies in advance of your pet’s travel to find out about things like breed restrictions, requirements for kennels and health certificates and pet relief areas at airports

Cash in on Mileage Plan benefits

Lastly, don’t forget to make the most of your travel in 2024. Our Mileage Plan helps your money go further; you can earn miles toward future flights for every mile flown, even on our lowest fares.

Earn 30% more miles on average, compared to other airlines.

Earn when you shop, dine, rent a car, stay in a hotel and more.

You can even earn miles when you fly other airlines. Check out the list of oneworld® Alliance member airlines and other worldwide airlines partners.

Reach out to us

Our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional care to all our guests, day in and day out.

If you have any inquiries or need assistance, please call (1-800-252-7522) or text (82008). 

Live chatting and additional contact info can also be found on alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines selected to connect San Diego and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with nonstop service 

DCA

Summary

Following an approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Alaska will soon offer the only nonstop service between San Diego International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

For nearly 40 years, we’ve proudly served San Diego with the exceptional and caring service that we’re known for. From DCA, we’ve connected our guests to the country’s capital city since 2001 and today offer nonstop service from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Daily year round service will seamlessly connect our guests between the nation’s capital and one of our key West Coast hubs

Alaska Airlines is proud to announce new nonstop service between San Diego International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), becoming the only airline to offer this direct route and enhance connectivity to the nation’s capital. Tickets will soon be available for purchase on www.alaskaair.com.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved our application as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 to operate roundtrip service between San Diego and DCA. For nearly 40 years, we’ve proudly served San Diego with the exceptional and caring service that we’re known for. We’ve connected our guests to DCA since 2001 and today offer nonstop service from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Book now

We are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale at www.alaskaair.com for our new nonstop service between San Diego (SAN) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Schedule details:

Effective March 17: SAN to DCA departs at 2:10 p.m. and arrives at 9:55 p.m.
Effective March 18: DCA to SAN departs at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at 10:35 a.m.


The inaugural flight departs San Diego on March 17, launching daily, year-round service with schedules designed for our guests’ convenience. Flights from San Diego will depart at 2:10 p.m., arriving in Washington, D.C., at 9:55 p.m., while return flights from DCA begin March 18, departing at 8 a.m. and landing in San Diego at 10:35 a.m.

We extend our gratitude to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for approving our application, making Alaska Airlines the only carrier to offer this nonstop route from SAN to the nation’s capital.

Updated on Dec. 23, 2024 at 4 p.m. PT

 

We are pleased the DOT sees the value of Alaska providing direct service between San Diego and DCA, and we thank the many leaders, local businesses and organizations who supported our bid. This new route reflects our commitment to San Diego, home of the nation’s largest miliary community, and offers our guests a seamless travel option to our nation’s capital.”

– Ben Minicucci

Alaska Airlines CEO

As the carrier with the most nonstop destinations from San Diego, Alaska will offer 40 nonstop destinations and more than 70 peak-day departures when our new service to DCA begins. Together with our Global Partners, we offer one-stop service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to more than 330 destinations.* Currently, SAN has the greatest number of passengers of any U.S. airport without service to DCA. Whether you’re flying nonstop or catching a connecting a flight at SAN, www.alaskaair.com has options for what works best for you: you can book flights on 22 partner airlines or redeem Mileage Plan miles, all on our site.

“Today is a great day for the San Diego Region with the announcement of a new, nonstop flight to Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport. This flight will further connect our growing defense, research and innovation economies to our leaders in the Capitol. Securing this flight was a team effort by our partners from Alaska Airlines, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, and our congressional delegation. I especially want to thank U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker for selecting San Diego as one of the five new DCA flight slot recipients.”

– Todd Gloria

San Diego Mayor

We are very pleased Alaska Airlines has received approval to begin nonstop service between San Diego International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. San Diego has been the largest origin-destination market without service to Reagan National Airport and it has significant defense, biotech, and communications technology sectors that require efficient access to the core of the national capital region. This new nonstop route will greatly enhance the connectivity between these two strategic regions for business and our leisure passengers.”

– Kimberly J. Becker

President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

Alaska’s elevated travel experience offers a blend of comfort and caring service for a seamless journey, including no change fees, the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class, satellite Wi-Fi and the most generous Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status. Savor the best of West Coast-inspired food and beverages, including complimentary snacks and chef-curated meals. With access to Alaska Lounge locations for members and First Class guests on flights more than 2,000 miles, you can unwind in ultimate comfort before take-off.

Building off our newest Lounge in San Francisco, we’re set to nearly double our footprint in 3 years. We recently announced a plan to continue expanding our Lounge program, including in San Diego and Honolulu, followed by a new world-class Lounge in Seattle to support international service. We’ll begin with an expanded Anchorage Lounge early next year and open our new Portland Lounge in 2026.

In September, we began adding more Premium Class seating across our mainline fleet, including our 900ERs, 800s and MAX9s. We plan to increase our 737-800 First Class seats from 12 to 16 to make it easy for our guests to upgrade and meet the demand for premium seating. In First Class, our new premium seating will provide a calf rest, new seatback device holder, 6-way headrest with neck support and USB-C charging capabilities. In our 737-800 Main Cabin and Premium Class, guests will continue to experience comfort and convenience at every seat with improved features, including new device holders with built in cup holders, USB-C charging and a 6-way headrest with dedicated neck support.

*Peak-day AS+HA departures and YE1H25 destinations as of 12/16/24. Global Partner connecting destinations available round-trip on 12/19/24 (representative day) as of 12/16/24.

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

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

 

Alaska Air Group introduces “Alaska Accelerate,” its three-year strategic plan to deliver $1 billion in incremental profit following combination with Hawaiian Airlines

Summary

Alaska Air Group to unlock significant short- and long-term value creation to drive double digit margins of 11-13% and EPS to at least $10 by 2027; acquisition synergy estimates increased to at least $500 million by 2027

Launching a new global gateway from Seattle with nonstop routes to Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Seoul Incheon (ICN), and expanding to at least 12 international widebody destinations by 2030

Introducing a premium credit card with industry-leading benefits for guests, built for the global traveler to explore the expanding network

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) will host its previously announced 2024 Investor Day at 1 p.m. Eastern time today in New York City. In its first presentation since acquiring Hawaiian Airlines, the company will unveil Alaska Accelerate, its vision for the combined company, including how it will power commercial performance, achieve medium-term financial targets, and unlock significant value creation into the future.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of Alaska Air Group. We have built a winning business model that has enabled us to outperform the industry over the past two decades. Now, with the combination with Hawaiian Airlines, we will transform our business and solidify our competitive advantage for years to come.”

– Ben Minicucci

Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Air Group

Alaska Accelerate

Alaska Accelerate is architected to deliver on the combined airline’s vision of connecting guests to the world with a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance. Significant investments in the commercial organization will propel the company forward, revolving around four main goals:

Connect our guests to the world:

Enabling the power of an expanded network by opening a global gateway in Seattle with long-haul widebody aircraft, seamlessly blending two route networks to optimize connections and deepen relevance for guests. Alaska and Hawaiian now operates over 1,400 daily flights to over 140 cities and can take people to over 1,200 destinations worldwide with global partners and through the oneworld Alliance.

Be Hawai‘i’s trusted airline:

Providing Hawai‘i residents access to an expanded network, greater connectivity wherever they want to fly, and a dedicated loyalty program, Huaka‘i by Hawaiian.

Deliver a remarkable travel experience:

Investing in its existing end-to-end premium experience including enhanced airport lobbies and lounges in our hubs, expanded premium seat capacity, a new loyalty platform, and a premium credit card offering.

Diversify our future:

Maximizing opportunities to create and grow revenue across the business from cargo growth to innovation and investing in technologies for the future.

Enabling significant value creation

This acceleration of Alaska Air Group’s strengths and competitive advantages will enable significant value creation and deliver industry-leading financial results.

The company’s new 2027 financial targets will include:

$1 billion in incremental profit

Earnings per share of at least $10

Double digit pretax profit margins 11-13%

No margin dilution in year 1 following the merger

Synergy estimates doubled to at least $500M

“To win in our industry, you must have relevance and loyalty, and that’s exactly what we are accelerating over the next three years. The combination with Hawaiian gives us the scale to be stronger than either of us could have been on our own – giving guests what they want, where and when they want it. And it will drive substantial financial results that will continue to set us apart from our competitors.”

– Shane Tackett

Chief Financial Officer of Alaska Air Group

Expanding commercial growth and opportunity

With contributions coming across network, product, loyalty and cargo, the commercial organization will drive the vast majority of the expected profit growth over the next three years — unlocking an additional $800M in revenue.

“We expect an unprecedented level of revenue growth at Alaska over the next three years. We’re focused on strengthening the commercial levers that drive the greatest guest satisfaction, and ultimately preference. Our guests will benefit from more premium seats, an enhanced loyalty program with even more ways to earn and redeem miles, and new global destinations to the places they most want to go.”

– Andrew Harrison

Chief Commercial Officer of Alaska Airlines

The commercial growth begins today with benefits for every guest and customer.

Connecting our guests to the world

The company will begin offering new nonstop flights on A330 aircraft to key Asian leisure and business markets in 2025 – connecting Seattle to Tokyo Narita in Japan and Seoul Incheon in South Korea.

Daily nonstop Seattle-Tokyo Narita service starts in May 2025, offering guests an enticing nonstop option between the Pacific Northwest and Japan. Flights can be purchased now at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Nonstop Seattle-Seoul Incheon service is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with fares available for purchase early next year.

For more information about the new Seattle service to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, as well as additional network and schedule changes, click here.

Scaling our premium experience

Announced in July, Alaska will increase its premium seat mix on its Boeing narrowbody fleet to 29%, with plans to expand premium cabins on the widebody fleet being developed.

Alaska will continue to expand the Lounge program, building off the recently-opened, brand new Lounge in San Francisco. Planned Lounges in San Diego International Airport and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport will join the portfolio, followed by a new international lounge in Seattle by 2027.

These investments will serve to sustain and improve an already industry-leading net promoter score for both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines – 20 points above the legacy carriers’ average.

Creating a valuable loyalty ecosystem

In addition to previously announced enhancements to the award-winning Mileage Plan, Alaska will launch a premium credit card built for the global traveler, including an innovative Global Companion Award Certificate, 3x miles on all eligible foreign and dining purchases, an even faster path to elite status and more. The premium credit card will be perfect for the guest looking to get the most out of the expanded Alaska Air Group network.

Interested guests can join an early-access list to receive an exclusive link to apply for the new premium credit card, which is expected to be available in summer 2025. Pre-register your interest at alaskaair.com/premium-card by Dec. 31, 2024, for an exclusive offer.

Growing cargo and diversifying revenue

Building on the decades-long expertise of serving communities reliant on air travel and freight, the combined network and widebody fleet is poised to double in revenue over the next few years. The expanded cargo organization is led by industry veterans and is estimated to unlock margins that are two to three times the system average.

As Asia represents 22% of the total global air cargo market, the new passenger service between the continental United States and Japan and South Korea are the first steps to directly connect Alaska’s Seattle flagship cargo hub to the world’s most lucrative cargo markets.

Full Year 2025 Outlook

Looking ahead, the company anticipates its synergy targets and commercial initiatives will allow for no dilution to adjusted pretax margin in 2025 compared to 2024. Further, it expects to grow

EPS by 30% and produce positive free cash flow, while investing in the fleet, balance sheet and shareholder returns.

Webcast Information

Webcast information Alaska’s Investor Day presentation will be available via webcast at news.alaskaair.com/investor-relations starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time and concluding at approximately 3 p.m. Eastern time. The webcast and presentation materials can be accessed through Alaska’s investor relations website. A replay will be available following the conclusion of the event.

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and across the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

Forward Looking Statements

This presentation may contain forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated by our forward-looking statements, assumptions or beliefs. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties that may cause our forward-looking statements to differ materially, see Item 1A of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024. Some of these risks include competition, labor costs, relations and availability, general economic conditions, increases in operating costs including fuel, uncertainties regarding the ability to successfully integrate the operations of the recently completed acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. and the ability to realize anticipated cost savings, synergies, or growth from the acquisition, inability to meet cost reduction, ESG and other strategic goals, seasonal fluctuations in demand and financial results, supply chain risks, events that negatively impact aviation safety and security, and changes in laws and regulations that impact our business. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-

Q. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made today to conform them to actual results. Over time, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, assumptions or beliefs and such differences might be significant and materially adverse.

Alaska Air Group launches new global gateway in Seattle with unveiling of nonstop routes on Hawaiian Airlines to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon

tokyo

Summary

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also release combined spring/summer schedule with more choices and improved connectivity for guests flying between U.S. continent and Hawaiʻi

As the only West Coast-based airline, our expanded winter schedule is part of our ongoing commitment to expand service in the region and deliver a seamless and remarkable travel experience for our guests.

Alaska Air Group is celebrating another milestone in the combination of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines with the launch of Seattle as a new global gateway, connecting our guests to the world through a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance. New nonstop service with Hawaiian Airlines widebody aircraft between Seattle and Tokyo Narita, Japan (NRT), and Seoul Incheon, South Korea (ICN) will begin in 2025, and an enhanced domestic network for the two airlines will launch this spring.

Daily nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo Narita start on May 12, 2025, offering guests an enticing option when traveling between the Pacific Northwest and Japan on Hawaiian’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft. These flights, along with connections to other Asian destinations on oneworld Alliance partner Japan Airlines, can be purchased now at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Nonstop service between Seattle and Seoul Incheon is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with fares available for purchase early next year, along with additional flight details.

Air Group’s Seattle hub is the largest on the West Coast of any carrier, serving 104 nonstop destinations across North America, allowing for convenient travel options and connections. Including Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, the company plans to serve at least 12 nonstop global destinations with long-haul widebody aircraft from our Seattle gateway by 2030, with further specifics on where and when to be revealed later.

“We believe our guests will be as excited as we are about these new nonstop flights to Tokyo and Seoul – two of the world’s most dynamic cities. From our global gateway in Seattle, we can conveniently connect travelers from across our network as they head to Asia and beyond. Hawaiian’s spacious widebody aircraft, along with its excellent onboard service and amenities, will make for a terrific trip from one side of the Pacific Rim to the other.”

– Ben Minicucci

Chief Executive Officer at Alaska Air Group

Our new widebody service between Seattle and Tokyo Narita enables us to right-size our capacity between Hawaiʻi and Japan, a market that has experienced a weaker leisure travel demand in the wake of the pandemic. As we reposition the aircraft on the Honolulu-Tokyo Narita route to Seattle, we will offer more flying options between Honolulu and Tokyo Haneda – one of two international airports in Japan’s capital — by increasing Hawaiian’s service from 12 to 14 flights a week. Hawaiian will also continue to offer nonstop service between Honolulu and both Osaka and Fukuoka for a total of 24 weekly roundtrips between Hawaiʻi and Japan.

We are also enhancing our newly combined domestic network with strategic changes to where, when and what type of aircraft we fly. Our primary goals are to improve performance, expand growth opportunities, and offer our guests increased choice, network connectivity and convenience. The adjustments begin to take effect in late March with our spring schedule and continue to roll out through the second quarter:

More choices for our guests flying between the West Coast and Hawaiʻi:

We’re updating our departures to improve our time-of-day coverage. We will offer 20% more seats between Seattle and Honolulu, with three of our six daily nonstop flights from Seattle to Honolulu on widebody Hawaiian aircraft. This helps us accommodate an expected increase in passenger and cargo demand. In Portland, there will be three daily nonstops to Honolulu with convenient staggered departure times and a 25% increase in available seats. We’re also improving connectivity in San Diego — a growing West Coast gateway to Hawaiʻi for Air Group – with mid-morning and late afternoon departures to Maui instead of just morning departures, and newly timed mid-afternoon and redeye departures from Maui.

Improved connectivity for East Coast and Midwest flights to Hawai‘i:

We will offer an adjusted flight schedule using our combined network to allow for flights from the East Coast and Midwest to connect more easily on the West Coast before heading to the Islands. In addition to the new redeye between Maui and San Diego, we are adding three more overnight flights from Hawaiʻi to the West Coast: Honolulu and Maui to Portland, and Honolulu to San Francisco. The redeye flights unlock new connections for our flyers across the continental U.S. and will boost the utilization of Hawaiian aircraft. Improved connectivity will open greater access to Hawai‘i for guests throughout our network and strengthen nonstop and one-stop access to destinations across North America for Hawai‘i residents.

Maximizing widebody flying:

To accommodate additional guests, we will fly Hawaiian’s larger A330 aircraft on three flights between Honolulu and Seattle and move to one daily flight with an A330 between Honolulu and Sacramento. During the peak summer season in the state of Alaska, we will deploy Hawaiian A330 aircraft to fly between Seattle and Anchorage to take advantage of the aircraft’s higher seating and cargo capacity. Alaska and Hawaiian have complementary cargo networks, with cargo playing a crucial role in the communities they serve. Alaska will fly at least 18 daily roundtrips this summer between Seattle and Anchorage.

New nonstops between San Francisco and the Islands:

We’re adding new nonstops on Alaska between San Francisco and both Kona on Hawai‘i Island and Līhu‘e on Kauaʻi. San Francisco-Kona service will be four times a week starting June 12, 2025, and San Francisco-Līhuʻe will be three times a week starting June 13, 2025. With these new flights, Alaska and Hawaiian will offer four daily nonstop flights to the four main Hawaiian Islands from San Francisco, one of our key West Coast hubs. The new flights are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com.

Adding more flying with the Hawaiian brand:

To better utilize the fleet, we’ve increased the number of hours Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321 aircraft fly daily. This means more flying time for Hawaiian’s crews and more union jobs. The A321s will fly 25% more than they did before. This strategy mitigates the impact of delayed Boeing 737 deliveries while enabling us to expand our overall network reach.

Alaska and Hawaiian continue to work on obtaining a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a process that is expected to be completed by October 2025. Each airline will operate separately until the certificate is issued. Even with the combination into one great airline, the company will keep the two brands our guests love so much.

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

 

Alaska Airlines continues international expansion with new flights to London and Reykjavik from Seattle, with a first look at our new global experience

We’re charting a bold new course across the Atlantic with the launch of two new nonstop routes to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland, from our growing global gateway in Seattle starting next spring. We’re also debuting Alaska’s striking global exterior design that will be featured on our growing fleet of up to 17 widebody 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Alaska Airlines announces new routes connecting California and the Pacific Northwest

Alaska is further expanding our network connecting destinations across the Pacific Northwest and California with new routes that start flying in October.

Ciao Italia! Alaska Airlines announces new nonstop service between Seattle and Rome

Alaska Airlines is continuing the celebration of our new global gateway in Seattle by adding Rome, Italy, to our international destination lineup. This is the first time in history that Seattle will be connected to Italy via a nonstop flight.

Jet-set to Japan: Crew-approved Tokyo travel tips

Thinking about visiting Tokyo? We followed our favorite travel advice and asked the experts — our flight attendants — for their top tips.

Fall in love with Seoul: Why autumn is the best time to go

Our new nonstop service between Seattle and Seoul launches on Sept. 12.

Alaska Airlines welcomes Philippine Airlines, our newest global partner

Our guests can soon book nonstop flights on Philippine Airlines from Honolulu and our West Coast hubs to Manila at alaskaair.com, plus earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles.

Alaska Airlines continues to grow in San Diego with a 30% increase in flights and three new nonstop destinations

New nonstops from San Diego to Chicago O’Hare, Denver and Phoenix will launch later this year, all with multiple daily departures. We’re also significantly expanding the number of frequencies on some of our most popular routes, by 50% or more, to meet growing demand for our premium product.

Fly on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines to Sydney or Auckland this year and we’ll award you with MVP elite status through 2026

Earn MVP status when you complete a roundtrip flight in 2025 with Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines between the continental U.S. (excluding Hawai’i) and Sydney or Auckland.

Alaska Airlines announces new nonstop flights between Seattle and Seoul Incheon beginning Sept. 12 on Hawaiian Airlines

The new route will link the Pacific Northwest and South Korea as Alaska builds our hometown Seattle hub into a new global gateway

Alaska Airlines inaugurates nonstop service between San Diego and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Guests on our inaugural flight received a special send-off from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria before departing for the nation’s capital

Stretch your vacation time in 2025: Turn 15 days into 55 days of nonstop adventure

If you're ready to make 2025 your most adventurous year yet, we’ve got just the ticket to help your travel plans soar!

Attention Oregonians! Alaska Airlines announces three new nonstops around the state 

We're continuing to grow in Portland — one of our key West Coast hubs — along with adding new nonstop flights in Oregon to destinations across the state and country.

Jet away to winter-inspired destinations around the world using fewer Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles with Global Getaways

GG

Summary

Exclusive to Mileage Plan™ members, enjoy access to unbeatable worldwide award travel offers each quarter — so you can turn your miles into unforgettable global adventures.

Each quarter will feature limited-time travel offers to select international destinations — carefully curated to help you explore rich cultures and traditions or embrace nature’s wonder.

December is the season of giving, so why not treat yourself to a winter trip to Vienna, Zurich, or Geneva, now for fewer Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles.

Now through Dec. 31, 2024, we are offering these destinations and more for up to 50% savings on award redemption with us and our global partners with Global Getaways. Mileage Plan members can redeem miles at alaskaair.com for travel between Jan. 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025, in economy and premium economy cabins.

Geneva, Switzerland

Now starting at 20,000 miles instead of 30,000 miles

Zurich, Switzerland

Now starting at 20,000 miles instead of 22,500 miles

Vienna, Austria

Now starting at 20,000 miles instead of 30,000 miles 

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Now starting at 10,000 miles instead of 12,500 miles

Yerevan, Armenia

Now starting at 30,000 miles instead of 42,500 miles

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Now starting at 30,000 miles instead of 42,500 miles

We first introduced Global Getaways in April 2024. Over the last year we have made it easier to book redemptions and buy tickets with our partners on alaskaair.com. Our program offers enhanced simplicity, value, and availability for guests looking to redeem their Mileage Plan miles for travel with our partners. The streamlined charts provide a clearer idea of how many miles are needed to fly to and within regions of the world with partner award travel now starting as low as 4,500 miles one-way for short trips, down from 7,500 miles.

Alaska Airlines New Year’s at the Needle

SN

Summary

The Space Needle is proud to present Alaska Airlines New Year’s at the Needle, Seattle’s beloved pyrotechnic and light spectacular, to usher in 2025. 

The 18-minute show will begin seven minutes before midnight, when 500 drones take to the sky next to the Space Needle. Plus, partygoers at Seattle Center will watch the Space Needle become a canvas for the impressive 10-minute light shows happening at 10:00 PM PT, 10:30 PM PT, 11:00 PM PT, and 11:30 PM PT.

The Space Needle is proud to present Alaska Airlines New Year’s at the Needle, Seattle’s beloved pyrotechnic and light spectacular, to usher in 2025. Viewers up and down the West Coast will be dazzled as hundreds of drones take to the sky leading up to the largest structurally-launched firework show in North America. This year, San Diego will join the televised event in addition to Portland, Spokane, and Seattle.

“We are so excited to partner with Alaska Airlines to bring New Year’s at the Needle to even greater heights,” said Ron Sevart, Space Needle President & CEO. “Travel has the incredible power to inspire, and Alaska Airlines has been connecting the West Coast to the world for 92 years. As we ring in 2025, I can’t think of a better sponsor to help the entire Pacific Time Zone dream even bigger for the year ahead.”

The 18-minute show will begin seven minutes before midnight, when 500 drones take to the sky next to the Space Needle. The formations will take viewers around the wonders of the West Coast, from San Diego to the Pacific Northwest. A drone countdown leads into a thrilling pyrotechnic display as fireworks launch from the tower at midnight. Plus, partygoers at Seattle Center will watch the Space Needle become a canvas for the impressive 10-minute light shows happening at 10:00 PM PT, 10:30 PM PT, 11:00 PM PT, and 11:30 PM PT.

“As the only West Coast-based airline, we look forward to ringing in the New Year with our loyal guests, from Seattle to San Diego,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines. “New Year’s at the Needle is one of Seattle’s most iconic celebrations and as the hometown airline, we’re honored to be a part of it.” Those in Seattle are invited to watch the skies light up in brilliant color at Seattle Center. The best viewing is at the International Fountain Lawn and the Fisher Pavilion. Attendees can also check out giveaways at Alaska Airlines’ pop-up booths at the Armory and surrounding outdoor areas, including a special giveaway for Alaska Airlines credit card holders.

Viewers at home can tune-in to the live broadcast starting at 11:30PM PT on KING 5 in Seattle, KGW 8 in Portland, KREM 2 in Spokane, and CW 8.2 in San Diego. Bonus coverage will begin at 11:00PM PT on streaming (KING5+, KGW8+, KREM2+, and over the air in San Diego on CW 8.2). Those watching the show in the surrounding area can tune in to a live simulcast of the soundtrack on HITS 106.1 in Seattle. The broadcast will include behind-the-scenes coverage of the New Year’s spectacular, and musical performances by Seattle-based band Sugar Bones live from the top of the Space Needle.

Please note, there are no New Year’s Eve events atop the Space Needle; however, the tower does have extended hours on December 31 and will be open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Alaska Airlines takes center stage as the official airline of Coachella and Stagecoach Festivals

coachella-hero

Summary

Alaska Airlines is now the official airline sponsor of Coachella and Stagecoach! 

Our extensive flight network offers seamless connections from major West Coast hubs across the Pacific Northwest, California and beyond. And for festival goers in select cities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, we’re making it easier than ever to get to both Coachella and Stagecoach this year.

Get ready for a first class festival experience and an unforgettable journey to the desert skies next spring! Alaska Airlines is excited to be named the official airline of Coachella and Stagecoach with its first-ever partnership.

Alaska Airlines is your ticket to good vibes with the most flights to Palm Springs*, one of the closest airports to Indio, California—home to both music festivals. Coachella returns on April 11-13 and 18-20 followed by the ultimate country music party at Stagecoach on April 25-27—explore the recently announced lineups now!

Ready to elevate your festival journey? Book today at alaskaair.com and discover that, together with Hawaiian Airlines, our extensive flight network offers seamless connections from major West Coast hubs across the Pacific Northwest, California and beyond. Fly nonstop to Palm Springs or touchdown in Southern California at convenient airports like Los Angeles, Ontario or San Diego–then caravan with friends to the heart of the Coachella Valley.

Plus, you can put your hard-earned miles to work and redeem them for flights on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines to over 140 incredible destinations worldwide.

For festival goers in select cities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah, we’re making it easier than ever to get to both Coachella and Stagecoach this year! Sign up for Alaska Airlines Flight Pass, a groundbreaking subscription service with fares as low as $.01 plus taxes and fees. With lower-than-average fares, no blackout dates and the ability to earn miles, Flight Pass ensures your festival experience begins the moment you book.

Every day we connect people to the places and experiences they love most, and partnering with Coachella and Stagecoach is yet another way to deliver on that commitment. We can’t wait to welcome guests on board and provide them with the remarkable care we’re known for as they head to the desert this spring. And be sure to keep your eyes open for a few surprises and unique ‘upgraded experiences’ along the way!”

– Eric Edge

Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising at Alaska Airlines

* More flights/seats to PSP than any other carrier” (YE April 2025 as of 11/20/2024)

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is based in Seattle and comprised of subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., Horizon Air and McGee Air Services. With our recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we now serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Central America, Asia and across the Pacific. We are committed to safety, remarkable customer care, operational excellence, financial performance and sustainability. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional global partners, our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Book travel throughout the Pacific on Hawaiian Airlines at hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about Alaska Airlines at news.alaskaair.com and Hawaiian Airlines at newsroom.hawaiianairlines.com/blog. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”

3 Takeaways from our Electronic Bag Tag Launch

3 Takeaways from our Electronic Bag Tag Launch

Summary

An updated version of our electronic bag tag is now available for purchase. These bag tags enable our guests to tag their bags from the comfort of their home and help cut down the time they spend in line at the airport.

Following 18 months of feedback from our internal testers and Mileage Plan elites, we have made our electronic bag tags easier to use and added new features, including updates to the app experience, a new strap, and dedicated support.

Two years since becoming the first U.S. airline to introduce an Electronic Bag Tag program, we’re excited to unveil an enhanced version of the technology. After listening to feedback from our guests, we’ve improved the overall user experience to make your travel experience even more seamless.

Creating a premium guest experience is important to us, and we are continually working to streamline your airport experience by helping you get to security in five minutes or less. This goal prompted our use of computer vision to transform the bag drop process at some of our busiest airports and to create our electronic bag tags that let you tag your luggage from the comfort of your home.

Unlike most Bluetooth devices, our electronic bag tags don’t contain a battery and don’t need to be charged separately; they are powered and activated through the NFC signal on your phone.

The tags can be used on Alaska Airlines flights, including those operated by Horizon and SkyWest in the United States, Canada, and Belize. We plan to expand the list of eligible countries in the coming months. They can also be used on several other airlines, including our partners Icelandair and Qatar Airways. Visit bagtag.com for more details.

A host of improvements

While we were excited to see users’ immediate enthusiasm for using their tags, the last 18 months have been a period of feedback and learning. We have been working closely with our internal testers and Mileage Plan elites to make the tags easier to use and improve their functionality.

Here are three of the biggest changes:

A new and improved strap

Our original key-based strap was difficult to unlock and too rigid to easily maneuver. We replaced the strap with a more flexible, buckle-type model that makes it easier to remove while ensuring the tag stays securely attached to the bag during travel. If you already have one of our original straps, you can reach out to us at alaskaair.BagTag.com for a complimentary replacement.

Easier activation and dedicated support

We worked to streamline the process of activating the hardware through our Alaska Airlines app. Guests now have better on-screen instructions to help navigate the process, and we launched a dedicated support desk to assist guests in tackling issues with their tags. If you want to talk to someone about a problem with your electronic bag tag, please visit alaskaair.bagtag.com/support.

A new neutral setting

Our users wanted to keep their electronic bag tags attached to their bags at all times, even when traveling on an ineligible flight. To make this more convenient, we added a new blank setting so that guests can easily clear the screen after a trip has concluded.

Get your electronic bag tag today

You can purchase your own tag here for $89, and you can peruse our FAQ for more information.

Loading...