Is it safe to travel? Flight attendants share what to know about flying this year
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Juneteenth is a celebration of hope: Watch what it means to our employees
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Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a significant holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States. A recognition of history and a celebration of hope.
In the wake of last year’s national protests for racial justice, understanding Juneteenth—and the legacy of slavery and its impacts on society today—is essential to staying on the right side of history.
Our employees recently shared their thoughts about Juneteenth and how we continue to help create lasting and meaningful change by having thoughtful conversations and sharing our life experiences.
Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday
While Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery, the holiday has morphed into a celebration of achievement, community, family, hope and possibilities. Many celebrate Juneteenth with educational events, church services, parades, festivals and more.
This year, there’s even more to celebrate as the United States Congress recently passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. President Biden signed the bill into law on Thursday.
Juneteenth being recognized by the government as a federal holiday is an important moment in our country’s history. We are evaluating how this designation as a federal holiday will impact our company holiday schedule.
The history of Juneteenth
June 19, 2021, marks the 156th year since Juneteenth’s inception, commemorating the day when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free.
While the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, slavery continued in the south until June 19, 1865—two months after the Civil War ended—when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to declare that all slaves were free.
Related:
- Juneteenth: Why it’s important to learn from the past to create a better future #WeMustDoBetter
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion progress on our journey to a more inclusive workforce
- Black employees and allies are driving meaningful change for a more equitable future at Alaska where everyone belongs
- Alaska Airlines takes education and equity to the skies with newest aircraft
Alaska Airlines takes Pride to the skies with Delight Flights & first-ever LGBTQ+ inspired plane
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When Alaska guest Deb Glazer stepped onboard Alaska’s ‘Fly with Pride’ plane from Portland to San Francisco yesterday, a burst of vitality and rainbows met her gaze, and the sound of foldable clacking fans filled the air.
It had been over a year since she flew on a plane. While sitting with her book in her lap, wide-eyed and smiling, she looked around in awe of the energy on the plane. She said she’s never seen anything quite like it before and would love to see other companies adopt similar “surprise & delight” moments.
It’s amazing how Alaska found a way to create something so bright and joyful after such a dark time this past year,” Glazer said. “What a special way to be ushered back in to travel. I am delighted.”
Each month, we’re treating Alaska guests like Deb to a special Delight Flight to elevate, celebrate and spark joy in the skies, including free flights to anywhere Alaska flies, swag and more!
This month, to commemorate Pride month, Alaska surprised not one—but four lucky flights on a newly decorated Pride-inspired plane supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The plane, the first of its kind in the United States, will fly throughout our network for the next year.
The plane took part in a Pride “Parade in the Sky,” starting in Seattle, with stops in Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego on Tuesday—flying employees, community partners and special guests.
JET THE PARTY STARTED
The festivities began early Tuesday morning with employees, community partners and guests gathered in front of our new gleaming office building in Sea-Tac, phones pointed upward, to watch the Progress Pride flag rise and unfurl for the first time.
We’ve raised the Pride flag with six rainbow stripes in years past, but the Progress Pride flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, along with the colors pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag. Without those groups of people & their activism, we would not have Pride today. The flag will remain through the rest of June to commemorate Pride Month.
Alaska COO Constance von Muehlen did the honors of hoisting the Progress Pride flag. Muehlen was one of 11 honorees recently recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) as outstanding LGBTQ+ business leaders, allies and advocates making a difference in advancing equality in the business world.
“We literally cried hearing the COO speak this morning, as she recounted how being a lesbian has shaped her, made her more vulnerable, authentic, empathetic, stronger, a better human. And then when she gave a teary-eyed “I love you” shoutout to her wife - you know nothing could resonate with us more.💘 We feel so proud of & grateful for our identities and the life we’ve built together, living our truth! And we’re SO honored to have been a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Huge thank you to @AlaskaAir 🌈✈️! #IFlyAlaska #FlyWithPride," wrote Sam & Justine @wanderfulwives via Instagram.
FIRST DELIGHT FLIGHT: SEATTLE
The first stop on our 30,000 ft-parade routes kicked off with a surprise in our hometown at gate C9, where we unveiled the Pride plane to 50+ employees, guests and community partners for the first time—all of whom were a huge inspiration in its design and hadn’t seen it until it came around the corner. The special Airbus A320 aircraft features airplane decals with iconic rainbow stripes & inclusive colors, winglets, and the words “Fly with Pride” adorned the side.
On the flight from Seattle to Portland, guests were surprised with swag bags, large folding “clack” fans that filled the plane with clacking sounds when they shook and free roundtrip tickets to anywhere Alaska flies.
SECOND DELIGHT FLIGHT: PORTLAND
In Portland, the party continued with snacks, music and photos. Next stop: San Francisco.
“Alaska Airlines not only shows it but they own it,” said Chad Mewmaw, a customer service agent in Alaska’s Central Baggage division and MVP Gold 75K.
He recalled a quote from Maya Angelou while in his seat, she once said; ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’
What I felt when I saw this plane … it brought me to tears,” said Mewmaw. “It made me feel like Alaska sees me, they respect me, they hear me, they care about me and I belong here.”
THIRD DELIGHT FLIGHT: SAN FRANCISCO
In San Francisco, guests were greeted with iconic Pride flags waves and cheerful woos from our employees. Gate D8 was ready for their arrival with Delight Flight décor and a DJ, who created a vibe fit for vogue dancers—who of course, surprised gate-goers with striking poses and moves to Madonna’s ‘Vogue.’ Guests bold enough to strike a pose with them were given free roundtrip tickets to anywhere Alaska flies.
FOURTH DELIGHT FLIGHT: SAN DIEGO
On the way down from San Francisco to San Diego, guests were treated to a fan clacking lesson—the art of opening a large fan to make a “clacking” noise—by employees and special guests like Ravi Roth, a content creator from New York and host of the @GayCationTravelShow.
Ravi posted: "If I could tell my 14-year-old closeted self that one day, there was going to be an airline that had a PRIDE PARADE IN THE SKIES AND ALL ARE WELCOME I would have LEAPED out of the closet. @alaskaair has risen the bar henny! This plane is lasting all year long and THAT is how you Pride 365🌈✈️🙌 I spent the day asking employees of Alaska Airlines what it means to Fly With Pride. There were tears filled with joy, laughter from teaching folks how to Clack THAT FAN, Vogue competitions, but most importantly a central force of passion behind being inclusive for everyone in the Queer community. To the scared kids afraid to come out please know that it will get easier especially with companies like @alaskaair paving the way." (we 💙 you too, Ravi!)
CREATING A PLACE OF BELONGING
Building on decades of supporting communities and causes our guests and employees care about, all of us at Alaska continually look for and cherish meaningful partnerships with LGBTQ+ focused organizations that support our diverse workforce and help us better understand the needs of those who work and fly with us.
Owin Pierson, who lives in Hawaii and is an LGBTQ+, mental health & AAPI influencer, joined us on every leg of the near 12-hour journey. He says he was proud to represent the Queer, Asian community and hopes to inspire others to be themselves and help create a place of belonging like Alaska.
“Can’t wait for more #queer representation to continue happening in spaces and with big names such as #AlaskaAirlines, I got emotional seeing the pride colors on the plane's wings,” wrote Pierson on his Instagram. “Pride month started as a riot and now we are taking to the skies, and we are here whether you love it, confused by it, don’t understand or don’t want to—I encourage you to just focus on this: does everyone in this world deserve happiness and safety? Do the kids of this world deserve a safe space to be free and be able to express themselves without ridicule or hate?”
He continued, “All I can say is, being Queer & being here with all the staff and fellow content creators has been so inspiring, uplifting and when I have a hard day, I will forever choose to put my energy in these moments and people.”
We are committed to making Alaska a place where everyone feels respected and belongs and proudly celebrate the diversity of our employees and guests this Pride month and all year long. Learn more about how you can celebrate Pride this year with us and more about our goals to create belonging and a more inclusive workforce.
Want to try your luck to be on our next Delight Flight? Book your next trip now at alaskaair.com.
Captain flies his 108-year-old grandmother, a former ‘Rosie the Riveter’, to her new home
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Sometimes our pilots have the pleasure of having a family member on their flights—a spouse, or maybe even their parents. It’s a special thing. But special doesn’t begin to describe how Capt. Alex Reburn felt a couple weeks ago when he was able to fly his 108-year-old grandmother, Loraine Showalter, from Sacramento to Seattle.
“Oma,” as she prefers to be called, hadn’t seen her grandson since the pandemic hit last year.
The flight was a long time coming for her. Living in a retirement home in California, she contracted COVID-19 and thankfully overcame the virus but spent months in isolation from her friends and family. This trip symbolized a new chapter for her and a fresh start, as it brought her closer to finding a new home in Lacey, Washington near family.
When Reburn learned that his grandmother would be moving to Washington, he immediately reached out to Alaska’s Chief Pilot Scott Day to see if he could possibly pilot her flight—and he did!
It’s not often that your airline pilot picks you up at your front door of your house, escorts you through security, helps you into your seat and flies your airplane too. But, that’s what Reburn did for his Oma. She was in First Class, a special treat after not being on an airplane for eight years and enjoyed every leg of the way.
Reburn said that the flight attendants, who had overheard there was an 108-year-old guest onboard, couldn’t believe it and initially walked past her not realizing she was the special guest. “They didn’t believe she was that old,” Reburn said.
Showalter was born in 1912, when William H. Taft was president—the same year as the Titanic’s fateful voyage. Growing up in Oklahoma, she and her sister used to ride their horses to school. She attended university to become a teacher, but the war effort took precedence, and she found herself working in the Douglas Aircraft assembly plant in Tulsa, which built the B-24 “Liberator” bomber aircraft.
She worked in the back office of the plant doing badging and background checks. But nonetheless she was part of the unique generation of “Rosie the Riveters”–women who stepped up to work in factories producing aircraft, munitions and supplies as the men went overseas to fight. She also met her husband at the plant (Reburn’s grandfather, or Opa.) They were married for 55 years.
Showalter’s seen 20 U.S. presidents, survived several epidemics, including Polio, the Spanish flu, Smallpox and COVID. And she’s amassed a treasure trove of stories, which she shares with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was a very active grandparent, always willing to jump in and join what we were doing,” Reburn said. “Some of my fondest memories are of visiting her in the summers back in Tulsa.” When he became a pilot, Reburn used to bid for Tulsa overnights to see Oma. She’d proudly take him around in his uniform to meet her friends in town.
And now, as a 20-year pilot, check airman and instructor, Reburn’s still shaking his head at the serendipity of it all. “In my two decades in aviation I never would have imagined flying my 108-year-old grandmother,” Reburn said. “How do you top that?”
Cheese the day with Alaska’s Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter
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I’m here to put all of your minds at cheese—Alaska’s signature fruit and cheese platters are back! As an Alaska employee and avid flyer, I love to see it.
As more of you prepare to fly again—and it being National Cheese Day—it seems only fitting to remind you that we’re gradually, thoughtfully and safely bringing back some of your favorite items onboard, including hot meals, drinks and our signature staple 🧀.
Why is cheese so grate 😉 from 30,000 feet?
I can think of a few reasons.
Alaska’s been serving cheese onboard for over a decade.
Since 2010, our food & beverage team has finessed the perfect charcuterie board onboard. Today, our signature fruit & cheese platter features five pieces of cheesy goodness, five large crackers, three to four apple slices and a handful of green/purple grapes, topped off by a chocolate truffle.
The cheese platter was originally part of a series of different ‘appetizer’ type platters that rotated in 2010—it quickly became the fan-favorite,” said David Rodriguez, manager of Alaska’s food and beverage program. “Cheese is something that keeps well in a catering environment and can be served with consistent quality.”
Each piece has been thoughtfully picked and produced.
Every platter has three types of cheeses:
- Two triangular slices of Tillamook’s Sharp Cheddar
- A wedge of brie
- Two triangular slices of Beecher’s Flagship Handmade Cheese
The cheese is made mainly in Oregon and Washington using simple and traditional methods, no shortcuts, no preservatives and is naturally aged, ensuring every bite has depth and robust flavor.
We are committed to quality, satisfying our guests’ desire for handmade products and partnering with businesses tied to the locations we serve,” says Rodriguez.
Getting the right ratio of cracker to cheese is key.
Unless you’re lactose intolerant, you really can’t go wrong when ordering a fruit & cheese platter—especially if you pair it with a good wine (or sparkling water) / onboard movie (Bohemian Rhapsody is my go-to).
I like to start with the mildest cheese (sharp cheddar) on one cracker and work my way up to the most intense (white cheddar). Getting a good ratio of cracker to cheese is key. If you need a refreshing break in between, a grape or two should do the trick. After this, I usually enjoy the apple slices all at once and top if off with the Seattle Chocolate dark chocolate truffle. (Note: I’m not a brie fan—IKIK—so I usually offer it to my travel partner).
Platters are the people’s choice.
You feta believe the cheese platter is the most popular pick among guests! Prior to the pandemic, we offered six fresh food options (depending on distance and time of day), of which 60% of all fresh food sales were cheese platters!
The packaging is sustainable.
At Alaska, we are very conscious of plastics. All of our plastic cups are made with PET #1 plastics, a more recyclable plastic made from polyester (it stays in the recycle stream longer than other types). This is also used for our fruit and cheese platter lids and First Class lids. Our fruit and cheese platters also have recyclable cardboard bottoms and come with cutlery made from sugar cane. We’re also offering Boxed Water, a fully recyclable box-shaped carton of water, sealed with a plant-based cap, in First Class to replace plastic water bottles.
Something you probably didn’t know about our cheese platter:
At one point, we tried to go for a “Hawaii” vibe by using different fruit options, including pineapple and oranges—but it didn’t work out so well. “The grapes and apples proved to be the most consistent and speak to the produce that we enjoy in the pacific northwest,” says Rodriguez.
Want some cheese with that w(h)ine? More food/drinks are now available.
Last month, we began to offer more choices in all cabins on select flights, including hot meals in First Class on transcontinental flights in addition to recently expanded service to and from Hawaii and qa full selection of soft drinks and complimentary alcohol in First/Premium Class, and it is now available for purchase in Main Cabin.
Other additions include:
- In the Main Cabin on flights over 670 miles, a variety of food items are once again available via pre-order, including the return of fan-favorite Mediterranean Tapas and Kids Picnic Packs.
- And in the Main Cabin on flights 1,100+ miles, guests can also pre-order from an expanded fresh menu, which will now include both a wrap or a sandwich and the fruit & cheese platter.
- Credit card payments are accepted onboard and we’re expanding touchless payment options with a stored card on your account.
- To see a complete list of our Food & Beverage options on Alaska and Horizon flights, visit alaskaair.com.
We’re excited to welcome our guests back on board and want them to have a great experience with us,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, MD of guest products. “We’ve put a lot of thought and planning into safely increasing additional food and beverage service on our flights while getting back to fresh and local menu items that our guests love.”
Pre-order your platter today!
Pre-ordering our Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter is as gouda as it gets. From Main Cabin to First Class, you can pre-order your plate two weeks to 20 hours in advance of your flight on the Alaska mobile app or alaskaair.com—trips must be at least 1,100+ miles.
Here’s how:
Friendly reminder: Our mask policies still apply. We encourage guests to briefly lift their masks for eating and drinking & remember, “after you sip or snack, put your mask back.”
Related:
Watch 26 new LGBTQ+ film festival shorts, movies and TV shows onboard Alaska Airlines
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We’re celebrating Pride 2021 in the sky this year with 15 film festival shorts from our partners at the Frameline Film Festival, Tasveer South Asian Film Festival and Three Dollar Bill Cinema, whose films specifically focus on transgender stories.
Our Pride Month collection also includes 15+ movies and TV shows with LGBTQ+ themes including new releases such as Dating Amber, AJ and the Queen (starring RuPaul!) and the San Diego Zoo’s Penguin Beach, a reality show which features a longtime relationship between two male African penguins, Rocko and Hoover.
Below are some of the must-see films and recommendations from our GLOBE members, Alaska’s LGBTQ+ business resource group. You can watch the content on all Alaska flights and Horizon E175s.
The Paper Mirror (Frameline Film Festival)
In the winter of 2010, Alison Bechdel is entrenched in the process of writing “Are You My Mother,” a hauntingly personal graphic memoir about her mother, and a follow up of sorts to 2006’s award-winning “Fun Home.” Known best for her decades-long comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” Bechdel’s artistry is in a transitional phase, as is world-renowned painter Riva Lehrer’s, as she moves from art focusing on disabilities into other subjects.
Charissa King O’Brien’s intimate short documentary captures this pivotal collaboration between two influential artists, as Lehrer completes a compelling portrait of Bechdel over the course of two years, yielding a highly satisfying work of psychological insight.
Directed by Charissa King-O’Brien; 2012; 34 min.; USA
The Rogers (Three Dollar Bill Cinema)
A Three Dollar Bill Cinema favorite, this film is an intimate glimpse of the first visible group of transgender men in the Pacific: the Rogers of Samoa. From the loneliness of family rejection and homelessness to the camaraderie of cooking, church and dance, their stories reveal the challenges and possibilities of life in an island society rooted in tradition.
Directed by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson; 2020; 16 min.; English and Samoan, with English subtitles.
Mr. Navajo (Frameline Film Festival)
Zachariah George is a twenty-five-year-old Native American living in the rural outcrop of White Rock, New Mexico. Going by the moniker Mr. Navajo, George wears two hats; the first as a public figure renowned for event speaking and singing in the Navajo language, the second is as an advocate for LGBTQ+ communities.
Directed by Jasper Rischen & Saila Huusko; 2020; 14 min.; USA
Alaska’s Pride Month Film Collection
The Paper Mirror (Frameline)
Tell-by Date (Three Dollar Bill)
I Am Samantha (Three Dollar Bill Cinema)
Pride TV Shows
Penguin Beach (San Diego Zoo)
Related:
- Celebrate Pride with us – near, far, wherever you are!
- How to access Alaska Airlines movies and TV shows on your own device
Celebrate Pride with us – near, far, wherever you are!
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This June, during Pride month, parades, big gatherings and special events might still be on hold, but our Pride continues to fly nonstop.
At Alaska, we are paying tribute to our LGBTQ+ employees and guests by sponsoring virtual events in Seattle, San Francisco and Portland & more, as well as featuring a dedicated collection of LGBTQ+ films on board, stories on our blog and a special surprise later this month — hint: keep your eyes on the sky!
As longtime supporters of the LGBTQ+ community through public policy advocacy and corporate giving, we continue to explore ways to foster an inclusive work environment and work closely with GLOBE, our LGBTQ+ business resource group and employees to create meaningful change for our LGBTQ+ colleagues, guests and partners.
The incredible people we work with and fly are our driving force as we strive for equality, inclusion and belonging for all,” said Chad Gabagat, GLOBE leader and workforce planning specialist at Alaska. “In the spirit of ‘doing the right thing,’ one of our core values, we are committed to creating a workplace and world where everyone belongs, is supported and welcomed — no matter race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”
We stand against hate
Alaska stands against hate and intolerance of any kind. Our guests should always feel welcome on board, and our employees deserve to feel safe and a sense of belonging when they come to work. Discrimination has no place on our airplanes or workplace.
We must do more to end discrimination and inequities in our communities. We stand with our LGBTQ+ employees and guests, and are actively looking at ways to continue to build a more just and equitable world together,” said James Thomas, Alaska’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Celebrate Pride where we fly
Although many of us are still unable to celebrate Pride in-person this year, we invite you to join us for virtual celebrations and are hopeful some of the events we sponsor could happen together, in-person, if public health guidance allows.
KAUAI, JUNE 5
Enjoy Pride “drive-through” style by going down Rice Street where you’ll experience incredible stationary floats, live music, art & entertainment!
SAN FRANCISCO, JUNE 11-12
Join us for an evening (or two!) of movie premieres, popcorn, live and virtual entertainment, and special appearances before the screening each night as we celebrate San Francisco and our LGBTQ+ communities together.
PORTLAND, JUNE 12-20
Reserve your spot to be part of Portland’s Pride extravagance with virtual films, Q&As, Drag Queen Bingo and more! On June 20, tune for an online viewing party of the virtual Portland Pride Parade.
ANCHORAGE JUNE 12-26
Lace up your running shoes for Anchorage’s virtual annual Rainbow Run (or walk!). Gather round your device for a virtual Drag Queen Storytime or join 13 breweries for a Pride Tap Takeover and more.
SEATTLE, JUNE 26-27
Get ready for Seattle’s two-day Pride Virtual LGBTQIA+ Pride Celebration. This year’s fun and entertainment will feature a diverse array of speakers, performers, activities, and activism reflecting this year’s theme Resilience.
SAN DIEGO, JULY 10-18
Enjoy virtual and in-person community Pride celebrations spread across San Diego County. Capacity at these events may increase as the date of each event approaches depending on public health guidance.
HONOLULU, OCT. 2021
The Pride team in Honolulu are currently planning events for October 2021 (Honolulu Pride Month). Follow @honolulupride on social or subscribe to Hawaii’s LGBT Legacy Foundation’s email newsletter for the latest info.
PALM SPRINGS, NOV. 1-7
Check out all the LGBTQ+ activities to discover in Greater Palm Springs this year including an at-home dance party, a virtual parade, a solo 5K and more.
Show your support & learn with us
We value and support the LQBTQ+ community, our partners and allies alike. We know that in order to achieve our goals, we must work with partners who understand the space better than us. Below are some ways you can show your support and learn with us from some of our partners:
SUPPORT
Human Rights Campaign Equality Act
We are proud to support HRC and the Equality Act to establish comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people. No one should face discrimination or harassment because of who they are or who they love.
Greater Seattle Business Association
For 10+ years, we’ve partnered with the GSBA, the largest LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce in North America. GSBA represents over 1,300 small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
Better known as Lambda Legal, is a civil rights organization focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, societal education, and public policy work.
We also provide in-kind support to smaller grassroots organizations & fundraisers such as the Pride Foundation, LGBTQ Community Center Fund, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, The Santa Cruz Lesbian and Gay Community Center, San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center.
LEARN
Them.us has a great summary about how Pride started and what it means.
Rainbow High: LGBTQ Stories in Aerospace History
The GBLT Historical Society features a video of LGBTQ in Aviation and the speaker is from Seattle’s the Museum of Flight.
Sharing the story of why it’s better to be who you are.
Supporting LGBTQ+ youth in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
HRC (Human Rights Campaign)
HRC
Family welcomes home fallen WWII airman 78 years later on Alaska Airlines Honoring Those Who Serve Aircraft
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Joan Cutler was seven years old when her brother Alfred Turgeon set off to war. Shortly thereafter, “Freddy” was killed in a plane crash over Romania in 1943.
For decades, because Freddy’s body was never identified, Cutler and her family held out hope that he’d walk through the front door of their Massachusetts home.
Following the war, the U.S. military attempted to recover fallen soldiers from unmarked graves, which the Nazis used to bury American service members. While many soldiers were identified, more than 80 men, including Turgeon, remained unknown and were re-buried in a Belgium cemetery.
“Like a lot of us, Joan was curious about what happened to him, where he was, or if he somehow survived and just had amnesia,” said David Bass, Turgeon’s nephew.
But in March 2021 — nearly 78 years after his uncle’s plane was shot down — Bass received a phone call from the Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirming his uncle’s remains had been identified and would be returned to the family.
Scientists used DNA provided by Bass, his cousin Kathy, and his aunt Joan to identify the remains. Turgeon’s family finally had answers, and the opportunity to bring him home to his final resting place.
At Alaska, we reserve a special aircraft for heroes, like Turgeon.
Earlier this month, Turgeon was transported from Omaha to Seattle on Alaska’s Honoring Those Who Serve commemorative aircraft, which serves as a tribute to U.S. servicemen and women and their families.
I wish Freddy’s parents could have seen the way he was brought home, it was beyond anything we could’ve ever imagined. Alaska and everyone involved really pulled out all the stops,” Bass said.
Joan, 87, was seated on the ramp as her daughter and nephew stood by to watch the aircraft’s arrival carrying Turgeon’s casket. Passengers remained in their seats, peering out the windows to a ramp full of service men and women from the military and beyond to pay tribute to Turgeon. His casket was carefully delivered to an honor guard who carried it to a waiting hearse near the aircraft.
The fallen soldier program Alaska has is really something,” said Bass. “I like the fact that when they were getting the casket prepared to leave the cargo hold, the lead agent asked my permission if they could continue with the preparation of the casket. Everything was received appropriately and to our satisfaction. I thought that was really nice.”
Turgeon, who grew up in Cordova, Alaska, will be laid to rest next to his mother. When she passed years ago, the family bought a spot on the wall for her and also for Turgeon should he ever be found.
On Aug. 28, he will be buried next to her and his sister, among other family members and receive full military honors at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Shoreline, Washington.
Tropic like it’s hot: 5 reasons you need to visit Belize
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Belize offers vacation-seekers a place that’s unapologetically casual, warm and welcoming.
Located in Central America, Belize has a loose mix of Caribbean charm with a North American feel. You’ll find most conversations and signs are in English, as it’s the official language, and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted.
Here are just some of the adventures you can have while visiting Belize:
EXPLORE THE MYSTERY OF MAYA
Whether you’re looking to explore for an afternoon, a day or week, Belize’s ancient Maya sites are well worth it and most are just a few miles away from any major town or city.
From Xunantunich to Caracol and Cerros and Lamanai, really anywhere you go in Belize, you’re bound to come across ancient Maya temples — you might even find ancient pieces of pottery or spot a hill in the distance that’s actually a temple.
DIVE INTO THE WORLD’S SECOND-LARGEST BARRIER REEF
Home to hundreds of species of coral and fish, Belize has the world’s second-longest reef, spanning more than 185 miles — second to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Divers, snorkelers and biologists from all over the world love coming to Belize for its incredible oceanic life.
The Great Blue Hole, in particular, is the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere (approx. 406-foot deep) and easily one of the greatest geological wonders of the world. And, it’s only 43 miles off the coast of Belize City so you can easily see it in a day. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye and dozens of other sites off the coast of Belize are also amazing whether you’re an experienced or amateur diver (though, it’s recommended you know how to swim before testing the waters)!
FLOW SOLO OR WITH FRIENDS
Whether you’re a first-time paddler or kayak enthusiast, you can enjoy going with the flow on Belize’s clear waters, where you can spot reefs, rays, sea turtles and more. Most coastal and island resorts offer kayaks for short excursions up/down beaches and around the islands, while professional kayak outfitters offer multi-day packages.
You can also explore thousands of ancient caves and underground waterfalls (i.e., Blue Creek, Caves Branch). Either way, when the water calls, Belize has the answer.
CATCH A BITE
Since many of the rivers in Belize empty into the Caribbean Sea, you’re bound to score some fresh fish. Turneffe Atoll, 20 miles from Belize City, offers some of the most desired areas in the world for fly-fishing—there, you’re bound to catch tarpon, bonefish, and permit, or maybe even all three.
Fishing guides are helpful and have no problem sharing their “secret” spots to find the perfect catch. Just remember, to fish in Belize, whether catch and release or not, you’ll need to purchase a sport fishing license. Learn more at coastalzonebelize.org.
TAKE A HIKE
Beaches not your jam? Whatever level of hiker you consider yourself, Belize has hundreds of hiking trails and forests filled with adventure, wildlife and amazing views that will keep you on your toes.
You might even encounter exotic tropical plants, birds and howler monkeys (which are known to be some of the loudest animals in the world). Also, be on the lookout for crocodiles, or the tracks of the elusive jaguar and tapir (just hope they’re only the tracks).
Many of Belize’s hiking trails are designed in loops so trailblazers can easily return to the starting point with no issues. Some trails are self-guided, and others require the expertise of a licensed tour guide who can point out wildlife and local plants.
See all of the many things you can do in Belize based on where you are.
Fly Alaska to Belize this fall
Alaska will begin seasonal service to Belize from Los Angeles and Seattle starting Nov. 19 – just in time for the holiday season! Fares between L.A. and Belize City start at $199, and $249 between Seattle and Belize City. Tickets are available for purchase now on alaskaair.com.
Alaska dispatchers and Silicon Valley are revolutionizing more efficient, sustainable ways to fly
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What might be one of the most significant uses of technology to come into the aviation industry in 30 years, is happening right now … about eighty feet off the ground in Alaska Airlines’ Network Operations Center. It’s here, on the sixth floor of “The Hub” in Seattle, where Alaska dispatchers are working to determine the safest and most efficient ways to fly our aircraft from point A to point B.
“We’re responsible for selecting the route, determining the fuel and working around weather to get our flights and guests where they need to go safely, as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” said Brad Ward, a longtime Alaska dispatcher responsible for working with pilots to ensure the safe routing and operation of a flight.
“Dispatchers have relied on legacy computer systems for years to build one flight at a time. Now, with new tools, we’re able to make informed decisions quickly with even greater precision,” said Ward.
Flyways AI is a new platform from a software-first aerospace company called Airspace Intelligence. The software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help dispatchers plan the most efficient routes around the continental U.S., and continuously monitor flights. This is a first in the U.S. transportation industry, and likely the world. AI and machine learning (ML) helps dispatchers sort through multiple sources of information to calculate the best way to get you to your destination quickly and safely. Think Waze GPS navigational app, but for airplanes.
Airspace Intelligence and Alaska have been working together for two years to best implement Flyways across the continental U.S. so that it delivers the best results in Alaska’s operating environment for innovation, safety and sustainability.
“Alaska’s pilots have a long history of operating the safest and most efficient routes in the industry, beginning with our pioneering work on Required Navigation Performance when our pilots became the world’s first to fly space-based approaches versus traditional terrestrial routes,” said Pasha Saleh, flight operations strategy and innovation director for Alaska Airlines. “Flyways is part of that continued journey. It allows us to look at everything, to optimize all available data and plan routes in real time to get our guests to their destinations smoother, safer and faster.”
Optimizing data, minimizing carbon, getting you there faster
With today’s rapidly evolving AI capabilities and our ever-present goal of reducing carbon emissions, the time is right to invest in tools that enable dispatchers to work with pilots to ensure each flight’s safe routing and operation and help us achieve our operational and sustainability goals.
When determining a flight path for an aircraft, several stakeholders are involved: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the dispatcher(s). Together, they provide routing options and recommendations based on a handful of data points and up to eight sources like weather reports and restricted air updates. Dispatchers collect the data from these FAA-approved sources before departure and build each flight’s time and flight paths.
Flyways simplifies the process, but it also enables a dispatcher to process a complex array of variables seamlessly – and predictive information about the future – that is otherwise a challenge to take in simultaneously.
Flyways understands how and when traffic jams occur and uses predictive modeling to recommend routes that optimize our overall network, not just one flight. The tool helps our dispatchers select routes that avoid bad weather, turbulence, restricted airspace and airspace congestion enabling them to do what they do best. It also consolidates multiple tools into a single dispatch system, eliminating different sources for information. And the dispatcher uses their judgment to determine when and how to use the Flyways optimized routes while always ensuring that safety comes first.
“Our mission is to improve the predictability of the highly complex and dynamically changing flight operations in the National Airspace System,” said Phillip Buckendorf, CEO of Airspace Intelligence. “We do this by applying the latest advances in AI to empower the quality, speed, and precision of human decision-makers.”
How will you notice a difference when flying Alaska?
As we all get back to more flying, Flyways will help our dispatchers deliver the safest and most efficient routes to our pilots, saving time and carbon emissions and getting our guests where they want to go faster and with less turbulence.
Imagine you’re on a flight from Seattle to New York City. Before the flight leaves, Flyways recommends a route to the dispatcher that skirts a storm currently sitting over Minnesota, saving minutes on your arrival time. And, as your flight prepares to descend, it does so on an arrival stream that Flyways has previously forecast will be least congested.
While minutes may seem insignificant when calculated into a full day of travel, every minute counts for guests connecting to flights. Plus, the amount of jet fuel consumed every minute is staggering.
In a six-month pilot with Flyways, Alaska reduced its fuel use by 480,000 gallons – reducing nearly 4,600 tons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. This was conducted during a time when flying overall was significantly depressed by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A perfect fit for our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 given the foundational step in that pathway to net-zero is operational efficiency. A smoother flight for our guests = a more sustainable flight for our planet. This is technology we can all get behind.
Pack your mask and fly with us at alaskaair.com.
Horizon employees make 4-year-old’s birthday wish come true
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It’s not every day that you get to celebrate your birthday in the air onboard your first flight.
When employees from Horizon Air, Alaska’s regional airline, found out that a four-year-old guest would be flying for his birthday, they went above and beyond to make his day remarkable.
William Suarez, Horizon duty manager of Seattle station operations, was notified by Patricia Eidem, Horizon SOC customer operations manager, that an inbound flight from Pasco had a special guest onboard.
The special guest was named Thor and he happened to be celebrating his fourth birthday. Eidem had heard the news about Thor and his family from CSA Andrew Dorman.
Megan Simonis, Thor’s mom, says he loves airplanes. Whenever he looks up and sees an airplane, he stops what he’s doing, makes everyone around him look up at the plane and wave. He always says he’s going to fly one someday.
The family flew from Pasco to Seattle to eat lunch and return home the same day.
In Pasco, Dorman checked Thor’s family in. They boarded early and took photos with and talked to the crew. Onboard, the flight attendant even made a birthday announcement.
In Seattle, Thor was greeted by a welcoming committee made of Matt Anderson, supervisor of customer service; Christa Hastings, supervisor of customer service; Brittney Leggett, ground service agent team captain; and Tyler Strader, communications agent. The team greeted Thor and his family holding pom poms and signs.
“I was able to gather some Alaska-branded merchandise to throw in the bag and gave him a personalized card from the team,” Suarez said.
Thor was so happy and excited.
“The team went above and beyond for Thor’s birthday,” wrote Simonis, in an email. “It was truly a magical day, one that won’t be forgotten. You all are amazing.”
Alaska Airlines flies season’s first Copper River salmon to Seattle
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A fish-filled (& painted) jet touched down at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly after 10 a.m. today, carrying 17,000 pounds of wild Alaska Copper River salmon. For many, the fish are a sign that summer is officially here!
In total, today, we’re flying nearly 55,000 pounds of salmon from Cordova, Alaska to Seattle by Alaska Air Cargo – the first of many shipments expected this season, which runs now through September.
How does Alaska Airlines keep the fish fresh during the flight? 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. 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.
When is copper river salmon season? Usually mid-May through June.
How big can the salmon get? A Copper River king salmon (also called a Chinook) can grow up to 50 pounds or more, according to the Copper River Marketing Association.
How does it taste? 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.
Want to see the season in action? Fly to Cordova, Alaska. Nestled in the thick of the Chugach National Forest, Cordova is quintessential small-town Alaska. It’s a place where everyone knows everyone, and like many coastal areas in Alaska, Cordova is only accessible by boat or plane. It’s a place where neighbors take care of one another, all united by passion for their community and the land they call home. Related: An Alaska state fishing tradition on the Copper River Delta
Cook at home with Tom Douglas’ salmon recipe
“I like to use sockeye salmon for this dish – its firm flesh and rich flavors are perfect for steaming. You could, of course, use other types of salmon and this is a good technique for other firm-fleshed fish such as ling cod or halibut. Chinese bamboo steamers work well and they are not very expensive, though any steamer set up is fine. I love the aromatic steam you get in this method of cooking: the water really does have a beautiful aroma and it permeates the salmon.” – Tom Douglas, Seattle chef & restaurateur
Sake steamed Sockeye salmon with sake butter recipe:
What you’ll need:
1 Stalk lemongrass, split lengthwise
2 cups water
2 cups sake
10 Ginger coins, sliced 1/8” thick
2 Star Anise pods
Peel of 1 orange
1 ½ pounds salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions
Serves 4
Directions:
- Bruise the lemongrass with the back of your knife to help release the aromatics.
- Set up your steamer (we use a large saucepan or a wok with a Chinese bamboo steamer set over it).
- Place the lemon grass, water, sake, ginger, star anise, and orange peel in the bottom of your steamer (ie. the saucepan or wok). Bring to a boil.
- Lay the salmon fillets in the steamer basket and cover with the steamer lid.
- Steam until the salmon is just done, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Place a salmon fillet on each plate. Spoon some of the sake butter over each portion of fish. Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Serve with Crispy Sesame Rice Cake or Aromatic Steamed Rice and steamed baby bok choy. Pair it with some sake or a glass of classic Oregon Pinot Gris.
Bon appetit!