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.
Achieved record annual operating revenue of $10.4 billion
Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.
Air Group’s 2023 accomplishments were significant,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “I want to thank our people for delivering a reliable operation, industry-leading cost performance, and a strong 7.5% adjusted pretax margin. As we navigate early 2024, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safety, providing a premium experience for our guests, and delivering durable financial performance. I am also grateful for how the team has rallied together to demonstrate tremendous professionalism and care in the midst of a challenging start to 2024 for them and our guests. Alaska is a resilient company with a track record of operational excellence, and we are confident in the plans we have laid out to ensure that success moving forward.”
Financial Results:
Reported net loss for the fourth quarter and net income for the full year 2023 under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $2 million, or $0.02 per share, and $235 million, or $1.83 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 of $22 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, and $58 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.
Reported net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $38 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, and $583 million, or $4.53 per diluted share. These results compare to net income for the fourth quarter and full year 2022, excluding special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, of $118 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, and $556 million, or $4.35 per diluted share.
Generated an adjusted pretax margin of 7.5% for the full year 2023, among the highest in the industry.
Recorded $2.6 billion in operating revenue for the fourth quarter, and a record $10.4 billion for the full year 2023.
Reduced CASM excluding fuel and special items by 6.6% in the fourth quarter and 2.6% in the full year compared to 2022.
Generated $1.1 billion in operating cash flow for the full year 2023.
Repurchased approximately 2 million shares of common stock for $75 million in the fourth quarter, bringing total repurchases to approximately 3.5 million shares for $145 million for the full year 2023.
Recognized more than $400 million in bank card partner commissions in the fourth quarter and $1.6 billion for the full year 2023, representing a 13% year-over-year increase compared to the full year 2022.
Air Group employees earned $200 million of incentive pay in 2023 by achieving profitability, sustainability, operational, and safety targets. The payout represents more than three weeks of pay for most employees.
Received an investment grade credit rating of “Baa3” from Moody’s Investors Service, citing the Company’s “strong business profile and conservative financial policy.”
Balance Sheet and Liquidity:
Ended the year with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 46%, within the target range of 40% to 50%.
Repaid $40 million in debt in the fourth quarter, bringing total debt payments to $282 million for the full year 2023.
Operational Updates:
Agreed to purchase Hawaiian Airlines for $18 per share in cash. The proposed combined airline will preserve both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands and provide guests with an expanded network across the Pacific.
Placed our first 737-800 freighter into operating service, with a second 737-800 freighter expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024.
Announced Alaska’s 30th global airline partner, Porter Airlines, opening new opportunities for guests to travel to Canada from the West Coast.
Announced new routes beginning in 2024, including: Seattle-Toronto, Anchorage-New York JFK, Anchorage-San Diego, and Portland-Nashville.
Enhanced partnership with Condor Airlines with a bilateral codeshare agreement that enables Alaska and Condor to sell each other’s flights.
Completed sale of ten Airbus A321neos to American Airlines, with eight transactions occurring in the fourth quarter and two in January.
Introduced inflight contactless payment Tap to Pay, an industry first, providing customers with an easier option to make purchases while flying.
737-9 MAX Grounding:
Preparing to complete the final inspections on all of our 737-9 MAX aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service after the inspection has been completed and any findings resolved.
Completed requested inspections of all 737-900ER aircraft with only one minor finding which was immediately corrected.
Initiated a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight to enhance quality control on new aircraft.
Began enhanced quality oversight program at the Boeing production facility, expanding our team to validate work and quality of our aircraft as they progress through the manufacturing process.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Updates:
Partnered with climate-tech company CHOOOSE to offer guests the ability to purchase sustainable aviation fuel credits or support nature-based climate projects upon check-out.
Through Alaska’s Care Miles program, Mileage Plan members donated over 100 million miles to 22 different charities in 2023.
Awards and Recognition:
Named Worldwide Airline of the Year by the Centre for Aviation at the World Aviation Summit in Abu Dhabi.
Achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equity Index in recognition of Alaska’s policies and practices supporting LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK), the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss 2023 fourth quarter financial results at 11:30 a.m. EDT/ 8:30 a.m. PDT, Thursday, January 25, 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.
Alaska Airlines adds new nonstop flight between Seattle and Toronto
It’s the first time we’ll connect our home airport to Canada’s largest city
Alaska Airlines is announcing new service this spring to a dynamic Canadian destination our guests are going to love: We’ll begin daily nonstops between Seattle and Toronto starting on May 16, 2024, with convenient departure and arrival times. Tickets are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com.
Toronto is the largest city in Canada along the shores of Lake Ontario. It’s a brand-new destination for us from our home airport in Seattle. For visitors, the possibilities are endless in Toronto with its bustling downtown and walkable neighborhoods, stunning parks, rich history and diverse restaurants and entertainment.
“We’re always focused on better connecting the Pacific Northwest with additional nonstops in our network,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. “There’s a strong desire by our guests for a Seattle-Toronto flight that connects a pair of exciting cities not only for leisure travel but also links key business centers between the U.S. and Canada.”
New Seattle-Toronto nonstop service
Route
Start Date
Departs
Arrives
Frequency
Aircraft
Seattle – Toronto
May 16, 2024
7:00 a.m.
2:40 p.m.
Daily
737-900
Toronto – Seattle
May 16, 2024
3:40 p.m.
5:55 p.m.
Daily
737-900
Times are local
Toronto will be the sixth Canadian city we fly to, in addition to Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria.
This isn’t the first time we’ve flown to eastern Canada from the West Coast. In the early 90’s, we flew nonstop service between Los Angeles and Toronto.
In December, we announced our 30th global airline partnership with Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that’s based in Toronto. Alaska and Porter look to strengthen our partnership throughout 2024. Porter began new flights from Los Angeles to Toronto on Jan. 16, and will start new service between San Francisco and Toronto on Jan. 25. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased at alaskaair.com.
Next steps with the Boeing 737-9 MAX and aircraft quality assurance
Alaska Airlines began preliminary inspections this weekend on a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring more data from Boeing before approving the manufacturer’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions that will be used to conduct final inspections on all 737-9 MAX and safely return the planes to service. Up to 20 of our planes could undergo preliminary inspections.
Moving forward
Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world.
Last week’s incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement.
Boeing leadership has publicly said that this incident is the result of a “quality escape.” This week, we engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line for Alaska.
We welcome and appreciate the FAA’s recently announced steps to audit and review all safety processes in the production of the 737-9 MAX aircraft, and more broadly at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s supplier that builds the fuselage for the planes.
In addition to the FAA’s review and oversight, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:
Our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight, and will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.
Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.
Over many decades, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing. With a commitment to transparency and candor, we are dedicated to working together to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes for our employees and guests.
Information about Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and our 737-9 MAX fleet
On Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its fleet of 65 737-9 MAX after a door plug detached during flight 1282 from Portland, OR to Ontario, CA. This was a harrowing flight for our guests and crew, and we’re grateful that all individuals have been medically cleared.
Quality Control:
Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes. Learn more.
For Impacted Guests:
For guests whose flights have been impacted, we encourage them to visit alaskaair.com for self-service options. We apologize to those who have been inconvenienced as we work to reaccommodate everyone as quickly as possible.
Alaska Airlines statement regarding this week’s NTSB hearing
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report today, Feb. 6, involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. This is part of the NTSB’s established process during an investigation that it continues to lead.
Alaska’s safety and technical representatives, along with Boeing representatives, remain in close contact with the NTSB. Since this remains an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the details we can release or confirm. We defer questions to the NTSB.
Safety is always our top priority. As this investigation moves forward, we have full confidence in the safety of our operation and aircraft.
NTSB issues preliminary report on Alaska Flight 1282
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary reporttoday, Feb. 6, involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. This is part of the NTSB’s established process during an investigation that it continues to lead.
Alaska’s safety and technical representatives, along with Boeing representatives, remain in close contact with the NTSB. Since this remains an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the details we can release or confirm. We defer questions to the NTSB.
Photos by Ingrid Barrentine / Alaska Airlines
9:30am Pacific. January 26, 2024
Our first 737-9 MAX planes return to service as final inspections continue
Alaska Airlines has completed final inspections on our first group of 737-9 MAX aircraft as we move forward to return the fleet to commercial service. We’ll resume flying the 737-9 MAX with Flight 1146 from Seattle to San Diego on Friday afternoon, Jan 26.
On Jan. 24, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the detailed inspection and maintenance process for the 737-9 MAX to return to flying. Our Alaska technicians began the inspections that night. We expect inspections on our 737-9 MAX to be completed by the end of next week, allowing us to operate our full flight schedule.
Each of our 737-9 MAX will return to service only after the rigorous inspections are completed and each plane is deemed airworthy according to FAA requirements. The individual inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours per aircraft.
We remain extremely grateful to our skilled Maintenance and Engineering team that is shouldering the inspection work and safely returning the planes to service, along with gratitude to all our employees who continue to help support our guests.
8 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 25, 2024
Final inspections of our 737-9 MAX fleet underway to safely return the aircraft to service
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, approved a thorough inspection and maintenance process for the 737-9 MAX aircraft. Alaska Airlines is now performing these detailed inspections of our planes.
Each of our aircraft will only return to service once the rigorous inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy according to the FAA requirements. We have 65 737-9 MAX in our fleet. The inspections are expected to take up to 12 hours for each plane.
Following these inspections by our skilled Alaska Maintenance technicians, we expect to bring our first few planes back into scheduled commercial service on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
At the request of the FAA, our Maintenance technicians completed preliminary inspections on 20 of our 737-9 MAX aircraft two weeks ago. The data we collected was provided to the FAA for further analysis. Those findings informed the FAA’s final orders for thorough inspections of the door plug on each of our 737-9 MAX aircraft. We are now implementing those final orders.
With the first of our 737-9 MAX set to resume flying on Friday, we’ll add more planes back into service every day as inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy. We expect inspections on all our 737-9 MAX to be completed over the next week.
We greatly appreciate the FAA’s diligence and commitment to safety to get the 737-9 MAX safely back in the air.
5 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 20, 2024
Our Maintenance and Engineering technicians completed preliminary inspections of a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft as requested by the FAA. We provided the data to Boeing, which will share it with the FAA for further analysis and consultation.
We’re awaiting the next steps based on this collection of new information, including the final inspection orders so we can begin safely returning our planes to service.
The ongoing grounding of the 737-9 MAX continues to impact our operations with all 737-9 MAX paused. This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them. We also have a Flexible Travel Policy in effect.
Alaska has 65 737-9 MAX planes in our fleet of 231 737 aircraft.
10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 18, 2024
Our Maintenance and Engineering technicians completed preliminary inspections of a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft as requested by the FAA. We provided the data to Boeing, which will share it with the FAA for further analysis and consultation.
We’re awaiting the next steps based on this collection of new information, including the final inspection orders so we can begin safely returning our planes to service.
The ongoing grounding of the 737-9 MAX continues to have a tremendous impact on our operation. We’ve extended the cancellations of our 737-9 MAX flights through Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them. We also have a Flexible Travel Policy in effect.
Each day of 737-9 MAX cancellations for Alaska impacts between 110 to 150 flights, depending on the flight schedule for a given day. Our sister regional carrier, Horizon Air, continues to help get our guests to their destinations by flying some routes that Alaska would normally fly with the 737-9 MAX.
Alaska has 65 737-9 MAX planes in our fleet of 231 737 aircraft.
12:15 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 17, 2024
Our Maintenance and Engineering technicians completed preliminary inspections of a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft as requested by the FAA. We provided the data to Boeing, which will share it with the FAA for further analysis and consultation.
We’re awaiting the next steps based on this collection of new information, including the final inspection orders so we can begin safely returning our planes to service.
The ongoing grounding of the 737-9 MAX continues to have a tremendous impact on our operation. We’ve extended the cancellations of our 737-9 MAX flights through Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them. We also have a Flexible Travel Policy in effect.
Each day of 737-9 MAX cancellations for Alaska impacts between 110 to 150 flights, depending on the flight schedule for a given day. Our sister regional carrier, Horizon Air, continues to help get our guests to their destinations by flying some routes that Alaska would normally fly with the 737-9 MAX.
Alaska has 65 737-9 MAX planes in our fleet of 231 737 aircraft.
7:20 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 13, 2024
Alaska Airlines began preliminary inspections this weekend on a group of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring more data from Boeing before approving the manufacturer’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions that will be used to conduct final inspections on all 737-9 MAX and safely return the planes to service. Up to 20 of our planes could undergo preliminary inspections.
Moving forward
Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world.
Last week’s incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement.
Boeing leadership has publicly said that this incident is the result of a “quality escape.” This week, we engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line for Alaska.
We welcome and appreciate the FAA’s recently announced steps to audit and review all safety processes in the production of the 737-9 MAX aircraft, and more broadly at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s supplier that builds the fuselage for the planes.
In addition to the FAA’s review and oversight, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:
Our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight, and will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.
Starting this week, we will also enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, expanding our team with additional experienced professionals to validate work and quality on the Boeing 737 production line.
Over many decades, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing. With a commitment to transparency and candor, we are dedicated to working together to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes for our employees and guests.
6 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 12, 2024
Today, the FAA communicated its instructions for preliminary inspections of some of our 737-9 MAX aircraft.
Data collected from these inspections will inform the FAA’s ultimate issuance of a global Method of Compliance (MOC) and the process to complete inspections of the full fleet – a required step to safely return the aircraft to service. Read more from the FAA here.
Alaska has 231 737 aircraft in our fleet. 65 of those planes are 737-9 MAX.
Additional 737-9 MAX flight cancellations through Tuesday
With the grounding of the 737-9 MAX still in place, we’ve made another difficult decision to cancel additional flights that were scheduled with that aircraft.
We’re working as quickly as we can to notify our guests of cancellations through Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. This equates to between 110-150 flights per day. The decision allows us to give our guests further clarity and begin notification and reaccommodation processes.
More information for impacted travelers can be found at the bottom of this page.
We’ll begin repositioning some of our 737-9 MAX aircraft for inspection
In the coming days, we will begin repositioning designated 737-9 MAX aircraft to our primary maintenance bases. This will allow us to perform the required inspections as soon as the approvals are given. Key points to keep in mind:
Any 737-9 MAX maintenance flying is authorized and permitted under the FAA’s Emergency Airworthiness Directive.
These special flight permits are not new or unique. They are a regular activity in aviation.
Flights are flown by our specially trained functional check flight crews.
No passengers or flight attendants will be on the maintenance flights.
These flights will be designated with a four-digit flight number beginning with a 9, such as AS 9834.
Horizon Air helps keep our guests moving
During the grounding of the 737-9 MAX, Alaska’s sister regional carrier Horizon Air is helping to get our guests to where they need to go.
Through Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, nearly 5,000 guests will fly on 90 flights to destinations across our network on a Horizon E-175 jet instead of a 737-9 MAX aircraft they were originally scheduled to be on.
Horizon even recently flew a nonstop flight to Dallas-Ft. Worth – an airport the airline does not usually serve. The airline also added 23 flights to and from Las Vegas for the popular CES conference this week.
10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 12, 2024
As of today, Friday, Jan. 12, Alaska Airlines continues to wait for documentation from Boeing and the FAA to begin inspection of our 737-9 MAX fleet.
We regret the significant disruption that has been caused for our guests by cancellations due to these aircraft being out of service. However, the safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority and we will only return these aircraft to service when all findings have been fully resolved and meet all FAA and Alaska’s stringent standards.
We have made the decision to cancel all flights on 737-9 MAX aircraft through Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, while we conduct inspections and prepare fully for return to service. This equates to between 110-150 flights per day. We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to reaccommodate impacted guests on other flights. More information for impacted travelers can be found at the bottom of this page.
As a reminder, three things must be in place prior to beginning inspections:
A final Multi-Operator Message (MOM) provided by Boeing, providing inspection details for the 737-9 MAX aircraft as approved by the FAA.
A global Method of Compliance (MOC) published by the FAA with details for approval of operators’ inspection processes to ensure compliance with their Airworthiness Directive. As a party to the NTSB investigation, the FAA works to ensure that inspection details address findings that may have surfaced during this process, even if not yet shared with the public.
Detailed inspection instructions and processes developed by Alaska Airlines for our maintenance technicians to follow to conduct thorough inspections per the FAA’s specifications.
10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 10, 2024
As of today, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, Alaska Airlines continues to wait for documentation from Boeing and the FAA to begin inspection of our 737-9 MAX fleet.
We regret the significant disruption that has been caused for our guests by cancellations due to these aircraft being out of service. However, the safety of our employees and guests is our highest priority and we will only return these aircraft to service when all findings have been fully resolved and meet all FAA and Alaska’s stringent standards.
As of this morning, we have made the decision to cancel all flights on 737-9 MAX aircraft through Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, while we conduct inspections and prepare fully for return to service. This equates to between 110-150 flights per day. We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to reaccommodate impacted guests on other flights. More information for impacted travelers can be found at the bottom of this page.
As a reminder, three things must be in place prior to beginning inspections:
A final Multi-Operator Message (MOM) provided by Boeing, providing inspection details for the 737-9 MAX aircraft as approved by the FAA.
An Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) published by the FAA with details for approval of operators’ inspection processes to ensure compliance with their Airworthiness Directive. As a party to the NTSB investigation, the FAA works to ensure that inspection details address findings that may have surfaced during this process, even if not yet shared with the public.
Detailed inspection instructions and processes developed by Alaska Airlines for our maintenance technicians to follow to conduct thorough inspections per the FAA’s specifications.
We will continue to provide updates as progress is made.
12:45 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 9, 2024
We continue to await inspection and maintenance instructions from Boeing and approval for the procedures from the FAA. Until then, the Boeing 737-9 MAX fleet will remain grounded.
When we are able to proceed with the formal inspection process, all aircraft will be thoroughly inspected in accordance with detailed instructions provided by the FAA in consultation with Boeing. Any findings will be fully addressed in a matter that satisfies our safety standards and FAA compliance. The formal inspections will also require documenting all findings and those will be reported to the FAA. No aircraft will be returned to service until all of these steps are complete. The safety of these aircraft is our priority and we will take the time and steps necessary to ensure their airworthiness, in close partnership with the FAA.
As these steps remain pending, we continue to experience disruption to our operation with these aircraft out of service. As of 12:30 pm. Pacific, we have cancelled roughly 109 flights for today due to the 737-9 MAX grounding.
6:50 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 8, 2024
We continue to wait for final documentation from Boeing and the FAA before we can begin the formal inspection process.
As our maintenance technicians began preparing our 737-9 MAX fleet for inspections, they accessed the area in question. Initial reports from our technicians indicate some loose hardware was visible on some aircraft.
When we are able to proceed with the formal inspection process, all aircraft will be thoroughly inspected in accordance with detailed instructions provided by the FAA in consultation with Boeing. Any findings will be fully addressed in a matter that satisfies our safety standards and FAA compliance. The formal inspections will also require documenting all findings and those will be reported to the FAA. No aircraft will be returned to service until all of these steps are complete. The safety of these aircraft is our priority and we will take the time and steps necessary to ensure their airworthiness, in close partnership with the FAA.
10 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 8, 2024
This morning, Boeing issued a multi-operator message (MOM) which provided inspection details for the 737-9 MAX aircraft, which have been approved by the FAA. Two additional steps must occur before inspections can begin:
FAA must approve operators’ inspection processes to ensure compliance (called an Alternate Method of Compliance, or AMOC);
Alaska must develop detailed inspection instructions and processes for our maintenance technicians to follow.
As we await further information from the FAA and work through these important steps, our technicians have prepared each aircraft to be immediately ready for the required inspection when instructions are finalized.
We recognize that additional questions remain about the details surrounding Flight 1282 that we are unable to address at this time. Because this is an active investigation, we must receive permission from the NTSB to provide information about the aircraft and its prior maintenance. We will provide information as soon as the NTSB permits us to do so.
As these steps remain pending, we continue to experience disruption to our operation with these aircraft out of service. As of 8:30 a.m. Pacific, we have cancelled roughly 140 flights for Monday due to the 737-9 MAX grounding.
6:30 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 7, 2024
While we await the airworthiness directive (AD) inspection criteria from the FAA and Boeing, our maintenance teams are prepared and ready to perform the required inspections of the mid exit door plugs on our 737-9 MAX fleet.
The 737-9 MAX grounding has significantly impacted our operation. We have cancelled 170 Sunday flights and 60 cancellations for Monday, with more expected. Cancellations will continue through the first half of the week, and we encourage guests with travel plans to continue to check their email and alaskaair.com for updates.
We will continue to share information as we’re able.
2:30 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 7, 2024
As we navigate the impacts of the 737-9 MAX grounding on our operation, we have cancelled 170 Sunday flights affecting roughly 25,000 guests. We expect additional significant cancellations through the first half of the week.
We are awaiting further instruction from both the FAA and Boeing to begin the required inspections on the door plug of our 737-9 MAX fleet and will share information as we’re able.
2:30 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 7, 2024
As we navigate the impacts of the 737-9 MAX grounding on our operation, we have cancelled 170 Sunday flights affecting roughly 25,000 guests. We expect additional significant cancellations through the first half of the week.
We are awaiting further instruction from both the FAA and Boeing to begin the required inspections on the door plug of our 737-9 MAX fleet and will share information as we’re able.
6 p.m. Pacific, Jan. 6, 2024
The investigation into what happened on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, is underway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has now assumed the lead role in the investigation. Alaska’s safety and technical teams, along with representatives from Boeing, are closely involved in supporting the NTSB.
At this early stage, here are details that we can share:
As we shared last night, Alaska made the decision to temporarily ground its 737-9 MAX fleet pending inspections which began early this morning.
Today, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive (EAD), requiring all operators of the 737-9 MAX aircraft to conduct specific inspections before returning the aircraft to service. We are working with the FAA to ensure that our inspections meet their detailed requirements and comply with the EAD, but this process will take more time.
Our voluntary temporary grounding of our 737-9 MAX fleet and ongoing work to comply with the FAA’s EAD has impacted travel plans for many of our guests. As of 4pm PT today, we have cancelled 160 total flights, affecting roughly 23,000 guests. We are identifying necessary cancellations for tomorrow and expect the disruption to last through at least mid-week. A flexible travel policy is in place for guests to change or cancel their flights. Guests should visit alaskaair.com for rebooking options. We are deeply sorry for the disruption this has caused our guests.
Eighteen of Alaska’s 737-9 MAX aircraft received in-depth inspections as part of heavy maintenance checks and continued in service today until we received the FAA’s EAD. These aircraft have now also been pulled from service until details about possible additional maintenance work are confirmed with the FAA. We are in touch with the FAA to determine what, if any, further work is required before these aircraft are returned to service.
The aircraft involved in flight 1282 was delivered to us on Oct. 31, 2023. The part of the aircraft involved in this event is called a plug door – a specific panel of the fuselage near the rear of the aircraft.
Several guests onboard experienced injuries that required medical attention. All guests have now been medically cleared.
We will continue to share information as we learn more. Thank you to our guests for their understanding as we safely return our fleet of 737-9 MAXs to service.
12:00 p.m. Pacific, Jan 6, 2024
Early this morning, our maintenance team began a detailed inspection process in connection with our decision to temporarily ground our fleet of Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Of the 65 737-9 aircraft in our fleet, it was determined that 18 had in-depth and thorough plug door inspections performed as part of a recent heavy maintenance visit. These 18 aircraft were cleared to return to service today.
The inspection process of the remaining 737-9 aircraft is expected to be completed in the next few days. We will provide additional updates on the progress of our inspections.
9:00 a.m. Pacific, Jan. 6, 2024
As of this morning, inspections on more than a quarter of our 737-9 fleet are complete with no concerning findings. Aircraft will return to service as their inspections are completed with our full confidence.
We deeply apologize to our guests whose flights have been impacted. Guests whose travel has been impacted can go online to view flight options and rebook travel, place the value of their ticket in their Mileage Plan Wallet for future use, or request a refund.
For Pacific Northwest Travelers: We’ve been receiving many questions from guests traveling to Texas. Flights on Saturday and Sunday from Seattle to Houston are not impacted. Return flights next week are also not affected.
11:42 p.m. Pacific time, Jan. 5, 2024
A statement from Alaska Airlines CEO, Ben Minicucci:
At Alaska Airlines, safety is our foundational value and the most important thing we focus on every day. Following tonight’s event on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding our fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections. We anticipate all inspections will be completed in the next few days.
I am personally committed to doing everything we can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent way.
We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight, and will share updates as more information is available. The NTSB is investigating this event and we will fully support their investigation.
My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants. We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are traveling in the days ahead.
-Ben
7:55 p.m. Pacific time, Jan. 5, 2024
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, experienced an incident this evening soon after departure. The aircraft landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 171 guests and 6 crew members. The safety of our guests and employees is always our primary priority, so while this type of occurrence is rare, our flight crew was trained and prepared to safely manage the situation. We are investigating what happened and will share more information as it becomes available.
The careful work we’re doing during the inspections
With the approval and direction of the FAA, Alaska technicians will begin the required, detailed inspections.
For the inspection process, the 737-9 MAX has two door plugs – one on the left-hand side of the plane and one on the right in the middle of the cabin. Both door plugs must be inspected according to the FAA-approved inspection guidance. We’ve put together a summary of the inspection checklist:
Before opening the mid-cabin door plug, we will confirm it was properly installed by ensuring all hardware is in place and all clearances are measured and recorded
We will then open the door plug and inspect for any damages or abnormalities to the door and seal components, including the guide fittings, roller guides and hinges, and inspect nut plates and fasteners
We will resecure each door plug and ensure it is sealed properly per approved FAA guidance before the aircraft is returned to service
Each inspection, including recording detailed measurements of hardware location, could take at least 12 hours for each aircraft
We’re grateful to our skilled maintenance and engineering team members who are undertaking the inspections and safely returning our fleet to service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often will the door plugs on the 737-9 MAX be inspected in the future?
Our Maintenance and Engineering teams will continue to inspect the two door plugs at least every 24 months when each plane undergoes heavy maintenance checks as part of our standard protocol. In addition, we will inspect the door plugs on new 737-9 MAX aircraft we receive right after delivery.
What happens if a guest prefers not to fly a 737-9 MAX as the planes return to service?
We currently have a Flexible Travel Policy in place through Feb. 2 for our guests to make other travel arrangements. For guests who are not comfortable flying on a 737-9 MAX right now, we’ll work with them. If they request it, we can move them to a different flight on another aircraft. We take great pride in our customer service and want everyone to have a great flight.
How do I know if I’m scheduled to fly on a 737-9 MAX?
The aircraft type is shown in the “Details” tab when booking a flight on alaskaair.com. After booking, it’s found in the guest’s reservation under “Flight Details.”
How long has Alaska been flying the 737-9 MAX?
Our first 737-9 MAX flight was on March 1, 2021. It was a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles.
What’s the seating configuration of Alaska’s 737-9 MAX?
Our 737-9 MAX carries 178 passengers with a seating configuration of 16 First Class seats, 24 Premium Class seats and 138 seats in the main cabin.
A message from Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci
Our next steps with the Boeing 737-9 MAX and aircraft quality assurance.
Full Transcript
Hi everyone, I’m Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines.
On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was involved in an alarming incident when a door plug was ejected from the Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft.
I am so incredibly grateful to the crew who responded with extraordinary professionalism and returned the flight and all aboard safely to Portland. And I sincerely apologize to everyone on board the flight for what you experienced.
That evening, I made the decision to voluntarily ground all our 737-9 MAX fleet, pending further information and inspection. The next day, the 737-9 MAX aircraft across the U.S. were grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
As a loyal guest of Alaska Airlines, I know these issues impact you, and you may have questions about what this means not just for your travel plans, but for the safety of you and your loved ones.
Please know there is nothing more important to all of us at Alaska Airlines than the safety of our employees, and you – our guests. Owning Safety is our number one foundational value, and one that is deeply personal. This value guides our actions today, and every day.
With that in mind, here is an update on what has transpired since last Friday – and some next steps:
We have 65 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft, which make up about 20% of our fleet. Since Alaska Airlines and the FAA have grounded these aircraft, that means we are canceling between 110 to 150 flights every day.
We will return these aircraft to service ONLY when all findings have been fully resolved and meet the stringent standards of Boeing, the FAA and Alaska Airlines.
With respect to the cancellations, I’ve asked our team to give guests as much advance notice as possible, and our Reservations team is working around the clock to re-accommodate people on other flights. To all who have been impacted by these disruptions, I am sorry. When you make plans, you put your trust in us, and we haven’t been able to deliver.
We’ve started inspections
Over the past week, I’ve spent time with our teams, including the excellent Maintenance & Engineering professionals in our Seattle hangar. They walked me through a 737-9 MAX aircraft that was prepared for inspection. I witnessed firsthand the rigor they bring to their work – how they pay attention to every detail and follow their processes to ensure the safety of our aircraft.
We began inspections on January 13, in response and according to the FAA’s instructions and we are making good progress. The findings from these inspections, and those of other airlines, will be compiled by Boeing and FAA to determine the appropriate next steps in order to return the 737-9 MAX Fleet safely back to service. At this time, we do not yet know how long this process will take but will keep you updated as much as we can.
Additional actions we’re taking
Aviation safety is based on having multiple levels of quality control and safety assurance, much like system redundancies that are built into an aircraft for operational safety. Together, these layers have made the U.S. aviation industry the safest in the world.
Flight 1282 was an extremely sobering reminder that these layers require continuous strengthening and improvement.
We engaged in a candid conversation with Boeing’s CEO and leadership team to discuss their quality improvement plans to ensure the delivery of the highest quality aircraft off the production line to Alaska Airlines.
We welcome the FAA’s added review and oversight in response to this situation, and the specific steps that Boeing announced to strengthen quality controls and assurance in their operations.
In addition to these steps, Alaska Airlines will initiate and enhance our own layers of quality control to the production of our airplanes:
Last week, our quality and audit team began a thorough review of Boeing’s production quality and control systems, including Boeing’s production vendor oversight. They will partner with our maintenance team on the design of enhanced processes for our own quality control over aircraft at Boeing.
And, starting this week, we will enhance our own quality oversight of Alaska aircraft on the Boeing production line, adding more experienced professionals to the teams that validate work and quality on the production line for the 737.
Alaska has flown Boeing aircraft since 1966. In the many decades since, we have cultivated a strong partnership with Boeing based on accountability, transparency and candor.
It’s on this foundation that we are dedicated to working together with Boeing to uphold the utmost quality and safety of our airplanes and for our employees and guests.
“Proudly all Boeing” is not just a tagline, it’s a commitment. It’s our pledge to you that when you choose an Alaska flight, the aircraft you are on is safe. And as the leader of this company, I’m putting all my energy toward ensuring this remains true.
Closing
In closing, I want to thank all of you for your patience and understanding through this difficult time. Thank you for your loyal support of our airline and thank you for being kind to our employees.
My personal thanks also to the Alaska and Horizon team members who are working long hours conducting inspections and navigating through disruptions in our operations while taking good care of all of you who are traveling.
Our collective commitment to safety is unwavering, and we will ensure we are even safer and stronger going forward.
New aircraft is part of our strategic fleet plan that emphasizes growth
Alaska Airlines continues to grow as we welcome delivery of the first Boeing 737-8 to our aircraft lineup – the next component of our strategic, long-term fleet plan that builds on our strengths and provides a road map for ongoing future success.
We proudly fly the youngest fleet of all U.S. airlines, and from 2024 through 2027, we are on track to add 15-25 new Boeing aircraft each year. We currently have firm orders for 80 more 737 MAX aircraft, and options and purchase rights for another 105. Our first 737-10 is scheduled for delivery in 2025.
The addition of the 737-8 and eventually the 737-10 to our fleet creates new opportunities for us to fly longer nonstop routes and maximize our revenue potential,” said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines. “We have achieved terrific results with the 737-9 in guest satisfaction, economics and fuel efficiency, and we are excited for our future with the other 737 models.”
In March 2022, Alaska adjusted our existing 737-9 aircraft order with Boeing to include the bigger 737-10 and longer-range 737-8. The additional 737 models will enhance profitability and guest satisfaction by offering us more ways to deploy the optimal aircraft size and capability in each market we fly.
For example, we will add our new nonstop Anchorage-New York JFK seasonal route with the 737-8, launching June 13, 2024. Anchorage-JFK (at 3,386 miles) will become the longest flight Alaska operates, creating nonstop convenience between two of the most popular cities in our network.
Alaska’s aircraft orders
Model
Delivered to date
Target Mix
Aircraft seats
Role in Alaska’s fleet
737-10
—
120-140
190
This model will be the largest, most efficient aircraft in our fleet
737-9
65
80
178
Ideal aircraft for long-haul, high-demand routes
737-8
1
20-40
159
Longest-range 737 best for high-performance and medium-sized markets
Alaska is scheduled to take delivery of seven more 737-8s in 2024, with the next four slotted to enter the fleet in March. The 737-8, -9 and -10 all offer a common cockpit, common engines, and similar components.
Alaska’s regional carrier, Horizon Air, also continues to grow its fleet of jets. Over the next three years, Horizon will add nine new Embraer E175s, bringing its total to 50 by the end of 2026. Alaska’s regional partner SkyWest also operates 42 E175s on our behalf. Our combined fleet size of mainline and regional jets is currently 310.
Our guests will soon enjoy refreshed updates to our 737-800 aircraft. With modifications beginning in late 2024, we are investing $130 million to overhaul those cabins.
“It’s more important than ever that we deliver a consistent product to our guests,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines. “The updates we’re making to our older Boeing aircraft will provide a more consistent guest experience on our Boeing fleet by making the cabins look and feel more like our 737-9 and 737-8 aircraft.”
The enhancements to the -800s include a move to a 161-seat configuration with 16 seats in First Class and new seats in Premium Class and main cabin, all while maintaining the same space our guests are accustomed to right now.
The new First Class seats feature a footrest and seatback device holder, allowing our guests to relax in industry-leading seat pitch that is worth talking about: We are the only U.S. airline with an average of 40” pitch in First Class and 35” in Premium Class across our mainline fleet. Guests can expect these same improvements to be featured on new 737-8 deliveries beginning in the second half of 2024 with retrofits coming to the first five aircraft at a later date.
Since modifications of the new configuration are expected to be completed in 2026, a subset of the -800s will receive a refresh of the existing cabin in the first half of this year to improve the guest experience.
Year in review: 2023 highlights at Alaska Airlines
2023 flew by! Here are some highlights and what we’re looking forward to next:
We’re excited to combine with Hawaiian Airlines.
Combining our beloved brands will expand benefits and choice for travelers throughout Hawai’i and the West Coast, including connectivity across Asia, Oceania and the Pacific.
In January, we started the year by transitioning from plastic to responsibly-sourced paper cups for inflight beverages, a move which eliminates more than 55 million plastic cups annually and replaces them with a more planet-friendly alternative. We began the process of eliminating our five largest sources of plastic waste in 2018 by removing plastic straws and stir sticks from inflight service – a first for any airline at the time.
Miles donated to CARE Miles nonprofits: 90,922,431+
Our CARE Miles program offers Mileage Plan™ members a unique and meaningful way to support important causes. Miles donated to this program help charities with business travel, accommodation of special organization requests and achievement of the organization’s mission.
In the weeks following the wildfires that devastated West Maui, Alaska helped transport 220,000 pounds of relief supplies to impacted communities and immediately sent rescue flights to help evacuees off the island and make room for recovery efforts. Alaska collaborated with long-time partner and local non-profit Kanu Hawaiʻi to distribute nearly 30 million miles — donated by Alaska, employees and guests — to those who needed support but could no longer afford the cost of flying. To date, 544 impacted Maui residents were helped with these miles.
You can still donate: Contributions made to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool through Dec. 31, 2023, will be donated to Kanu Hawaiʻi and Maui Rapid Response to provide travel support for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires. Alaska will match the miles donated, up to one million miles.
Our new coffee blend fit for the skies is now brewing!
In October, we launched a new custom coffee blend with Portland-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters, which will be on all flights by the end of the year. Plus, guests can sip Stumptown in our Portland and JFK Lounges.
Our custom roast is available exclusively on all Alaska flights by Dec. 1, 2023. Plus, guests can sip Stumptown in our Portland and JFK Lounges where we’ll be proudly serving Stumptown’s Holler Mountain for our brewed coffee and Hair Bender in our hand-crafted espresso beverages. Trapper Creek will also be available as a decaf option.
We increased global travel on alaskaair.com.
You can now book flights on 21 of our global airline partners on alaskaair.com, including American, Qantas, Air Tahiti Nui, Qatar, JAL, Iberia, Icelandair, Condor, Finnair.
We launched 23 new routes and 2 international destinations.
This year, we upped our route game! Guests can now fly to places like the Bahamas from Seattle and Los Angeles + Guatemala from Los Angeles, marking six countries that Alaska will fly to and from its West Coast hubs including, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Bahamas.
We also announced new flying from Anchorage to New York JFK and San Diego – that will start in 2024. At 3,386 miles, ANC-JFK will be the longest route in our network and the longest domestic flight in the industry using a 737.
Who doesn’t love that new airplane smell? This year, we updated our fleet with new 737-9 MAX aircraft. Plus, Horizon Air became an all-jet fleet, with new E175 aircraft after the retirement of the Q400.
Watch Behind The Scenes of our 737-9 Air-to-Air Photoshoot ⬆️
Our guests told us they enjoy our fresh food options but were eager for more! So, we increased the variety of our food offerings, from doubling the number of pre-order options in the main cabin to giving our First Class guests up to five different entrees to pick up on their flights. We also brought back some of guests’ favorites with our ‘Greatest Hits’ menu and are offering a nonalcoholic beer for the first time.
This summer, we welcomed lounge members and guests back to our popular D Concourse Lounge in Seattle with 50% more seating and improved amenities. Over the last five years, we’ve doubled the footprint of our Lounges and invested $30 million in improvements and remain focused on bringing you fresh upgrades and new amenities to make the spaces bigger and better than ever.
Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier, begins its inaugural nonstop service between Toronto and both Los Angeles and San Francisco in January.
STARLUX Airlines, a Taipei-based premium carrier, connects guests from Los Angeles to 16 amazing destinations across Southeast Asia and Japan.
Discover the East Coast’s stunning seaside destinations with Cape Air.
Get on board with Kenmore Air to explore the San Juan Islands and British Columbia.
Bahamasair can take you to pristine beaches in the Caribbean & beyond.
Learn more about our 30 worldwide airline partners to earn and redeem Mileage Plan™ miles and enjoy elite benefits along the way.
We’re enhancing the lobby & inflight experience.
We’re working on getting you through the lobby and to security in 5 minutes or less. Much like mobile technology widely used to access sporting events and concerts, your phone is all you need to fly through our lobby.
Over the next three years, we’re investing $2.5 billion in overall improvements to enhance the airport experience within our hubs and focus cities including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Anchorage.
A sneak peek at what the future lobby will look like at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
We’re also the first airline to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone – giving our guests more options to pay inflight. You’re now able to tap-to-pay for your alcoholic beverage or snack pack with just a simple tap from your iPhone or Apple Watch using Apple Pay, other digital wallet, or contactless credit or debit card to pay – no more swiping!
We were named “Airline of the Year” ⭐️
Among other accolades, this year, we were named “Airline of the Year” by the Centre for Aviation at the World Aviation Summit in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 28. The CAPA Airline of the Year Award is awarded to the airline that has been the biggest standout strategically during the year, has had the greatest impact on the development of the airline industry, has established itself as a leader, and provided a benchmark for others to follow. Here is some other recognition we’re proud of this year:
The holiday season is here! Which means, the start of (typically) the busiest and most stressful time to travel is upon us. We expect full aircraft, busy airports and lots of guests in the coming weeks.
Here are some tips to make your journey delightful every step of the way.
Traveling to/from Seattle?
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) anticipates this could be one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel periods in the airport’s history, with total foot traffic expected to be 11% higher than 2022. Travelers will notice more construction, part of Upgrade SEA improvement projects from curb to gate. Construction of a new ticketing area and a new security screening checkpoint has spillover impacts in ticketing and baggage claim areas across the airport. Enjoy lower stress through security, with Spot Saver.
Download our app to get your boarding pass & more
Use the Alaska Airlines mobile app to check in 24 hours before your flight and get your mobile boarding pass. Guests should check-in and get a boarding pass before heading to the airport via the app or online.
Our mobile app is the perfect travel companion from the day you start shopping for flights, all the way through to the moment you arrive at your destination. Plan your trip, pay for bags, and use your digital boarding pass for a seamless airport experience.
Before your flight, pre-order your favorite onboard meal
Remember to pre-order your favorite meals as early as two weeks before your flight and up to 20 hours prior to departure in all cabins on our app or online. We’ve filled our winter menu with some of our “Greatest Hits” inspired by guests’ most loved dishes and serve freshly prepared meals and snacks for breakfast, lunch and dinner—always including a vegetarian option.
Give yourself plenty of time
Give yourself plenty of time to get to and through the airport. We recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours for international.
Heads up: Some of our hub airports—including Seattle—are undergoing construction that may increase congestion. Parking might also be limited.
Tag your bags & get going!
With new Bag Tag Stations coming to every airport we serve, you’ll be able to quickly pay for and tag your bags and go. Pro tip: If you’re flying with just a carry on, skip the lobby and head straight to security with your mobile boarding pass.
Get in touch with us
If you’re an Alaska Mileage Plan member, set up communication preferences in your account profile. Our Reservations team can easily update you if your flight schedule changes due to something like weather. You can receive notifications through the app, email and text (to request more info, simply text HELP to 252752).
If you need special assistance while traveling, you can request it online or call our dedicated accessible services line at 1-800-503-0101 (dial 711 for relay services). Request wheelchair assistance, add a trained service animal to your trip and more.
