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Getaway Goals: score 32% off Alaska flights when the Seattle Kraken score big

The Kraken are back for another season of hockey excitement, and Seattle’s hometown airline and official sponsor of the team is getting in on the fun.

Getaway Goals

Starting with the first Kraken home game on October 17, Kraken fans can score a discount of 32% off Alaska flights when the team scores 5 goals or more in a home game. Each game unlocks a different mystery location, so follow along all season long to fill your travel calendar.

When you see the Kraken score 5 goals, head over to the Kraken social media accounts to find out where the discount code will take you and how to use it. Discounts will only be available for 24 hours, so act fast.

Priority Boarding

Just like last season, wearing your Kraken pride on your sleeve will get you priority boarding whenever you’re departing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Seattle-Everett International Airport (PAE).

What does priority boarding mean exactly?  Guests sporting a Kraken hockey jersey will skate their way to the fast lane, following group C. Just be sure to listen closely to your gate agent’s announcements!

Alaska Airlines and Stumptown Coffee serve up new coffee blend fit for the skies 

Summary

In partnership with Stumptown Coffee Roasters, we’re introducing a custom coffee blend designed to taste amazing at 30,000 feet, available on all flights this fall.

Because altitude affects how food and drinks taste, Stumptown’s experts crafted a well-balanced, smooth blend to ensure every cup is deliciously enjoyable in the air.

Something new is brewing at Alaska! Together, with Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a third-wave coffee pioneer, we’re serving up a new custom coffee blend that’s specially crafted to be enjoyed up in the air — brewing this fall on all Alaska flights.

For those who don’t know, your taste buds react differently at 30,000 feet due to altitude, which can cause food and drinks to taste different from how they do on the ground. So, we flew in the experts at Stumptown to craft a custom coffee blend that ensures a well-balanced, complex flavor profile that delivers a remarkably smooth and enjoyable cup for our guests every time you fly with us.

Third wave coffee roasters like Stumptown treat coffee as a culinary art and put the focus on the coffee rather than the roasts, bringing sweetness and clarity to their cups and broadening peoples’ expectations of what coffee can be.

Having flown millions of miles fueled by countless cups of coffee, Stumptown stands out as first class. Like travel, coffee has a remarkable way of bringing people together. I can’t wait for our guests and employees to enjoy a cup of Stumptown when they fly with us.”

– Ben Minicucci

Alaska Airlines CEO

Our Custom Coffee Blend

Our journey together began with a sip of Stumptown’s Holler Mountain, its best-selling, certified organic coffee. Alaska’s medium-dark blend uses the same clean and sweet base as Holler Mountain, but with a primary focus on a roast that mellows acidity and introduces just enough toastiness to please a wide range of palates.

It’s exceptionally smooth and balanced, with aromatic notes of toasted marshmallows, browned butter and toffee with delicate hints of citrus and cherry. Additionally, Stumptown dialed in this roast to be delicious when served black or with the addition of creamer or oat milk (also coming to Alaska flights Dec. 1).

Our custom roast will be available exclusively on all Alaska flights starting this fall and will be on every flight 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 wanted a crowd pleaser—something that would delight folks who enjoy milder coffees and also speak to guests who enjoy medium-bodied roasts.”

– Laura Szeliga

Stumptown President

“I hope our guests fall in love with our new custom roast as much as I did when I first tried it,” said Roman, a flight attendant in Portland, who joined employees for a tasting tour of Stumptown’s Roastery at their headquarters in Portland, Oregon. “It’s a bit lighter with an organic, cleaner finish that I think will be well received.”

Roman says after being a flight attendant for 30 years, this is a very thoughtful step for an airline to take to boost the overall guest experience.

“So many of our guests ask for a cup of coffee on board, and our roast is bound to exceed expectations,” he said. “It’s remarkable how even the smallest thing — like coffee — can brighten someone’s day.”

 

Before she became a first officer based out of Boise with Horizon Air, Alaska’s regional carrier, Sophie used to be a barista and says it was one of her favorite jobs.

 

“I enjoyed recognizing customers and remembering their coffee orders. It was refreshing to meet new people and get to know their stories just as they got to know mine,” she said. “I could probably still tell you their coffee orders today.”

 Sophie has always been intrigued by Stumptown.

“My first impression of the company was cool, edgy, and very Portland,” said Sophie. “I hope our guests will appreciate this change and know how much work went into our roast. I learned on our tour about the countless tests it took to get the blend just right for 30,000 feet. To me, that shows care, attention to detail, and quality. All the things I think our guests will appreciate.”

 

The sky-high taste test

After selecting our signature coffee, we conducted extensive brewing tests both on the ground and in the air. We did this to 1) understand how it tasted both in the air and on the ground; and 2) ensure our roast worked with all types of brewing machines on Alaska and Horizon aircraft.

More than 200 pots of coffee were brewed for the development of this project.
We tested over 20 variables, including changes in grind, dose, filter paper and filter-pack dimensions to make sure the inflight experience will wow our guests.
Multiple flight tests and blind customer surveys were conducted to ensure the taste tests met what you’d expect from a cup of Stumptown coffee on the ground.
We even taste-tested the coffee with Alaska’s inflight milk and Biscoff cookie to ensure both paired beautifully with the coffee we landed on.
As the #1 airline on the West Coast, Stumptown joins Alaska’s portfolio of leading West Coast brands including Tillamook, Beecher’s Cheese, Salt & Straw, Seattle Chocolates, Fremont Brewing, Evergreens and Straightaway Cocktails.

“I think the Alaska custom roast will be a real crowd pleaser. It’s super approachable, full bodied and subtly sweet. I was very excited to be invited to the tasting at Stumptown and see the roasting process and all their equipment. Those guys are the real deal! This is a big come up for all of us, and I think our guests will be excited to get a fresh cup of coffee from a great PNW brand.”

– Sara

Alaska Airlines First Officer

A West Coast Pairing

More than two decades ago, Portland, Oregon’s beloved Stumptown led the third wave — a craft movement in coffee sourcing and roasting emphasizing quality and sustainability — in the Pacific Northwest and beyond through its uncompromising commitment to craft and unwavering dedication to its top-tier roasting methods, partners and the planet.

As a Certified B Corporation and global brand with cafes in Portland, Los Angeles, New York and Kyoto, Japan, Stumptown is committed to sustainability in its cafes, breweries, roasting and manufacturing facilities. The company is rolling out plans to reduce energy, water consumption and achieve zero landfill-bound waste in the manufacturing operations by 2025, which aligns with Alaska’s goal to be carbon net zero by 2040.

As the premier West Coast airline, Alaska shares an appreciation for craftsmanship and a commitment to innovation and sustainability. We were the first airline to implement an inflight recycling program; the first to eliminate plastic cups, straws and stir sticks on board; and the first to offer guests the ability to pre-order meals and snacks. We feature dozens of West Coast-based food and beverage brands on board and have a long history of collaborating with partners who share our commitment to the planet, our communities and to providing caring service.

For Media:

Looking for stills, b-roll, logos of our partnership with Stumptown? Look no further!

Press Kit
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About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, the premier West Coast airline, and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We strive to be the most caring airline with award-winning customer service and an industry-leading loyalty program. As a member of the oneworld alliance, and with our additional global partners, our guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 25 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow @alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group. 

About Stumptown
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1999, Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a pioneer of the Third Wave coffee movement and direct-trade sourcing and is credited with the creation of the cold brew coffee category. A Certified B Corporation and global brand with cafes in Portland, Los Angeles, New York and Kyoto, Stumptown coffee and cold brew can be found in thousands of grocery stores and wholesale partners across the U.S. Connect with Stumptown on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok. 

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‘If you can see it, you can be it’: How one flight inspired this employee’s career

Julio spent every summer with his sister in Mexico to visit family. On one of his flights, the flight attendant asked if he wanted to say hi to the pilots. He said yes, and up they went to the flight deck. The pilots gave Julio a pair of wings, asked him his name and let him press a button. And in that moment, an aviator was born.

“Even though I was only up there for a minute I thought – ‘Oh my gosh, this is what I want to do with my life,”’ said Julio.

That moment also subconsciously conveyed a message that would shape his future. Julio saw possibilities for himself, even if he couldn’t fully comprehend it as a child. “The crew all looked like me because we [my sister and I] were flying a Mexican airline. I didn’t know it at the time, but I thought, well, I could do this,” he said.

Navigating the dualities of two worlds growing up

Julio is the proud child of immigrants – his parents, seeking a brighter future, arrived in the US in the late 80s during the Reagan era. They navigated the complexities of immigration and were granted amnesty which helped guide their process to becoming citizens.

Julio was the first in his family to be born in the US and grew up in a diverse neighborhood in Southern California. In his early years, Julio shied away from speaking Spanish, his first language, both at school and in everyday interactions.

He longed to fit in and not stand out, but he also struggled to find his place among the Latino kids at school who conversed in Spanish. “I just wanted to be like everyone else, so I only spoke English,” said Julio.

Like generations of immigrants before them, children of immigrants often become “language brokers” – those who linguistically translate for family members who do not fluently speak the language of the country they live in. This additional responsibility was no different for Julio and his sister. 

“My sister is four years older than me, and we just had to figure things out on our own. I remember any time we had a parent-teacher conference, or we had to go to the doctor, or anywhere, I felt like we had to be the adults because we had to translate everything for them,” said Julio

A young Julio waits in line at Disneyland for the Haunted Mansion.

Chasing his aviation dreams

With dreams of becoming a pilot, Julio was uncertain how to begin. His parents consistently encouraged him to do well and stay in school, but being unfamiliar with the American higher education system, it was up to Julio to chart his own path.

“I didn’t know any pilots, so in my junior year of high school everyone’s asking, ‘oh where are you going to go to college?,’ and honestly, I just started Googling ‘aviation’ and ‘how do you become a pilot?’,” Julio laughed as he shared this. In his searches, one school always popped up – Embry-Riddle – and he talked to his counselor, applied in his senior year and was accepted.   

Julio flew to Daytona Beach to tour the campus and had his schedule. The final step was securing finances to pay for it. “I remember thinking, wow, this is so expensive I can’t afford this, and I would never want to put my parents in a situation where they’d have to sign a house mortgage for me to go to school,” said Julio.

His counselor suggested he take Embry-Riddle’s online course, which he did for two years, but financial constraints still kept him from affording flying lessons. So, it was on to plan b. On the brink of turning 21, Julio applied to be a flight attendant. It was also during this time that he began to embrace his Mexican heritage openly.

“I was hired as a bilingual flight attendant and flew all over. I’d help people fill out their immigration forms or ask them about their connections and help them get through the customs process,” said Julio. “In that moment, I really embraced being proud to speak Spanish because I knew that’s what my parents went through [having someone translate for them]. I thought to myself – this is who I am, and it’s cool that I’m bilingual and Mexican, instead of hiding it.”

On layovers with crew he shared with the pilots he’d always wanted to fly planes. They consistently urged Julio to chase his dream and that propelled him to go back to college and finish his last two years. After six years, he left his career as a flight attendant to dedicate himself to pilot training full-time. He got his ratings and then became an instructor before moving to a regional airline. Today, he’s a first officer for Alaska.

Julio’s journey to becoming a pilot was different from the typical route, but his serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance and believing in one’s dreams. His parents were also a big inspiration – watching them work so hard their whole life, and never giving up.

Julio smiles as he celebrates his graduation from Kennesaw State University.

“I wouldn’t really share this with a lot of people, but after my first experience meeting those pilots that summer, every candle I blew out on a birthday cake, every penny thrown in a fountain, anytime 11:11 was on a clock, or whenever I saw a shooting star, I always wished to be a pilot. My whole life – please let me be a pilot one day,” shared Julio.

His words of wisdom: “If you have a goal, just do whatever it takes to make it happen. Because one day, your dream will come true.”

September 5 was Julio’s check ride (basically a final exam) and in late September, he flew his first flight at Alaska.

5 destinations that should be on your list this fall

Fall is a wonderful time of year to travel — the crisp air, changing leaves and abundance of seasonal activities create an atmosphere that invites exploration. Whether you’re looking for a family vacation, an extended getaway or a long weekend somewhere there are plenty of great places worth exploring within our network.

Here are five places to visit this fall, with some tips to help plan your trip with confidence.

Atlanta

Like most Southern cities — Charleston and Savannah among them — Atlanta is a great place to visit in the fall if you’re searching for warmer fall weather. We also just announced new service starting this spring from San Diego to Atlanta, our largest unserved transcontinental market from San Diego.

Atlanta, Georgia, USA skyline from Peidmont Park.
Flights to Atlanta

Austin

Whether you’re ready to rock at a music festival or tap into your best fall-self, autumn in Austin is prime time for patio sitting, pumpkin picking or enjoy a nostalgic drive-in movie and join in the football frenzy fun (burnt orange is an every-kind-of-season color around here).

An infamous Texas Longhorn silhouetted against a colorful sunset.
Flights to Austin

Florida

While you may not be breaking out the sweaters here, there are plenty of reasons to visit the Sunshine State this fall. Alaska is adding new flights to Florida just in time for the cold and darker days to set in, with more than a dozen flights a day to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale.

As part of our commitment to Southern California, we’ve added new, daily nonstop flights between San Diego and Tampa (TPA) as of Oct. 5. With convenient daytime schedules, award-winning service and a premium product offering, guests will arrive refreshed and ready-to-go from coast-to-coast.

Fort Lauderdale Beach at Dawn

Maui

Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. West Maui accommodations will begin to reopen to visitors on Oct. 8, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advises travelers to check with individual accommodations in West Maui for their reopening plans.

As travelers return to Maui, you will help to sustain jobs, keep businesses open, and support the community. For Alaska, this marks over 15 years of flying to Hawai‘i, and we want to help keep the islands strong and beautiful for many future generations to enjoy so remember to mālama (care for) the island while you’re there.

Flights to Maui

San Francisco

Fall is a golden time of year in SFO. Cozy crisp evenings, clear nights and warm temps during the day make up the perfect combo to go exploring! Plus, enjoy a nice 1.5-mile walk, run, bike, roller skate or skateboard sesh along JFK Drive (free from cars).

Flights to San Francisco

Travel with confidence:

Download our app

Use the Alaska Airlines mobile app to check in beginning 24 hours before your flight and get a mobile boarding pass to your phone.

Pre-order meals

Reserve your favorite meal on the app or online up to 20 hours before your departure.

Lounge about

Relax in our Lounges at Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York – JFK, Portland, or Anchorage before your flight.

Give yourself 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.

Earn miles

Add your Alaska Mileage Plan number to your flight to earn miles for every flight you take with Alaska Airlines or any of our partner airlines. Not a member? Join today.

Stream & chat

Watch over 800 free movies and TV episodes in our entertainment library. And, enjoy free texting while you fly, by simply connecting to our Wi-Fi.

Alaska Airlines joins forces with UP.Labs to launch Airline Venture Lab

Alaska Airlines and UP.Labs aim to launch startups to enhance network optimization and routing, aircraft maintenance, revenue management and more to transform the future of airlines.

At the UP.Summit, Alaska Airlines and UP.Labs, a first-of-its-kind venture lab unlocking the future of transportation and mobility, announced the establishment of the Airline Venture Lab, a partnership to build startups that solve core strategic challenges for Alaska Airlines and the future of aviation.

With a goal of launching the first startup in 2024, the new partnership will focus on identifying high value solutions that address some of the greatest areas of friction within aviation. These could address operational efficiency, guest experience or other angles in the business of travel. This is the third such corporate partnership for UP.Labs, following Porsche AG and an undisclosed large retailer.

Innovating with new technologies, to solve problems and better serve our guests, is in our DNA,” said Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci. “30 years ago, we pioneered the use of RNP technology, allowing us to fly more efficient flight paths and to serve communities safely and reliably in regions with challenging flight conditions. We were the first to sell tickets online, and to use the Flyways machine learning software to make flight paths even more efficient and sustainable in today’s crowded airspace. We know that sometimes our innovation comes from within our company, and sometimes it takes key partners to unlock. Today, we are excited to announce our work with one such partner: working with UP.Labs on new solutions that can address challenges facing our business and unlock progress for aviation as a whole.”

The announcement of this corporate partnership with UP.Labs builds on Alaska Airlines’ existing relationship with multi-strategy mobility investment firm UP.Partners. Alaska Airlines is already a limited partner in UP.Partners’ venture capital fund, UP.Ventures. This new partnership leverages UP.Partners’ unique ecosystem and exemplifies the mutual commitment both companies have toward advancing the future of transportation technology.

Joining the Airline Venture Lab as Senior Advisor and Investment Committee member is Sean Menke. Sean is currently executive chairman of Sabre and former CEO of Sabre, Frontier and Pinnacle Airlines. He also held executive roles with Air Canada and Hawaiian Airlines.

“I’m thrilled to have Alaska Airlines as UP.Labs’ newest corporate partner so we can advance how airlines operate,” said John Kuolt, Founder & CEO of UP.Labs. “Together we will launch innovative new businesses with the world’s best entrepreneurs to maximize the potential of the industry. On a personal note, my grandfather founded Horizon Air, which is still a core part of Alaska Airlines today, so I’m honored to have the opportunity to build upon the legacy my grandfather started.”

UP.Labs believes that partnering with leading corporations in the mobility space is the fastest way to make an impact on the transportation challenges our society faces. The company’s first corporate partnership with Porsche in the automotive space has led to the successful launch of Pull Systems, a software platform that manages and automates electric vehicle performance. As UP.Labs’ first airline partner, Alaska Airlines will help move mobility forward and bring aviation into its next era.

About UP.Partners

UP.Partners is Transforming the Moving World by building and investing in companies that move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer, and at lower cost — on the ground, in the air, on the sea, and in space. The multi-strategy firm achieves this goal through its unique and virtuous ecosystem encompassing UP.Ventures, UP.Labs, and UP.Summit. UP.Ventures invests in companies and technologies to enable the future of mobility, working with some of the world’s most innovative investors and entrepreneurs. With flagship launch partner Porsche, UP.Labs is a first-of-its-kind venture lab, partnering with the world’s largest corporations to identify the most pressing challenges that they, and broader society, face. The UP.Summit is an invitation-only experience co-hosted with Tom and Steuart Walton and Ross Perot Jr., in Bentonville, AR and Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX respectively, bringing together the world’s most innovative minds to rethink the future of transportation. For more information, visit www.UP.partners or follow on Twitter @UpPartnersVC or LinkedIn.

About UP.Labs

UP.Labs is a first of its kind Venture Lab using a new venture model to solve core problems for the world’s most important corporations in the mobility world. By bringing together

world-class business leaders, investors and corporate partners, UP.Labs unlocks innovation for corporations who have the scale and resources but cannot do it on their own. Recognizing that transportation is the underlying fabric of society, UP.Labs utilizes these strategic partnerships to rapidly ideate, build and scale disruptive startups transforming the way we move people and goods to be cleaner, faster, and safer. To learn more visit https://up.partners/labs/.

About UP.Summit

UP.Summit is an annual, invitation-only gathering of the world’s most innovative minds rethinking the future of transportation. Some of the most impactful investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders in policy, defense, transportation and mobility companies gather at the summit each year with the goal of moving people and goods in cleaner, faster, safer, and at lower-cost ways – on the ground, in the air, on the sea, and in space. UP.Summit was founded in 2017 and is jointly organized by UP.Partners, Tom and Steuart Walton, and Ross Perot Jr.

Meet some of our legendary employees

Our people set us apart. This Customer Service Appreciation Week, we want to thank all of our remarkable employees for everything they do and for the tremendous care they show our guests, communities and each other every single day. Whether you’re planning, landing, taking off or touching down, we are grateful for you — every mile of the way.

Alaska Airlines Legends

At Alaska Airlines, we reserve our top honor – the Legend Award – for those who always look up, push higher, put others first and have been doing so for more than a decade. They are the models of excellence and ones we can all aspire to be more like. And, in honor of the example they set, we’re spotlighting a few of them to celebrate Customer Service Appreciate Week.

Legend Flight Attendant Gary Webb in Anchorage.

Legend Flight Attendant Gary Webb in Anchorage.

Legend Kim Gonzalez, customer service agent at Los Cabos International Airport.

Kim Gonzalez- Customer Service Agent 

Legend John Evenden, customer service agent in Los Angeles.

John Evenden – Customer Service Agent 

Legend Rony Linaris, airport lounge specialist in Los Angeles.

Rony Linares – Airport Lounge Specialist 

Legend Lisa Lucek, call center agent in Arizona.

Lisa Lucek – Reservation Sales Agent 

Legend Susanna Poier, lead customer service agent in Seattle.

Susanna Poier – Lead Customer Service Agent 

Legend Mary Jane Rzegocki, lead cargo call center agent in Seattle.

Mary Jane Rzegocki – Lead Cargo Call Center Agent 

The Customer Service Legend Award is the highest honor at Alaska Airlines. This year, 18 employees were named Customer Service Legends. Together, this group has a combined 483years of experience with our airline. To date, 368 employees have been inducted into this hall of fame since it began in 1991. 

Legend Nestor Fernandez, Line Avionics Tech. in Seattle.
Legend Captain Rich Loudon in Seattle.
Legend Van Bao, Principal Product Manager in Seattle.
Legend Nicole Campbell, flight attendant in Seattle.
Legend Jeffry Garnett, flight attendant.
Legend Jennifer Davis, flight attendant in Los Angeles.
Legend Rony Linaris, airport lounge specialist in Los Angeles.
Legend Scott Newbold, line aircraft tech in Los Angeles.
Legend Captain Julie Thiele in Anchorage.
Legend Terri Norwood, flight attendant in Portland.
Legend Ann Ardizzone, VP Strat Sourcing & SCM in Seattle.
Legend Captain Phil Morgan in Anchorage.

Horizon Pathfinders

At Horizon Air, Alaska’s regional airline partner, we have a similar recognition program called the Pathfinder Award. The Pathfinder Award celebrates employees who are highly respected among their peers and leadership for building an outstanding career of commitment and contributions to our airline’s success.  

These employees show unparalleled dedication to carrying out Horizon’s mission of connecting small communities to the rest of the world, and ensuring our guests’ journeys are safe and efficient and their experiences are enjoyable and memorable. They are the models of excellence and ones we can all aspire to be more like. And, in honor of the example they set, we’re spotlighting a few of them to celebrate Customer Service Appreciate Week. 

Pathfinder Joe D’Ambrosio, passenger service agent at Boise International Airport

Joe D’Ambrosio – Passenger Service Agent, BOI 

Pathfinder Rachel Jordan, communications agent, at Spokane International Airport

Rachel Jordan – Communications Agent, GEG 

Pathfinder Kris Vanderpool, passenger service agent at Portland International Airport

Kris Vanderpool – Passenger Service Agent Trainer, PDX 

These spotlights represent just a portion of our 2023 Horizon Pathfinders — we’re celebrating the newest class of Pathfinders on Oct. 19, 2023. This year, nine remarkable individuals were recognized for their dedication to carrying out Horizon’s mission of connecting small communities to the rest of the world, and ensuring guests’ journeys are safe, efficient and enjoyable.  Since the award was created in 2007, 147 employees have been recognized with this honor. 

“A teaspoon of help in an ocean of need” – Alaska employees share their stories of the Maui wildfires 

Expressing empathy and solidarity in the wake of last month’s devastating wildfires in West Maui is challenging, as the losses were profound. As the community embarks on a long journey of recovery and rebuilding, our employees continue to show their unwavering commitment to supporting others in their time of greatest need. This spirit of dedication and compassion is the DNA that unites us at Alaska Airlines. It’s ingrained in our very essence to care for and serve our communities, shaping who we are as a company. 

Here are just a few of the stories of how employees helped at ground zero of the devastation on Maui — from a dispatcher vacationing when the fires broke out, to a captain flying in who worked in a relief kitchen and our local team who rushed to the airport to help — in their own words. 

Jacob

I received a call from the Lieutenant Governor’s office. I knew it was bad.”   

– Jacob, public affairs manager, who lives in Hawaii

“I was aware of the ongoing brush fires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui for a few days. But, it wasn’t until I received a 2 a.m. phone call from the Lieutenant Governor’s office that I fully comprehended the extent and severity of the fire. I went to the Maui airport to do what I could, unloading supplies that Alaska was shipping in – water, food, etc. From the outset our Hawai‘i team was at the forefront, answering urgent calls and rallying our airline industry allies. Their dedication went beyond merely supporting our passengers; they were deeply committed to caring for the communities we serve. From our public affairs group to our operations team and our invaluable partners at Unifi, everyone united to ensure supplies reached those in dire need. Witnessing everyone’s heartfelt effort, driven not by obligation but by genuine compassion, was deeply touching. I’m proud to be part of a company that unwaveringly supports our Maui and Hawai‘i communities.” – Jacob

Sil

“This one was hard. Really hard. This is my home state.” 

–  Sil, flight attendant and volunteer rescue worker

“We landed on Maui on Saturday, Aug. 12. I was part of an assessment team of Empact International (NW). My job (in addition to being a flight attendant) was to assess the need for more of my team members to join us. It was very apparent from the moment I hit the ground that the need for help was immense. A couple of days later, four more of my team members joined me. While in Lahaina, my team helped relief & recovery efforts in two ways. We relieved Maui fire fighters who were part of the difficult task of searching for remains. We also were in command of a county supported distribution point. My team distributed over 100 tons of aid (food/water & necessities), over 9,000 people served, coordinated over 500 volunteers. I was so proud to see box after box labeled, ‘Alaska’ on them as they came through the station. This is my 19th major disaster. This one was hard. Really hard. This is my home state.” – Sil  

Sandi (far left), Sara (2nd to right)

“We were a teaspoon of help in an ocean of need.”

– Sandi, captain, who piloted flights into Maui and volunteered 

“Sara and I were pilots on a flight to Maui on the early morning of Aug. 9, mere hours after the fire had begun. We got a birds-eye view of the devastation. We saw the immediate response of the community, everything from the locals opening homes to strangers (as if there was ever a stranger in the islands😌) to relief flights to get people off the island. Sara and I decided on the way home that we would figure out a way to do whatever we could. When we returned on a flight days later, we rented a car and headed for the docks where a local organization was running supplies via boats into Lahaina. We helped there where we could then we returned to the hotel and picked up Flight Attendants Maranda and Suzanne. The four of us volunteered at the War Memorial Gym Shelter until 7 p.m. that evening. It was an emotional day for everyone and in the big scheme of things, a teaspoon of help in an ocean of need. But our hope was to be there for Maui and acquire info for others should they also choose to help. I was, and still am, humbled by how people drop everything to take care of people in need. We are blessed that when all is said and done, we don’t worry about our differences – we see, focus and value our similarities, inclusiveness and humanity.” – Sandi 

Kelsey

We had over 2,000 passengers overnighting at the airport with only the clothes on their backs.” 

– Kelsey, manager of station operations on Maui, who led her team through the crisis 

“I’ve never been prouder to be a part of this company. The very first question I was asked was “How can we help, what do you need?” within hours I had more support and supplies than I could’ve ever imagined. Immediately we began assisting our local airport community, employees, and guests, we had over 2,000 passengers overnighting at the airport with only the clothes on their backs, we were able to provide them with food, water, and blankets. My team showed up day in and day out despite many of them losing much more than material items, their desire to provide service and care for our guests and each other was truly remarkable. For weeks following the fires we made daily supply runs to Lahaina, upcountry and various other distribution centers, and neighborhoods across the island and we are continuing to have a presence in the community to this day. Meeting some extraordinary people along the way, those who lost everything were stepping up to help a perfect stranger, it was humbling to see the compassion and care for others. Maui is my home; I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to be a part of something much greater than myself.” – Kelsey  

Brad (2nd to the right)

“We didn’t want to be a burden, so we stayed and helped as we could.” 

– Brad, dispatch manager, who was visiting Maui with his family when the fires hit 

“Our family arrived on Maui the day before the worst of the fires. It was 11:30 p.m. when we received the alert to evacuate because of a fire close to us. The suggestion was to go to Maui High School, so we went there first. It was packed, so we figured we’d just strike out on our own. We ended up spending the rest of the night in our minivan in the cell phone lot at the airport. Checking in with my co-workers, I learned that Alaska was adding extra sections to help folks get off the island. There were a lot of people sleeping in the airport, on the floor, on baggage carousels, everywhere. We didn’t want to be a burden or in the way of recovery efforts or go to the airport and add ourselves to that problem – or taking seats from people who needed to get off the island wouldn’t help either. So, we hunkered down and did what we could to be of assistance. My parents volunteered at a church shelter. My wife worked at the War Memorial Gym shelter for the Red Cross, and also at the Humane Society. I was on childcare duty while also helping with the company’s response in the initial days after the fires as best I could. Our story is nothing compared to many others. We were just visitors, trying not to be a burden and helped as we could. We were able to get on an airplane and return as a family to our home. Others don’t have that option.”  – Brad

Where can you travel to Maui right now? 

Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. West Maui accommodations will begin to reopen to visitors on October 8, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advises travelers to check with individual accommodations in West Maui for their reopening plans. As travelers return to Maui, you will help to sustain jobs, keep businesses open, and support the community. 

A message from the County of Maui:

Book travel to Maui

Limited time offer: Hotels and Car Rentals bonus

Support local businesses on Maui while earning Mileage Plan™ bonus miles for hotel and car bookings. 

Earn 2,000 bonus miles with every Maui hotel booking, on top of our fantastic rates and up to 10,000 miles per night at Alaska Hotels. Offer ends December 31, 2023. Restrictions apply.

Book a hotel

When you book with Avis and Budget through Alaska Car Rentals, receive 1,000 bonus miles for all Hawaii rentals of 3+ days. That’s in addition to member deals of up to 35% off and 1,250 miles. Rental must be completed by December 31, 2023. Restrictions apply.

Book a car

Maui still needs your help.  

We are so grateful for the efforts of all our nonprofit partners who’ve been working on the ground to provide much-needed support to local communities. Here are three remarkable organizations we’re supporting, and encourage you to consider contributing to: 

Kanu Hawai‘i and Maui Rapid Response are leading an effort to provide travel support for Maui residents who have been impacted by the wildfires. Together with our employees and guests, Alaska has donated nearly 27 million miles towards this program.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA) Kāko‘o Maui fund will directly support community-driven relief efforts on Maui. CNHA’s mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, political and community development of Native Hawaiians. The Alaska Airlines Foundation, together with Alaska employees and our company’s employee Matching Gift program, have pledged more than $150,000 to this campaign over the past few days. 

Contribute to Kāko‘o Maui 

Airlink is coordinating relief supplies and travel for first responders to support immediate recovery efforts on Maui. Alaska has also donated 1.5 million miles to enable their work. 

Support Airlink 

Volunteer on Maui

If you’d like to help volunteer while on Maui, consider reaching out to one or more of the following: Maui Food Bank, Maui Rapid Response, Common Ground Collective, Maui Humane Society, or any of the non-profits and organizations, including those endorsed by the County of Maui, on the Maui Nui Strong website.


 

Alaska Airlines adds new nonstop between San Diego and Atlanta

Heart of Georgia becomes our 37th nonstop destination, the most of any carrier from San Diego 

Our guests in San Diego love the convenience of our nonstop, coast-to-coast flights. How about we add another? Alaska Airlines is announcing new, daily service between San Diego and Atlanta that begins flying on May 16, 2024. Tickets are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com. 

We’re committed to growing our network for guests in Southern California. We’ll offer 37 nonstop destinations next spring from San Diego to cities across the Northwest, Northeast, California, Mexico, Florida and all four major islands in Hawaii. We currently offer 36 nonstop destinations from San Diego, which remains the most of any airline serving the airport. 

We want to provide our guests in San Diego the most nonstop options,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. “Not only are San Diego and Atlanta popular destinations for leisure travelers, but both are also major business hubs. We’re excited to connect the cities, especially since Atlanta is our largest  unserved transcontinental market from San Diego.” 

Our new service will have a convenient daytime schedule:

Flights will depart San Diego in mid-morning and arrive in Atlanta in the late afternoon with service returning to San Diego in the early evening. The times also allow for connecting flights within our intra-California network. 

“We appreciate Alaska Airlines new options to destinations across the country,” said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority President & CEO. “This new nonstop service to Atlanta offers Southern Californians direct access to Georgia’s capital and key economic center, while providing easy access for Georgians to the warmth and beauty of San Diego.” 

Book flights to San Diego
Book flights to Atlanta

Alaska Airlines joins Assaia’s strategic partner community

The 5th largest US airline, known for its award-winning passenger experience and genuine caring service, is set to play an important role in the ongoing optimization of turnaround operations by collaborating on the development of Assaia’s AI-based technology.

Alaska Star Ventures, the investment arm of Alaska Airlines, is announcing its latest commitment to improving efficiency and sustainability with an investment and equity stake in AI company Assaia. With this investment, Alaska becomes a member of Assaia’s Strategic Partner Community (SPC) in support of the development of AI-based turnaround technology.

The members of the SPC use their wide experience of operating airports and airlines to provide both strategic and tactical counsel to guide the development of Assaia’s portfolio of products for managing and optimizing ramp operations. Known for running one of the most reliable operations in the U.S., Alaska brings expertise to the collective challenge of improving aircraft turnaround. Their investment in Assaia underpins their belief in Assaia as the leading provider of turnaround optimization technology.

Assaia uses AI to reduce turnaround times and improve on-time-performance, which in turn improves the passenger experience. It does so by enabling real-time responses to increase gate availability, and ensuring safety on the ramp. In addition, by focusing on taxi-in time reduction and auxiliary power unit usage limitation, airports and airlines can use the resulting data to make significant strides in their sustainability goals.

Pasha Saleh, Corporate Development Director for Alaska Airlines, said, “Using technology to move the aviation industry forward is in Alaska’s DNA, and our investment in Assaia is the next embodiment of that commitment to innovation. Our teams have already been using Assaia to improve our aircraft turn processes, and we’re thrilled to help expand technology that will make us safer, more efficient and able to offer an even better guest experience. This partnership represents the future of machine learning applications in aviation and will translate into significant advances in our industry.”

Assaia’s SPC is poised to grow over the next year. Anyone – airports, airlines and ground handlers – interested in joining should contact Assaia to learn more about this community and how they can help to shape the future of digital and automated apron operations.

Max Diez, CEO of Assaia, said, “Alaska Airlines has wide and deep experience of airline operations and a strong track record in on-time performance. That expertise is going to be invaluable as we continue to develop our technology, and expand the number of airlines and airports using it. Ultimately, this will help the entire aviation industry to improve safety, reduce emissions and improve on-time performance.”

About Assaia

Assaia International AG is an aviation software company that is on a mission to use technology for the optimisation of the aviation industry. It uses a combination of Artificial Intelligence and computer vision to provide airports and airlines with complete visibility of turnaround operations at the airport. 

Assaia gives airports and airlines control over turnaround operations, enabling them to predict issues and automate processes to make it more efficient. Assaia’s solutions create a safer, faster and sustainable ecosystem so passengers can feel confident they are traveling on time, safely and sustainably. 

www.assaia.com

Cougs or Dawgs? Alaska Airlines unveils new aircraft in honor of Washington State University and the University of Washington 

This fall we’re bringing not one, but two brand new aircraft into our fleet with fresh paint highlighting our commitment to Washington state’s largest universities. Alaska also expands support of WSU, becoming the official airline partner of WSU Athletics.  

We’re taking college pride to new heights with the debut of two newly themed aircraft showcasing Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW).  

Just in time for the fall semester with football season in full swing, our E175 “Go Cougs” aircraft will take to the skies on Saturday, Sept. 23, from Seattle (SEA) to Pullman (PUW) ahead of WSU’s matchup against the Oregon State Beavers. On Oct. 3, the “Go Dawgs” special UW-themed aircraft will be introduced to fans departing Seattle (SEA) to Portland (PDX). 

#N661QX (“Go Cougs”)

“The new Go Cougs aircraft celebrates the productive partnership between Washington State University and Alaska Airlines,” said WSU President Kirk Schulz. “We are proud to have Alaska Airlines as a continued supporter of our educational programs and research pursuits, particularly in the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuels. Together, we will help transform the future of air travel across the state, region, and world.” 

#N662QX (“Go Dawgs”)

“Our shared values and commitment to our region are why the UW is proud to partner with Alaska Airlines, and we are thrilled to see the purple and gold on their aircraft. This is another exciting step in the UW’s continued partnership with Alaska Airlines, an innovative and deep-rooted Pacific Northwest company that adds so much to our local and state economy, as well as fostering connections across the world as a member of the oneworld Alliance,” said Ana Mari Cauce, president of the University of Washington. 

This is the third iteration of both special aircraft dedicated to the universities. The planes, tail numbers #N661QX (“Go Cougs”) and #N662QX (“Go Dawgs”), will be flown by Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines’ regional sister carrier. These college-themed aircraft (liveries) are one of many ways guests can celebrate their school spirit year-round. 

Since launching our first university-themed livery almost 20 years ago, we know that few things get local fans as excited as seeing their school’s colors on the side of the hometown airlines’ airplanes,” said Joe Sprague, Horizon Air president.  

Our commitment to education and expanding our support of WSU   

We’re proud to fly to all five cities across Washington and Oregon where WSU has campuses nearby: Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Everett and Portland (near the Vancouver, WA campus).  

We believe in strengthening and supporting the communities our employees, neighbors and guests call home, and in Eastern Washington, we’ve been honored to support those communities for more than 40 years. Caring for the communities we serve extends far beyond making air travel accessible. It’s about forging connections, fostering job opportunities, volunteering, donating miles to nonprofits and inspiring the next generation of aviation.  

Photos by Joe Nicholson

As part of our new sponsorship with WSU Athletics for the 2023-2024 school year, Alaska will be the athletics department’s official airline partner. We look forward to special gameday giveaways — at basketball and football games — that include sweepstakes for a chance to win tickets and air travel to the 2023 Apple Cup on November 25th.  

“We are thrilled to sponsor WSU Athletics, ensuring that fans can continue to rally behind their beloved Cougs,” said Sprague. 

For over a decade, we’ve partnered with WSU on several initiatives to advance the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — a key part of our goal to be carbon net zero by 2040.  

In 2015, we partnered with the WSU-led Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) to produce and use SAF from forest residuals (tree limbs and branches that remain after a forest harvest), which led to Alaska making history by becoming the first airline to fly a commercial flight powered by this type of SAF. Last year, WSU was named as the academic partner in Alaska’s innovative corporate SAF program, aimed at fostering education and raising awareness about opportunities to enhance the sustainability of business travel. 

On Oct. 3, the “Go Dawgs” special UW-themed aircraft will fly its first flight between Seattle (SEA) to Portland (PDX). 

In 2016, Alaska proudly became the official airline of the University of Washington. Since then, we’ve expanded our support across various aspects of the university, including UW Athletics, the Foster School of Business and various campus initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to advancing education within the communities we serve. 

As always, it’s an absolute thrill to witness the Huskies in action, facing off against rival teams, whether on the iconic Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium or within the electric atmosphere of the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. 

A new era of aircraft 

While the two universities have graced the outside of Q400s operated for Alaska by its sister carrier, Horizon Air, the airline has transitioned to an all-jet fleet of modern Embraer E175 aircraft. Horizon has 41 jets and by the close of 2026 is scheduled to have 50 of them.  

The E175 jets include a range of benefits: 

  • The jet aircraft has three classes of service, just like our Boeing 737s. 
  • Our elite members can enjoy upgrades to First Class and Premium Class. 
  • All seats are window or aisle – there are no middle seats. 
  • It provides a quieter flight than the Q400 turboprop. 
  • There’s inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity on board. 
  • There are larger overhead bins for stowing carry-ons. 
  • It flies faster than the Q400. 

FOR MEDIA

Looking for stills or b-roll of our “Go Cougs” aircraft inaugural flight? Look no further! https://bit.ly/3ENfGAr

“Go Cougs” Media Kit

Photos of our “Go Dawgs” aircraft can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ZCY9Vr

“Go Dawgs” Media Kit

Download b-roll video

Wish come true: Watch this little guy’s reaction when he meets our captain

In the midst of what has been a truly busy operation, several employees from Portland took the time to make a little boy’s Make-A-Wish flight remarkable—so remarkable, in fact, that he fell head over heels when he met our captain!

Watch Elijah make announcements with Customer Service Agent Julie and meet our Captain Jeff.

Elijah is a 7-year-old leukemia warrior from Vancouver, Washington who loves soccer, building Legos and all things superheroes.  Dolphins are his favorite animal, and, through the magic of Make-A-Wish Oregon, Elijah was not only going to see dolphins, he was going to get to meet them up close on his trip to San Diego.

When Make-A-Wish reached out to Alaska to see if we could help, you know the answer, right?

Our caring Portland employees rolled out the red carpet for Elijah and his family, including allowing him to help our customer service employees make announcements and board guests. He and his sister also got to sit in the flight deck and see all the bells and whistles — and even push a few buttons — thanks to Captain Jeff and First Officer Renee.

@alaskaair

We were honored to fly 7-year-old leukemia warrior, Elijah, as he embarked on his wish to California with Make-A-Wish Oregon! Our employees rolled out the red carpet for Elijah and his family, including letting him make the boarding announcements and check out the flight deck (captain’s hat included!). Most of the wishes granted this year involve travel, and we are committed to making more dreams come true. We will match up to one million miles donated to Make-A-Wish Oregon now through the fall. Donate today at oregon.wish.org/Miles #AlaskaCarelines #Care #MakeAWish #Wish

♬ original sound – Alaska Airlines

Alaska is making a difference one wish at a time

As an official airline partner of Make-A-Wish, Alaska Airlines has flown hundreds of wish kids, making their dreams come true and adding some much-needed levity and joy to their families, just when they need it. According to Make-A-Wish, 78% of all the wishes granted this year involved travel. 💙 Starting now, Alaska Airlines will match up to one million miles donated to Make-A-Wish Oregon through this fall.

Learn more about donating miles to Make A Wish Oregon

Alaska Airlines delivers an industry-leading operation during a busy summer season 

Now that fall is right around the corner, we’re proud to say Alaska Airlines ran the best operation this summer — and it’s all thanks to our 23,000 employees. We operated more than 100,000 flights and safely connected 12.6 million guests (600,000 more than last year) to places and people they love. 

Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, Alaska had the highest completion rate (meaning the lowest rate of cancelled flights) of any other airline – completing 99.7% of scheduled flights and led the industry in on-time performance.  

We take pride in delivering a reliable operation for our guests who depend on us. This summer, we were firing on all cylinders, and we plan to continue this operational excellence as guests entrust us with their holiday travel. We can’t wait to welcome you onboard again. 

We have proven that we can do anything when we work together as a team. We have shown that every flight matters and every guest matters. We earn the trust and loyalty of our guests by delivering on our promises every day and the contributions of every team member makes all the difference,” said Constance von Muehlen, Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer. 

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