What happens when we combine our commitment to providing education opportunities for BIPOC youth with our love of the Portland Trail Blazers? A powerful weekend celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), that is!
This year, we teamed up with the Trail Blazers to host the annual HBCU to the Pros game on Feb. 25 – and we helped make it bigger and more meaningful than ever before. As the official airline of the Trail Blazers, we’re grateful for partners who share our values of education and equity.
HBCU event at SEI on February 24. 2024. Photos courtesy of the Trail Blazers
Before we got to the excitement of the game, we participated in Junction Ave – a Black business event hosted by Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI). Some of our Portland-based pilots and recruiters met with youth and encouraged them to consider careers in aviation and gave the kids a spin in a flight simulator. Additionally, high schoolers heard from HBCU representatives and HBCU alumni to begin to formulate their future college plans.
HBCU band airport arrival on February 23, 2024. Photos by Suhela Hassan, Rip City Remix
One of the biggest moments of the weekend came when the famous Prairie View A&M Marching Storm Band performed at halftime to bring a little HBCU energy to the Rose City. We were proud to fly the 40-person band from Texas to Portland on Alaska’s Our Commitment Plane.
HBCU event at SEI on February 24. 2024. Photos courtesy of the Trail Blazers
Alaska Airlines has a long history of connecting Black youth in the Pacific Northwest to educational opportunities at HBCUs and beyond,” said James Thomas, Alaska Airlines’ Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “We’re proud to fly in the Prairie View A&M band so Portland can experience the unique energy of HBCUs, and the kids in our community can connect with college students who will inspire their educational goals.”
Trail Blazers face the Charlotte Hornets on February 25, 2024. Photos by Stephanie Castillo, the Trail Blazers
Our Commitment
Nearly 3 years ago, we launched the Our Commitment aircraft in partnership with UNCF to promote education and equity. In the years since, we have flown hundreds of students on the special aircraft to tour colleges and for other educational trips. Last year, in partnership with UNCF, we sent more than 40 high school juniors to tour HBCUs in Atlanta. This spring, we’re doing it again, with UNCF, in addition to SEI.
Alaska ❤️ Portland
We just can’t get enough of Portland! This month, we announced an increase of 20 daily departures from PDX – connecting the city more frequently with popular destinations like Las Vegas, Sacramento and Phoenix. We also just announced a new flight between Portland and Atlanta, bringing our nonstop destinations from PDX to 54.
Alaska Airlines aspiring pilot embraces journey of reclaiming her Vietnamese name & heritage
My parents didn’t name me Candace. My real Vietnamese name is Nhung (pronounced ñūng). It means velvet and symbolizes wealth and prosperity, a future my parents dreamed for me.
That same dream drove them to leave their homeland at nearly 50 years old with six children. They wanted a brighter and more prosperous future for us, even if they would struggle to survive in a foreign land and rebuild their lives from nothing.
As an immigrant and daughter of refugees, I often grappled with the mixed identities that came with being transplanted to the United States. I grew up on free school lunches, donated clothing, and Saturday mornings in line at the food bank or social security office. In the evenings, we enjoyed home-cooked family dinners with a background of Vietnamese opera and karaoke.
March 1996 — My family’s first photo in America after landing in San Francisco.
At school, I hid these parts of myself because most children my age were busy feeding their Tamagotchis or listening to the newest hits on CD players. I spent most of my school days hiding my love for Vietnamese music, taking recess in teachers’ rooms, and feeling isolated from my peers. That isolation was compounded by the shame and embarrassment of being unable to recognize my name when my teachers and peers spoke it.
It wasn’t until after high school I realized the butchered pronunciations of my name and the “harmless” jokes likening my name to the sound of a lightsaber had eroded my confidence over the years. I wasn’t shy, but I dreaded meeting new people and explaining in vain how to pronounce my name. I wasn’t afraid of speaking up in class, but I feared having to answer when called by a name I didn’t recognize. I wasn’t ashamed of my name, but I resented the mispronunciations and missed opportunities that resulted from it.
The summer before college, I decided to change that. With the help of my best friend, I chose the name Candace. Although the name has many meanings (title for a queen, innocence, purity), for me, it symbolized a pivotal step in my journey to redefine my cultural identity and find my sense of belonging in American society.
April 2012 — Performing a traditional Vietnamese ribbon dance I co-choreographed for CalVSA’s annual culture show.
Equipped with a new name and a different community, I felt a renewed sense of confidence. I joined the Vietnamese Student Association (CalVSA) leadership, took classes I never dared to – like acting and spoken word, performed Vietnamese dances on a world-renowned stage, and delivered a commencement speech at my Southeast Asian graduation ceremony. During this journey, I often questioned my decision as others saw my name change as white-washing my ethnicity and forsaking my parents’ dream for me. After much reflection, I decided changing my name was not a rejection of my roots. Instead, it was the catalyst and confidence I needed to display my love for my culture unabashedly.
I’m particularly grateful my journey to find a sense of belonging led me to Alaska Airlines. It’s a company that not only values diversity and inclusivity, but truly embodies it. During my first month on the job, I was invited to participate in the SF Chinese New Year Parade, where Alaska was the title sponsor.
Feb 2024 — Walking with colleagues alongside Alaska’s float at the SF Chinese New Year Parade.
Throughout the month and year, Alaska highlighted Lunar New Year and its commitment to the Asian community through internal and external events and stories, and created opportunities where employees like me were solicited to provide feedback. My third-grade self who sat in shame during school lunches would have never guessed one day I’d be in a position not only to embrace my Vietnamese culture, but use my experience as expertise that informs policies, events, and campaigns to benefit colleagues, guests, and the community at large.
Now, when a colleague gets in my car, I’m not embarrassed they’ll be greeted by Vietnamese music; during work discussions, I proudly admit to my lack of knowledge of American movies, artists, and top hits; at the office, I readily code switch to Vietnamese to connect with colleagues and customers; and all my business cards and social accounts proudly bear my new full name, accents and all – Candace Mỹ Nhung Lê.
Editor’s note: When Candace first wrote this story, she was working on the public affairs team for Alaska Airlines. Last year, she followed her dream to become a pilot and applied for Alaska’s Ascend Pilot Academy, a partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy.
Candace received her private pilot’s license in August 2023 and just became instrument rated this week (instrument rated means she can fly in low visibility by reference only to the aircraft instruments). She will be working on her commercial license with a stipend from the Ascend program. Learn more about the Ascend Pilot Academy here.
Water dunking is a common tradition for student pilots when they complete their first solo flight!
“I am a first-generation Vietnamese refugee. And I belong at Alaska.”
– Candace Mỹ Nhung Lê
“I Am …” at Alaska Airlines
Our “I Am…” Campaign kicked off in January to celebrate Heritage Months and the diversity of our employees. Keep an eye out for the “I Am…” logo throughout the year to read their inspiring stories.
We’re sharing Candace’s story in honor of Lunar New Year, which starts February 10. Alaska Airlines is also a proud sponsor of the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco, and we’re looking forward to celebrating the Year of the Dragon with our guests and employees!
Alaska Airlines adds nonstop service between Portland and Atlanta this fall
We’re the largest carrier in Portland offering flights to 54 nonstop destinations
Alaska Airlines continues to grow in Portland to provide our guests with more choice and convenience with nonstop service to Atlanta beginning this fall. The daily flight starts Oct. 1 and will operate year-round. Tickets will be available for purchase starting this weekend at alaskaair.com.
For more than 20 years, we’ve been the largest carrier in Portland – one of our key West Coast gateways. We’re always looking for ways to connect the Rose City to other destinations across our network. We believe our flights to Atlanta will be a popular addition for our guests heading to the South,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines.
Flight times are local times
With the addition of our Portland-Atlanta flight, we’ll now serve 54 nonstop destinations from Portland. On Nov. 17, we began nonstop service to Miami, and year-round flights to Nashville will start on March 14.
Earlier this month, we announced the addition of more than 20 daily departures starting this summer to sought-after destinations from Portland. Our capacity has increased by 25%, improving connectivity and providing additional travel options.
All our guests can take advantage of a premium travel experience on their next Alaska flight. We are the West Coast’s premier airline offering our flyers the most legroom in First Class (excluding lie-flat seats) and Premium Class; no change fees; multiple fare offerings; the most generous loyalty program with Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status; 30 global partners; and West Coast food and beverage on board.
With power outlets at every seat on our mainline aircraft, you can enjoy hundreds of free movies and TV shows that can be streamed to your device during the flight. Our aircraft are also enabled with streaming-fast satellite Wi-Fi available for purchase and the option to pre-order from a range of fresh meal selections to make sure you get what you want.
Alaska Airlines adds co-branded IPA to premium beverage line-up
Two beloved Pacific Northwest brands come together to create the ‘Cloud Cruiser,’ a co-branded IPA now being served 30,000+ feet in the air and in select Lounges
Alaska Airlines is now serving its first-ever custom craft beer brewed for the carrier by Seattle-based Fremont Brewing. Alaska’s newest IPA will be offered complimentary in First and Premium Class, for purchase in the Main Cabin and served in select Lounges.
The ‘Cloud Cruiser’ is the result of two beloved and popular Pacific Northwest brands coming together to create a top-tier beverage to add to our premium line-up,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines managing director of guest products. “The only place in the world you’ll be able to find this one-of-a-kind craft beer is if you’re flying on Alaska or in one of our lounges. We have already received feedback from the first guests to taste our new premium West Coast product who say they can’t wait to fly us again and order another can of ‘Cloud Cruiser.’”
Fremont Brewing, which crafts small batch artisan beers in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle using the very best local ingredients, worked closely with Alaska to produce a variety of blends to taste test 30,000 feet in the air before both companies chose the bright orange, melon and tropical notes of the brewery’s India pale ale.
“‘Cloud Cruiser’ IPA is brewed with a select blend of malts and Washington grown to stay fresh in the air with you,” said Matt Lincecum, Fremont Brewing’s Founder and Owner. “Fremont craft ‘Cloud Cruiser’ using years of experience providing beer to Alaska’s flights across the country. Brewed Fresh to be Brought Fresh to you. Because Fresh Beer Matters!”
The uniquely designed can showcases an Alaska Airlines 737-8 MAX soaring among the clouds above a retro-inspired backdrop of snow-capped mountains, trees and water synonymous with Washington state.
Alaska and Fremont creative artists worked collaboratively from brainstorming ideas for the co-branded can to the final drawing board.
“The collaboration between Alaska and Fremont is not just about the artwork on the can, it is the story of two Seattle-based brands that share common values, coming together to create a remarkable product we hope brings a smile to our guests who drink it,” said Jonny Mack, Alaska’s studio creative manager.
“We felt that a national park inspired design with one of our aircraft, in Alaska colors, speaks to our roots in the Pacific Northwest. The creativity and thoughtfulness that went into the design of this can is just another example of bringing to life our value of ‘Being Remarkable.’ It’s amazing to be part of an Alaska Air first and I’ll raise a can of ‘Cloud Cruiser’ to many more!” said Mack.
Jonny Mack leads The Studio and has worked at Alaska Airlines since 2017. His most recognized work includes the design of several of our famous holiday sweaters and more than 20 special liveries to name a few. Among his favorite is the “Our Commitment” aircraft, which features the profiles of the next generation of leaders: the children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska’s employees. Jonny’s son is among those faces.
“Every single day, I am excited by the work that I get to do and the impact it has on our guests,” said Mack. “It’s really amazing to be part of an Alaska Air first. I’ll raise a can of ‘Cloud Cruiser’ to many more!”
Dan Stuckey
Dan Stuckey grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Seattle. As luck would have it, his neighbor was starting a brewery and the rest is history. Dan currently lives in California with his wife and children.
“It was a pleasure collaborating with the Alaska Airlines team to develop the Cloud Cruiser can—representing the iconic Alaska Airlines plane and logo in the sunset sky against the background of the Cascade Mountain range—we had fun using every color we could squeeze onto this can,” said Dan Stuckey, Fremont Brewing Graphics Manager.
From dream to reality: Line aircraft technician trainer forges path in aviation
Darren, an Alaska Airlines line aircraft technician trainer based in San Francisco, was introduced to the airline industry by his mom, who served as a flight attendant.
“Being exposed to airplanes at a very young age, and being able to fly and go on trips was just amazing,” said Darren.
His mother introduced him to the joy of travel, often bringing him along on layover trips. He credits her for igniting his passion for aviation.
“I love airplanes, just seeing them every day, being able to touch them, and to allow others to realize that there’s many opportunities with Alaska.”
Darren knew he wanted to work for an airline after growing up in Florida. “I got tired of the heat and was like ‘I’m out.” After studying Aeronautics at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Darren started his career as a Maintenance Technician with Virgin America.
A year and a half later, he became part of the Alaska family through the merging of the two companies. After a few years in a technician role, he saw an opportunity to grow into a training role.
It’s been a nice ride being able to see the difference in people that come through and the impacts I’ve been able to make with them as a trainer … a few coworkers have told me they will never forget the way I made them feel, and how much effort and work I put into them,” he said.
In his spare time, Darren doesn’t stray far from aircraft. In addition to his maintenance career, he is also pursuing his private pilot license. There have been bumps along the way personally and financially, but he doesn’t let it stop him. If there’s one thing Darren will say about himself, it’s that he is determined and ambitious.
The fact that he was born with mild to severe hearing loss has not held him back in his pursuit of excellence in his career. Often, people don’t realize that he has hearing loss, but he certainly doesn’t shy away from letting people know.
“I always share that because that’s part of me,” said Darren. “Just because I have a disability doesn’t mean that you need to avoid or feel like we can’t communicate.”
Darren is not one to shy away from a challenge and acknowledges that he often must work harder than most given his circumstance.
“I have felt overlooked at times in my life because of my disability, and not given a chance. So, when I sense that, or feel it indirectly, it tells me I’m just going to have to go above and beyond, which I always do,” he says.
There can be many misconceptions about working with someone with a disability, but Darren says he has a team that surrounds him with support and care.
“My co-workers … I cannot be thankful enough for the support they give and being able to depend on them, and they can depend on me,” he said. “Those friendships are lasting because there are things I’m always going to remember from my time here at Alaska.”
“I am a hard worker, and I am ambitious. And I belong in Alaska.”
– Darren, Alaska Airlines line aircraft technician trainer, SFO
“I Am …” at Alaska Airlines
Our “I Am…” Campaign kicked off in January to celebrate Heritage Months and the diversity of our employees. Keep an eye out for the “I Am…” logo throughout the year to read their inspiring stories.
We’re sharing Darren’s story in honor of Black History Month, which starts February 1 through March 1. At Alaska, we believe Black History Month is an opportunity to look back and to look forward – to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to recognize how much work we have left to do.
Love is in the air: Couple gets married on an Alaska Airlines flight, sparking countless love stories
This Valentine’s Day, we popped a question to our guests: “Has Alaska ever played a role in your love story?” And so many of you said YES! Check out some of the stories we received below.
Saying “I do” at 30,000+ feet
It’s not every day you witness a wedding on a flight, but if you were on Cydne & Grant’s flight to from Portland to Las Vegas last October, you did!
When planning their wedding, the adventurous couple tried to meet their friends & family in the middle of Portland and Salt Lake City. They decided on a reception in Vegas and a sky-high wedding. Cydne admits she jokingly brought up the idea, “why don’t we get married on an airplane?” Her then-fiancé, Grant, LOVED it.
“After shocking all the Customer Care employees at Alaska with our idea, we finally got an answer, ‘yes we can do it—but we have to choose a flight long enough to have time to stand and get the pilots okay when we arrive.’ We held our breath for the day in hopes of good weather and the pilots’ final okay.”
While weddings on our aircraft aren’t a regular occurrence, our crew went above & beyond to create an unforgettable experience for Cydne, Grant, and their loved ones on their special day.
As nervous as we were for the unknown, the flight and ceremony were perfect. It could not have gone better! We are so thankful for Alaska and all they did for us that day. We continue to fly Alaska everywhere—they will forever be special to us. I already have 3 trips planned this year on Alaska!”
– Cydne
Together, their wedding party was about 30 people. Grant and Cydne enjoyed First Class, both for the first time! Her kids were seated in Premium, right behind them so they could still see them and have them close during the ceremony.
“We had one of our best friends, who is ordained, marry us. I walked down the aisle of First Class, and we said our vows where First Class meets Premium,” she said. “When we landed in Vegas, we were escorted by an Alaska employee who took our group through the airport down to baggage claim where Alaska had a sign and gifts waiting for us. We posed for pics with the flight crew and station employees.”
Alaska Airlines made our long-distance relationship possible! I live in California and my boyfriend lives in Oregon- thanks to Alaska we’ve been able to see each other almost every other weekend. After a year of long distance, we’re finally moving in together. Thank you, Alaska! ❤️
– Jenefer
A quick connection.
I was heading home after visiting my parents in Spokane when I noticed a handsome stranger sitting in the waiting area for my short flight to Seattle. When we boarded, he was one row up and across the aisle from me. His friends were seated directly across the aisle from me and started asking about the book I was reading. Eventually, the handsome stranger turned around and started asking me questions and we totally hit it off. We talked for the rest of the flight about skiing, the Pacific Northwest, and my recent relocation to DC.
When we landed in Seattle, he asked me to lunch. He is now my husband of twelve years, and we have three sons. We would like to say that our first date was at the SeaTac C gates.
– Katherine
Nothing’s better than an airport hug.
My now husband and I first started dating when we lived in Seattle. When we met, he was going to be moving to Chicago to finish school, so our time was meant to be short. However, our love blossomed and after a couple of months, we decided to give long distance a try. Alaska ferried each of us back and forth each month for alternating Chicago & Seattle visits. Alaska is absolutely a part of our love story—sitting on board in sheer excitement and anticipation waiting to see each other is an amazing memory and part of our budding romance journey. And now almost 9 years later, we have Alaska to thank for keeping us together that first year!
– Ian
oneworld, one big proposal!
Amar & I were in a long-distance relationship for the first 1.5 years. Alaska Airlines (along with a number of oneworld carriers) helped connect our cities but also our hearts.
To not include Alaska Airlines as part of our proposal story and celebration wouldn’t be right. We had the opportunity to do a proposal photoshoot on a flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC with the help of such a fantastic crew! With so much “love in the air,” we look forward to traveling on Alaska Airlines from Washington, DC to Los Angeles again, where we are getting married this June!
– Anuj
A decade in the making.
My husband and I were long-distance for about 3 years. I lived in Southern California, and he lived in Portland, Oregon. For those 3 years, we only flew with Alaska because they had the best times and prices between Ontario and Portland. Without Alaska, we would not have been able to maintain our relationship. Thank you. We just got married this past October and celebrated 10 years together.
– Becca
From the ground up, love wins.
William and I both work for Alaska. We met back in 2016 as Ramp Agents for Horizon Air in Los Angeles. To be exact, we met at Gate 66 at Terminal 6 at LAX. We had been loading an aircraft for a flight and William came to assist with the flight. 8 years later, and engaged for 4 years, we both work side by side, still!
William is now the Station Manager of San Diego, and I (Kristina) am now the Inflight Supervisor in San Diego. We both built our careers here at Alaska Air Group from being Ramp agents, Fleet agents, stores agents, leadership roles, inflight and even moved from LAX to SEA to SAN. I would of never of met William if it wasn’t for Alaska Air Group. Our love for Alaska & aviation has only grown with the love that we have for each other.
– Kristina
In love with each other & Alaska since ’98.
Our love story began when I traveled to San Diego from Seattle for a summer vacation in 1998. A Seattle girl meets a San Diego boy. Love at first sight! It was a year of long-distance dating and travel on Alaska Airlines to visit each other almost every month. I still have the paper ticket mementos. Alaska helped keep the love alive and make a long-distance relationship seem not so far away.
This Seattle girl eventually moved to her dream city with her dream boyfriend. A year later, we both moved to Seattle. Fast forward to 2006 we got married in San Diego. Alaska was there to help fly family members to join us for the big day.
My love and I travel wherever Alaska goes, with the kids often in tow. We love how Alaska has been part of our love story and is a huge part of our family. Anniversary trips, family vacations, weddings, and that epic 1998/1999 year of travel is where our love story began. 🥰
– Sarah
A match made in paradise.
Imagine being handed a ticket to paradise, not knowing it would also lead you to the love of your life. That’s exactly what happened to me, thanks to Alaska Airlines. I was set for a solo adventure in Kauai, the Garden Isle, known for its lush landscapes and serene beauty.
On a spur-of-the-moment decision, I invited Bryan, a recent acquaintance with a spirit as adventurous as mine, to join me. The island’s magic, coupled with unexpected companionship, turned our journey into a tapestry of memorable experiences and emotions.
Our love story owes its beginning to a generous gesture from Alaska Airlines. A solo journey transformed into a shared adventure, laying the foundation for a bond that would grow beyond the confines of the trip. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with a single ticket to an unknown destination.
– Tiffany
Love is truly in the air.
Josh and I met while working at Alaska at Portland International Airport and we still work there today! We love working flights together. We have taken multiple trips on our flight benefits and have made awesome memories. I don’t think I would have ever met him not working for Alaska ❤️ thank you for helping me find my best friend 😉
– Maggie
Progress continues as Alaska Airlines negotiates a new, market-competitive flight attendant contract
You’ve probably heard that we’re in active contract negotiations with our flight attendants through their union, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). We have a strong history of successfully negotiating with our union partners, reaching agreements that benefit employees while also securing the long-term success of the company.
We remain optimistic in the negotiations process. With six recently closed labor deals at the company and a tentative agreement reached in January for a new contract for our technicians, we’re hopeful to do the same for our flight attendants as soon as possible. AFA and Alaska leadership have met twice in the last three weeks and are continuing to bargain and meet with a mediator. Discussions have been productive and in the last two sessions, we reached four tentative agreements.
We respect our flight attendants’ right to communicate what’s important to them during the negotiating process. You may have heard about one recent step, called a strike authorization vote, which was conducted by the union. This type of vote is a common step in the negotiation process. It is not a call to go on strike right now.
The voting ends today, and the results could be released at any time. We expect our flight attendants will approve the measure based on previous industry votes.
Regardless of the vote results, this does not mean our flight attendants are on strike or about to strike. Our guests and operation will not be impacted by the decision in the near term or possibly at all.
While talk of a strike is concerning, especially for our guests and the communities that rely on our service, it would not happen quickly. Many more steps would need to take place over many months, if not longer, before a strike is even possible. See below for an overview of the negotiations process.
Additionally, you may see off-duty flight attendants demonstrating in various hubs today as part of the union’s mobilization efforts. We respect and support the right of our flight attendants to engage in these activities and do not expect any disruption to our operation or service as a result.
Alaska Airlines better connects Portland with more flights to popular destinations
As the West Coast’s premier airline, we offer our guests a premium travel experience withthe most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class and a generous loyalty program
Alaska Airlines is ramping up our growth in Portland to provide our guests with more choice and convenience. We’ve added more than 20 daily departures starting this summer to sought-after destinations from the Rose City. Our capacity has increased by 25%, improving connectivity and providing additional travel options.
We’ve been the largest carrier in Portland for more than 20 years. We don’t take that for granted. It’s important for us to provide our guests with a variety of convenient flight options at PDX along with the addition of new routes. We know travelers have a choice and we want them to fly with us,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines.
All our guests – whether in Portland or across our expanding network – can take advantage of a premium travel experience on their next Alaska flight. We are the West Coast’s premier airline offering our flyers the most legroom in First Class* and Premium Class; no change fees; multiple fare offerings; the most generous loyalty program with Mileage Plan with the fastest path to elite status; 30 global partners; and West Coast food and beverage on board.
With Sunday’s big game, we turned to the biggest advertising moment of the year to spotlight our premium products and services, including highlighting our most legroom. Our new campaign can now be seen in the Portland, Seattle, San Francisco/Bay Area and San Diego markets.
Our winter-spring seasonal flight between Portland and Redmond/Bend is so popular that we added a second daily roundtrip starting Oct. 1. We also extended our nonstop seasonal flying from Portland to Billings, Kansas City and Minneapolis until the end of the year – service was set to end in late summer. Tickets for all our flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com.
Alaska currently serves 53 nonstop destinations from Portland, including a few new destinations on our route map. On Nov. 17, we began nonstop service to Miami. Year-round flights to Nashville start on March 14. By this summer, we’ll have more than 100 average daily departures from Portland.
“We’re thrilled about the added flights out of PDX. As our largest carrier, more Alaska flights means even more options for travelers, whether they’re flying cross-country or within the state. And the increase in service means more visitors for our concession and ground travel partners – the local businesses that are the heart of our region and bring so much excitement to our airport,” said Dan Pippenger, chief aviation officer at the Port of Portland.
We’re excited about our future in Portland. We’re putting the final touches on the design of our all-new Flagship Lounge at PDX. It’s currently scheduled to open in the 2025-26 timeframe with more than 10,000 square feet of space that will provide double the seating of our current Lounge spaces. The atmosphere will be infused with the Pacific Northwest spirit like our award-winning Flagship Lounge at the N Concourse in Seattle. Lounge members and guests will enjoy a barista station with hand-crafted espresso beverages and drip coffee from Stumptown; complimentary beer, wine and house spirits; our signature Loungers to relax in; and a custom fireplace.
Alaska Airlines B and C lounges at Portland International Airport.
* Out of any U.S. airline excluding lie-flat seats
Spring break escapes: Your ultimate guide to leisure destinations with Alaska Airlines
If you are dreaming of your next warm, sunny vacation, these leisure destinations are must-adds to your list of spring break and summer getaways.
MEXICO
Alaska Airlines has served Mexico for more than 35 years. We now fly to eight incredible cities in Mexico, each with a unique blend of history, vibrant culture, natural beauty, and entertainment, including Cancun, Guadalajara, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Los Cabos, Loreto, Manzanillo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.
We’ve hand picked five of the best spots in Mexico for stunning beaches, exciting nightlife and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in a beautiful tropical setting.
This spring break, dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Belize Barrier Reef for world-class snorkeling and diving experiences, explore ancient Mayan ruins like those at Xunantunich, and trek through lush rainforests teeming with wildlife for an unforgettable adventure in paradise.
Visitors can hike through the stunning landscapes of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, where you can witness volcanic activity and so much natural beauty. For those looking for more down time, you can rejuvenate in natural hot springs, and for thrill-seekers, we recommend experiencing canopy tours amidst lush tropical forests for an exhilarating eco-adventure.
Liberia, Costa RicaLiberia, Costa RicaLiberia, Costa Rica
If you’re looking for sun-soaked beaches, thrilling theme parks, and vibrant nightlife, offering a diverse range of activities for a memorable vacation experience—Florida is for you!
Whether it’s lounging on the sands of Miami Beach, enjoying world-class dining and shopping along Las Olas Boulevard or enduring thrill-seeking rides at Busch Gardens, Florida has something for every spring breaker.
Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Amber has had some unusual requests in her 10 years of flying, but being asked to help save some flamingo eggs just about topped them all.
The request came during a flight from Atlanta to Seattle last August.
“A passenger rang the call button and asked if I would help keep some eggs warm,” Amber said.
Befuddled, she inquired further and learned that the guest wasn’t crying fowl.
The guest was a zoo official transporting rare Chilean flamingo eggs from Zoo Atlanta to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo and the incubator keeping them warm had stopped working.
Thinking quickly, Amber went to the galley, found some rubber gloves and filled them with warm water. She brought them to the zoo official who quickly wrapped them around the eggs, making a cozy nest. Guests seated nearby offered their coats and scarves for extra insulation.
Being resourceful and thinking on their feet are traits Alaska Flight Attendants are known for, even when it comes to our feathered guests.
I was glad to help,” Amber said, adding that she and fellow crew members kept checking with the zoo official during the flight and replacing the gloves as the water cooled.
Months later, Amber received a surprising call from the zoo asking her if she’d like to meet the baby flamingos she had saved.
“I was honored and so happy that the chicks had hatched—all six of them!” she said.
Amber and her granddaughter, Sunny, were honored guests of Woodland Park Zoo, treated to an exclusive tour that included a delightful ‘meet and greet’ with the recently-hatched chicks. The adorable birds showcased their fluffy gray feathers and long, skinny legs, with the zoo explaining that the flamingoes’ signature pink color only emerges in adulthood.
The six Chilean flamingos mark the first hatching of the species at the zoo since 2016 and bring the zoo’s current flamingo flock to 49.
“We are forever grateful for the heroic measures Amber took to help keep our precious flamingo eggs warm and viable,” said Gigi Allianic, from Woodland Park Zoo. “This means the world to our zoo family. They would have been lost if you hadn’t gone above and beyond for us.”
The zoo recently completed a public poll to name one of the flamingo chicks. If you go to the zoo today, you can meet all six of them—Magdalena, Amaya, Rosales, Gonzo, Bernardo—and Sunny, after Amber’s granddaughter. 😊
“Having baby Sunny meet flamingo Sunny was just wonderful,” Amber said. “I am excited to see them both grow up.”
Alaska Airlines invests in its people with $200 million in payouts and enhanced travel perks
Alaska Airlines employees are wrapping up the week on a positive note, as our annual incentive payout brings the total payouts for Air Group Employees to $200 million for 2023.
Our company’s annual payout, called Performance Based Pay (PBP), is determined by our performance towards specific company-wide goals for safety, guest experience, sustainability and profit.
Despite facing our share of headwinds last year, we once again delivered an excellent operation from start to finish. As a result, employees earned an above-target PBP payout for the third year in a row and 16th time in the 21-year history of PBP. This equates to more than 6 percent of most employees’ annual pay last year.
Credit to our employees, who are the strength of our airline,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “I am especially pleased that we exceeded our targets in both Safety and Guest Satisfaction, which directly reflect the care, attention to detail, and the quality of work that our people deliver every day.”
Quick math:
Our plan is generous and consistent, averaging 7.73% of annual pay over the past 10 years. If you make $50,000/year – that adds up to nearly an additional $39,000 total in 10 years.
If you look at the last 15 years, those numbers are even more impressive, averaging 7.96% of annual pay, which is nearly an additional $60,000 total in 15 years for someone making $50,000/year.
The PBP payout is in addition to the approximately $30 million in 2023 operational bonuses that employees earned for achieving monthly on-time and customer satisfaction goals. The combined monthly and annual 2023 payouts paid to employees totals $200 million.
As an added way of saying thank you, we also awarded four one-way confirmed travel passes for every eligible employee at the company. These passes can be used anywhere throughout our network—like these new & exciting leisure destinations below 👇🏼
Employees asked for better travel perks, and we listened.
While most airline programs offer travel privileges to parents and dependent children, we realized we had an opportunity to improve our program to reflect our diverse workforce with a variety of family structures. We already extend travel privileges to one spouse or partner as well as all dependent children plus two parents for every employee, and now we’re expanding the definition of loved ones.
We are one of the first airlines to allow greater flexibility in who can access our employee travel program. Beginning this month, employees are able to designate up to two people in lieu of parents to enjoy their travel privileges. This means that employees can now extend any unused parent travel benefits privileges to adult children, friends, siblings or anyone special to them. What’s so special about this change is that the idea came directly from our employees.
For the inaugural year of this expanded program, 43% of our employees have taken advantage of the change and added new loved ones to their travel privileges.
More ways to fly
In addition to unlimited standby travel, we are always looking for more ways to encourage our employees to take to the skies. On average, every year—including 2024—we gift our employees two roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska flies.
They can use these tickets to book important or celebratory trips well in advance. If employees don’t want to use these confirmed tickets, they’re now able to trade them in before they expire for Mileage Plan miles that can be used on Alaska or any of our airline partners.
Speaking of miles, in honor of our 90th anniversary, we gifted each employee 90,000 miles – that’s enough for a roundtrip ticket anywhere in the world.
A valuable part of our total rewards
We love how much our employees love to travel and 2023 was a year for the record books. Here are some of the highlights:
In 2023, 80% employees used their travel privileges to fly at least once. 53% of their spouses or domestic partners, 61% of their children and 37% of their parents also hitched a ride.
On average, our employees are able to find a standby seat 75% of the time!
The most popular employee destination outside of our hub cities were Spokane, WA, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Alaska Airlines creates Hawai‘i Community Advisory Board to deepen local ties
The Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board (HICAB) will support Alaska’s ongoing commitment to developing a true and authentic understanding of Hawai‘i’s people and culture as the airline combines with Hawaiian Airlines – honoring the legacy and significance of this beloved brand and reinforcing Alaska’s expanded role in Hawai‘i.
New advisory board will enable a stronger connection with Hawai‘i communities.
In an effort to continue cultivating a deep and enduring relationship with local Hawai‘i communities, Alaska Airlines announced today the establishment of the Hawaiʻi Community Advisory Board (HICAB). The HICAB will support Alaska’s ongoing commitment to developing a true and authentic understanding of Hawai‘i’s people and culture as the airline combines with Hawaiian Airlines – honoring the legacy and significance of this beloved brand and reinforcing Alaska’s expanded role in Hawai‘i.
“For over four decades, we have had a Community Advisory Board in the state of Alaska to seek input from communities across the state. Over the years, this exchange of ideas and information has helped us remain deeply connected to communities across a vast region that, like in Hawai‘i, are uniquely reliant on air travel. The CAB functions to ensure that our business and service are informed by local needs. We have been proud to serve Hawai‘i for over 16 years, but we know we have more to learn and feel a great responsibility to serve the people of Hawai‘i for generations to come.”
– Ben Minicucci
CEO of Alaska Airlines
The 16-member HICAB represents Alaska Airlines guests in Hawai‘i by diversity of gender, ethnicity and industry sector, including non-profit, education, healthcare, business, tourism and agriculture. The board also ensures geographic diversity with members from each of the main Hawaiian Islands who will serve either two- or three-year staggered terms. The HICAB will be a corporate and community sounding board for Alaska in Hawai‘i, providing feedback and recommendations on Alaska’s business approaches and initiatives, local current events, and community investment needs.COO & Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs & SZKaiao Creative
Paula Akana
President & CEO, The Friends of ʻIolani Palace
Nāʻalehu Anthony
Founder, Palikū Documentary Films
Todd Apo
VP, Community Partnerships & Public Affairs, Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Rosie Davis
Executive Director, Huli Au Ola, Maui County Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Stephanie Donoho
Administrative Director, Kohala Coast Resort Association
Art Gladstone
EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Hawai‘i Pacific Health
Hōkūlani Holt
Director of Kahōkūala, Hawaiian Cultural Arts Institute, UH Maui College
Stephanie Iona
Community Outreach Manager, Kekaha Agriculture Association
Meli James
Cofounder, Mana Up
Valerie Janikowski
Program Administrator, Lānaʻi Kinaʻole
Kūhiō Lewis
CEO, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
Colbert Matsumoto
Chairman, Tradewind Group
Ben Rafter
President & CEO, Springboard Hospitality
Trisha Kēhaulani Watson-Sproat
President, Honua Consulting
Jayson Watts
Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Mahi Pono
Kūhaʻo Zane
COO & Creative Director, Sig Zane Designs & SZKaiao Creative
“The HICAB will be instrumental in shaping the future of Alaska Airlines in Hawai‘i,” said Daniel Chun, Alaska Airlines Regional Vice President, Hawai‘i. “Their insights into our local community’s needs and preferences will guide our decision-making, ensuring that our services and initiatives not only resonate with Hawaiʻi residents, but also foster sustainable growth.”
For more information on Alaska’s combination with Hawaiian Airlines, visit our joint website at localcareglobalreach.com.
