Every four years, the world’s best athletes converge for more than two weeks in the heat of summer. Games become spectacles.
If you’re looking to pole vault your way into the middle of the action, we can help you dismount in Paris—the 2024 site of pageantry and dozens of wide-ranging events, from archery to wrestling, with plenty of gymnastics, swimming and soccer (or football to our friends across the pond) tossed in.
Alaska’s global airline partners offer convenient flights to the heart of France, even if you’re being tempted by a last-minute trip.
Choose the best option for you:
You can book flights directly with our partners or redeem Mileage Plan miles, all on our website.
Thinking of business class all the way? You can buy tickets and use miles to fly in style at alaskaair.com.
Alaska’s global airline partners offer convenient flights to the heart of France, even if you’re being tempted by a last-minute trip. Alaskaair.com has options for what works best for you: You can book flights directly with our partners or redeem Mileage Plan miles, all on our site. Thinking of business class all the way? You can buy tickets and use miles to fly in style at alaskaair.com.
Here’s a look at how several of our global partners can get you to Paris from our West Coast gateway cities:
Air Tahiti Nui
Seattle Twice weekly nonstop flights to Paris with departures on Wednesday and Saturday
Los Angeles Five times a week nonstop flights to Paris with departures on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Aer Lingus
Seattle Six times a week nonstop flights to Dublin with connections to Paris on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
San Francisco Daily flights to Dublin with connections to Paris
Los Angeles Daily flights to Dublin with connections to Paris
American Airlines
Connect to American Airlines in Chicago or New York via one of Alaska’s several daily nonstop flights from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego and Anchorage (service starts June 13)
Chicago O’Hare Daily nonstop flights to Paris
New York JFK Daily nonstop flights to Paris
Don’t forget: When you book a flight with one of our partners on Alaskaair.com, you earn at least 100% of the miles you fly. And guests with Mileage Plan elite status receive matching tier status within the oneworld alliance and all the benefits that come with it.
From office to the beach: How I flew to Maui on day one as an Alaska intern
Within 24 hours, I went from receiving my employee ID to hopping on a plane to Maui. Imagine this: one minute, you’re touring your new job site in Seattle, and the next, you’re boarding a flight to Hawaii. That’s the magic of interning for an airline.
Before I joined Alaska’s internship program, I had never been to Hawaii. It was always on my bucket list, so when I met two other interns who wanted to go, it felt like fate. I could practically hear the 5 o’clock flight calling my name!
Maui is a dream come true
The warm air and stunning island views were exactly how I imagined Hawaii to be. On my first morning there, I ate a mango straight from a tree—it was (and will probably forever be) the best mango I’ve ever had. Grocery store mangos back home just don’t compare.
Our next adventure took us on the ‘Road to Hana.’ We stopped at local shops along the way and bought matching bracelets as keepsakes from the trip. Halfway through, we explored the lava tubes—tunnels that have been around for more than 900 years. It was an experience I’ll never forget. The entrance was surrounded by lush greenery, but once you went down the stairs, it became pitch black and all you could see, and feel was rock. After 2 ½ hours, we finally got to try the famous Maui Huli Huli Chicken. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the island (10 out of 10). Our final stop on the ‘Road to Hana’ was Koki beach, a perfect and relaxing end to the trip. Hearing the waves crash and feeling the sun warming my skin was a dream come true.
Summer internship at Alaska
As an intern this summer, I felt immediately welcomed by the team at Alaska. They made all 35 of us interns feel like we belonged from day one. The environment is like one big family, and it’s clear that they genuinely care about everyone here.
On our first day, all the interns got to know each other through a fun trivia game that also taught us about the company. I’m excited about the events planned for us this summer, such as ‘Interns at the Mariners’ and lunch with the executive committee. These opportunities to meet new people both inside and outside of the workplace are incredibly valuable.
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After my first week as an intern at Alaska, I had the chance to visit places I’ve always wanted to see and make new friends. I’m excited to see what this summer has in store—so many exciting possibilities are on the horizon!
Our Internship program:
Interns at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are embedded within their teams and work on visible projects that impact our guests and the business. Beyond projects, you might rub elbows with our CEO, tour our facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest, or ride along on a cargo delivery flight between towns in Southeast Alaska.
Quick facts:
All internships are paid.
Interns receive unlimited standby travel on any Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air operated flight, beginning on day one of the internship. Interns also receive guest passes that can be used for friends and family member travel.
Internship eligibility is based on graduation year. We typically look for undergraduate juniors.
We offer a 12-week program during the summer, starting in either May or June. Interns are full-time and typically work 40 hours per week for the duration of the program.
We recruit for internships during the fall for the following summer. Opportunities are usually posted to our careers site by mid-October for a two-week period.
For additional questions & info, reach out to us at internships@alaskaair.com or visit careers.alaskaair.com.
Alaska Airlines Board elects Justin Neff vice president strategic sourcing & supply chain management and Ann Ardizzone vice president special projects; McGee Air Services Board elects Jeff Helfrick president and secretary
Previously, Neff served as president of McGee Air Services, where he set a new standard of safety and operational excellence for the subsidiary and built an industry-leading recruiting and training program based on relationships and taking care of people. Prior to McGee, he held pivotal roles at Alaska Airlines, including managing director of engines, components, material, and leasing and managing director of supply chain. Prior to Alaska, he worked in IT contracting and procurement for Black & Veatch.
“Justin embodies our values to own safety and deliver performance. His ability to build genuine relationships with internal and external stakeholders coupled with his innovative solution-focused mindset creates a remarkable experience for his employees, peers and vendors alike,” said Shane Tackett, Alaska Airlines executive vice president of finance & CFO.
Ann Ardizzone named vice president of special projects for Alaska Airlines
Neff succeeds Ann Ardizzone, who will take on a new role as vice president of special projects, leveraging her expertise for the airline’s potential integration with Hawaiian Airlines.
Ardizzone started her career with Alaska Airlines in 1981, initially in finance. In 1998, she became managing director of marketing programs, where she oversaw Mileage Plan (Alaska’s award-winning loyalty program), and the alaskaair.com website. She later was promoted to vice president of inflight and then to vice president of supply chain. Last year, she was recognized for her dedication and service to the company being named an Alaska Airlines Legend, the highest honor an employee can achieve.
Tackett noted that Ardizzone, with four decades at the company, brings more experience across Alaska Airlines than any other leader and that she will be key in the new role in helping to ensure the company is positioned to deliver a successful integration, should its planned acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines proceed.
Jeff Helfrick named president of McGee Air Services
New to Air Group, Jeff Helfrick will oversee 2,000 employees at Alaska Airlines’ subsidiary, managing ground services across eight airports. He’ll direct strategy, growth, and finances, fostering a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, service, innovation and taking care of its people.
Helfrick comes to McGee with an impressive background in airline, airport and customer operations, including as vice president airport operations for Hawaiian Airlines from 2016 to 2023. He also served as general manager/senior vice president of airports for Air New Zealand and vice president of airport operations-the Americas for Qantas Airways; and spent 20 years at United Airlines. He has a business administration degree from Loyola University Maryland.
“Jeff’s extensive background in airline and airport operations, both nationally and internationally, puts him in an ideal position to lead McGee and its dedicated management team,” said Wayne Newton, chairman of McGee Air Services board of directors and Alaska Airlines’ senior vice president of airport operations and customer service. “His leadership will be pivotal as we expand our business and become a leader in aviation and airport services in North America.”
Celebrating International Flight Attendant Day at Alaska Airlines
Photos by Joe Nicholson, Alaska Airlines | Video by Ken Boyer, Alaska Airlines
Today, we join the global aviation community in celebrating International Flight Attendant Day! At Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, we are incredibly proud of our dedicated flight attendants who ensure every journey is safe, comfortable and enjoyable.
On this special day, we extend our heartfelt thank you to our flight attendants. Their expertise and warmth not only elevate our service but also strengthen our connections across the globe.
This year, we recognized the outstanding careers of several distinguished flight attendants by naming them “Alaska Legends” and “Horizon Pathfinders.” These top honors celebrate those with illustrious careers who have consistently aspired to greater heights, prioritized others, and exemplified the very best in all of us.
Tilli Buchanan
Flight Attendant, SEA Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I absolutely love people, getting to travel and see the world, meet new people. Every day is a new adventure,” said Tilli Buchanan, flight attendant, SEA, who became a flight attendant at 40 years old. “Everyone’s journey is different. All you have to do is have a desire and dream big and bright.”
Chris Cardenas
Flight Attendant, LAX Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I enjoy my job and try to have fun,” said Chris Cardenas, flight attendant, LAX. “Interacting with people, the different walks of life that come on that plane every day—people losing someone, somebody’s going to a wedding, you’re taking people to see a family member they haven’t seen in 30 years—that’s one thing they teach you when you become flight attendants: ‘always think about what that person’s going through that day.’ You never know what they’re going through but you can find out and at least make the experience a little bit easier.”
Rita Daniels
Flight Attendant, LAX Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I’ve enjoyed this whole journey,” said Rita Daniels, flight attendant, LAX. “I love seeing children who obviously have an interest in becoming a pilot or a flight attendant–passing out the wings is my favorite. More than 20 years later, here I am, and still loving it!”
Dankeith “Keith” Chadd
Flight Attendant, SEA Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I enjoy most working in the Main Cabin. My people are the people who aren’t comfortable traveling, my people who are on the discounted ticket. I like those people. I have something to offer them because I am one of those people,” said Keith Chadd, flight attendant, SEA. “I know why they hired me, I know why they hired you, it’s because you are a hero. It’s because you will never leave me behind.”
Sylvia Newbill
Flight Attendant, PDX Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I’ve always loved being a flight attendant from the time I started,” said Sylvia Newbill, flight attendant, PDX. “I got hired with Alaska in 1991, Alaska’s people are the secret sauce.”
Tanya Santana
Flight Attendant, SEA Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“When your peers recognize you as a legend, that’s the highest honor, it goes right in there with the guest telling me that that was one of the best flights. I am so grateful I followed my dream,” said Tanya Santana, flight attendant, SEA.
Peter Oxentenko
Flight Attendant Instructor, PDX Horizon Air Pathfinder ’23
“We make connections with people in 45 minutes or less,” said Peter Oxentenko, flight attendant instructor, PDX. “Everybody that works here—they’re still the reason I’m here for 19 years. They know what they’re doing and they care about one another.”
Jennifer Levcun
Flight Attendant, PAE Horizon Air Pathfinder ’23
“I enjoy people, have a passion for travel, and I wanted an adventure,” said Jennifer Levcun, flight attendant, PAE. “It’s my hometown (Seattle), I knew that they were a safe airline and thought ‘this is a perfect fit for my life and family.’ I was thrilled when I got hired.”
Alaska Airlines invests in new world-class training facility to support flight attendants, pilots and more
The Longacres facility in Renton, Wash. was purchased from Unico Properties and will open in 2025
A new future for Alaska Airlines’ employees and their careers begins today with the purchase of a facility that will become home to the airline’s world-class training programs. The new training hub will enhance the training experience for flight attendants, pilots, customer service agents and more, as well as centralize operations into one facility.
Conceptual rendering of the new training facility. Credit: NBBJ
Our remarkable operations team members will, for the first time in our history, all come together and train under one roof,” said Constance von Muehlen, chief operating officer at Alaska Airlines. “We’re excited to build on Alaska Airlines’ culture of safety, performance and care in this purposefully-designed space worthy of our frontline team’s contributions to every guest and every flight.”
New world-class training facility
Alaska already houses nine full-motion flight simulators in the facility and has plans to add a tenth in the next few years. In addition to simulators, the new space will include a mock aircraft for inflight simulations, classrooms, an auditorium, a production studio and significant office space.
The property is part of Longacres, which Unico Properties purchased from Boeing in December 2021 and which housed Boeing Commercial Airplane HQ in prior years. Located at 1901 Oakesdale Ave. S.W., Longacres is a 173-acre campus that is being planned for a vibrant, diversified, mixed-use campus that includes an Arts and Entertainment District, miles of walking and jogging trails, ponds and scenic wetlands, and direct access to the Renton/Tukwila Sound Transit Station.
Alaska Airlines has purchased the 19-acre property from Unico Properties for $85.75 million, which includes the 600,000-square-foot facility that Boeing purposefully built to house an aviation training facility. Alaska plans to invest an additional $100 million to renovate the space.
Click to enlarge
“This major commitment by Alaska alongside the significant investment made by the Sounders in opening its new training facility earlier this year, has created significant momentum for the mixed-use campus. Given these events, Renton is a bright spot in the region and we’re excited to build upon these announcements to bring other beloved Northwest brands to our exciting new community,” said Liz Thorson, Unico Properties Director, Market Leader. “We’re pleased to have secured in excess of 670,000 square feet of occupancy since acquiring the property in a difficult office environment throughout the country.”
We’re thrilled to invest in our Puget Sound home,” said Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, revenue products and real estate at Alaska Airlines. “The growth opportunity this purchase provides us cannot be overstated, and it really feels like a perfect match. Having access to a facility that was purpose built for aviation training that we then get to customize was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. As Longacres continues to be built out, our employees will have access to amenities that will truly make this a world class training experience.”
Conceptual rendering of the new training facility. Credit: NBBJ
While pilots already train on the campus using the existing simulators, other employee groups will begin moving into the facility following renovations towards the end of 2025.
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“It is great to see this special 173-acre campus come to life with the opening of the Sounders FC practice facility and now the thousands of Alaska Airlines employees that will frequent the site,” said Ned Carner, Founder Wing Point Partners who worked with Unico to facilitate the sale. “We are one step closer to achieving our goal of an active campus that seamlessly brings the community to work, live, and recreate together.”
Download photos and renderings of the new property:
Every day, all summerlong, at least one Main Cabin guest will be randomly upgraded to Premium Class
Every day this summer, Alaska Airlines is surprising and delighting at least one guest seated in our Main Cabin with an upgrade to Premium Class to celebrate the start of the busy travel season. upgrade unlocked, which runs from June 1 until Sept. 2, allows our guests to experience the airline with the most legroom in Premium Class.*
“upgrade unlocked is one way we’re showing guests our appreciation for choosing to fly with us to their favorite destinations this summer. Premium Class is just one of the many premium products and services we offer to our guests, including our best-in-class lounges, the freshest West Coast food and beverage line-up and our award-winning Mileage Plan program with the fastest path to elite status. Whether it’s their first time or they’ve experienced Premium Class before – we can’t wait to hear from our guests who receive this surprise upgrade!”
– Eric Edge, managing director of marketing and advertising at Alaska Airlines
Each day we’ll notify one of our guests (and their travel partner, if they have one) through the Alaska Airlines mobile app or by email that they’ve been randomly selected to be upgraded from their Main Cabin seat to Premium Class.
These rows of seats, which are behind First Class, are typically reserved for our loyalty program elite members or for purchase. Alaska’s Premium Class offers our guests four extra inches of legroom – the most of any U.S. legacy airline – custom-designed leather seats and complimentary beer, wine or cocktails for our guests 21+ on most flights over 350 miles. Our Premium Class guests also enjoy early boarding and they’re among the first to get access to overhead bin space and deplane.
upgrade unlocked is launching as the busy summer travel season is underway. This past Memorial Day weekend, we saw an increase of 6% of passengers traveling away from home to sunnier destinations. We expect to see even more flying when bookings increase ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend.
To respond to the summer travel demand, Alaska Airlines has added more flights to our existing schedule in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We’ve greatly expanded our service from Anchorage to destinations such as Chicago, Denver, and Salt Lake City and are excited to begin new service to New York City in June. We’re also expanding our reach to the east this summer with new nonstop routes connecting Portland to Nashville, and San Diego to both Atlanta and Tampa. That’s all in addition to our recently-inaugurated international expansion to Guatemala, The Bahamas, and Toronto!
Can’t wait to learn if you’ve been selected for upgrade unlocked? We’re making it easier for our guests to upgrade! Now you can pay to upgrade to First or Premium Class up until check-in is closed.
For Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we spoke with leaders of Alaska’s business resource group, Pacific Islander Alliance, about their efforts, including their partnership with Kumu Kahanuola Solatorio to provide opportunities for Alaska employees to learn the Hawaiian language. Throughout May, we recognize the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders across our network.
Nearly 17 years ago, just before Alaska Airlines began its first flights to Hawaiʻi, two Alaska employees had a conversation over lunch that continues to make an impact today.
“I still remember,” said Jill Tanga, of the meal she shared with her colleague, Lucy Purcell, in 2007. “We had lunch and we wanted to find ways to specifically support our Pacific Islander community. So, we organized with the intent of ensuring that Hawaiʻi and the host culture is accurately represented in our service.”
Their conversation was the first step in forming Alaska’s business resource group, Pacific Islander Alliance or P.I.A. Tanga, who was born on Oʻahu and is part Native Hawaiian, continues to serve as one of the group’s leaders today. Over the years, P.I.A. has worked to support employees, and serve as cultural advisors and ambassadors for the airlines. The P.I.A.’s balanced approach bolsters company initiatives and employee engagement opportunities, which includes educational, career and leadership development, as well as participation in community and volunteer events.
“As an airline that takes people to travel to Hawaiʻi, we have the kuleana (responsibility) to make sure that we are doing that in a really intentional way,” said Shanyn Wright, one of the leaders of P.I.A. She explained that P.I.A. was founded in part “to make sure that there was a Hawaiian or Pacific Islander perspective in the room.”
Jill Tanga, Lindsay Tuiasosopo, Shanyn Wright, and Lucy Purcell in Washington, DC representing the P.I.A. and the Alaska Air Group in meetings with legislators.
Lindsay Tuiasosopo, another P.I.A. leader, explains that P.I.A. also supports group members who are looking for professional development opportunities at Alaska.
“One of the challenges Pacific Islanders face in the workplace, from my experience, is finding a voice,” said Tuiasosopo. “When I started working for Alaska, it was one of my first professional jobs, and I had to learn how to use my voice in this setting. Growing up half-Samoan, a quarter Irish, and a quarter Scottish, I was taught to follow whatever your elders say without question.”
“Early in my career, that was how I functioned. I had to learn how to communicate effectively, that it was okay to speak up, and even if it was to say, ‘No, that’s not how we should do it. This is how we should do it.’ When I share this with other Pacific Islanders in our company, it resonates deeply.”
One of the group’s recent activities was a career panel featuring Pacific Islander Alaska employees, who discussed their professional journeys. They offered insights into how they’ve utilized corporate resources at Alaska, such as leadership programs, to get where they are today. Tuiasosopo says this is important for P.I.A. members who may be the first person in their families to pursue the types of career paths available at Alaska.
For Wright, P.I.A. has helped deepen the conversation around AANHPI Heritage Month. The group has fostered conversations about the different cultures within the AANHPI community, allowing for “more honest conversations about what AANHPI is, and who is included.”
P.I.A. also champions activities that celebrate different Pacific Islander cultures and learning among Alaska employees, including upcoming language classes for Alaska employees taught by Kumu Kahanuola Solatorio. His passion for promoting and teaching the Native Hawaiian language, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, shines through in his popular social media videos.
“I like to teach this phrase: A‘a i ka ‘ōlelo – dare yourself to speak,” says Solatorio. “It comes from a longer phrase or ʻōlelo noeʻau, that means dare to dance, leave your shame at home. When you come to my class donʻt be shy. Take some chances, take some risks, leave your shame at home and dare yourself to speak.”
Solatorio and P.I.A. are planning virtual classes for Alaska employees to learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi plus in-person classes in Seattle at Alaska’s headquarters.
“A lot of people want to learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi but don’t have access,” said Solatorio. “Bringing the language to them and making it more accessible is our main goal with this partnership.”
Like many of his students, Solatorio wasn’t raised speaking Hawaiian. But he fell in love with the language, studying it in college and as a graduate student.
Solatario’s biggest impact may be on Instagram. He started teaching his mom ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and sharing the videos on social media. His Instagram handle @ehoopilimai means “repeat after me” in Hawaiian. Today, he has more than 30k followers.
Instagram story highlights from Solatario’s account @ehoopilimai. He has garnered over 30k followers and shares his adventures sharing Hawaiian language and culture.
“It’s our kuleana (responsibility) as natives of Hawaiʻi to teach the incoming visitors the real value of Hawaiʻi,” he says. “It lies in the land, people, language and culture. Putting the kuleana on others to learn about Hawaiʻi before they come and learn about the real essence of Hawaiʻi.”
Kumu Kahanuola Solatorio
Solatorio’s partnership with Alaska also includes classes open to the public in communities where Alaska flies, with an emphasis on areas with large populations of Native Hawaiians and former Hawaiʻi residents. Follow him @ehoopilimai to learn more.
At Alaska Airlines, honoring the fallen and their families
Video by Karina Matias | Photos by Ingrid Barrentine
On the airfield, one cart is reserved for heroes.
For over a decade, Alaska’s Fallen Soldier Program has ensured fallen military service members, and their families are treated with the utmost respect.
Pioneered by a group of Alaska’s maintenance and engineering team members in 2011, the Fallen Soldier Program was established to ensure proper military protocols are followed when handling the remains of those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring they are flown to their final resting place with the highest respect and honor.
Special customized carts, designed by technicians, are stationed at 15 airports nationwide to respectfully transport the remains of military service members to and from aircraft. These carts are available for use by any airline.
Carts are adorned with American flag curtains and the insignia of the six branches of the military—The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
When a flag-draped casket is flown on Alaska Airlines, it is given priority and is the first item unloaded from the plane, placed carefully onto a Fallen Soldier Cart. Guests on board are asked to wait to deplane until the fallen service member’s escort or family have exited the aircraft. Many guests choose to remain seated until the casket is removed, out of respect, though it is not required. Meanwhile ramp agents and maintenance technicians stand at attention on the tarmac to honor the fallen.
Recently, Alaska’s Fallen Soldier Program team held a special ceremony for the final flight of Naval Chief Petty Officer Richard Clyde Higgins. His remains were flown on our Honoring Those Who Serve aircraft from Portland, Oregon to his final resting place in Southern California, where he was buried beside his wife. His family, our guests, and employees witnessed the emotional and honorable journey of the fallen hero. Higgins, one of the last Pearl Harbor survivors, was 102.
In 2023, Alaska employees delivered the 15th cart in the program to Spokane, Washington. Our next cart will be delivered to Nashville International Airport in late June.
The carts are crafted by a team from Alaska’s Maintenance and Engineering department and are stationed at airports around the country. They’re available to honor members and veterans of all branches of the military. While the carts remain under Alaska’s care at each airport, they are available for any airline to use when transporting remains.
Our fourth Honoring Those Who Serve aircraft, which is dedicated to members of the US military and honors those who serve today and those who served in the past, will soon be joining our fleet.
This design includes a red stripe and blue aircraft body to incorporate elements of the American flag; the phrase “Honoring Those Who Serve,” displayed on the fuselage; symbolic crests representing the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier Program to the right of the rear cargo door and on the left side of the aircraft behind the aft service door; and an “Alaska Airlines Salutes” medallion near the nose of the aircraft, with the six stars (along with the six stripes on the engine cowls) representing the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Honoring those who serve: Alaska Airlines salutes members of the U.S. military & their families
At Alaska, we are so very grateful for the service of active duty military and veterans and appreciate the personal sacrifices they and their families make for us all. We take seriously our responsibility to care for our military guests, and we prioritize it with every flight.
Today, we take a moment to celebrate a group of dedicated professionals whose expertise and commitment ensure the safety, reliability and excellence of our fleet. On Aviation Maintenance Technician Day (or AMT Day), we honor the incredible work of maintenance technicians at Alaska and Horizon Air—our unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep us flying high.
Running a safe operation
Our maintenance technicians are essential to every flight, every day. Whether they are performing pre-flight inspections, troubleshooting technical issues, or carrying out regular heavy maintenance checks, their work allows us to fly safe and continue delivering exceptional service to our guests.
In addition to ensuring every aircraft is fit to fly each day, we remain extremely grateful to our skilled Maintenance and Engineering team that shouldered the inspection work of our 737-9 MAX aircraft earlier this year and safely returned the planes to service.
This year, we recognized the careers of some Maintenance and Engineering employees, naming them “Alaska Legends” and “Horizon Pathfinders,” our top honors for those with storied careers of always looking up, pushing higher, putting others first, and representing the very best of us.
Randy Ahrens
Line Aircraft Technician, ANC Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I feel honored, there’s some super good mechanics here. It’s interesting work, you learn something new every day, it’s never boring,“ said Ahrens. “I enjoy the challenge, it’s a lot of satisfaction when it actually works, and it’s all done correctly.”
“Randy’s always positive, no matter what the job is, it doesn’t matter if it’s 40 degrees below up in Purdue Bay or working inside the hangar, he’s always happy and willing to work. We appreciate his skill and caring-ness,” said David Boyce, manager line Maintenance.
Mark Williams
Director Material Ops Support Alaska Airlines Legend ’24
“I take a great deal of pride in how we do our job and how we make sure we’re helping out the airline,” said Williams.
“Mark makes an impact every day,” says Alex Gorinsky, managing director of M&S ACSC Material Management. “Early before most people are even up, he is digging into problems and finds solutions. He has an uncanny ability to remember everything that he has worked on in the past several years—he remembers part numbers, unique situations, problems that he’s solved, solutions that he’s come up with and he guides his team through these things and is always there for them.”
Nejib (Ben) Oueslati
Lead Technician, SEA Horizon Air Pathfinder ’23
“I work with a small group of mechanics in Seattle,” said Oueslati. “We have a good team here. We are like a family. Everybody steps up to help each other with one thing in mind: Return the airplane to service and get the job as safe as we can.”
“Ben is an outstanding technician,” said Dale Sanderson, maintenance supervisor. “Ben is always willing to go the extra mile, do anything that needs to be done.”
Tim Weigand
Sr. Service Engineer, PDX Horizon Air Pathfinder ’23
“We have to make the right decisions—what really gets me fired up is finding challenges and finding those things where it could be something big but getting it fixed fast,” said Weigand.
“I’ve been doing this a long time and I have a lot of respect for those guys who’ve also helped and mentored me and I just want to keep that moving and going on,” said Weigand.
Unmatched skill and innovation
When you take a maintenance technician job at Alaska or Horizon Air, you are joining a legacy of mechanic excellence. For 22 consecutive years, Alaska Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Division have received the Diamond Certificate of Excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an award that recognizes an organization’s commitment to aviation maintenance training and safety. This prestigious certificate is part of the FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Awards Program, which encourages aviation maintenance technicians and their employers to participate in ongoing training and professional development.
Horizon Air’s Maintenance and Engineering Division were also awarded their 20th Diamond Certificate of Excellence from the FAA in recognition of its training efforts in 2020 and achieved a 100% participation rate by its aircraft maintenance technicians in the AAMT awards program.
The Maintenance and Engineering Division with Alaska Airlines utilizes that latest aircraft maintenance technology, giving each mechanic convenient access to the information that keeps us flying safely. Our Maintenance and Engineering Division has been recognized for:
On-time performance
Customer satisfaction
Fuel efficiency and green initiatives
Our maintenance training programs
Our focus on veteran and military employment, proudly supporting veterans from all branches, including the U.S. Air Force and the Marine Corps
One of Forbes Top 100 Employers
The path to becoming an aviation maintenance technician is one of rigorous training, continuous learning, and unyielding commitment. Our technicians undergo extensive education and certification processes, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. Their dedication to staying updated with advancements in aviation technology demonstrates their commitment to excellence.
Click to enlarge our Line Maintenance Stations (above)
Become an Aircraft Technician with our Training Programs
If you’re looking to launch into an aircraft technician job, our Maintenance Programs can get you started. Our portfolio of career programs will help your aviation maintenance career rise to the next level. Aspiring aircraft technicians who enroll in the Horizon Maintenance Technician Development Program will receive a stipend, mentorship and more!
Alaska Airlines’ Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board convened its first two meetings to provide important feedback and recommendations on Alaska’s operations in Hawaiʻi and the potential combination with Hawaiian Airlines. In March and May, the HICAB, which is made up of 16 diverse leaders from across the state, met on Oʻahu and Maui. Board members shared their valuable perspectives on the potential combined organization’s role in Hawaiʻi, what makes Hawaiian Airlines unique and special to the people of Hawaiʻi, and other local needs. Their work will help inform the dual-brand strategy, combined loyalty program, and other important efforts.
Click to enlargeMembers represent communities and voices from across the Hawaiian Islands
Alaska Airlines elevates its premium inflight retail menu with the return of Main Cabin hot meals
Our newly expanded chef-curated menu is now available for purchase in Premium Class and Main Cabin
Alaska Airlines is elevating its premium onboard menu with the return of hot meals to our inflight retail menu in the Main Cabin. Fueled by our industry leading pre-order program, our inflight menu continues to offer more choices than any other U.S. airline.
Starting today, Premium Class and Main Cabin guests on most flights over 1,100 miles* will be able to choose from up to five chef-curated dishes, including at least one hot meal option. Along with our freshly prepared food offerings like our Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter, our hot meals are only available for pre-order purchase.
Over the last few months, our Food & Beverage teams have been working to elevate our already premium in-flight meals, including expanding our hot meal options on most medium- to long-haul flights.
We’re known for an inflight menu that is more thoughtfully curated with care. For a while now, our guests have often asked us if we’re ever going to bring back hot meals in the Main Cabin. It’s been difficult to keep it a secret – but for more than a year, our team has quietly worked behind the scenes taste testing the best hot food options with our culinary chef and creating a West Coast-inspired menu. Now no matter where they sit, guests will get to taste our world class food and beverages.”
– Todd Traynor-Corey
Managing Director of Guest Products at Alaska Airlines
Meet our chef
Chef Tony
Born and bred amidst the flavorful tapestry of London’s hotel restaurant scene, Chef Tony has collaborated with our LSG Sky Chefs locations around the world.
In the last couple of months Chef Tony has had the pleasure of working closely with Alaska Airlines. Through his culinary ingenuity and unwavering commitment, he continues to elevate the gastronomic experience for passengers worldwide, setting new standards of excellence in the skies.
It was important to the Alaska team to create a menu based on guest feedback. The creative process of selecting meals that made the most sense for the West Coast-based airline and then sourcing the freshest ingredients was a labor of love for all of us who were involved in developing this menu. This airline truly cares about creating a premium onboard experience and we hope everyone experiences that with every bite of their food.”
– Tony Wright
Chef
Our employees give an honest review 🍽️
Before today’s menu launch, our employees taste tested our new meal options and gave us their honest feedback.
“I love breakfast, so the Carnitas Breakfast Bowl was my favorite. It’s a classic pairing of slow roasted pork, eggs and potatoes, but with flavors that work well together to strike a delicious balance,” said Naomi S.G., flight attendant at Alaska Airlines.
“I’m from Hawaiʻi and once you said it was on KING’S HAWAIIAN® slider buns, I was sold! It’s definitely not your traditional burger – it has an elevated, well-rounded taste,” said Krystal. “Our guests are going to be really excited about this new menu. There’s something on it for everybody.”
Meet our chef
Carnitas Breakfast Bowl
📍Eastbound flights and to Hawaii (Breakfast departures)
Slow-roasted pull pork and salsa verde, with a side of breakfast potatoes and fresh scrambled eggs
Monte Cristo Breakfast Sandwich
📍Westbound flights and from Hawaii (Breakfast departures)
Smoked turkey breast, sliced ham & Swiss cheese served on a square croissant bun with cream cheese & raspberry jam
Panang Curry Chicken
📍Eastbound flights and to Hawaii (Lunch/Dinner departures)
Red coconut curry with grilled chicken breast and jasmine rice. Topped with edamame beans, sweet red peppers and onions
Pretzel Roll Sliders with Chips
📍Westbound flights and from Hawaii (Lunch/Dinner departures)
Two Angus beef patties on KING’S HAWAIIAN® Original Sweet Pretzel Slider Buns with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese. Served with kettle-style chips.
Available on Flights Starting this Fall
All our pre-order items range from $8 to $11.50. Guests who pay with their Alaska Visa Signature® or Visa® Business card will receive 20% back in the form of a statement credit.
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. Pre-orders are available through the Alaska mobile app or through alaskaair.com from two weeks to 20 hours prior to your flight.
It’s time for us to spread our wings a bit more at our busiest Lounge. And do a makeover in the process.
This month we began work to expand and renovate our Lounge at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. When it’s finished this summer, we’ll offer more than double the amount of seating—from 65 seats right now to 135 spots for our members and guests to take a load off and enjoy epic views of the tarmac and beyond.
The expansion will add nearly 2,600 square feet of space that’ll be filled with a variety of comfy chairs and furniture including our popular Signature Loungers that will have prime views. Most seats will have easy access to outlets to keep devices powered and charged. We’re also adding a curated collection of artwork from artists who call the state of Alaska home.
“This is just one of the many significant investments we have planned for our Lounge program across our network. When construction is wrapped up this summer, our members and guests will notice the benefits of additional space and seating right away, along with thoughtful touches and great service that Alaska is known for,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines.
When construction is wrapped up this summer, the Anchorage Lounge will include additional space and seating, along with thoughtful touches and great service that Alaska is known. Pictured above: Our D Lounge in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Expanding and upgrading our popular Lounge in Anchorage is an important piece of our Great Land Investment Plan which involves $60 million in projects throughout the state over the next few years,” said Marilyn Romano, regional vice president of Alaska for Alaska Airlines.
Our Lounges are a place to refresh and recharge. We offer a complimentary selection of fresh, seasonal food items throughout the day for a quick bite to eat. For something to sip, we provide a wide array of beverages including hard-crafted espresso drinks and West Coast wines, brews and custom-crafted cocktails.
Alaska Lounges
The Alaska Lounge Membership Program offers two options for guests to choose from: a standard Alaska Lounge membership includes access to all our Lounge locations, and an Alaska Lounge+ membership includes access to all our Lounges plus more than 90 partner lounges around the world. Alaska operates nine Lounges at six airports: Anchorage; Los Angeles; New York JFK; Portland (two locations); San Francisco; and Seattle (three locations).
We offer a generous access policy. Lounge members are welcome to bring their immediate family members or up to two guests into the Lounge at no additional charge. Alaska MVP Gold, Gold 75K and Gold 100K members can enjoy Lounge access when they travel on a oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the U.S., Canada or Mexico.
We also offer access to our Lounges for First Class guests that other airlines do not. Those guests traveling on a paid or award First Class ticket on long-haul and coast-to-coast flights have same-day access to our Lounges.
