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Man on a mission: Alaska Airlines flies Vinton Smith to 49th state for blood donation

Vinton Smith was 17 when he donated blood for the first time. That was 36 years ago.

Today, Vinton has donated blood 138 times and is just one state away from completing his mission to donate blood in all 50 states. Last month, we flew him from Pennsylvania to Anchorage, bringing him one flight closer to achieving this remarkable goal.

It’s an overwhelmingly good feeling, thinking about all those donations that I’ve made and the impact it’s had. It’s not just about the donation, it’s also about inspiring someone else to give. I have no idea how many people have been influenced and encouraged to give because of my story,” Vinton told Alaska Airlines.

Vinton’s quest started more than ten years ago. But his inspiration began when he was a young boy when he would watch his parents give blood regularly.

Vinton recalls the first time he gave blood, chuckling at the memory of his classmates filing into their high school gymnasium—many of whom were happy to offer their arm for the prick of a needle to avoid sitting in class.

Vinton, however, knew his blood donation would change someone’s life because of what he’d learned from his father and mother. At the time, Vinton just hadn’t fully grasped the ripple effect blood donors have on their recipients.

“I understood that it meant it was going to save people’s lives, but I didn’t really understand the full impact,” Vinton told Alaska Airlines. “What I think about today is—it’s so much more than saving somebody’s life. It’s about giving others longer lives to fill with moments that they would’ve lost forever. And it’s not just that person either—it’s their family, friends, and their experiences and how many more holidays they get to celebrate, and years they get to hold their grandchildren.”

Vinton continued to donate regularly throughout college. After graduation and landing a job, he had a routine of donating blood every other month at the local firehall.

But then Vinton landed a new job that required him to travel and miss one of his upcoming blood drive appointments. That’s when he decided he’d donate in the state his job was sending him.

That became his new routine when he couldn’t make it to the firehall.

“After three years, I counted that I’d donated blood in 16 different states and that’s when I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be a fascinating goal to donate blood in all 50 states? Can I actually do that?’ Well, yeah, you know I guess I could. It’s going to take a while, but that would be something unique,” he said.

Vinton was so committed to giving blood and inspiring others to donate he adjusted his business trips so he was able to give blood (you must wait 56 days between whole blood donations). When it came time to plan vacations with his wife, he’d slyly suggest states that were on his list. His wife always knew what Vinton was up to – she’d smile and call him out before saying “yes” to support the cause.

Vinton’s 49th state

Last month, when we heard Vinton’s 49th state was the state of Alaska—our namesake state—we agreed to fly him and pay for his travel expenses so he could donate to the Blood Bank of Alaska.

Recognizing the critical need for blood donations, we also donated $10,000 to the Blood Bank of Alaska to help the organization to continue its essential services across the state.

Booked the 50th State

After Vinton checked off his 49th state, Alaska Airlines flew him to Honolulu, where he met with the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i. During this visit, he pledged to donate to the organization next year, which would officially complete his mission of donating blood in every state. In 2025, we plan to fly Vinton back to Honolulu to support his remarkable journey.

He also plans to have his mother there to witness the culmination of his mission. After all, his mother is the reason Vinton is on this journey in the first place. He said he knows that his father, who has since passed away, is proud of his accomplishments.

“Vinton embodies kindness, selflessness and genuine ethic of care, which are the reasons why lives are saved by blood and blood products each day,” said Nick Perih, spokesperson for The Blood Bank of Hawaii. “As a result of his pursuit to donate blood in all fifty states, Vinton has positively impacted the lives of countless people, families and communities across the United States.”

It is only fitting that Vinton’s journey will be completed next June in Hawaii, the 50th state,” said Perih. “The Blood Bank of Hawaii is excited to celebrate Vinton’s accomplishment as well as to use this milestone to amplify the larger message that continues to drive his mission: by taking a few moments from our own lives to donate blood, we can give back a lifetime of moments for other people. On behalf of the Blood Bank of Hawaii, I’d like to both recognize and thank Vinton for a lifetime of giving and service to the larger community.”

Even when he reaches his goal, Vinton says he will continue to donate blood and encourage others to save lives as he can. He is also now on a journey to donate platelets across the country. To date, he has donated platelets 40 times in 23 different states.

“It won’t be the end of a journey, it’ll be one step to the next level,” Vinton said. “Big efforts like this that Alaska Airlines is doing can make a meaningful impact on peoples’ lives. I want to commend Alaska Airlines for all they have done to step up to the plate. It truly will inspire others to give blood and save countless lives! We may never know how many, or who, where, or when – but I’m confident it will.”

Alaska Air Group announces webcast of second-quarter 2024 financial results 

Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss 2024 second quarter financial results at 11:30 a.m. EDT/ 8:30 a.m. PDT, Thursday, July 18, 2024.  A webcast of the call will be available to the public at www.alaskaair.com/investors. An archive of the call will be posted on the website later that morning. 
 

With Global Getaways, redeem fewer Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles to travel to incredible international destinations 

Travel is great, but it gets even better with a good deal. Like fewer miles to take you a lot farther around the globe. 

You can enjoy significant savings by redeeming your valuable Mileage Plan miles for flights to aspirational international travel destinations with Global Getaways. 

Starting today, we’re offering a new round of savings of up to 50% on award redemptions to selected worldwide destinations with us and our global partners. Mileage Plan members can redeem miles between July 10-31, 2024, at alaskaair.com for reduced award travel between Oct. 1, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025.   

These one-way redemptions can be enjoyed later this fall into mid-winter in economy and premium economy cabins with our various partner airlines: 

Rome (Italy): 

Now starting at 27,500 miles instead of 35,000 

Delhi (India):

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

Taipei (Taiwan):

Now starting at 25,000 miles instead of 37,500

Athens (Greece):

Now starting at 25,000 miles instead of 35,000 

Guadalajara (Mexico):

Now starting at 12,500 miles instead of 17,500  

Muscat (Oman):

Now starting at 25,000 miles instead of 42,500 

We first introduced Global Getaways this past April. During that month, Mileage Plan members booked nearly 1,000 flights using reduced miles to fly to exotic, sunny beach escapes. Now it’s time for destinations that offer tremendous cultural experiences around the world. 

Global Getaways ↗

We’re making it easier to book redemptions and buy tickets with our partners on alaskaair.com. Our new award charts provide improved simplicity, value and availability for our guests who are looking to use their Mileage Plan miles for travel on our partners. The streamlined charts give a better idea of how many miles are needed to fly to and within regions of the world.  

Partner award travel now starts as low as 4,500 miles one-way for short trips, down from 7,500 miles. More than 60% of nonstop economy and business class redemptions start at a lower price. We’ve unlocked even more award flight availability, including additional options when connecting from an Alaska flight to a partner flight. Plus, premium economy seating with our partners now starts at just 30% more than an economy ticket.  

Alaska Airlines expands winter travel options with 18 exciting new sun and ski routes

This expansion offers our guests warm-weather escapes and a range of dream winter getaways, including our first-ever service to Vail, Colorado

Alaska Airlines is reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the travel experience this winter with 18 new nonstop routes to sun-soaked international destinations and winter wonderland retreats that will offer our guests a blend of adventure and relaxation. Tickets are available starting the evening of July 10, 2024 on alaskaair.com.

Click to download route map

We’re thrilled to offer convenient connection for guests across our network with this expansion—whether checking destinations off their bucket lists or setting off to their favorite winter getaways, we’ve put together an exciting range of options from tropical destinations across Mexico to the most popular ski slopes in North America,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of network planning and revenue management at Alaska Airlines.

📍Vail | 📍Kelowna | 📍Reno

We’re delighted to offer guests more access to some of the world’s best ski destinations this winter, including our first-ever service to majestic Vail, Colorado from San Diego and Seattle.

Snow sports enthusiasts can also look forward to new nonstop service from Los Angeles to Kelowna for central British Columbia’s popular ski resorts; and nonstop service from San Diego to Reno for easy access to Lake Tahoe ski resorts.

Vail, Colorado
Kelowna, British Columbia
Lake Tahoe

📍Bozeman | 📍Santa Ana | 📍Orlando

For our guests who love adventure and exploration, we’re adding new winter-seasonal service between Boise and Bozeman, a gateway to Yellowstone National Park; and adding year-round service between Boise and Santa Ana, which is located near California’s most-loved theme park.

We’ll also start flying to Orlando from Boise and Sacramento for those who want to escape the winter blues and bask in Florida’s warmer weather while amusement park hopping.

Yellowstone National Park, Montana
Santa Ana, California
Orlando, Florida

📍Liberia, Costa Rica

We know our guests love sun-soaked destinations too, especially during the colder months. This winter, we’re thrilled to reaffirm our position as the largest U.S. carrier between the West Coast and Latin America with new nonstop service to Liberia, Costa Rica from San Francisco and Seattle—making this our 104th nonstop route out of Seattle. We began flying to Liberia in 2015 and are excited to connect even more West Coast guests with Costa Rica’s Gold Coast.

Liberia, Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa Rica
📍Guadalajara | 📍Los Cabos | 📍Puerto Vallarta

To cater to increased leisure demand to warm weather destinations during winter, we’re also adding new service to our most popular vacation spots in Mexico: we’ll become the first U.S. carrier to connect Fresno and Guadalajara with daily flights on our mainline aircraft; we’ll expand our presence in Los Cabos with five weekly nonstop flights from Sacramento; we will offer the only nonstop service between New York state and Puerto Vallarta; and more!

Guadalajara , Mexico
Los Cabos, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

📍La Paz, Mexico | 📍Monterrey, Mexico

Just last week, we announced we’ll become the only U.S. airline to offer La Paz, Mexico service and the only U.S. airline to fly between Monterrey, Mexico and Los Angeles.

La Paz, Mexico
Monterrey, Mexico

New Winter Routes in Order of Start Date:

Click table to enlarge

New Winter Routes in Order of Start Date: 

*Frequency varies—see AlaskaAir.com for the latest schedule information

Whether traveling for pleasure or business, our guests can take advantage of a premium travel experience on any Alaska flight with no change fees, the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class, the most generous Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status, high-quality West Coast-inspired food and a premium selection of beverages.

Our guests can also buy tickets and earn Mileage Plan miles with our domestic and Global Partners directly at alaskaair.com.

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

Alaska Airlines is making it easier for you to plan your next trip while saving money and earning Mileage Plan™ miles.

Bundle flights, hotels, car rentals and experiences at Alaska Vacations, find deals on car rentals through Alaska Car Rentals and book your next adventure while earning 4 miles for every $1 spent on GetYourGuide.

Alaska Airlines honors US military with newest aircraft and Fallen Soldier Cart 

As the nation comes together to celebrate Independence Day, we’re proud to introduce two new tributes to the brave service members who protect our country: our fourth “Honoring Those Who Serve” aircraft and 16th Fallen Soldier Cart. 

The Fourth of July is a time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and to recognize the sacrifices made by military members. At Alaska, we are dedicated to honoring these heroes and their families in meaningful ways. We take seriously our responsibility to care for our military guests, and we prioritize it with every flight. 

Honoring Those Who Serve Aircraft 

We are proud to unveil our specially designed “Honoring Those Who Serve” aircraft. The design, which is almost identical to three of our other jets, features a new patriotic paint scheme with symbolic imagery representing all six branches of the US Armed Forces: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

From its star-spangled design to the heartfelt message emblazoned on its side, this aircraft is a flying tribute to the courage and dedication of those who serve today, and those who served in the past. 

Every time this aircraft takes to the skies, it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by US military personnel. We hope our guests, employees and aviation enthusiasts alike will feel a sense of pride and appreciation when they see this aircraft in the air and on the tarmac. 

Fallen Soldier Cart 

In addition to our new aircraft, we recently delivered our 16th Fallen Soldier Cart to Nashville International Airport (BNA) on June 26. These dedicated carts, designed and crafted by Alaska’s Maintenance and Engineering department, are a solemn and respectful symbol that transports the remains of fallen service members, ensuring they are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. 

Alaska has dedicated this special cart to BNA for shared use among all airlines, as a gesture of respect and remembrance. The cart, in its first mission, transported the cremated remains of US Navy Vietnam veteran, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Roy Campbell. 

Alaska maintenance & engineering employees drove eight days, across 10 states and 2,632 miles to deliver a Fallen Soldier Cart to Nashville on June 26, where it will serve to honor military heroes at Nashville International Airport (BNA). 

In 2011, the Fallen Soldier Program was created to ensure military protocols are followed when handling the remains of fallen service members being flown to their final resting place on Alaska Airlines. The cart plays a pivotal role during the dignified ceremonies of loading and unloading the remains of fallen soldiers onto aircraft. 

This cart begins its most important duty today—doing what is on the side of our beautiful liveries—honoring those who serve, transporting our fallen heroes home to their final resting place with honor and dignity,” said Carlos Zendejas, Horizon VP of flight operations and Air Force veteran attending the delivery service. “Our hope is that this cart will also bring comfort to the family, friends and loved ones during that very difficult time.” 

Adorned with the American flag, the insignia of the six military branches, and a plaque honoring the fallen, our carts are a powerful tribute to those who have served our country. 

Alaska has Fallen Soldier Carts at the following airports: Anchorage, Dallas Fort-Worth, Fairbanks, Honolulu, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Spokane, Washington Reagan. 

This Fourth of July, as fireworks light up the sky and people gather to celebrate, we invite you to join us in paying tribute to our military heroes. At Alaska, we believe it is our duty to honor those who serve and are committed to doing so with the respect and gratitude they deserve. Learn more 

Alaska Airlines launches historic routes to La Paz and Monterrey, Mexico from Los Angeles 

This winter, we’re expanding our guests’ options with nonstop service to two exciting international destinations 

Alaska Airlines is excited to announce an expansion of our international network with two new Mexico destinations starting this winter. We’ll soon start flying between Los Angeles and breathtaking La Paz, as the only U.S. carrier serving the coastal Mexican destination. We’ll also become the only U.S. airline to offer daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and the bustling city of Monterrey when we begin service in February. 

During the winter months, our guests search for warm-weather travel destinations. Our new nonstop service to La Paz (LAP) and Monterrey (MTY) caters to that demand by offering our guests the perfect escape to sunny skies, a vibrant city experience and warm hospitality. It’s never too early to start booking your winter vacation. Tickets are available starting the afternoon of July 3 on alaskaair.com.  

We recently celebrated 35 years of service to Mexico and are proud to connect travelers with the rich culture and natural beauty of the country. We look forward to continuing to serve as the carrier of choice from the West Coast, especially as we prepare to start service to these popular destinations in Mexico,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning at Alaska Airlines. 

 

We’re proud to be the #1 U.S. carrier with the most flights, seats and nonstop routes to Mexico from the West Coast. This announcement continues our longstanding commitment and plans for growth in the region.

Our new nonstop service to LAP and MTY from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) enables guests to easily connect from cities across our network. From our hub at LAX, we continue to offer the most flights to the most destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean of any carrier – which includes almost 16 average daily departures this winter to 15 cities throughout the region. 

Click to enlarge table

La Paz, Mexico 

This year, we will become the only carrier offering nonstop service between the United States and La Paz where you’ll find some of the world’s best diving and sport fishing. We’re excited to offer flights year-round with service up to three times weekly. 

“We appreciate Alaska Airlines’ confidence in investing in the virtues of La Paz and providing it with the opportunity to expand its borders by connecting with the United States. Especially with its flight to Los Angeles, California, which we are sure will be a success,” said Maribel Collins, minister of tourism and economy of Baja California Sur.  “For the Government of Baja California Sur, tourism is one of the pillars that drives the state’s economy. Therefore, we are highly committed to promoting actions that benefit this important sector through our tourism trusts, which day by day seek alliances for the benefit of all.” 

“Connecting La Paz with Los Angeles is an important step for internationalizing this airport which has grown passengers significantly over the past three years.  We thank Alaska Airlines for offering this flight to one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico and look forward to welcoming travelers to La Paz and continuing to provide greater ease for foreign tourists to visit this city,” said Raúl Revuelta Musalem, CEO of the Pacific Airport Group. 

Monterrey, Mexico 

We’re adding daily service from Los Angeles to Monterrey, Mexico’s second-largest metro area. The popular destination offers dramatic peaks of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountain range and a vibrant food scene, including several Michelin-starred restaurants. Immerse yourself in history with a visit to one of the city’s many museums or satisfy your love for the outdoors with a visit to the Huasteca Canyon, a popular rock climbing area located on the outskirts of the city. 

We are pleased to announce that Alaska Airlines will begin operations from Monterrey Airport to Los Angeles, expanding its services from our airports along with Mazatlan and Zihuatanejo,” said Ricardo Dueñas, CEO of Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte. “Through LAX, this new route will offer access to new destinations on the West Coast, as we continue to increase international connectivity from Monterrey to meet both business and leisure travel demand.” 

Whether traveling for pleasure or business, our guests can take advantage of a premium travel experience on any Alaska flight with no change fees, the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class, the most generous Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status, high-quality West Coast-inspired food and a premium selection of beverages. Our guests can also buy tickets and earn Mileage Plan miles with our domestic and Global Partners directly at alaskaair.com.  

Alaska Airlines is making it easier for you to plan your next trip while saving money and earning Mileage Plan miles. Bundle flights, hotels, car rentals and experiences at Alaska Vacations, find deals car rentals on Alaska Car Rentals and book your next adventure while earning 4 miles for every $1 spent on GetYourGuide. 

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

Jet-Set-Go: 6 travel hacks to have your best summer travel era  

As summer beckons travelers ☀️ we’re delighted to share tips & tricks to ensure your journeys are as smooth as they are memorable. Whether you’re flying to sun-soaked beach destinations or exploring the serene landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, the tips below cover everything from packing essentials to navigating through bustling airports.  

ICYMI: We’ve added almost one million seats during peak summer months (June, July and August) versus last year—these added seats will help our guests get to more places than ever before. Our busiest days will be before and after Independence Day, where we expect to see almost 160,000 guest boardings each day. 

Travel tips:

1. Take advantage of apps  

Keeping your things organized can be a struggle, especially during those early morning airport visits!  

Our Alaska Airlines app keeps your travel needs at your fingertips. You can use it to check in, pay for your bag(s), get your boarding pass(es), track flights, make seat changes, and so much more, right from your phone.  

2. Speed through TSA 

Consider joining a trusted traveler program to spend less time in line. Membership in programs like TSA Pre-Check®, Global Entry, Nexus or SENTRI grant access to faster security screening lanes at participating airports, where you don’t have to remove your shoes, belts, or light jackets, and your 3-1-1 liquids bag and laptop can stay in your carry-on. 

While many of these options require days or weeks for approval, programs like CLEAR offer same-day sign up. Plus, Mileage Plan members enrolling in CLEAR will receive $10 off the standard price of a 12-month CLEAR Plus membership linked to their Alaska Mileage Plan account.  

Flying through our hometown?

You can also take advantage of spot saver programs like SEA Spot Saver, a non-membership program in Seattle where you can book a screening timeslot and use a dedicated lane to zoom through the security process. Similar spot saver programs can be found in Calgary, Charleston, Newark, Orlando and Phoenix. 

3. Preorder food for your flight

The food line is another one you can skip! Preorder a delicious meal directly to your seat on our app or website ahead of your flight. You can preorder inflight food any time from 2 weeks to 20 hours before travel. See what’s currently on the menu. 

4. Stress-free travel with 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.  

Bring your pet(s) with you:

Likewise, check our 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.

5. 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.  

What’s more, you can: 

  • 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 our list of oneworld® Alliance member airlines and other worldwide airlines partners.  
6. Reach out if you have questions

Our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional care to all our guests, day in and day out. Should you have any inquiries or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to call (1-800-252-7522) or text (82008). Live chatting and additional contact info can also be found on alaskaair.com.  

San Diego Wave FC Announces Partnership with Alaska Airlines

San Diego Wave FC announced today an all-new partnership with Alaska Airlines as the Official Airline Partner of the club. The airline becomes the first official airline partner for Wave FC. As part of launching the partnership, the club’s upcoming match against the Chicago Red Stars on June 28 will be presented by Alaska Airlines.

The partnership also presents fans with new benefits. Fans who wear Wave FC merchandise to flights departing from San Diego International Airport can receive priority boarding on all Alaska Airlines flights and the airline will upgrade one selected fan’s seats at each San Diego Wave home game for the remainder of the 2024 NWSL season.

“Welcoming Alaska Airlines as our Club’s first official airline partner marks a significant milestone for San Diego Wave FC,” San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis. “Alaska’s impressive expansion and dedication to serving San Diego make them an ideal partner for us. This partnership will not only enhance the travel experience for our players and local fans but also bring elevated and memorable moments to our matches and community events.”

Alaska Airlines recently expanded its gate presence in San Diego, and as of June 15, 2023, serves 35 nonstop destinations from the city, the most nonstops of any airline. Alaska also holds a partnership with Snapdragon Stadium that includes expedited entry through a dedicated Alaska Airlines lane at all Snapdragon events, including San Diego Wave matches.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the San Diego Wave FC – one of the most energetic teams and fanbases in the NWSL,” said Eric Edge, managing director of marketing and advertising at Alaska Airlines. “This partnership further expands our presence in the San Diego community and builds on our support for women’s sports.”

San Diego Wave FC return to Snapdragon Stadium this Friday, June 28. Tickets for the Olympic Sendoff match, presented by Alaska Airlines, are available here.

What Pride Month means to Alaska Airlines employees 

Video and photos by Ingrid Barrentine

Together, we’re creating an airline people love and that starts with making a positive impact and building a world where everyone is free to love, live, and fly with pride. 

“Alaska Airlines remains steadfast in our commitment to Pride. We will continue to champion diversity, support the LGBTQ+ community, and create a culture where everyone can be their authentic selves,” said James Thomas, director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Alaska. “By celebrating our differences and embracing inclusivity, we believe we can soar to new heights together.” 

We’re also a proud sponsor of many Pride Parades around the country. Read more below for locations, what Pride means to our employees and where they like to celebrate. 

“Pride Month to me means celebrating all the different parts of me that for the longest time society made me feel ashamed of. It is celebrating all the activists that came before me that helped paved a softer world for me to be in. San Francisco is a beacon of hope for our community. No matter where you fall on the LGBTQ spectrum, you can come here and this is a safe haven for you.”

– Fabiano F., flight attendant.

“My absolute favorite city for Pride has to be San Francisco. Every color of the rainbow is replicated in the variety of humanity all present to support love, inclusivity, expression, and gender. The reason why we celebrate Pride year after year for the entire month is both a reminder of how far we have come and to set goals towards equity and equality for the future. Even though Pride is a month for LGBTQ+ humans, the movement encompasses a movement of true freedom for all.”

– Jessica T., first officer.

 

“As for where I love to celebrate, my favorite place is San Diego, but the grandeur and energy of San Francisco Pride is unparalleled!”  – Ismael B.

“I feel privileged to work at a company that values my contributions to our common professional goal, but also values and respects me as the authentic gay man that I am. We have come such a long way and made big important strides like the right to marry the person we love and the right to not get fired from our jobs for who we are, and those are just a few of the reasons we celebrate Pride. Are we where we all need to be yet? NO, but that’s why we proudly celebrate who we are, so we can continue to represent and encourage new generations that together, we can make a difference and have a better life for all of us.”

– Ismael B., sales and loyalty market manager. 

“One of the most beautiful things about being a queer person is that it’s inclusive of so many people, including allyship. I identify as a queer person, but also as a human operating in the world, just like everybody else—having struggles and a desire to be loved and to love. And for friendships and a great relationship with my family. Those are just as important to me as every part of my identity. I think that evolution of identity is something very normal for folks in any space.”

– J’Keren S., public affairs manager.

 

“I sometimes still look where I truly belong, but I always think that no matter what and where I would ever go, I always need to be proud of myself and learning to accept who I am. My advice: don’t be afraid to take a chance and shine bright.”

– Marcy P., customer service agent. 

Fly to Pride 

There are several parades around the country through November that Alaska participates in, including: 

June: 

  • June 29: Anchorage Pride 
  • June 30: NYC Pride March  
  • June 30: 50th Annual Seattle Pride Parade  
  • June 30: San Francisco Pride  

July and beyond 

  • July 20: San Diego Pride 
  • July 21: Portland Pride 
  • September 15: Boise Pride 
  • October 11: Las Vegas Pride 
  • October 19: Honolulu Pride 
  • October 20: Phoenix Pride 
  • November 3: Palm Springs Pride 

“I Am …” at Alaska Airlines

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

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

We’re sharing this story featuring multiple employees in honor of Pride Month. 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 employees, guests, and business partners feel included and belong.    

As we like to say, our Pride flies nonstop, and the same can be said for our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work, which includes everything from improving the guest experience to how we do business and much more.  

We encourage our employees to be their authentic selves, and our commitment is to ensure a welcoming, safe, and respectful work environment for all. This includes adding domestic partners to health benefits, supporting transgender employees with dedicated resources, including gender identity and expression in our people policies, and more.    

We also care about creating an inclusive travel experience. We’ve modernized our reservation systems for broader gender inclusivity, adopted gender-neutral greetings onboard, and curated special inflight entertainment to celebrate Pride Month.   

Collaboration is key, and we also work with partners in the community including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Lambda Legal and provide in-kind support to smaller grassroots organizations & fundraisers such as the Pride Foundation, Oregon Pride in Business, National LGBTQ + Bar Association, and many others.   

Upgrade your summer journey: Take off on a culinary adventure with our new food & beverage menu! 

Get ready to experience a journey of flavors this summer as we unveil our seasonal First Class menu and all cabin premium beverage line-up!  

Our chef-curated First Class summer menu is carefully crafted with a symphony of seasonal ingredients and vibrant flavors from up and down the west coast. Travelers love variety and we’re making sure to offer something for everyone. Entrees include made-from-scratch Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes served with pecan-candied bacon, Summer Shrimp & Linguine served with a bright lemon-dill sauce and a Seattle take on Teriyaki Chicken, with flavors of charred ginger & garlic! 

Whether traveling for pleasure or business, our guests can now savor a taste of excellence while enjoying the comforts of Alaska’s First Class experience, including high-quality chef driven meals, premium beverages,  care in the sky from our best in class Flight Attendants and the most legroom in First Class*,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines. “We’re excited for our guests to discover our 2024 First Class summer menu that captures the season with every bite.” 

In addition to our new First Class menu, which is now available for selection using our industry-leading pre-order option, we’re excited to announce a refreshing summer beverage line-up.  Our seasonal drink menu starts next month and includes a range of options to enhance the travel experience—from our premium beers, fine wines and refreshing non-alcoholic options. 

We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Portland-based Straightaway Cocktails and introduce a new gin-based Bee’s Knees cocktail with honey & lemon that is sure to brighten any flight. We’re also debuting a new sparkling brut with lively citrus aromas from Walla-Walla based Waterbrook Winery. California-based Sierra Nevada is welcomed back onboard with their Summerfest Lager, and for guests looking for a non-alcoholic beer option, try Best Day Brewing Electro Lime Cerveza beer.  

For our guests in First Class, we’ll be introducing a 5th generation family winery out of Lodi, CA, appropriately named Gen5. Varietals include a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with notes of citrus & tropical fruits, with the Ancestral Red Blend features dark berries and a spiced finish. In our Main Cabin, Broken Earth’s 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon will be available alongside a new Chardonnay from Pull Winery – both from the Paso Robles area.  

Summer isn’t complete without a cool treat to escape the heat. Our new seasonal Salt & Straw flavors feature sun-kissed flavors of summer fruit that will leave you craving for one more scoop. 

Our inflight menu continues to offer more choices than any other U.S. airline.  

Guests on flights over 1,100 miles* will be able to choose from up to five chef-curated dishes, including at least one hot meal option and up to five snack items on flights over 223 miles, such as the Mediterranean Tapas Pack (vegan and gluten-free).

Remember to use our first-in-the-industry pre-order option to choose your meal and have it conveniently delivered to your seat on your next flight. Preorders are available through the Alaska mobile app or through alaskaair.com from two weeks to 20 hours prior to your flight.

In May, we announced the return of hot meals for purchase in Premium Class and our Main Cabin.

View our full 2024 premium summer food and beverage menu here. 

New Summer First Class Food Offerings

Morning Featured Entrees in First Class (now available): 

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes: Fluffy blueberry ricotta pancakes, served with chicken-apple breakfast sausage and cage-free scrambled eggs 

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

Turmeric Tofu Scramble: Turmeric-spiced tofu scramble topped with a green salsa (medium spice), served with roasted fingerling potatoes, herbed cherry tomatoes, and vegan chorizo crumbles. All items are made without gluten ingredients and vegan 

Turmeric Tofu Scramble
Evening Featured Entrees – First Class (now available): 

Seattle Teriyaki Chicken: Seattle’s take on teriyaki chicken: grilled chicken thigh marinated in a ginger & garlic teriyaki sauce, served on top of steamed jasmine rice, and sautéed peppers, onions & sugar-snap peas

Seattle Teriyaki Chicken

Summer Shrimp & Linguine: Linguini pasta tossed in bright lemon, dill, & caper sauce, topped with grilled shrimp and fresh green peas

Summer Shrimp & Linguine

Sweet Chili Salmon: Grilled salmon filet topped with a sweet chili soy sauce, served with chow mein noodles and steamed bok choy

Sweet Chili Salmon
Don’t forget dessert!
First Class (now available): 

Salt & Straw Strawberry Rhubarb with Cinnamon Crumble Meyer Lemon with Blueberry Jam made by Portland-based Salt & Straw 

Salt & Straw Strawberry Rhubarb with Cinnamon Crumble Meyer Lemon with Blueberry Jam
New Summer Beverage Offerings
First Class (available by mid-July) 
  • Gen 5 Winery Sauvignon Blanc & Ancestral Red (Paso Robles, CA) 
Gen 5 Winery Sauvignon Blanc & Ancestral Red
Main Cabin (available by mid-July)  
Broken Earth Winery 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon (left) | Waterbrook Brut Bubbles (right)
  • Broken Earth Winery 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, California) 
  • Pull Winery Chardonnay (Paso Robles, California) 
All Cabins (available by mid-July)  
  • Straightaway Cocktails Bee’s Knees, Oregon Old Fashioned (Portland, Oregon) 
  • Waterbrook Brut Bubbles (Walla Walla, Washington) 
  • Best Day Brewing Electro-Lime Cerveza (San Francisco Bay Area, California) 
  • Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager (Chico, California) 

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

*Hot meal options may not be available on some flights 1,100 miles or more, including redeye flights or where catering is not available   

Alaska Airlines partners with Greenlight® to empower the next generation of financially savvy kids

At Alaska Airlines, we believe there are tremendous benefits in teaching kids how to save and invest starting at a young age. That’s why we’re welcoming Greenlight® as a new Mileage Plan partner.

Our loyalty program already offers great benefits for parents and their children, including family seating and boarding that guarantees one adult will be seated next to any child 13 or younger; parental leave that allows our elite fliers to put their status on pause; kid-friendly food items on board; car seats that fly for free; and more.

Greenlight shines a light on something we all think about: money. It offers financial tools to help parents raise financially smart kids. The company’s award-winning debit card and app teaches kids and teens how to earn, save, invest and spend wisely—all with parental supervision. Kids can also access Greenlight Level Up™, an in-app financial literacy game with a best-in-class curriculum, educational challenges, and rewards.

As a father of two young children, my spouse and I have used Greenlight since 2021 to help educate our kids about money management,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances and sales at Alaska Airlines. “We’re always looking for best-in-class brands to partner with and I’m excited for our members to experience the Greenlight platform.”

First-time subscribers to Greenlight can now receive bonus Mileage Plan miles when they register online for Greenlight through the designated link and provide a valid Alaska Airlines number. All Mileage Plan members will receive 4,000 miles after paying their first monthly fee. Our elite Mileage Plan members (MVPs, MVP Golds, MVP Gold 75Ks and MVP Gold 100Ks) will receive 6,000 miles after paying their first monthly fee.

Register online
About Greenlight

Greenlight Financial Technology is the family fintech company on a mission to help parents raise financially-smart kids. Its product, Greenlight, is an award-winning banking app, complete with a debit card for kids and teens and safety features for the whole family. Parents can automate allowance, manage chores, set flexible spending controls, and invest for their family’s future. Kids and teens learn to earn, save, spend wisely, give, and invest. Together, families can also stay safe and connected with location sharing, SOS alerts, crash detection with 911 dispatch, driving scores, reports and real-time trip alerts.

Greenlight partners with more than 60 leading banks, credit unions, and employers to bring its family finance solution to more families through the Greenlight for Banks, Greenlight for Credit Unions, and Greenlight for Work programs. 
The Greenlight Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Greenlight Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, provides investment advisory services to its clients. Investing involves risk and may include the loss of principal. Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Greenlight’s bank partners. For more information, please visit: greenlight.com.

How Alaska Airlines connects rural communities with lifesaving health care 

When Nichole learned she had a brain tumor, she was 450 miles and two flights away from home.  

Nichole was at her regular doctor appointment in Anchorage, where she traveled twice a year from the rural community of Kongiganak via an Alaska Airlines flight from Bethel. The vertigo and muscle weakness she thought were symptoms of Meniere’s disease were actually caused by a softball-sized tumor, and Nichole’s diagnosis meant an emergency flight to Salt Lake City for three surgeries, six weeks of recovery, and multiple flights between Kongiganak and Anchorage for radiation treatments. She was terrified.

“I just didn’t realize I actually had cancer,” she said. “I had a major mental breakdown when I found out I had an oncologist.”

Nichole had a large meningioma removed from her brain in January 2021 in Salt Lake City. 

Every day, Alaska Airlines sees patients like Nichole coming through Bethel and other communities throughout the state on their way to receive vital health care in Anchorage, Seattle and elsewhere in the lower 48, and we find ways big and small to care for those guests who need extra help along the way. 

“You get to know people as they come and go, and what their needs are going to be,” said Carla S., a lead customer service agent in Bethel who has worked for Alaska Airlines for 11 years. “You know if they’re going to need extra help getting onto the plane or help when they get to Anchorage. It’s a daily thing out here connecting people.”   

Last year, the local hospital, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), arranged for more than 70,000 flights on Alaska Airlines out of Bethel, a hub for over 50 rural communities in the region.  

Carla S., a lead customer service agent in Bethel who has worked for Alaska Airlines for 11 years.

A lot of times we know these people, or we’re related to them,” said Carla, who grew up in one of these communities. “We try to make people smile and make their day brighter, especially when you know that they’re going through something tough.” 

A gift of donated miles goes a long way

Nichole has taught social studies to Kongiganak seventh- through 12th-graders for eight years, and she loves her life there.  “This is home and where I feel the most myself,” she said. But the remote location makes securing health care more complicated and expensive, compounded when lifesaving cancer treatments required multiple trips. 

Nichole teaches social studies in Kongiganak. Her brain tumor has responded well to treatment.

A gift of donated miles by Alaska Airlines and telecommunications provider GCI to the American Cancer Society (ACS) of Alaska allowed Nichole to focus on battling cancer rather than stressing over the travel costs.

“I wouldn’t have been able to stay where I love and maintain the level of care I have without their help,” she said.  

ACS’ Flight Partner program also covered the cost for her then-fiancé to fly with her to care for her while she traveled. Because of the radiation treatment she received in Anchorage, her prognosis is good. She continues to recover and is back teaching in Kongiganak. “Thank you, a million times over,” she said. 

Patients in rural Alaska have no choice but to fly to receive specialized health care, said Charissa Habeger, American Cancer Society’s director for the state of Alaska, and very serious diagnoses often require travel outside the state.

“It’s a wild concept for folks in the lower 48 that it’s really impossible to get from Point A to Point B in the state without flying,” Habeger said. “That’s why this flight partnership program for the American Cancer Society is so important, and it really is unique to Alaska and Hawaii. No other states have a flight partnership program.” 

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can help, too, by donating miles to help connect patients to health care in the state of Alaska and across the country. Learn more

Caring service on the ground and in the air

The team in Bethel plays another vital role in the community’s health care, shepherding the time-sensitive medications shipping in through Alaska Air Cargo to the local YKHC hospital, as well as clinic patients’ lab samples shipping out. According to Carla, those lab samples must go out that day to Anchorage or Seattle because they have limited time to stay viable. Like most team members in Bethel, she works with both cargo and passengers. 

Carla shared the Bethel team keeps an eye out every day for guests who need extra time or assistance—especially those guests who can’t navigate the stairs from the tarmac into the aircraft. The team has a DPL (Disabled Passenger Lift) truck that can drive guests out to the plane and lift them to reach the door, and she tries to ensure that those who need the service know about it. 

After years helping thousands of patients traveling to appointments, Carla also has picked up some travel tips that she shares:  

  • She advises guests traveling from smaller communities to pack light, if possible, so they don’t have to take time to check baggage.  
  • Allow for more time than they think they need to make their connections.  

“We know that they’re trying to get there for a hospital appointment that they’ve been waiting for weeks or months, so we do everything we can to help make sure they are on their flight,” she said. 

The team’s caring service is valued and appreciated, said Nichole, who noted that Alaska Airlines is her first choice when she travels. “I fly with them almost exclusively because they take such good care of us,” she said. “Those are my plane people.” 

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