Hockey is back in Seattle! And what better way to celly than a custom plane?
Today, we’re releasing the Kraken with one our special aircraft, which will fly on routes to the team’s away games in cities we serve.
As the official airline of the Kraken, we can’t wait for the first puck drop at Climate Pledge Arena, where our community and guests will get to enjoy the Alaska Airlines Atrium, which will serve as the main entrance for all events at the Climate Pledge Arena.
The plane is just the beginning of a long-term major partnership between us and our new hometown NHL team. See some of the perks we’re offering guests and more below!
The plane (tail number N915AK) was unveiled this morning to fans and guests awaiting a flight to Las Vegas, where the team will play its first regular season away game.
The aircraft was designed in collaboration with Kraken designers and our own creative team, led by Jonny Mack. He says it takes a lot of people working together for months to make it all happen.
As the official airline and founding partner of the Seattle Kraken, we’re so excited for this aircraft to take to the skies and help us cheer on the team during their inaugural season,” said Whitney Ellison, Alaska director of brand marketing. “We’re Seattle’s hometown airline, so we’re thrilled to be part of this historic moment and support Seattle’s first NHL team. Go Kraken!”
Have an ice trip, get early boarding!
It’s time to rally & look fly doing it, Kraken fans. All season long, if you’re flying out of Seattle or Everett and wear a Seattle Kraken jersey, you get priority boarding!
Now, through the end of the hockey season, Kraken fans who wear the teams’ jersey can board early on all Alaska flights departing from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Paine Field (PAE).
Alaska Airlines Atrium @ the Climate Pledge Arena
Located on the south side of the arena, the Atrium spans 36,000 square-feet and feature stories and images reflecting the Pacific Northwest and the travel opportunities within our region and across the globe.
With our headquarters in Seattle, we love giving back to our hometown and connecting Seattle to the world,” says Sangita Woerner, VP of Marketing. “This partnership is no exception as we’ll work closely with the Kraken to create a variety of initiatives that benefit our community, beyond events at the Climate Pledge Arena.”
Fans will see Alaska branding on the ice and on several boards around the hockey rink during games.
We can’t wait to cheer on the home team and share some special surprises we have up our wings this season. Follow @alaskaair for your chance to score big in the future!
Related: Alaska was onsite at Gas Works Park with a photo booth and cozy giveaways when the Kraken revealed their inaugural roster for the 2021-22 NHL season earlier this summer.
As the airline with the most flights to & from BOI, we know all the gems you have to see in Boise.
The city is a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, relaxation and nonstop fun. No matter where you go in Idaho, you’re bound to spot stunning mountain peaks, pristine lakes and enjoy fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, backpacking or unwind with a nice glass of red wine riverside.
And, while some things have changed, the friendly, helpful and welcoming community of Boise has not. Join us on the journey to get there and know it’s safe with our Next-Level Care.
Here’s what you have to do in Boise:
Savor the flavors
Idaho’s state fruit—Huckleberries—can be found in pastries, milkshakes, syrups and other delightful creations.
Fry sauce, a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise, is also a must-try. Meat-eaters won’t want to miss out on Idaho’s deep-fried finger steak, which happens to pair perfectly with fry sauce (it’s not just for fries!).
Did you know Idaho is the only state with a state seal designed by a woman? Painter and designer Emma Edwards Green’s submission, featuring Lady Justice, a miner and Idaho’s natural resources, was selected for the prestigious placement in 1891. Tour the state capitol building in Boise to learn more about the state seal and the state’s rich history.
Idaho’s attractive landscapes stretch nearly miles from the Nevada-Idaho state line to the Idaho Panhandle at the Canadian border. In between, you will find a wonderland of forests, crystal-clear mountain lakes, cascading rivers, rugged canyons and desert.
Freddy’s Stack Rock Trail
The 5,895-foot, pyramid-shaped Stack Rock is about 30 minutes north of Boise. The views are outstanding, especially looking over the furrowed topography stretching miles and miles to the west. In late March through early May, the canyon is at its best when temperatures are mild and wildflowers add color to the green hillsides.
Ready, set, raft
Boise is less than an hour from several rafting opportunities. The Main Payette River, just north of Boise, is an easy half-day trip (about three hours on the water) and perfect for first-timers and seasoned paddlers. All levels will enjoy the approachable Class I and II rapids along this fun, leisurely run between May and September. Learn more about guided tours, rivers and rafting seasons at raftidaho.org.
Whether you want to rent a bicycle to tred downtown or venture out, Boise has all the stops. The Boise Greenbelt follows 25 miles of the Boise River, connecting Lucky Peak State Park, downtown Boise and many neighborhoods. The paved trail extends on both sides of the river, winding through numerous city parks and passing by restaurants, wineries, public art and points of interest.
Sip back, relax
If you’re—of age—and want to savor Idaho’s wine country, start in Boise at Telaya Wine Co., which overlooks the Boise River, or check out the chic Coiled Wine Bar in downtown Boise for some fine reds & roses. Throughout the state, there are a plethora of wineries and tasting rooms to choose from. Pro tip: Wine flies free on Alaska; learn more.
Croquetas & Chardonnay make a great pair, via the Basque Market, another great spot!
All of us at Alaska are here to bring you the best care in the air—and answer your burning travel questions. Check out these do’s & dont’s so you can travel well and plan those long-awaited trips:
Do: Wear a Mask.
We know wearing a mask for long period of time is not ideal for most people, but per our policy and federal requirements, all travelers (vaccinated or not) must wear a face mask during travel, including while in airports, boarding and deplaning and your entire flight.
Don’t be the person who’s handed a yellow card for not complying with our mask policy. The card (our formal notice) is a warning to any guest who flagrantly refuses to wear a mask on board our aircraft. Upon review, we could ban guests who refuse to comply with our mask policy for a period of time.
Exceptions apply only to children under the age of two (in alignment with CDC age guidelines). Read more about the FAA’s mask requirement.
Do: Consider getting vaxxed.
Though it’s not a travel requirement, if you’re able to get vaccinated for COVID-19, we highly encourage you to do so. Before you fly with us, you will be asked to fill out a health agreement, which simply confirms you will wear a face covering on board/at the airport and that you have not shown any COVID symptoms in the past 72 hours and have not been in proximity to someone who has tested positive.
Don’t miss out on traveling! We have your safety covered every step of the way with our Next-Level Care—from booking and boarding to day-of travel and beyond.
Do: Sit back & relax.
While it seems like sitting on a plane with other people could be risky, analysis of air travel shows viruses don’t spread easily on aircraft because of a number of things. One study concluded people wearing masks have a near zero (0.003%) chance of contracting COVID-19—even while seated next to someone.
You’re covered by:
High air exchange rates (fresh air every 2-3 min in the cabin)
HEPA filtration
Forward faced seating
High-back seats
Mask-wearing *this one is SUPER important*
Enhanced cleaning
Contactless features (pre order meals, mobile boarding pass)
Complimentary sanitizer
Do: Pre-order meals and enjoy snacks/drinks onboard.
Don’t forget to pre-order your meal (if applicable) 20 hours before your flight!
Do: Get COVID-tested from trusted partners if necessary.
Some destinations, including Hawaii and Canada, have special travel requirements in place that require visitors/residents to have negative COVID-19 test results taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or they’ll need to comply with a 10-day self-quarantine. Be sure to schedule your test early, as appointments fill up in advance and use a trusted testing partner.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get tested and be sure to use a trusted testing partner!
Do: Avoid travel if you’re not feeling healthy.
For your safety and for the safety of others around you, guests who have exhibited COVID-19 symptoms 72 hours before their flight or who have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive are not allowed to fly with us. This is for the safety of all guests and employees.
Don’t fly if you’re not feeling well.
Do: Pack your bag(s) & a little grace.
When traveling with us, you’re allowed to bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. At least one of the items should be stowed under the seat in front of you, and you’ll also need to be able to lift your own bag into the overhead bin. You can also check luggage at the airport.
While we pride ourselves on our 20-min bag guarantee for all our guests and checked bag perks for our Mileage Plan members, most airports are experiencing higher travel volumes right now. In the instance your bags don’t show within 20 minutes, please reach out to us at our baggage office within 2 hours of your flight’s arrival or speak to a nearby customer service agent at the airport.
Our cabin air is clean and safe. We have one of the newest fleets in the country which means our planes have the latest air filtration technology. Our planes are equipped with two hospital-grade HEPA filters that remove 99.95% of airborne particulates. Every 2-3 minutes there is a full exchange of cabin air with outside and HEPA-filtered air and 100% fresh air every 6 minutes. Learn more.
Don’t keep your air vents above your seat closed.
Do: Know high-touch surface areas have been cleaned.
We’ve took cleaning to the next level. Alaska’s enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures were developed/validated with infectious diseases experts at UW Medicine and exceed CDC cleaning guidelines. Between every flight, we’re using high-grade EPA disinfectants and electrostatic disinfectant sprayers to sanitize the most critical areas (overhead bins, armrests, tray tables, seatbelts, lavatories, etc).
At the airport, we’re working closely with airport services to ensure the highest level of cleanliness. We’ve instituted a cleaning program for the check-in lobby counters, kiosks and gate counters where the surfaces are wiped down with a disinfectant more frequently.
Don’t excessively wipe the leather seat with your own cleaning wipe, the leather dye color may come off. This doesn’t mean it’s dirty, it’s the active ingredient that is causing the color to come off on the wipe.
Do: Travel mindfully.
Wherever you’re planning to go, it’s important to protect yourself & others by wearing a mask, avoiding large crowds and washing your hands often. We encourage everyone to be kind and respectful to those helping get you from point A to point B.
Don’t be unruly with other guests or our employees. Remember we’re all doing our best to make travel as safe, easy-going and accessible as possible. Please stick to travel guidelines and always practice being kind and considerate to the people around you.
We’re all in this together and can’t wait to travel with you!
Hawaii is open and ready for you when you are! We’re here to help prep for paradise.
1. Create a travel profile.
Before you go, you’ll need to create a Safe Travels profile on the State of Hawaii’s website [it’s mandatory for residents and visitors]. There, you can add other travelers under 18 years old.
2. Skip lines with our Pre-Clear program.
Alaska Airlines guests are now able to pre-clear at the departure gate, and bypass airport screening upon arrival in Hawaii.
To qualify for your Hawaii Pre-Clear wristband, your Safe Travels profile must be updated with the following info:
Proof of negative COVID-19 test result or one of the following vaccination records in PDF format.
A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout OR
DOD DD Form 2766C
Completed travel health questionnaire
Signed online attestation
3. Not vaxxed? Book a COVID test.
If you’re not vaccinated, you’ll need to book an appointment with one of our trusted COVID-19 testing partners—or quarantine for 10 days.
Upload your test results or one of the following PDFs to your Safe Travels profile.
A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
VAMS (Vaccination Administration Management System) printout OR
DOD DD Form 2766C
If your COVID-19 test results are still pending or are not uploaded to your Safe Travels profile when your Hawaii-bound flight departs, you will be required to self-quarantine on arrival in Hawaii for 10 days or the length of your stay, whichever is shorter.
4. Confirm you’re good to fly.
Take Hawaii’s travel health questionnaire before you fly (available 24 hours before your flight). Pro-tip: We recommend bringing hard copies of your vaccination record or test results and lodging confirmation with you to the airport.
Please know: If your vaccination records are not validated by Safe Travels prior to departure, we will need to see an original CDC COVID-19 vaccination card to qualify for Pre-Clear. VAMS, DD 276CC, or copies of the vaccination card will require manual clearance on arrival in Hawaii.
Visit hawaiicovid19/travel for frequently asked questions about the Safe Travels program.
5. Malama when you get there.
Malama, means “to nurture” or “care for,” and is all about preserving the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and taking care of all those who live there. As tourism starts to recover, the islands encourage travelers to be open-minded and respectful of Hawaii’s beauty and leave with a better understanding of what it means to care for the earth, each other and ourselves. Learn more.
After a year of staying home, many of us are eager to travel and make up for lost time.
While we know we’re not all out of the woods from this pandemic, things continue to look brighter with every passing day and we have you covered every step of the way with our Next-Level Care—from booking and boarding to day-of travel and beyond.
Here are just some of the ways we’re bringing you the best care and tips to feel those vacation vibes as soon as you get to the airport:
Enroll in a Trusted Traveler program
Hate security lines? Enroll in a trusted traveler program like TSA Pre✓®, Clear or Global Entry. Membership in these programs gives you access to dedicated TSA Pre✓® lanes at more than 200 airports nationwide.
Departing from Seattle? Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle are testing a new way to get you through the general screening security checkpoint faster called SEA Spot Saver.
Save time checking your bags & pack light
You’ll likely save time traveling this summer if you print your own bag tags at home and/or travel with just a carry-on. While we pride ourselves on our 20-min bag guarantee for all our guests and checked bag perks for our Mileage Plan members, most airports are experiencing higher travel volumes.
To make your vacation even more fun, you can also bring most sports equipment with you for the cost of a checked bag.
More questions? Read our guidelines for carry-on baggage. Also, don’t pack your carry-on bag too full, as densely packed, cluttered bags take longer to scan and screen at the security checkpoint.
We believe it’s safe to fly — and experts agree.
Our commitment to Next-Level Care means we’ve implemented 100+ ways to maintain the highest standard of safety throughout your travels.
Masks
Masks are still federally required during travel. All employees and guests must wear a face mask or covering through the airport and on board. This requirement applies even if you are fully vaccinated.
Clean Air
Travelers wearing a mask have a .003% or NEAR-ZERO CHANCE of being exposed to the virus, even on a full aircraft (according to a Department of Defense study).
Touch free options
New technology has helped our guests print bag tags at the airport without touching countertops or check-in kiosks simply with the Alaska mobile app. Plus, travelers can store their preferred payment on their Mileage Plan account to buy food and drinks onboard to make the journey more convenient and touch-free. Not a Mileage Plan member yet? Sign up today!
Enjoy a world of possibilities.
As the newest member of the oneworld alliance, our Mileage Plan members can earn more miles on all 14 member airlines when you fly to as many as 1,000 global destinations in more than 170 countries and territories. More destinations are easing travel restrictions every day, and we know many of you can’t wait to travel abroad in the months ahead.
Learn more about oneworld, an alliance of the world’s leading airlines providing the highest level of service and convenience across more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.
Pre-order onboard meals.
More food and beverage options are now available on board! Snack on favorites like the Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter or try out new menu items via pre-order on most flights over two hours. For guests in First Class, delicious hot meals are back on coast-to-coast and Hawaiʻi flights, plus Boxed Water to quench any thirst.
If you have kids who will be flying by themselves this summer, visit alaskaair.com to book their flights and discover the different types of care we offer kids of all ages.
To speed up the process, be sure to fill out the required forms before arriving at the airport. This will ensure the safety of your child. It’s also best to plan for extra time for check-in and to stay in the boarding area until the flight departs.
All we’re askin’ is for a little respect.
Remember that everyone is doing their best to make travel as safe, easy-going and accessible as possible. It’s important to be kind and respectful to those helping you get from point A to point B.
So, please stick to travel guidelines and always practice being kind and considerate to the people around you. Because together, we can get through anything!
Heat continues to hit the West, especially the Northwest, with record shattering temperatures that are expected to continue for much of the week, says the National Weather Service.
Our airport employees are experiencing the hottest temperature of all, where on the ramp it can be 20 degrees hotter. Today, our people could be facing upwards of 130 degree weather in Seattle and Portland.
As the COVID-19 pandemic nears an end and our operations ramp up, our teams are working hard to support travelers’ return to air travel. However, the unprecedented heat along with staffing gaps in some of our frontline areas, are putting strains on our operation.
We are taking proactive steps to get ahead of these challenges and keep the safety of our people and operations at the forefront. Actions we are taking include:
We are managing our schedule and communicating any changes with our guests. While we never want to let our guests down, only a small fraction of our flights have been pre-canceled and we are doing our best to re-accommodate those guests. We encourage guests to reach out to our Care teams via our online channels for faster service.
If you need assistance we are here to help. However, our reservations team is currently experiencing high call volumes and long wait times so if the reason for your call is not urgent, we kindly ask you to try us at a later time or visit alaskaair.com where you can make changes to your travel and check your flight status.
If you’ve been impacted by a baggage delay and have not yet filed a claim, please visit the nearest baggage office at your arrival station. You can find baggage station hours on alaskaair.com.
To fill staffing gaps, we are temporarily relocating staff from markets where there is less demand to those with more need.
Traveling with pets? Due to extreme temperature forecasts June 21 – July 7, 2021, animals will not be accepted for travel in the baggage compartment to or from most of these airports. Pets traveling in the cabin with their owners will be accepted on all flights. For pets traveling via Alaska Air Cargo, please contact our cargo call center at 1-800-225-2752.
Finally, we are keeping our teams safe by delivering water and cool towels to employees, and offering “cool down vans” so ground operations employees can take a break with air conditioning. These extra steps may slow our operations, but keeping our teams safe and cool is our top priority.
We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience. Stay cool!
*Our 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all fares, otherwise Saver fares purchased on or after May 1, 2021, may not be changed or canceled. For flights purchased through April 30, 2021, change and cancellation fees are waived for all fares, including Saver fares by our peace of mind waiver.
Is it safe to travel? Flight attendants share what to know about flying this year
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.
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.
Four Alaska employees, Jeremy Naz, Chad Gabagat, Alice Tam and Kevin Larson, who also led Alaska’s LGBTQ+ business group, stand in front of the unveiled Pride plane on Tuesday. The special design features rainbow-colored aircraft decals and the words “Fly with Pride” adorned the side of the plane.
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.
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.
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.”
Chad Mewmaw (left) with three other Alaska employees celebrating Pride at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
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.
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 clacking the night away on our last Pride flight to San Diego. He wrote, “There are passengers on all these flights that didn’t know we were having a West Coast Pride Parade and they are literally all embracing our Pride in the skies. If only 14-year-old Ravi could see this.” via @Raviroundtheworld.
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.
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.
Captain Reburn with his mom and his Oma on the flight from Sacramento to Seattle.
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.
A black and white photo of Showalter when she was younger, standing beside her horse.
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.
A Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft glistens in the sun as it makes a turn at high altitude in the clouds, which Showalter helped build during WWII.
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
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
Fun fact: We heard you wanted another cracker, so in 2018, we added a 5th cracker👌🏼
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.”
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
“An Americanized remake of the classic La Cage aux Folles. While Robin Williams and Nathan Lane steal the spotlight, the entire cast is amazing in their immersion into their characters. Some of the lines and movements that were made just let you know that they put their all into it. Oh, how I would have loved to be there during the production, I’m sure the banter was amazing,” says Odette, a Chicago-based customer service agent.
“My wife and I, and our 9-year-old daughter, Leilani, have always been obsessed with this movie because it’s a beautiful coming-of-age love story in our LGBTQIA+ community. Representation truly matters, and we love how we can celebrate that when watching Simon fall in love with “Blue” on screen. We didn’t have films like this when my wife and I were growing up, but we are so thankful our daughter can see that LOVE IS LOVE, and that we can all celebrate this small victory together,” says Rasha, a Portland-based flight attendant.
Hoover won’t stand for any other birds trying to flirt with Rocko and the human bird keepers on the show even believe the pair could be responsible enough to receive a “foster egg” to care for!
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.
