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Honoring the Remarkable Contributions of Veterans on Hawaiian’s 94th Birthday (Part 2)

Tomorrow, we’re ringing in two special occasions: Veterans Day and our 94th anniversary as the hometown carrier that introduced commercial air service to the Hawaiian Islands.

As we begin the first day of our 95th year of service, we also recognize the remarkable contributions of the servicemen and women over the decades. Without their skill and commitment, Hawaiian Airlines wouldn’t be the storied company that it is today.

In the second of this two-part blog feature honoring veterans, we’re highlighting two Hawaiian Airlines Veterans Employee Network (HAVEN) members, Sun Min Chun-Dayondon, a flight attendant, and Eric Rice, manager of central baggage claim, who both built their careers in the National Guard and continue to serve while building their careers at Hawaiian Airlines.

Can you share details about your military background and your time in the reserves?

Sun Min Chun-Dayondon: I initially joined the military in 1999 as an enlisted soldier in the Army Signal Corps where I deployed to Iraq and achieved the rank of sergeant, but later became an aviation warrant officer serving as a UH-60M Blackhawk pilot and aviation recruiter for the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard.

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Chun-Dayondon in front of a UH-60M Blackhawk.

 

Eric Rice: I joined the Army National Guard in 2006 in Oregon as an infantryman (11B). I deployed to Iraq with the Oregon Army National Guard in 2009-2010, filling the traditional infantry role. In 2012, I was selected to Battalion Recon where I served as both a scout and a sniper at various times. I was deployed again in 2014-2015, that time to Afghanistan with Battalion Recon (still in the Oregon Army National Guard) and served as a team leader for a personal security detail that protected high-level NATO and Department of Defense officials.

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Rice in his dress uniform and wearing his Order of Saint Maurice medal.

 

Following that deployment, I moved to Hawaiʻi and joined the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard as an infantry instructor. I am currently a senior infantry instructor for the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard where I oversee the training of junior infantry leaders in the Army. We primarily teach small unit tactics, leadership principles and theory, advanced rifle and machine gun marksmanship, and several other related skills as part of the Infantry Advanced Leaders Course. In 2016 I was inducted into the Order of Saint Maurice, an honor that recognized significant contribution to the Infantry Corps.

What else were you doing while serving in the National Guard and where does Hawaiian Airlines come into the picture?

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Chun-Dayondon (middle) and her parents on a UH-60M Blackhawk at flight school, Fort Novosel, Alabama, in 2014.

Sun Min Chun-Dayondon: In 2015, a fellow UH-60M pilot, who was a manager at Hawaiian Airlines, told me that the company was hiring flight attendants. At that time, I was working full-time as an office manager at an auto body shop while flying for the National Guard part-time. So, I applied and was selected to join one of the 2016 flight attendant classes! I’ve now been a flight attendant for seven years, but much of that time has been spent on military orders. 

Eric Rice: I’ve been consistently in the National Guard for the last 17 years, but I’m new to Hawaiian Airlines. I was hired as the manager of central baggage claim just over a year ago. I currently supervise a team of 11 amazing claims agents. Before Hawaiian, I was working as a deputy sheriff for the State of Hawaiʻi and completing a master’s in applied intelligence from Georgetown University. Trying to balance work, family, and the military at the same time was and has, at times, been both challenging and rewarding.

How have the skills you built in the military been helpful during your time at Hawaiian Airlines?

Sun Min Chun-Dayondon: My time in the military has taught me the importance of discipline, punctuality and completing tasks to standard with attention to detail. But the most useful skill the military has instilled in me is teamwork, which aligns with Hawaiian Airlines’ value of lōkahi (unity). Without it, we can’t be successful in accomplishing the mission or achieving our goals. 

Eric Rice: My experience in the Army has been immensely valuable in preparing me to be successful at Hawaiian Airlines, and I truly believe the leadership skills I learned both as an infantry leader and instructor have and continue to set me up for success.

How has your experience been at Hawaiian? Are you involved in any veteran-focused initiatives at work or in the community?

Sun Min Chun-Dayondon: I am extremely grateful that Hawaiian Airlines has been such an understanding employer when it comes to being away from work on military orders. Hawaiian Airlines has always been supportive of my military service – even on short notice and regardless of how long I would be away, the excused absence was always followed with “Thank you for your service.”  

I am a lifetime member of the National Guard Association of the U.S. (NGAUS) and the Hawaiʻi National Guard Association (HNGA), both of which advocate for military families and improved benefits through legislative action.

"Overall, my time at Hawaiian has been great, but equally important is how it has been as an active National Guard member. Hawaiian’s leadership team has been very accommodating and supportive in fulfilling my monthly and annual obligations."

Eric Rice: I am a member of HAVEN and I try to support as much as I can. I have had to scale back my volunteer, alumni, and veteran activities lately because my wife and I welcomed our first child this past January and I don’t have as much free time as I used to.

Overall, my time at Hawaiian has been great, but equally important is how it has been as an active National Guard member. Hawaiian’s leadership team has been very accommodating and supportive in fulfilling my monthly and annual obligations.

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Rice (far right) with fellow HAVEN members at Hawaiian's Honolulu headquarters.

 

Any advice for veterans or those preparing to transition out of service and interested in joining the airline industry?

Sun Min Chun-Dayondon: Leaving the military is a tough transition; the theme that I often hear echoed is missing the camaraderie, or the sense of purpose from being in a critical role working toward a common objective and achieving the mission together. The airline industry may seem worlds away from the armed forces, but as flight crew, we are like a squad with everyone relying heavily on each other to be responsible for each task. 

Particularly at Hawaiian, you will sense that we mālama (care for) our colleagues, much like how you would care for members of your unit. In addition, many of the skills and experience you honed while you were in the military are easily transferrable, so take that wealth of knowledge and join the airline industry! We, too, will take you around the world, but always back home.

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Chun-Dayondon (center) pictured with her classmates on their graduation day from a 2016 Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant training class.

 

Eric Rice: Take advantage of educational opportunities, any opportunity to learn or grow is incredibly valuable. Establish a goal, determine what steps need to be achieved to reach it, and take action to accomplish those steps. 

Lonewolf and Indiana: From Air Force buddies to Alaska pilots

When a guest posted that her Alaska Airlines pilots had flown together in the Air Force, we had to look into it. After some digging, we found that, indeed, First Officer Lloyd and Captain David served in the U.S. Air Force in the ’90s and today often coordinate their schedules to fly together.  

It’s a friendship that started while hunkered in a tent eating MREs (Meal, Ready-to-Eat or prepacked grub) over 25 years ago. They were two different guys from vastly different parts of the country, but united in a passion and dedication to serve their country. 

Llyod (left) and David (right) in the U.S. Air Force | And, both of them at Alaska Airlines years later.

Lloyd grew up in Maine and got the bug to fly soon after graduating from college as part of Air Force ROTC. After pilot training, he moved onto being an instructor on the T-37 and then flew the C-141 Starlifter and the C-17 Globemaster. He also did an exchange for four years as an instructor pilot on the T-34C for the Navy.  

It was while flying the C-141 at an exercise at McChord Air Force Base (known today as Joint Base Lewis-McChord) in Tacoma, Washington that he met David, a farm kid from Indiana. 

David grew up with his neck craned to the sky watching military jets fly routes over his family’s small farm. He pursued an aeronautical engineering degree and landed a job at Boeing, where he soon decided he’d much rather fly the airplanes than analyze them. So, he applied to the Air Force and, after training, flew the C-141 out of McChord and then the C-12J (a Beech 1900C twin turbo prop) on a tour in South Korea. 

It was at McChord that he ended up seated next to Lloyd as his instructor on a training flight. “We needed to block four hours, so instead of just beating up the pattern at McChord we flew the aircraft up to British Columbia. It was a beautiful flight day, and a memorable one flying over Vancouver Island.” 

The two aviators ended the day and went their separate ways.  

“We didn’t figure we’d see each other again, so we said our goodbyes,” Lloyd said.  

But fate had other plans.  

Three months later, Lloyd and David found themselves once again randomly assigned together for a training exercise.  

“We spent three days living in a tent eating MREs,” Lloyd said. “It was during this time that we found we had a lot in common.” 

They flew together more over the years and stayed in touch, sharing a love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, motorcycles and cars. David retired in 1999, joined the Air Force Reserve and soon after was hired at Alaska.  

Lloyd stayed in the service as an instructor and did a stint “flying a desk” as he says, in Korea.  But it wasn’t long after he announced that he was planning to hang up his military flight suit that he got a call from his old friend. It went something like, ‘hey let’s get the band back together.’ Lloyd applied at Alaska and joined the airline in 2012. 

Today, the Alaska captain/check airman and first officer often bid their trips together, savoring the time to reconnect and catch up.  

“We enjoy flying together so much that I tell passengers if they have half as much fun as Lloyd and I will be having flying them, that they’re going to have a great time,” David said. 

David likes to rib Lloyd about whether he plans to execute a Navy or an Air Force landing on any particular day, as he taught for both branches of the service. (Ask any Navy or Air Force pilot if there’s a difference and you’ll get an earful.) 

Guests on their flights get a kick out of hearing their story, oftentimes commenting to each other or stopping at the flight deck as they deplane, thanking them for their service.  

Radio Host Carla Marie’s post. A frequent flyer on Alaska, said she got “chills/tears” when she heard their story.  

The serendipity of it all is not lost on the two.

It really is a great experience to have this long history together and share our joy of flying for Alaska Airlines,” David said. “When we are at 35,000 feet and enjoying the amazing view, we still sometimes look at each other and find it hard to believe we have such a fantastic job and are able to do it together.”  

Hawaiian Airlines Embraces Veterans’ Journeys from Service to Civilian (Part 1)

Behind every airline is a collective of military members and veterans whose skills from the armed forces are a perfect fit for the demands of commercial aviation. At Hawaiian, more than 530 self-identified veterans work across our operations, from flying our aircraft to managing cyber security, and since January 2023, we've been a partner in Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University's Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) SkillBridge program, which provides servicemen and women opportunities to bridge the transition into the civilian aviation and aerospace sector. 

Our veteran employees are also encouraged to stay connected with others through the Hawaiian Airlines Veterans Employee Network (HAVEN) employee resource group (ERG). Established in 2017, HAVEN works to create networking opportunities, enhance recruitment of military members and pave pathways for mentoring and career development.​​ 

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Seventeen of HAVEN's 82 members gathered on short notice at Hawaiian's headquarters to take a commemorative Veterans Day group photo.

 

“On behalf of all of us at Hawaiian Airlines, we mahalo those who have served our country. Our employee veterans' commitment to excellence and service has and will always be a key ingredient to our success in connecting Hawaiʻi with the world,” said Robin Kobayashi, senior vice president of human resources and the executive sponsor of the HAVEN ERG.

In the first of this two-part blog feature, we celebrate the service-to-civilian journeys of two HAVEN leaders, John Kim, director of IT field services, and Justin Nowak, senior project manager.

Tell us about your military background and service.

John Kim: I was born and raised on Oʻahu and enlisted into the United States Air Force (USAF) in July 1997 and went to basic military training in November 1997. My first career was as a fuels/cryogenics journeyman at Aviano Air Base in Italy, supporting the largest multinational air campaign, Operation Allied Force (March 1999), in Kosovo. I was 19 years old, delivering fuel to 892 multinational aircraft via a 5,000-gallon refueling truck and working 14-plus-hour shifts.

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Kim pictured with a refueling tank while serving in Italy.

 

I then served as a USAF Base Ceremonial Honor Guardsman, a protocol non-commissioned officer for the Wing Commander, Hickam Air Force Base, and after as the executive assistant for the wing command chief. I ultimately became the personal “IT guy” for the four-star general – commander of the Pacific Air Forces and spent the rest of my military career in IT communications – cyber systems operations. After the passing of my father in 2004, I transitioned to the USAF Reserves and the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, where I ended my 22-year USAF career.

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Nowak pictured in uniform during a military exercise.

Justin Nowak: I first enlisted in the United States Army Reserves as a combat engineer (21B) in September 2005, subsequently undergoing Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After a few years of service, I sought a more active military role and re-enlisted for Infantry (11B) in the Active Component in 2009. Following my second stint in Basic Combat Training, this time as an 11B, I was stationed at the 3rd Infantry Division based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia, where I served as a team leader within the 3-7IN Battalion.

During my military career, I was deployed to Iraq and provided support for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Upon my return from deployment, I received permanent change of station orders to the 25th Infantry Division, stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaiʻi. Here, I was attached to the 1-14IN Golden Dragons until my term of service expired in 2016.

After that, I decided to join the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard as an advanced leader course instructor. I was assigned to the 1st Battalion 298th Regiment and continue to serve in this capacity today.

How was the transition out of active duty? How did you come across Hawaiian Airlines?

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Kim with the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in February 2006 at the welcoming ceremony for the first Boeing C-17 Globemaster at Hickam Air Force Base.

John Kim: It was a scary time for me; I was so used to a regimented schedule and leading. While I was an Air Force reservist, I joined the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and became a full-time police officer. After six years with HPD, I was offered a full-time civilian position to oversee all IT operations for the Air Forces Reserves in Hawaiʻi and Guam and subsequently transitioned into HPD’s reserve program, where I helped automate some of its reporting practices. I’ve been an HPD reserve officer for over 19 years.

I’ve since served various federal contractor jobs – all of which were lucrative, but it always felt like something was missing and I got tired of working for another company every three years after a contract was up. I remembered seeing Pualani [the iconic face on Hawaiian’s aircraft tail] during my deployments and I thought I’d check out what opportunities Hawaiian Airlines had to offer. I was hired in 2014 as a technical lead and today I oversee our IT field services operation.

Justin Nowak: I faced one of the most challenging periods in my life when I left the U.S. Army in May 2016. The reality was far more demanding than I had anticipated, and the transition was stark: I went from leading soldiers, overseeing millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and bearing immense responsibilities to a situation where all I had was a resume in hand. But I persevered, chose to make Hawaiʻi my new home (I’m originally from Wisconsin) and set my sights on landing a dream career with Hawaiian Airlines.

How did your military skills transition to Hawaiian Airlines?

John Kim: My years in the military allowed me to hone my people skills and taught me that respect as a leader is earned and not just given because of your title. It also taught me that a leader is also responsible for taking initiative and building/maintaining mutually trusting, open relationships with their team. I try to carry these skills into my role as president of the HAVEN ERG.

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Kim with Pearl Harbor survivor Ira “Ike” Schab, who got a hero’s welcome in Honolulu for the 81st anniversary commemoration of the attack.

 

Justin Nowak: My military skills in sharp decision-making, taking initiative, people management and communication have helped me be a better leader at Hawaiian Airlines. I’m also a HAVEN member and officer and was recently honored to share my transition story as a guest speaker for the Wounded Warrior Project.

I’m also an avid ocean paddler and have found that the organizational skills I picked up while in service also apply when racing in an outrigger canoe. In Hawaiʻi, when talking about leadership and teamwork, it’s common to use a canoe crew as an example, because for the canoe to move forward and compete, the crew needs to paddle with rhythm and synchronicity. If one paddle is off, the outrigger could lose its smooth glide across the top of the water. In the military, at Hawaiian Airlines, in the canoe and in life, working as one toward a common goal will always be key to achieving excellence.

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Nowak preparing to head out on a single outrigger canoe during a recent trip to Ra'iātea, French Polynesia.

How has your experience been at Hawaiian? Are you involved in any veteran-focused initiatives at work or in the community?

John Kim: It’s been great, but I think we can do better. We have great leadership here at the company, and HAVEN is working closely with leaders and their teams to find more ways to support veterans and develop recognition programs. We recently worked with human resources in hosting Hawaiian’s first-ever Military Open House, an informational session for military members preparing to transition into a civilian career, and it was a huge success.

Every year hundreds of thousands of military members transition into the civilian market and they bring an advanced perspective that is a competitive advantage in our increasingly globalized economy. Veterans have learned to work side-by-side with individuals with unique backgrounds and capabilities – from all over the world, under stressful and often demanding conditions. As a 22-plus-year Air Force veteran, it’s thrilling to see Hawaiian making impactful strides to support transitioning servicemembers and recognize their value.

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Last year, Nowak was inducted into the Order of Saint Maurice, which recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the Infantry in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers. Here, he is pictured wearing his medal alongside his wife and baby girl.

Justin Nowak: My experience as a veteran at Hawaiian has been very fruitful. Being an active member of HAVEN and serving in Hawaiʻi Army Guard has allowed me to be a part of two great military organizations.

Do you have any advice for veterans transitioning from service and interested in joining the airline industry?

John Kim: You’ve proven your commitment, discipline and resourcefulness in the military world and now it's time to trade in your experiences for a new chapter: your second career! This transition period is all about readiness, attitude and learning to adapt and overcome the hurdles that await you. Just find your passion and turn it into your profession!

Justin Nowak: It's going to be challenging, to say the least; however, focus on education and networking to help bolster your chances of landing a meaningful career.

Alaska Air Group rated investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service in initiation of coverage

Strong rating illustrates Moody’s confidence in Alaska’s financial strength, disciplined cost management, operational excellence, and increasing global presence

]Moody’s Investors Service has rated Alaska Air Group with an investment grade credit rating in their initial assessment of the airline, citing the company’s “strong business profile and conservative financial policy.”

The agency assigned Alaska a rating of “Baa3,” which signals that the airline is a stable and good investment.

In a release announcing Alaska’s investment grade rating, Moody’s stated “Alaska’s operations have produced a very competitive, if not leading, operating margin for several years. Moody’s expects this performance to continue.”

Moody’s also highlighted the carrier’s membership in the oneworld alliance and enhanced partnership with American Airlines, the ability for Alaska guests to book flights on 18 other airline partners directly on alaskaair.com, and the airline’s portfolio of quality product offerings.

“The company has three classes of seating on its entire fleet, including its regional subsidiary Horizon Airlines’ Embraer E175 regional jet aircraft. Twenty-five percent of the seats on every aircraft are in premium cabins. The cabin layout facilitates capturing customers across income and budget levels, whether for leisure or business travel.”

Alaska’s legacy of maintaining a strong balance sheet has positioned the carrier to operate without significant debt, weather economic downturns and capitalize on investment opportunities. It has also allowed Alaska to produce industry-leading profit margins even in challenging years – benefiting shareholders through returns and employees through payout programs.

Rose City meets Music City. Alaska Airlines adds new Portland-Nashville nonstop

Alaska Airlines is doing it again – we’re adding another nonstop from the Pacific Northwest to a much sought-after destination in the heart of Tennessee: Nashville.

We continue to grow in Portland with a new route that’ll connect the Rose City with Music City – a counterpart that also loves great food, dynamic music and a vibrant culture. Our daily, year-round flights start on March 14, 2024. Tickets are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com. 

We’ll be the only airline with nonstop service between Portland and Nashville with a convenient mid-morning departure from Portland and a late afternoon departure from Nashville, which will become our 53rd nonstop destination from Portland next year. Alaska has been the largest carrier in Portland for more than 20 years. We now serve more destinations nonstop from Portland outside of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Idaho) than we did in 2019.  

We’re always focused on better connecting the Pacific Northwest with new nonstops in our network,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines. “We know there’s a strong desire by our guests for an easier way to travel between Portland and Nashville. Our new flight will link a pair of exciting regions that both have wide-ranging, festive entertainment and sports scenes as well as growing business centers.” 

Route Departs Arrives Frequency Aircraft 
Portland – Nashville 9:00 a.m. 3:20 p.m. Daily 737 
Nashville – Portland 4:25 p.m. 7:35 p.m. Daily 737 
All times local 

We’ve been working on adding even more flight options in Portland. On Nov. 17, we’ll begin our new nonstop service to Miami.

Seasonal flights between Portland and Redmond/Bend resume on Nov. 23. Flights to Vancouver, B.C. from Portland resumed this past June. 

Book now from Portland

Alaska Airlines rekindles nostalgia with ‘Greatest Hits’ Menu, bringing back beloved inflight meals this winter

New and returning items in First Class and Main Cabin will bring guests the perfect blend of nostalgia and chef-curated innovation 

Alaska Airlines is taking a walk down memory lane by bringing back its most loved dishes starting this month through spring 2024, along with a selection of new seasonal chef-curated meals and a line-up of exciting beverages. 

The ‘Greatest Hits’ menu is made up of beloved past entrees based on feedback from guests and crew. Of the 35 First Class entrees, two dozen are returning fan favorites, including the Jerk Chicken with coconut curry fried rice and Kalbi Beef in a Korean BBQ sauce.  

Kalbi Beef – Korean BBQ braised beef steak, coconut curry fried rice, sesame fried greens, and a Korean BBQ sauce.

Alaska is also launching new dishes made of fresh ingredients that are sure to become popular hits among guests, including the Steak & Shrimp and Mediterranean Lentils, available in First Class. 

Everything Bagel Strata – Baked egg and bagel strata, everything bagel seasoning, served with grilled chicken-apple sausage, potato pancakes and a roasted red pepper sauce. (left) | Southwest Ranchero Eggs – Chicken chorizo sausage, toasted farro, marinated pinto beans, cage-free scrambled eggs, cotija cheese, salsa verde, and scallions. (right)

Celebrity favorite — Alaska’s Sesame Chicken and Rice — will continue to be served to our First Class guests through the winter! Actor and comedian Dax Shepard recently posted on social media he “was still reeling” over two servings of the roasted chicken with sesame teriyaki glaze on an Alaska Airlines flight from Burbank to Portland. 

Jerk Chicken – Pan-seared Caribbean spiced chicken breast, fried plantains, roasted baby pepper, cilantro lime rice, Jamaican jerk sauce. (left) | Mediterranean Lentils – Slowly braised spiced lentils, turmeric roasted cauliflower, pickled onions, roasted tomatoes, sliced almonds, and an olive & herb dressing. (right)
550+ miles 
🍽️ Fruit Plate with Ellenos® Granola & Yogurt 
🍽️ Plant-Based Granola & Fruit (vegan & made without gluten ingredients) 
🍽️ Protein Plate with Curry Apricot Dip 
🍽️ Signature Fruit & Cheese Plate 		775+ miles
🍽️ Apple Walnut Salad 
🍽️ Beet’s So Fly Salad 
🍽️ Fall Harvest Salad 
🍽️ Gochujang Chicken Sandwich   
🍽️ Kale & Blood Orange Salad 
🍽️ Pesto Chicken Sandwich 
🍽️ Sesame Chicken & Rice 
🍽️ Tillamook® Burger 
1100+ miles
🍽️ Agrodolce Chicken 
🍽️ Everything Bagel Strata 
🍽️ Ginger Beef Lo Mein 
🍽️ Jerk Chicken 
🍽️ Moroccan Chicken 
🍽️ Peruvian Steak & Rice 
🍽️ Poblano Corn Omelet 
🍽️ Pulled Pork Breakfast Scramble 
🍽️ Southwest Ranchero Eggs 		1525+  miles
🍽️ Roasted Chicken & Delicata Squash 
 
2100+ miles
🍽️ Kalbi Beef 
 
To Hawaii: 
🍽️ Smoked Salmon & Curried Vegetables 
775+ miles 
🍽️ Jetsetter’s Jam 
🍽️ Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter 

To/From Hawaii:  
🍽️ Tillamook® Cheeseburger 		1100+ miles
🍽️ Beet’s So Fly Salad 
🍽️ Charcuterie Platter 
🍽️ Chicken Curry Wrap 
🍽️ Chicken Shawarma 
🍽️ Fall Harvest Salad 
🍽️ Morning Protein Platter with Smoked Salmon Dip 
🍽️ Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich with Bacon and Scallion Aioli 

In the Main Cabin, guests will once again have the option to pre-order the Chicken Curry Wrap and the popular Beets So Fly Salad made with a medley of flavors including pickled beets, mixed greens, feta cheese and chicken breast in a Dijon balsamic dressing.  

Jetsetter’s Jam, our signature fruit & cheese, Tillamook® Cheeseburger 
Beets So Fly Salad

“Part of redesigning our menu every few months means trying new entrees and saying goodbye to old ones. But there is always a meal that guests can’t wait to eat again and don’t want to see go. We looked back at what entrees guests and our crews loved the most over the years and built a menu around our top favorite Alaska dishes,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines. 

Alaska is also excited to announce a line-up of new beverages, which will be available on flights starting Dec. 1, including freshly brewed Stumptown Coffee, that will pair perfectly with Alaska’s new oat milk creamer and Portland-based Stash Tea’s English Breakfast, Super Mint and Premium Green flavors.

Remember to easily pre-order your favorite meals as early as two weeks before your flight and up to 20 hours prior to departure in all cabins using Alaska’s industry-leading pre-order feature. 

ICYMI: Alaska recently announced its partnership with Portland-based Stumptown Coffee to create a proprietary blend designed specifically for enjoyment at 30,000 feet where tastebuds react differently. This unique coffee offering will be available in all cabins by Dec. 1. These beverages join a collection of other premium West Coast products such as Straightaway Cocktails (Portland), Sierra Nevada Brewing (California), Seattle Chocolate (Washington), Fremont Brewing (Seattle), Tillamook® Cheese (Oregon) and Beecher’s ® Cheese (Seattle).   

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. 

New menu items in First Class: 

550+ miles
🍽️ Apple & Gouda Chicken Sausage Breakfast Sandwich 
🍽️ Moroccan Chickpea Salad (vegan & made without gluten ingredients) 		775+ miles
🍽️ Chicken Sandwich with Red Pepper Spread 
1100+ miles
🍽️ JUST Egg™ Mexican Egg Bites   (vegan & made without gluten ingredients) 
🍽️ Mediterranean Lentils (vegan & made without gluten ingredients)  
🍽️ Parmesan Scrambled Eggs with Bacon 		1525+ miles
🍽️ BBQ Bacon Burger   
🍽️ Fried Rice with Chicken 
 
2100+ miles 
🍽️ Steak & Shrimp 
 
To Hawaii: 
🍽️ Parmesan Scrambled Eggs with Portuguese Sausage 
🍽️ Pineapple Oat Cakes 

New menu items in the Main Cabin:  

1100+ miles
🍽️ Morning Protein Platter with Greek Yogurt   
🍽️ Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich with Black Forest Ham & Lemon Aioli 

Alaska puts in a lot of effort to cultivate a comfortable and rewarding guest experience and part of that includes its inflight food and beverages,” said Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 100K member Sterling Pearson who is excited about the return of Alaska’s Kalbi Beef First Class entrée.

“It was absolutely delicious and one of my personal favorites. It has well-paired flavors, between the sauce and the meat. The presentation was also top-notch. I think the fact that Alaska is putting in the effort to bring back past menu items shows their dedication to giving passengers what they enjoy the most and is also an example of how Alaska cares about the guest experience.”

The Leihōku Collection: Hawaiian’s Home Retail Line Celebrates Navigation, Elevates Island-Style Comfort

The idea of being 'at home' when traveling is one of the most sought-after feelings. We want to experience new places and cultures but also embrace the comfort of the familiar, oftentimes through food, activities and even technology.

At Hawaiian Airlines, we look forward to sharing our island home with every guest who travels with us, which is why we're thrilled to announce our first-ever home and travel retail collection through an expanded partnership with Noho Home, the design team behind our newest in-flight amenities and soft goods.

 

The Leihōku Collection, named after the premium suites of our Boeing 787 Dreamliner, brings a sense of place and comfort to kamaʻāina and visitors with contemporary home décor and travel items. The full collection is available through the NoHo Home website and pop-up shop at Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu. A limited collection is available for purchase on domestic flights as well as Sydney and Auckland flights from the Hawaiian Airlines Pau Hana Cart.

NH Retail Products In Flight HH

Products from The Leihōku Collection available on the Hawaiian Airlines Pau Hana Cart include a travel blanket, chopsticks, reusable cleaning clothes and a fashion wrap.

 

"Our intention with this collection is to introduce guests to these designs while on our aircraft and hopefully they'll want to take items home with them to remember their time with us and the memories made while exploring our islands," said Alisa Onishi, senior director of brand, community and culture at Hawaiian Airlines.

"Noho Home was the perfect partner because we knew we wanted to create a sense of home within our Premium Cabin and throughout our aircraft, so we developed our in-flight amenity kits and soft goods and expanded those designs into a home retail collection."

All items in the collection are adorned with one of three designs:

  • Kilo Hōkū, or stargazer, was inspired by breathtaking timelapse photography of the night sky and is a captivating visual representation of the eternal nature of the cosmos, a testament to the timeless dance of stars and planets that have guided voyagers throughout history.
  • Lele means to “fly or leap” and celebrates the marvel of flight and the spirit of adventure.
  • ʻŌlali means to “glide smoothly” like a bird in the air or dolphin in the ocean.

"It's an absolute honor and a privilege to work alongside Hawaiian to create an atmosphere that evokes home and tells a story of navigation through design and pattern," said Jalene Kanani Bell, owner of Noho Home. "Our culture has a rich history of being voyagers and this collection celebrates our sense of travel and journey."
 

KILO HOKU Capsule SQ2 HR

Dream of your next vacation in the Kilo Hoku bedding from the capsule collection

 

LUGGAGE TAG FABRIC FR WB_HR

Fabric luggage tags in the Kilo and Lele designs

 

Lele Teal Napkins LS_HR

Lele teal napkin set from The Leihōku Collection

 

ROOM SPRAY BOX FRONT WB_HR

Room and linen spray in three floral scents: gardenia, puakenikeni and pikake

 

Kilo Hoku Shower Curtain LS 2_WEB

Kilo Hoku Shower Curtain from The Leihōku Collection


The holidays are right around the corner and whether you are hosting family and friends or looking for a unique gift, the Hawaiian Airlines x Noho Home's Leihōku Collection has you covered. Shop the collection at NohoHomeHawaii.com/pages/leihoku.

Give the Gift of Travel from Alaska Airlines this holiday season  

This holiday season, the sky’s the limit with gifts from Alaska Airlines that will make your adventure-seeking loved one’s dreams of exploration come true. With the holidays quickly approaching, sharing a few offers from Alaska that may be of interest for any travel-centric gift guides you’re developing this year. 

Buy, share or gift miles. 

Build up your own Mileage Plan™ account or share your up to 100,000 miles with someone else to provide endless opportunities for adventures and moments that will be cherished forever.  

Gift miles  

Alaska gift certificates. 

Unlike the fleeting joys of the season, these gift cards come with no expiration date.* Let the traveler in your life choose when and where they want to take flight, turning your thoughtful gesture into a timeless memory. Always in supply. Instant delivery.  

Buy now 

Donate miles for Maui 

Contributions made to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool through December 31, 2023 will be donated to Kanu Hawai‘i and Maui Rapid Response to provide travel support for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires.  

Donate miles  

Relax & unwind in our Lounges. 

From freshly brewed coffee to scrumptious pancakes and comfy seating, holiday travel doesn’t have to be so stressful after all. Enhance the airport experience and gift a ticket to relaxation, comfort, and a carefree airport experience with an Alaska Airlines Lounge Pass. Plus, for the avid traveler, consider a year-long Lounge Membership. 

Lounge about

Treat yourself to bonus miles. 

You deserve a treat. Shop 1,100+ stores through Mileage Plan™ Shopping to earn up to 1,500 bonus miles. Shop online or in-store, offer ends Nov. 17, 2023. 

Shop the bonus

Warm up with 60,000 bonus miles. 

Right now, get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening an account with an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card. 

Apply now 

Drive, save and earn. 

Hitting the road from the runway? Don’t miss out. Alaska Mileage Plan members save up to 35% off Avis and Budget base rates and earn up to 1250 miles per rental.* 

Book now

Additional restrictions, taxes and fees may apply.* 

Alaska Airlines celebrates enhanced partnership with Condor Airlines 

Bilateral codeshare agreement provides a more seamless travel experience for guests 

Alaska Airlines is expanding our partnership with Condor Airlines – one of our global partners since March 2017 – with a bilateral codeshare agreement that enables Alaska and Condor to sell each other’s flights. Last week, Condor began marketing and selling more than 70 Alaska routes across the U.S.

This past summer, Alaska began marketing and selling from Condor’s 12 U.S. gateway cities – including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles (LAX) and Anchorage – to Frankfurt, Germany, the carrier’s home airport. These flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com.

A codeshare agreement allows each airline to sell seats on one another’s selected flights as if they were their own, in a sense putting their “code” on the flights. It offers a seamless travel experience for guests across the two airlines. Flyers will enjoy the simplicity of purchasing connecting flights on both airlines using one reservation, along with seamless ticketing, check-in, boarding and checked baggage during their travel.

Tauber, Germany

We continue to bolster our international partner portfolio, giving our guests convenient access to more of the globe. Condor provides a key link with its nonstops from Alaska’s gateway cities to Europe and beyond,” said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines. “We look forward to expanding our codeshare with Condor to destinations beyond Frankfurt in the near future.”  

Condor’s newest addition to its fleet is the Airbus A330neo, known for the quietest cabin in the world compared to other aircraft of its size. Condor flies the A330neo between the U.S. and Germany in a three-class configuration: business, premium economy and economy.  

The airline recently launched its new business class product with lie-flat seats that include a larger bed and wider legroom, plus a gourmet menu and beverage service. Premium economy class also offers additional legroom with footrests to help stretch out, and meal service and complimentary beverages. All classes enjoy generous storage space, state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems with 4K monitors and Bluetooth connectivity to use with personal wireless headphones. 

Condor is expanding in the U.S. The airline recently announced it will begin new nonstop service from both Miami and San Antonio to Frankfurt in May 2024. 

Alaska is a member of the oneworld Alliance. With oneworld and our additional airline partners, our guests can earn and redeem miles all over the world through our highly acclaimed Mileage Plan program. Elite status on Alaska automatically matches tier status in oneworld so members can enjoy all the benefits that come with it right away. 

Horizon Air names 28-year industry veteran, Jason Berry, as president 

This week, the Horizon Air Board of Directors elected Jason Berry as president of Horizon Air. A 28-year industry veteran, Berry will lead strategy, oversee operations and engage the airline’s nearly 3,500 employees, as the airline continues to deliver exceptional regional air service on behalf of Alaska Airlines. Berry replaces Joe Sprague, who is retiring as Horizon president after four years and will shift to a senior advisor role at Alaska Airlines.     

Berry joined Horizon in early 2023 as senior vice president, operations. In this role he oversaw key aspects of the airline’s operations including employees in the regional carrier’s four largest workgroups.  

“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know our Horizon team over the past nine months and our employees are truly remarkable,” Berry said. “Horizon is an incredibly well-run airline, and our people have a special dedication and heart. The opportunity to lead Horizon is an immense honor.”  

Prior to his role at Horizon, Berry spent two years as vice president of cargo at Air Canada. He also previously led Alaska Air Cargo and McGee Air Services.   

Jason is a fantastic leader with a tremendous amount of industry experience and a passion for Horizon and its people,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “I look forward to his continuing contributions to Air Group’s success and am excited to welcome him to this leadership role.”   

Berry comes from an aviation family. He started his career on the ramp while still in high school and brings years of industry experience and knowledge to his role as Horizon president.  

In 2019, Berry served as president of Alaska Airlines’ wholly owned subsidiary McGee Air Services, where he had oversight for all aspects of aviation services ground handling, aircraft grooming, aircraft mobility services, check-in and gate services.  

From 2012 until June 2019, he led Alaska Air Cargo. In this role, he had direct responsibility for all aspects of cargo operations and compliance. While there, he oversaw the transition of the Boeing 737-400 combi aircraft to next generation 737-700 freighters.  

In December 2022, Berry was named “Executive of the Year” by Air Cargo World magazine.  

Berry graduated from Central Washington University and earned an Executive MBA at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. He lives near Tacoma with his wife and three daughters. 

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Alaska Airlines pulls out all the stops for 100-year-old’s birthday

When a frequent flyer wrote in that his mother-in-law was turning 100 and wanted to celebrate on Alaska Airlines — you know, we broke out the party hats and pulled out all the stops.  

Velma is a spry 100-year old woman who lives in assisted living and still drives. She attributes her good health to a shot of Crown Royal Whiskey with water every evening.  

She loves being with her family, who live in Florida, but doesn’t travel often, according to her son-in-law. But that changed five years ago when he surprised her with a trip to Orlando on Alaska for her 95th birthday. During the flight, Velma confessed that she found flying Alaska quite enjoyable and said if she reached the age of 100, she’d do it again. 

And Velma kept her word. On Oct. 6, she boarded Alaska Airlines Flight 340 to fly to Orlando, on her 100th birthday.  

“We had so much fun,” said Flight Attendant Wendy, who along with Flight Attendants Jena, Darshan and Emily made sure Velma felt like a birthday girl.  

Before boarding, Velma got a special meet and greet with our pilots. Our agents led guests in a round of “Happy Birthday.” Once on board, the celebration continued.  

Using supplies they had on hand and crafting chops that would make Martha Stewart jealous, they fashioned empty silver coffee bags into a crown, strung pretzel and Biscoff packages into a sash and crafted paper streamers.  

And, of course, they poured her favorite adult beverage, with a splash of water (even though Crown Royale isn’t a regular item on our beverage carts).  Upon landing employees in Orlando greeted Velma with a “Happy Birthday” sign.  

Velma’s return trip the following week was equally enjoyable, with special attention from our crew on board.   

Velma and her family with the crew on her return flight. 

“It was such an honor,” said Wendy, who noted that Velma also got a nice tote of Alaska logo goodies, provided by the company. 

Now back home, Velma has the crown, sash and the sign on display in her assisted living apartment — all reminders of her birthday trip.  But it doesn’t appear that her suitcase will be gathering dust anytime soon — as she just signed up for our Mileage Plan 😊.  

 I want to thank all of the employees who made Velma’s birthday trip flights so very special,” said her son-in-law Michael who is an Alaska Million Miler. “I have flown a lot of miles on Alaska, and other carriers as well, and I know that no other airline would have done anything remotely like this to make our 100-year-old mom so happy. You have the best employees, and they really care about your passengers. This is why I continue to fly Alaska.” 

Alaska Airlines debuts new ‘Mickey’s Toontown’-themed airplane featuring Mickey Mouse and his pals at Disneyland Resort

Alaska Airlines celebrates the return of Mickey Mouse in its fleet with latest special edition aircraft

Alaska Airlines’ newest, uniquely themed aircraft will be soaring through the skies today with a touch of magic from everyone’s favorite pal, Mickey Mouse. After the big reveal of this specially themed plane at a gate ceremony in Seattle, passengers will board the inaugural flight to Orange County, Calif., to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth” at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Named “Mickey’s Toontown Express,” the celebrated plane is now flying on routes across Alaska’s network.

Adorned with playful images of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, along with their pals Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park, the Boeing 737-800, tail number 565AS, is Alaska Airlines’ eighth livery in collaboration with Disneyland Resort. For the unique design – which even includes Chip ‘n’ Dale on the boarding doors and winglets – it took artists over 400 hours and 20 days to hand-paint the brightly colored aircraft exterior from nose to tail.

“It’s heartening how much our Disneyland Resort-themed airplanes spark joy in our guests — young and young at heart. What makes this even more special is the return of Mickey Mouse on an Alaska Airlines plane since he made his debut on our fleet eight years ago,” said Sangita Woerner, Alaska’s senior vice-president of marketing and guest experience. “Alaska’s long-standing relationship with the Disneyland Resort has helped to create unforgettable experiences for our guests and employees. As a family-friendly airline, it speaks to the care we strive to show everyday with these special touches.” 

Knowing the joy the Disneyland Resort-themed planes can bring to families, Alaska Airlines and Disney sent several families and special guests on the inaugural flight to experience Alaska’s everyday level of care before heading off to Orange County, including priority boarding for families with children under two, family seating at no additional charge, coloring books and the popular Kids’ Choice Picnic Pack and Jetsetter’s Jam Sandwich for guests flying in our Premium and Main Cabins. The “Mickey’s Toontown Express” plane will offer activity books and snack packs onboard with designs that feature Mickey Mouse and his pals, while supplies last.

“Our relationship with Alaska Airlines is more than 25 years strong and truly celebrates the magic of Disney,” said Sybil Crum, vice president of marketing and commercial strategy at Disneyland Resort. “The plane’s artwork marks Alaska Airlines’ eighth transformation of an aircraft featuring Disney artistry and exhibits the excitement and playfulness of the re-imagined Mickey’s Toontown. We’re so delighted for the opportunity to create even more memorable experiences for our guests together.”

The plane’s exterior artwork is inspired by Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park, a whimsical and newly reimagined, animated neighborhood where families can explore, play, discover and unwind together while enjoying new interactive experiences, familiar favorites and the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. 

Guests will be able to fly Alaska’s “Mickey’s Toontown Express” livery for the next several years before it reaches the end of its normal rotation.

Alaska Airlines’ other Disneyland Resort-themed liveries include “Friendship and Beyond at the Disneyland Resort,” which portrays larger-than-life versions of Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” friends Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park, and the “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland Resort,” a space-black livery that celebrates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre land of adventure at Disneyland Park. The space-black 737-800 boasts the iconic Millennium Falcon on the tail chased by TIE fighters.

Guests can always book their next trips to Southern California (or more than 120 other destinations) at alaskaair.com. And once there, it’s always a perfect time to visit Disneyland Resort and all the destination has to offer.

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