Alaska Airlines’ board of directors has promoted 30-year airline veteran Wayne Newton to senior vice president of airport operations and customer services. In addition to overseeing airport and cargo operations across 125 locations and a team of employees and contractors, Newton will now lead Alaska’s largest hub in Seattle. He has also been named the chairman of the McGee Air Services board of directors, an Alaska Airlines subsidiary that provides ground services.
Since joining Alaska in 1988 as a ramp service agent, Newton has served the airline’s airport operations team in a variety of roles, including as managing director of airport operations at Sea-Tac International Airport. He is currently the vice president of airport operations and customer services, where he is responsible for over 3,200 airport and air cargo employees.
Wayne is an exceptional leader with a strong understanding of Alaska’s culture and operations,” said Constance von Muehlen, Alaska’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Since joining Alaska in 1988, Wayne’s mastery of the business and people-focused leadership has played a critical role in growing our company to where we are today.”
Newton earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington and has his private pilot’s license. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
Alaska Air Cargo delivers season’s first Copper River Salmon to Seattle
A sign for many that summer has o-fish-cially begun!
Straight from the frigid waters of the Copper River in Alaska, the first delivery of fresh salmon arrived today at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Nearly 17,200 pounds of wild Alaska Copper River Salmon was flown by Alaska Air Cargo — the first of many shipments expected this season, which runs now through September.
The celebratory “first fish,” sponsored this year by Copper River Seafoods, weighed in at 30 lbs.
Greg McDole, Copper River Seafoods, with the celebratory first fish in Seattle.Greg McDole and Jim Kostko, Copper River Seafoods.
Fast facts about Copper River Salmon:
Copper River Salmon shipped on Alaska Air Cargo arrive as fresh as possible to grocery stores and restaurants across the nation, thanks in part to a cool chain training program required of all airline employees who handle perishables.
Our employees follow strict seafood quality standards and pass an annual food quality course. The goal is to keep seafood moving rapidly throughout its journey on Alaska Airlines and maintain a consistent temperature range from the time it leaves the water to when it arrives at stores and restaurants.
The Copper River Salmon season usually runs from mid-May through June.
A Copper River Salmon can grow up to 50 pounds or more, according to the Copper River Marketing Association.
Copper River salmon must travel 300 miles from the ocean, where they have spent their adult lives, through rugged terrain and icy waters to reach their spawning grounds, a journey that requires extra stores of energy in the form of fat, according to the Copper River Marketing Association. It is this fat that not only creates the exceptional flavor and texture of Copper River salmon, but also the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that make it so healthy to eat.
Be sure to check out your local grocer or restaurants to get a taste of the excellent fish!
Captain Kevin with his family after arriving safely in Seattle with the special shipment.
A message from Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci: Getting back on track
Running a great operation is part of what makes Alaska Airlines who we are, but at the moment, we’re not living up to that commitment. CEO Ben Minicucci apologizes for the impact and shares how we’re getting back to being the airline you know and trust.
To hear why this happened and the actions we’re taking to make it right, please watch this two-minute video message.
Read Ben’s letter to employees about returning to operational excellence and our commitment to them and our guests.
Full video transcript:
Hi everyone, I’m Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines. For many years we’ve taken pride in running a strong operation. However, we aren’t living up to that commitment right now, and for that, I’m deeply sorry.
I hear every day from friends, neighbors and guests about how disruptive our flight cancellations have been. Everybody wants to know, “What happened? And what are you doing about it?”
Simply put, we had 63 fewer pilots than what we planned for when we built our schedule. By the time we caught this error, April and May schedules were bid on by our pilots and flight attendants, making it impossible to sufficiently adjust schedules to avoid cancellations.
This error is having a continued ripple effect for May. Of the 1,200 flights that we operate every day, we’ve been canceling about 50 of them, that’s about 4%. A canceled flight is frustrating enough, but then you often face long hold times when you try to reach someone in Reservations. This is coming at a time when flights are already full, so rebooking options are limited.
Even though we made immediate changes, it takes some time for a complex operation to turn the corner. The month of May will continue to be choppy and we’re doing everything we can to minimize the impact on you.
For June and beyond, we’ve made significant changes to ensure a high degree of reliability.
This includes hiring and training: 150 new pilots, 200 additional reservations agents. And 1,100 new flight attendants.
This, along with the reductions we’ve made to our schedule, will ensure we run an operation that you can count on.
I’m grateful for the people at Alaska and Horizon who are working long hours to take care of you and make the best of this tough situation.
The foundation of our airline is strong. Long term, Alaska is a resilient airline with 90 years of history – and through it all, you’ve helped shape our airline and make us better. I’m committed to you, to our people, and to our communities. We’ll get this right and return to being the Alaska you can count on. Thank you.
Aircraft technicians at Horizon Air ratify new two-year contract
Horizon Air aircraft technicians and fleet service agents, who are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), have ratified a new two-year contract. The contract was approved by 91% of those employees who voted. The new contract includes increases to the wage scale, retroactive pay to January 2022 and other compensation increases.
Horizon’s aircraft technicians are responsible for the maintenance of the carrier’s fleet of Embraer 175s and Bombardier Q400s aircraft.
Our technicians and fleet services employees play a critical role in our operation, keeping our aircraft safe, reliable and clean,” said Gavin Jones, vice president of maintenance and engineering for Horizon Air. “We are grateful to the AMFA negotiating team for working with us to find solutions that work for our technicians and position Horizon for the future.”
Contracts in the airline industry do not expire. Once they become amendable, the current contract remains in effect until a new agreement is ratified.
With bases in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, Horizon serves more than 45 cities throughout the Pacific Northwest, California, the Midwest, and British Columbia and Alberta in Canada.
I would like to thank the management of Horizon Air for recognizing the value of all our members,” said AMFA Local 14 Representative Bobby Shipman. “Thanks to all the negotiating committee members for the dedicated service to resolving this contract in a small amount of time.”
Letter from CEO: Returning to operational excellence; our commitment to you and our guests
I’m writing today to give you an update on where we are and where we’re going since you last heard from me at the Q1 all-employee webcast.
Since April, we have canceled too many flights, disrupted too many plans, stretched our teams too far and haven’t taken care of you or our guests in the way we intend.
Our operational challenges come down to not having enough pilots to fly our spring schedule.
There are no excuses. The leadership team and I take responsibility and we’re executing a plan to get this right and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
How did we get here?
We started April and May with 63 fewer Alaska pilots than we needed to fly our schedule. By the time we recognized we would be short, April and May schedules were already bid by our pilots and flight attendants. So, even though we cut block hours, which is the metric we use to calculate how many pilots we need, there was no way to completely close the gap between the number of block hours on the schedule compared to pilots available to fly.
This shortage is having a continued ripple effect. Of the 1,200 flights that we operate every day, we’ve been canceling about 50 of them, roughly 4%. This is coming at a time when flights are already full, so rebooking options are limited and many of our guests have experienced extraordinarily long hold times to get the help they need, putting strain on literally every team in the organization.
We will continue to see these cancels through June 1st. We are working to manage these to reduce the impact as much as possible on you and our guests.
What’s the plan?
To get this right, we must get staffing right. This is critical. We recently centralized staff planning under one team to ensure that with the complexity of staffing in this post-COVID world, we have the right number of fully trained people in all workgroups to meet our schedule. We’ve also prioritized hiring, training and recruiting across every workgroup to ensure we have the right number of people to support our operations.
Even with these changes, it takes some time for a complex operation to turn the corner. Here’s what you can expect through the end of summer:
June – Relief in sight
For June, we have reduced block hours to 70k, which is about what we flew in April and less than what we flew in May.
Meanwhile, an additional 114 pilots will be available to fly the line in June.
We will also continue to graduate new flight attendants. This will enable us to reduce the line average for flight attendants to ensure greater flexibility and better schedules. For June, the line average will be 75 TFP, with a 25% reserve ratio, compared to 82.77 in April and 82.1 in May.
July and August – Back on track
By July and through the rest of the summer travel season, we should be back to flying a reliable and well-staffed operation. An additional 50 pilots, 400 flight attendants and 200 reservations agents will have joined our ranks. This will allow us to increase block hours to 76k in July and August, which is still less than what we originally planned to fly this summer.
While we have reduced our flight volumes for this summer, we are not reducing our hiring plans. Our goal is to have significantly more staff on board before we look to accelerate growth again.
My commitment to you and our guests
Returning to operational excellence is imperative, and I am dedicated to making sure we accomplish that goal. Here are my top priorities:
Getting back to running the safe, reliable schedule for which we are known and trusted.
Ensuring a successful transition to single Boeing and Embraer fleets for our mainline and regional operations.
Setting the company up for sustainable growth in 2023 and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me personally. I hear every day from employees, friends, neighbors and guests about how disruptive this has been. Just like all of you, I feel this deeply, and I am committed to getting this right.
I’m grateful for each of you who are working so hard to take care of our guests and our operation through this incredibly tough situation. We have the knowledge, the people and the experience to get back on track to realize the bright future ahead of us.
Thank you.
Ben
International arriving gets a world-class upgrade at Alaska’s hometown airport in Seattle
As our guests travel the world again, Mileage Plan members can earn and redeem mileswith more than 20 airlines that are oneworld members and additional global partners.
Alaska Airlines, our fellow oneworld members and our additional global airline partners are celebrating a new era at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: all of our arriving international guests who need customs clearance now make their way through the new, state-of-the-art International Arrivals Facility (IAF). It’s a faster, modernized, more efficient way to arrive back into the Pacific Northwest from points around the globe.
A world-class International Arrivals Facility at our hometown airport provides tremendous economic and strategic opportunities for Alaska as we continue to grow our airline and our partnerships,” said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines. “We’re proud of our membership in the oneworld alliance and our array of additional international partner airlines. With our worldwide reach of more than 1,000 destinations, Alaska is a global airline that can take our guests nearly anywhere they want to go – near and far.”
The opening of the IAF comes just as many of us are ready for worldwide travel adventures again. Maybe let loose on that epic hiking trip through the Alps, a deep dive into royal history in London or a food marathon of sushi bars and ramen stands across Tokyo – the sky’s the limit.
Altogether, oneworld airlines offer the most nonstop flights to international destinations from SEA this summer – an average of 20 daily international flights in June, which includes Alaska’s nonstop flights to Canada and Mexico. From oneworld global hubs, guests can connect to hundreds of other cities.
Seattle’s newest nonstop international service will be on oneworld member Finnair starting June 1. Members of Alaska’s award-winning Mileage Plan program can earn double miles between Seattle and Helsinki from June 1-Oct. 28, 2022. Register by June 30 to take advantage of this promotion.
With Mileage Plan, our guests can earn and redeem miles on more than 20 airlines that are oneworld members and our additional global partners. Here are a few of the possibilities of one-way, main cabin Mileage Plan redemptions that are available in July and August:
SEA to London: Starting at 32,500 miles on British Airways
SEA to Tokyo: Starting at 35,000 miles on Japan Airlines
SEA to Maldives: Starting at 42,500 miles on Qatar
SEA to Iceland: Starting at 30,000 miles on Icelandair
Nonstop international flights on oneworld member airlines and additional partners from SEA for June 2022. oneworld members are in bold:
Aspiring pilots and the mentors who take them under their wing
Austen Pyle was 13 when he knew he wanted to fly — it was his first brush with the sky in a glider. Today, less than 10 years after that first flight, he’s starting his pilot training with Horizon Air, Alaska’s regional airline in the Pacific Northwest. Within a few months, he’ll be a first officer – following in his mentor’s flight path.
Lawrence and Austen at Aviation Day, 2015
Lawrence and Austen at Aviation Day, 2022
Like many pilots, it took just one flight to inspire a career. Lawrence Pavlinovic, then a Horizon Air captain and now an Alaska captain, was the glider flight instructor that auspicious day. He saw Pyle’s passion for flight immediately and took him under his wing – inviting him to Aviation Day, an annual event hosted by Alaska and Horizon to inspire careers in aviation.
“Lawrence really pushed me to explore aviation as an option,” says Pyle. “He opened my eyes, and I’m so glad he did.”
Pyle, once the mentee attending Aviation Day, became the mentor over the weekend, discussing the journey to becoming a pilot.
Now’s the best time to become a pilot
The need for the next generation of pilots is greater than ever. Alaska and Horizon expect to hire more than 900 pilots by the end of 2022 to replace thousands of pilots who retired during the pandemic or are approaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. Across the industry, mainline airlines are hiring about 10,000 pilots this year alone.
Alaska Airlines First Officer Mallory C
But in between the moment a love of flying is sparked and a career, aspiring pilots like Pyle face a journey that requires a daunting investment of time and money. On average, it can cost around $90,000 for education, flight training and certifications, and pilots must log hundreds of flying hours before they can fly for commercial airlines. However, the opportunities for financial and other support while navigating this journey are growing.
Alaska has launched several pilot-development programs – including most recently True North, a partnership with two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and Ascend Pilot Academy, a partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon – to encourage aspiring pilots from diverse backgrounds to follow their dream.
“If you’re going to do this, do it 100 percent,” – Austen Pyle at Alaska Airlines Aviation Day May 2022
Want to fly? Here are some tips and resources to get you off the ground:
Find your passion: Take a discovery flight
Flight schools and many flying clubs offer an hour with a flight instructor who includes an introduction to ground school as well as time at the controls in the air. Pilots say this is the best way to determine if a curiosity about flying will transform into a passion and commitment to do the work.
“Do one flight. That’s all it will take for you to decide if you want to become a pilot or not,” says Pyle.
Alaska’s annual Aviation Day events in Seattle and Portland also provide an opportunity for young people to explore careers across the industry. Seattle’s event was May 7, but there’s still time to attend the event in Portland, coming up Saturday, May 21. Learn more about registering.
Plan your pathway: Explore Alaska’s pilot-development programs
Pyle started out at the Evergreen Soaring Club and worked toward his pilot’s license while still in high school. “I actually got my private pilot’s license before my driver’s license,” he said.
When he started Central Washington University’s aviation program, Pyle interviewed right away for the Horizon Air Pilot Development Program, which partners with universities while providing a stipend, mentorship and a pathway to a future job at Horizon.
“That was really special for me as a freshman in college to know that I had an airline job waiting for me when I was ready,” said Pyle.
And Alaska’s newest pilot-development programs are designed to recruit students with diverse backgrounds, part of our commitment to increase the diversity of our workforce at all levels by 2025.
The True North pilot-development program was launched in fall 2021 in partnership with Delaware State University and University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, two historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). True North’s goal is to recruit and support BIPOC pilots on their journeys, and students receive guaranteed first officer positions at Horizon upon graduation, along with a confirmed path to Alaska.
Ascend Pilot Academy launched in March in partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon to provide resources and a career path for aspiring pilots, including those who don’t yet have flight experience. Once accepted, cadets receive a stipend and financial assistance for training, as well as a confirmed job with Horizon once qualified. “Aviation is for everyone,” says Carlos Zendejas, vice president of flight operations for Horizon Air. “Our programs help navigate the how-to of becoming a pilot, and we know that finances are a barrier, so our programs have stipends to help with that as well.”
We need to find the young pilots and we’ve got to grow them. That’s where True North came from.” – Captain Ron Limes, one of the founders of True North and Alaska’s director base chief pilot in Seattle.
Captain Limes loved planes as a child, but knew as a teen he was destined to fly them when he took a discovery flight over the New York City skyline.
Seek out support through pilot associations and flying clubs
Aerospace associations and flying clubs offer a wealth of resources – from scholarships to assistance in sorting through education options, to job opportunities. For example, Alaska Airlines Captain JP Wilson found a job at Horizon Air through a career fair sponsored by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.
Captain Wilson knew he wanted to fly planes from the time he was a kid angling for the window seat while tagging along on his dad’s business trips.
Limes says associations provide vital guidance from mentors who have already navigated the journey to becoming a pilot, which is especially valuable for diverse students who are entering a field long dominated by white male pilots.
“You can find a group where somebody has already broken the barrier for you. I’m so thankful for the generations ahead of me who made the way smoother for me,” says Limes.
A few of the associations and clubs with Alaska and Horizon members:
As a young man, Pavlinovic chased his aviation dreams for years, but kept running into roadblocks – from his parents, who initially pushed him to be a doctor or lawyer instead of a pilot, to the Air Force recruiter who told him he couldn’t fly because he wore glasses (not true). He credits a naval aviator who was a flight instructor in the Civil Air Patrol for encouraging him to not give up. It took many years, along with money from the veterans’ benefits he earned through 21 years of service in the Marines and Army, to achieve his dream of becoming a commercial pilot.
Now when he meets young people like Pyle who have a passion for flying, he’s eager to help them on their way. “Because of my experience in the military and the civilian world, which is where I did all my flying, I can tailor my mentorship to a young man or woman and talk through the different ways they can pursue this,” says Pavlinovic.
Across Alaska and Horizon, pilots take mentorship to heart, and veteran pilots are matched with students in all our associated pilot-development programs.
We look for pilots who want to be mentors, who want to give back. We ask about it in interviews. A lot of our pilots love to give back.” – Captain JP Wilson
Pyle has already found ways to mentor up-and-coming pilots. While still in high school, he put together a presentation on aviation careers for a class of fifth graders – complete with metal wings donated from Alaska and Horizon. And as a flight instructor, he would tell his students: “If you’re going to do this, do it 100 percent until you are done and nothing less.”
Now that he’s achieved one goal, Pyle has his sights set on another: “I’ve told Lawrence, ‘On your retirement flight, I want to be your first officer.’”
Photos by Joe Nicholson
Alaska’s new Star Wars-themed aircraft celebrates adventures to “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” at Disneyland Resort
Alaska Airlines joined forces with Disneyland Resort today, May the Fourth, to unveil a new, one-of-its-kind Star Wars-themed aircraft that even Chewbacca would be proud of! The plane, painted space black with the iconic Millennium Falcon emblazoned on the tail chased by TIE fighters, celebrates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newest land of adventure inside Disneyland park. The plane is now flying on routes across Alaska’s network for the universe to enjoy!
For this latest collaboration – Alaska’s seventh painted plane for the Disneyland Resort – no Jedi mind tricks were needed: the force was strong for a Star Wars livery to finally enter Alaska’s fleet. The aircraft’s official name is “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland Resort” with a tail number of N538AS. After the big reveal and celebration at the gate in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the plane made its inaugural flight today and ultimate arrival at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
The unique design of the Star Wars-inspired plane is a collaboration among teams at Alaska, Disneyland Resort and Lucasfilm. Familiar spacecraft span each side of the plane with hand painted, detailed imagery: the Millennium Falcon and four TIE fighters. Designers at Disneyland Resort focused on the incredibly identifiable, widely recognized Millennium Falcon for the spotlight, in addition to the well-traveled spaceship being the focal point at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre land in Disneyland park.
The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Disneyland Resort logos are featured in the center of the fuselage. For a lighthearted touch, porgs (the cute avian creatures that lived on Luke Skywalker’s remote island) look back at passengers from both winglets, as another porg greets guests at the boarding door.
To bring the imagery to life, the plane’s exterior required 228 gallons of paint applied during 540 work hours over 27 days. For the painting, 23 base colors were used with numerous custom colors mixed onsite for the detailed airbrushing of the Millennium Falcon and the TIE fighters.
Watch how this Alaska Airlines plane was transformed!
“Star Wars Transport to Disneyland Resort” is scheduled to fly in the Alaska fleet and throughout Alaska’s network. You can also spot “Friendship and Beyond at Disneyland Resort” at airports and in the skies with a whimsical tribute to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park – our last Disneyland Resort-themed aircraft that began service in October 2019.
Guests wearing their favorite Star Wars clothing on any May 4 flight will get to enjoy priority boarding!
ATTENTION ALL STAR WARS FANS: If you have a flight on Alaska Airlines on May 4, 2022, you might want to break out your vintage Luke Skywalker T-shirt, way too cool BB-8 ballcap or even that Darth Vader cape. To celebrate the Star Wars fan day of “May the Fourth (be with you),” we’re offering guests who wear their favorite Star Wars gear the chance to board early.
Everybody in the galaxy loves Star Wars, so we had to celebrate this epic day the Alaska way,” said Natalie Bowman, managing director of marketing and advertising for Alaska Airlines. “Whether you’re traveling near – or far, far away – on May 4th, we hope to see you at our gates ready to board early in your favorite Star Wars gear. It will truly be a star-studded event!”
The one-day priority boarding promotion can be enjoyed by all guests on any Alaska Airlines flight throughout our network on May 4, 2022. When a guest wears any clothing item Star Wars-related, they’ll be able to board their flight just after Group B (which could stand for, say, Boba Fett). Guests should listen closely to the announcements by gate agents.
Alaska Airlines’ sustainability report champions climate action, social impact, commitment to people and greener travel
We care a lot — about people, flying greener, investing for strong communities and making flying matter. Below are some highlights from Alaska’s 2021 Care Report.
Each year, we share the journey of our environmental and social impact in an annual report, sharing data, progress, learnings and stories. We share where we’re hitting our targets, areas of improvement, and what we’ve learned throughout the previous year. We know there will always be more work ahead – there is no “mission accomplished” when it comes to our environmental and social impact. We’ll keep pushing forward with care, innovation, pragmatism, accountability, transparency and partnership to ensure that aviation is a positive force in our world.
Last year, we announced new commitments to reduce our climate impacts with goals for carbon, waste, and water. We also committed to new diversity, equity, and inclusion goals as part of our responsibility to make Alaska a place where everyone feels like they belong. This year, we began making these a reality and today, we’re excited to share our progress with you.
Our most significant environmental impact comes from burning jet fuel and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, we committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 through a five-part path, with near-term 2025 targets to help us get there.
Click to enlarge.
In 2021, we’ve focused on improving our operational efficiency with procedures and technology that enables us to minimize the amount of fuel we actually burn. These include implementing route optimization software Flyways, taking delivery of new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, improving use of electric ground power and air and continuing to evolve our ground fleet toward lower-emissions options. We also focused on jump-starting the market for sustainable aviation fuels, which have the greatest power to decarbonize aviation in the next several decades.
Click to enlarge.
Transforming the future of flight
Reducing aviation’s impact requires new technologies that don’t yet exist or aren’t available with enough supply and at a viable cost, which is why airline travel is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize. To tap into the innovation needed to make aviation sustainable, we launched an investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures.
Alaska Star Ventures is dedicated to identifying and enabling technology to accelerate our path to net zero. To kick things off, we dove in with UP.Partners, The Westly Group and ZeroAvia:
UP.Partners is focused on accelerating operational efficiency and advanced air mobility.
The Westly Group is focused on green energy, carbon offsetting and removal technologies and enabling a low-carbon circular economy.
With ZeroAvia, we are partnering to develop technology to retrofit regional aircraft as zero emissions planes with their innovative design for hybrid hydrogen-electric powertrain technology.
Diversity, equity & inclusion
At Alaska, we believe every person deserves respect regardless of race, ethnicity, capability, age, gender or sexual orientation; we believe that aviation can enable opportunity; and we’re committed to advancing equity in all forms, with an initial focus on racial equity. Recognizing that we have more work to do to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for our company and industry, in 2021, we set specific and measurable goals to deliver on our commitments to racial equity.
Increase racial diversity at all levels of the company to at least 30%, so that leadership at least reflects the diversity of our full employee group;
Increase our company’s “Inclusion Index Score” in our employee engagement survey by 10 points; and
Engage 175,000 young people around education, opportunity, and career pathways, focusing on developing BIPOC talent.
In 2021, we reported a modest initial increase in leadership representation while putting in place the talent pipeline to recruit and advance more diverse leaders. Already in 2022, we’ve made more progress—currently 18.3% of our leaders are BIPOC. There is more work to do, but we’re on track to achieve our goals by 2025. These goals are supported by a strong culture of inclusion which is measured by our “Inclusion Index Score,” which increased by 9 points in 2021.
This past year, we’ve established new programs to enable more young people to reach aviation and other career goals, working with local schools and establishing our own pilot academies. Learn more.
Holding ourselves accountable
Our commitment to people and the planet is not just an aspiration; it is something we live by every day. Beginning in 2021, we included a carbon intensity metric into the goals-based program that guides bonus pay for all employees. Also, starting in 2021, a portion of long-term executive compensation depends on progress in diversifying our leadership ranks.
We believe how we hold ourselves accountable should play a critical role in our company’s culture of care. It is not enough to say we want to do good. We must measure our impact and integrate those metrics in our systems. This accountability enables and creates lasting change.
The next 90 years
This month, we celebrate our 90th anniversary as an airline. While we enjoy this remarkable achievement, our eyes are on the horizon, looking toward our next 90 years and what it will take to care for people and the planet for the long term.
Alaska Airlines pilot pulls some strings to delight guests
During long stretches at work, Buddy, an Alaska Airlines First Officer, will bring his acoustic guitar as his trusted travel companion.
“Music is a big thing for me,” said Buddy, who has played the guitar for over 20 years. “I think that everybody should have their own soundtrack going on in their mind all the time.”
Little did the San Francisco-based pilot know his musical gift would bring joy to guests on his next flight.
Music to airport ears
Buddy, an Alaska Airlines First Officer
Earlier this month, while Buddy was flying from Austin to Seattle, the flight was delayed. Luckily, Buddy and his instrument were at the “right place, right time.”
“I was standing close to the gate and noticed one of our guests with two small children,” said Buddy. “The mother looked at me and said, ‘So, are you going to serenade us while we’re waiting?’”
Without hesitation, he pulled out his guitar to play for the kiddos.
“I got down on the ground right there with the little kids,” he said. “I started playing for one of the boys at first because he was all over the place and I was just trying to help distract him for a little bit.”
It’s not every day you see a pilot waiting alongside you at the gate; much less one with a guitar case. Video shot by Alaska customer service agent Elisa.
“We were delayed, which wasn’t the greatest news for parents traveling with a three-year-old and a one-year-old,” said Seattle resident and KING5 Reporter Steve Soliz. It was his wife who had jokingly asked Buddy whether “a serenade came with the price of a ticket.”
Other parents, whose children had also grown restless while waiting at the gate, gratefully watched as their kids were intrigued by the simple melody that suddenly filled the air. At one point, about a half dozen children surrounded Buddy.
“Buddy even let my toddler touch his guitar,” he said. “My three-year-old son and I walked up on the impromptu concert. Buddy happily played for my little ones and the others near the gate, who also enjoyed this musical moment. To be honest, this is one of the many reasons we enjoy flying Alaska.”
The pilot, who was concerned about being too loud and bothering the guests waiting at the gate, had no idea the group of kids weren’t the only ones paying attention to him.
Customer Service Agent Elisa, who captured Buddy’s musical gift on cell phone video, said watching him serenade the crowd was such a touching moment.
I felt proud to work for a company who has employees that care, and Buddy needs this recognition,” Elisa said. “Buddy created a genuine connection that is off-script to what our job demands.”
Buddy was surprised to learn his small gesture had such a big impact.
“Every now and then you can do something that just seems so little to you that actually becomes a big deal to somebody else,” said Buddy. “If I can inspire anybody to do something, it would be — to be nice to other people. I think we all have the ability to do that.”
Pilot pathways and career development at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air
This past year, we’ve established new programs to enable more young people to reach aviation and other career goals, working with local schools and establishing our own pilot academies.
ASCEND PILOT ACADEMY
As we plan for Alaska and Horizon’s future, we’re actively working to train the next generation of pilots through a variety of programs. In March 2022, we launched the Ascend Pilot Academy in partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy, a premier flight school in the Pacific Northwest. The Ascend Pilot Academy provides aspiring airline pilots with a streamlined, more financially accessible path to becoming a commercial pilot at Horizon and eventually Alaska. At launch, 180 prospective pilots signed up for the program—more than double our goal!
For Horizon Air pilots seeking to become pilots for Alaska Airlines, the Pilot Pathways Program provides the most direct route. Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines share a goal of creating a rewarding career at the Air Group family of airlines and making the move from regional to a major airline, if desired, as simple as possible.
Each year, a minimum of 30% of Alaska new-hire pilots will come from the Alaska Pilot Pathways Program. In 2021, 32% (51 pilots total) of our overall pilot new hires at Alaska were Horizon transfers through the Pathways program.
Over the past year, a group of Black Alaska pilots got together to find creative ways to make aviation careers more attainable for aspiring pilots.
Led by Ron Limes, an Alaska captain since 1999, the group worked in partnership with their colleagues, peers and leaders from across our company to develop a program called True North.
The program will increase the diversity of our industry by directly funding students’ flight instruction, providing internship and mentorship opportunities and ultimately moving graduates to first officer positions at Horizon Air, with a confirmed path to Alaska.
The program kicked off in 2021 with four students from two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Delaware State University and University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. In the future, we plan to expand the program to other schools as well as broaden its scope of career opportunities within Alaska.
As part of Volunteer Week Hawai‘i, Alaska signed the Pledge To Our Keiki, giving back to Hawai‘i in partnership with travel2change and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
In Hawai‘i, mālama means to care for, or to nurture. For Auli‘i, 14, it is a way of life and all she’s known.
“Since we were little, we’ve been taught about taking care of the environment and ecosystem in school, from our grandparents and basically everyone—mālama is about respecting our cultural roots, nature and leaving places better than when you found them,” she said.
Auli‘i is one of several students on Moloka‘i, a small island within Maui County, who helped create Hawai‘i’s Pledge To Our Keiki to encourage visitors to respect and care for the places she and other youth call home. The Pledge, stewarded by Kanu Hawai‘i, translates into Hawaiian “the pledge to our children.”
In honor of Earth Month and our efforts to care for the planet, Alaska Airlines signed the Pledge and is inviting our guests to do the same, in support of their goal to get 50,000 signatures in 2022.
Photos by Ingrid Barrentine
Guests on this special trip also experienced our infamous Delight Flight, which meant everyone onboard was surprised with a roundtrip ticket on Alaska Airlines for future travel and a free annual membership from travel2change. They were also treated to a special performance by Native Hawaiian, Grammy-Nominated Producer and Singer-Songwriter, Kimié Miner, along with hula performances by Alaska Airlines employees.
As part of Volunteer Week Hawai‘i, a group of employees and volunteers in partnership with travel2change and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) recently ventured to O‘ahu to get a better understanding of what it means to mālama and leave behind a positive impact where you fly.
Understanding that the impact we have now will be the reality for the next generation. It’s our responsibility to preserve our lands and ensure our future children have the same opportunities we did.” – Michelle, network planning & green team (our environmental business group).
Before walking along the shoreline and planting native plants near Ka‘ena Point, Kekai Mar, DLNR’s Park Interpretive Program Specialist, took a moment to share the importance of asking the land to welcome us in, “it’s like knocking on someone’s door before entering.” He says should always ask the land for permission and wait for a sign that it’s okay to enter — whether it be starting a hike or walking down the beach. The sign could be a light breeze, the sound of crashing waves, a bird chirping or an insect buzzing by.
“Our elders have taught us that we are part of the environment, not above it, which means that the life, lands and waters are more than just our surroundings, it’s our home, we must treat it like family and with the utmost respect,” said Kekai.
For Jacqueline, who works in revenue management and leads Alaska’s Green Team, the concept of taking the time to appreciate a place and culture before letting yourself in was remarkable and something she hopes to incorporate in future travel experiences.
“I thought about all the things we do these days without ‘thinking’ about it or appreciating ‘why’ we’re doing what we’re doing. Kekai took the time to introduce the science, culture and land to us before we even picked up a shovel. His stories rooted the work to meaning and purpose. I now feel a relationship to the land we visited and an obligation to take care of it,” she said.
Michelle (left), Jacqueline (right).
I took the Pledge because it’s the right thing to do. We should tread lightly wherever we go, striving to leave a place better than we found it. Flying is a wonderful way to see the world! What better way to appreciate a place than learning about and giving back to it? I promise the trip will be much more meaningful!” – Jacqueline
“The experience instilled a sense of responsibility and stewardship to honor and respect the environment around me. I viewed all my hikes, beach, park walks, etc. after with an enriched appreciation for the beautiful places I am fortunate to travel to and live in,” said Michelle.
While smaller than a grain of rice, the endangered Hawaiian, yellow-faced bee is extremely important to many native Hawaiian plants and lives inside tiny objects like sticks, coral and man-made posts such as these. The decline of these bees could lead to the extinction of the plants that rely upon them. Alaska’s efforts to help restore native plants, helps the bees pollinate, which helps the plants and surrounding habitat thrive.
We know even the smallest thing can have the biggest impact, which is why it’s important for travelers to be mindful of where they step, what they take and how they give back,” said Auli‘i.
Taking the Pledge is one thing we all can do to be more mindful travelers but turning the Pledge into action is the next important step. Alaska is proud of our most recent commitments and actions to help care for Hawai‘i, as well as all of the places we fly. This includes our goal of becoming the most fuel-efficient airline by 2025 and achieving Net Zero by 2040. We’ve also made commitments to reduce our waste impact and took action in 2021 by switching to Boxed Water, which saves 1.8M pounds of plastic from ending up in our oceans. Last year, we announced a partnership with travel2change, a Hawai‘i-based social and environmental impact organization that connects travelers with volunteer experiences in the Hawaiian Islands.
Air Group employees Samantha, Hope and Paul planting native plants near Ka‘ena Point.
For Alaska, this marks 15 years of flying to Hawai‘i, and we want to help keep the islands strong and beautiful for many future generations to enjoy.
