What is freezing rain and why is it so challenging for air travel?

December 22, 2022
Guest Experience
Bret Peyton
2 min read

Captain Bret Peyton is Alaska’s managing director of standards, fleet and operational control as well as the FAA-designated director of operations. He has been flying for Alaska for 22 years.

As everyone at Alaska is working hard to get our guests to their holiday destinations, our forecasts are calling for freezing rain in the next few days. I want to explain why that’s so challenging for our operation.

First of all, safety is our highest value at Alaska Airlines, and we never operate a flight unless we know it’s completely safe.

Now to the freezing rain. Let me explain how freezing rain occurs and why it impacts our operation so much. Freezing rain occurs when warm, moist air overrides colder air at the surface. This is called a temperature inversion. The temperature inversion causes super cooled water droplets to adhere to any surface like an aircraft wing or even power lines and tree branches.

The effects of a freezing rain storm in 2012.

We’ve all seen those pictures of power lines with icicles on them. Can you imagine if that was an aircraft wing? Clearly, we cannot operate in those conditions.

Traditional deice methods can combat freezing rain, but only in light conditions. Moderate or heavy freezing rain produces conditions that are almost impossible for any airline to operate in.

Because the forecast is so variable over the next couple days, we’re unsure how much freezing rain we’re going to get in Seattle and Portland, but we do anticipate having at least some freezing rain in these two main hubs.

Our pilots at Alaska Airlines are very well-versed in operating in wintertime conditions, and we will not operate an aircraft unless it’s safe. Suffice it to say if the aircraft is moving, it’s safe to do so.

Be assured, everyone at Alaska Airlines wants to get you to your destination safely this holiday season. We’ll do everything in our power to get you where you need to go. In the meantime, keep your eye on the forecast, check on your flight before you leave for the airport, and take advantage of our flexible travel waivers if you can. From everyone at Alaska Airlines, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Gift Local-Style this LAU HALAday Season

December 14, 2022
blog
Hawaiian Airlines
7 min read

There’s nothing quite as nostalgic as flipping through the pages of a holiday catalog to find the perfect gift for that special someone. Hawaiian Airlines is ringing in this merry season with a nod to the yesteryears through its third annual HawaiianMiles Holiday Catalog, a digital shopping guide featuring over 30 HawaiianMiles partners that offer Hawaiʻi-inspired gifts for every unique personality, from the adventurer to the trendsetter.

Shoppers can earn up to 10 miles per dollar spent with a Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^® or Bankoh Hawaiian Airlines^® Visa^® Debit Card, and HawaiianMiles members can redeem miles to purchase gift cards or earn bonus miles with select specialty partners.

LAU HALAdays: A Nod to a Revered Cultural Practice

In true Hawaiʻi fashion, the holidays wouldn’t be complete in the Hawaiian Islands without the time-honored tradition of ulana (weaving) lau hala (hala tree leaves). The creative team behind the catalog found inspiration in a design rooted in ulana lau hala, a cultural art that stems back to Hawaiʻi’s ancient times. Polynesians first voyaged to the Hawaiian Islands with lau hala sails and continued to use the material for everything from sleeping mats to storage boxes to clothing. Today, local artisans practice ulana lau hala with great reverence, patience and mastery.

Credit: Hawaiʻi State Archives/Pan-Pacific Press Bureau

Children watching a weaver strip lau hala in Kona on the Island of Hawaiʻi

“Lau hala was the perfect pillar for this year’s holiday catalog design concept,” said Emily Matsuno, a digital designer at Hawaiian, who got the idea during a casual conversation with the airline’s community and cultural relations team. “It’s an iconic tradition carrying significance across the Pacific Islands and is a heritage craft that resonates with everyone, no matter where they live.”

The creative team spent months designing a catalog that paid homage to ulana lau hala while serving as a global platform for local businesses. Some even traveled to Kona on the Island of Hawaiʻi, hoping to visit a selection of small shops dedicated to lau hala craftsmanship.

A selection of lau hala items and holiday ornaments showcased at the Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona conference.

“We were eyeing the historic Kimura Lauhala Shop in Hōlualoa, but it was closed when we arrived,” said Sachie Yorck, a copywriter at Hawaiian. “As luck would have it, the neighboring business owner saw our disappointment and told us that the Kimuras weren’t far — Renee was attending Ka Ulu Lauhala O Kona, the 25th annual lau hala conference at Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, just 10 minutes away.”

Yorck recalled, “It was quite the happy accident. We found dozens of energetic weavers crafting together and sharing their generations-old techniques when we arrived. We bought two bags of lau hala from Alice Kawamoto and her daughters who source their hala leaves from trees on their property.”

The creative team's haul of lau hala items from Kona for the 2022 HawaiianMiles Holiday Catalog.

Many decorative pieces featured throughout the catalog, including the twinkling stars, the snowman, the Christmas tree, the stocking, and more, came from the accidental trip to the lau hala conference. Hala trees and lau hala can also be found in the background of many of the partner product shots.

A Meaningful Way to Connect Communities and Businesses

The HawaiianMiles Holiday Catalog first came to life in 2020 as local entrepreneurs were wrestling with the economic grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brighson Tolentino, card and travel products specialist at Hawaiian Airlines, said the idea came from wanting to provide relief to Hawaiʻi businesses.

“I remember, that fall, we came together as a team and brainstormed how to help these businesses, especially our local partners, and drive revenue to their stores,” he said. “The outcome was the annual HawaiianMiles Holiday Catalog, which has become a vehicle to drive more business to the wide variety of shopping and dining partners during the busiest time of the year and generate awareness among our HawaiianMiles members.”

Hawaiian Airlines teamed up with Local Motion Hawaii on an exclusive t-shirt design, just in time for the holiday season,

Each year brings a new look and feel to the retail catalog, and when Hawaiian’s creative team proposed its lau hala concept, it struck a deep chord for Tolentino.

“When I was a kid, my grandma would have me help her with craft fairs. She would have me clean out lau hala leaves, dry them, and weave them into a Christmas ornament. So, when the creative team presented the idea, it was very sentimental to me,” he said.

Many products in the catalog were showcased with lau hala products purchased in Kona and/or shot in areas with native ferns or hala trees, including the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikīkī.

Tolentino also explained that lau hala plays a role in presenting gifts, which led the team to do something novel for the catalog launch: introduce an exclusive partnership with Wrappily, a Maui-based sustainable wrapping paper company.

“A wrapping paper partnership is something we’ve never done before,” said Matsuno. “We worked with the business owner to produce a two-sided design – one with a realistic lau hala print and the other with a hala tree pattern. The partnership was another way to support a local entrepreneur, spread holiday cheer, and honor the lifecycle of hala.”

Matsuno (shown left) photographing a lau hala mat at the Hawaiian Airlines headquarters for the carrier's exclusive Wrappily two-side hala design (shown right)

Tolentino added, "I'm proud of my colleagues for working hard on this year's catalog. It does a beautiful job of sharing elements of Hawaiian culture while encouraging folks around the world to engage with Hawai'i and support the islands' businesses. "

Enter for a Chance to Win

The 2022 HawaiianMiles Holiday Catalog is available until Dec. 31, 2022.

Those who use a Hawaiian Airlines^® World Elite Mastercard^® or Bankoh Hawaiian Airlines^® Visa^® Debit Card while shopping with a HawaiianMiles Marketplace partner featured in the catalog will be entered for a chance to win up to 250,000 HawaiianMiles.^* (Psst…each purchase equals one entry!). For rules and eligibility, visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com/Catalog-Sweepstakes.

On behalf of the entire Hawaiian Airlines ʻohana,

happiest of LAU HALAdays to you and yours!

** No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 years or older or age of majority & are Hawaiian Airlines® Mastercard® and Bankoh Hawaiian Airlines® Visa® Debit Card cardholders as of 11/24/22, with an account in good standing through the end of the promotion period. Starts 12:00:01 am HST on 11/25/22 and ends 11:59:59 pm HST on 12/31/22. For rules, visit https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/social/holiday-catalog-sweepstakes-rules. Sponsor: Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.

The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

The Bankoh Hawaiian Airlines® Visa® Debit Card is issued by Bank of Hawaii, VISA is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.

Alaska’s Fantasy Flight brings out the kid in everyone and shows how kindness is the best gift of all

December 13, 2022
Community
Tash Haynes
8 min read

We only get so many opportunities in life to truly believe in magic.

This weekend, Alaska Airlines made us all believers! On Saturday, I suited up in my best elf attire to visit the “North Pole” on Alaska’s “Fantasy Flight,” which was filled with Santa’s helpers (like me) and more than 50 kids from local communities.

Before stepping foot in the Spokane Airport, I had no idea what to expect. As other volunteers added finishing touches to their hair and makeup, adjusting their badges with names like Jet, Aqua, Flash, Juggles, and Shorty, I overheard how life-changing this day is for so many people.

You will never be the same after today, it will change you,” said a volunteer, many of whom have been part of this event for 10+ years and work for Alaska and Horizon Air.

When the kids arrived at the airport, they were greeted with applause and big hugs from us elves. Each young person had an elf assigned to them to help guide and walk them through the day. They were fitted with “I Believe” t-shirts, took pictures for their special North Pole passports, walked around meeting elves, and got their autographs. The airport lobby was filled with elves and the sounds of holiday music.

Although I couldn’t begin to imagine how it would affect me, I personally know how these moments can impact a child. As a kid born into the system and aged out of foster care, acts of kindness like this gave me hope during the holidays. They made me feel remembered and showed me a tiny glimpse of what I deserved from life, despite my circumstances.

As I walked around the gate, meeting everyone, signing special North Pole passports, and playing games, I met McKayla, a 7-year-old, big brown-eyed first-timer to the North Pole. We danced and laughed as she shared her love for gymnastics and her excitement about going to the North Pole with me and Tinsel Bell, her assigned elf. She’s always wanted to meet Santa and looked forward to getting on the big plane wrapped with a bow.

Me, McKayla and Tinsel Bell. Fantasy Flight was hosted on Alaska’s Gift of Travel Plane.

This is Flight Attendant Carole’s 15th year flying the Fantasy Flight.

One of Alaska’s most senior flight attendants, Carole S, welcomed everyone on board. She has never missed a Fantasy Flight—rumor has it, she even extended her 55-year career with the airline to take one final trip for its 15th-year milestone. She was so warm and kind, along with the rest of the crew who calmed any nervous flyers with special snowballs and goodies throughout the flight.

For many of the gleeful little ones, it was their first time on a plane, and best believe us, elves made sure they had the best trip possible.

Elves led in holiday songs, started snowball fights and constantly updated everyone on the position of Santa’s Sleigh as we navigated our way to the North Pole. When we landed and the doors flung open, we were greeted by a parade of elves, cheering and high-fiving, lining the walkway to a private hangar, a.k.a. ‘the North Pole.’

Kids jumped up and down, and the little girl in me squealed too! At that moment, I felt a little tap on the back of my arm. I turned around to see McKayla; she said, “I found you, I was looking for you the entire flight. We made it to the North Pole!” I high-fived her and said, “I was looking for you too, we made it!” At that moment I cried, I remembered my own journey to “the North Poles,” and I understood how magical that moment must have been for her.

Fantasy Flight means so much more than serving underprivileged kids and giving them a day of sugary snacks and gifts from Santa. It is a moment when kids who are often overlooked get a chance to be the focus of attention and experience what it means to have a moment in time to be celebrated simply for existing.

Shortly after arriving, Mrs. Claus met the children to ask if they knew why they had been invited to the North Pole. The kids looked around to see if anyone had the answer; she said that when she and Santa looked out over the night sky, they were the brightest stars of all. She said they had to get them to the North Pole to tell the kids just how special they were.

Each child had a moment with Mrs. Claus before meeting Santa. I found myself in tears (again) as I watched her speak with them. She was so present and connected; I could imagine what it felt like for them to have that special one-on-one time with so much happening around them. It was a tender moment I’ll never forget.

When it was time for McKayla to meet Santa, she asked both Tinsel Bell and I to join her. She found her name written boldly on the last page in Santa’s book. Moments later, the curtain was pulled back and she ran to greet him sitting atop his sleigh.

After telling Santa what she hoped to get for Christmas, he called her back to let her know he had something special for her. An elf pulled out an oversized sleigh bag, bigger than her, filled with toys handpicked with her in mind.

I followed McKayla and Tinsel Bell back into the workshop, where she began sorting the gifts in her bag. With each toy she pulled out, she gasped and yelled, “I always wanted one of these!” I cried watching her, remembering hopes and dreams in my own life and moments when they came to be. She looked at me and said, “you’re getting emotional. Why?” I told her I was just so happy that she got to meet Santa so he could see how special she was.

The night wrapped with everyone gathered around the fireplace as Santa and Mrs. Claus read aloud “The Polar Express” (one of my favorites). Each child was given a blanket and pillow to match their cozy jammies and their own copy of the book. At the end of the story, Mrs. Claus reminded us that magic will always exist as long as we believe, and each child was handed a special bell, like the boy in the story.

Fantasy Flight is a chance to be remembered, seen, and looked after by someone who truly cares about you. Although I wasn’t assigned a child of my own to escort as an elf, it was undeniable that McKayla and I were meant to find each other. She has my whole heart.

As I prepared to say goodbye to McKayla, I signed her passport booklet one more time with a special note, letting her know that she was the best part of my day. As I gave it back to her, she ripped her picture out of it, handed it to Tinsel Bell, then took her personal key to the North Pole and put it around my neck. She said, “I want you guys to have these to remember me. You were my most favorite part of this day.” I cried, again.

I hugged McKayla and told her never to forget the magic that lives within her — today was just a preview of all of the special moments that belonged to her. I told her to always look for the good things and believe that she is worthy and deserving of them and that I would always be thinking of her here at the North Pole until we found each other again.

We headed into the “Magic Transporter,” filled with fog and lights to sing one final chant that landed us back in Spokane, where an SUV-stretch limo was waiting to take McKayla and the other children safely back home. As we walked McKayla out, she blew kisses and waved until the doors shut and we stuck around to catch them all. Once she was gone, Tinsel Bell and I burst into tears, so thankful for what we had just experienced together. Filled with so many emotions, we walked back into the North Pole and hugged other elves to reminisce on what we had just witnessed.

At the beginning of the day, I couldn’t quite understand what made this flight so unique, but by the end, I fully understood. A little bit of magic exists in all of us. We just need to make space for it and to remember anything’s possible. Fantasy Flight helped me remember the power of magic and how acts of kindness, big or small, can be the best gift of all.

Watch the magic of Fantasy Flight unfold:

Download b-roll here.

As Mauna Loa Erupts, Hawaiian Airlines Leans into its 93-Year Experience to Keep Flying

December 6, 2022
blog
Hawaiian Airlines
8 min read

When the sun sets in Hilo on the Island of Hawaiʻi, the glow of molten rock lingers, lighting the night sky and bellies of vapor and gas clouds rising from lava fissures. This is the natural wonder of an eruption at Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet – standing at 13,681 feet above sea level and 30,000 feet from the sea floor – which stirred awake for the first time in 38 years just last week. According to the National Park Service, the event marks the first time since 1984 that Mauna Loa and the adjacent Kīlauea volcano are erupting simultaneously.

Volcanic activity is nothing new to Hawaiʻi’s people, including Hawaiian Airlines’ operations team. The archipelago state is home to six active shield volcanoes, with four – Hualālai, Kīlauea, the most active in the world, Kohala, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa – on the Island of Hawaiʻi. And with each significant eruption throughout Hawaiian Airlines’ 93-year history, the more experience our teams have stashed away in preparation for the next.

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)/Department of the Interior/L. DeSmither

Aerial view of fissure 3 erupting on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa the morning of Dec. 4.

“We’ve been around a while and know that when eruptions occur in the islands, they aren’t usually extreme pyroclastic ash events – that’s not the type of volcanoes we have in Hawaiʻi,” said Jon Snook, Hawaiian’s chief operating officer, who added that Mauna Loa is the second volcano-related event in his seven years at the company.

The U.S. Geological Service first reported the Mauna Loa eruption around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, prompting our 24/7, Honolulu-based Systems Operations Control Center to spring into action. Snook recalled learning about the news that evening, noting it was an event expected to happen due to recent seismic activity on the mountain. To his team, understanding the situation and gathering all the facts were the first and most crucial steps before evaluating any potential schedule impacts.

An archived Hawaiian Airlines print advertisement

“Our dispatchers maintained close contact with the relevant authorities in meteorological and geological reports overnight. Before we could decide to cancel any flights, we needed evidence of ash (which is bad for engines) in the air, but officials couldn’t accurately measure levels until daylight,” Snook explained. “We decided that night to delay some of the morning’s first Hilo flights until we could better understand the air quality. Once the sun rose, reports verified there were no dangerous ash levels in the air, and we knew we could operate as usual. Our Hilo schedule ran a little later into the day because of those few front-end delays, but our operations didn’t experience any major impact.”

"So, we want to reiterate to folks concerned about their travel plans that it’s perfectly safe to visit – and even an exciting time to see something that we may not get another look at for 38 years (if history is our guide),” Snook explained.

He added, “We all take our guests’ and employees’ safety seriously, but we know to be cautious about doing anything definitive until we have a better understanding of what’s happening. That is the benefit of being around for 93 years and having gone through similar events in the past.”

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)/Department of the Interior/N. Deligne

The ongoing Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa, as viewed from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) shortly after 6 a.m. HST on Dec. 4.

The 2018 Kīlauea eruption was the last significant volcanic event in Hawaiʻi to consume global news cycles as bright orange lava streams flowed down the volcano's broad slopes and destroyed 612 homes with fountains that reached heights of 260 feet. While Kīlauea also posed minimal disruption to Hawaiian's flights, Snook pointed to a wave of misinformation related to the size of the event and traveler fear as the biggest challenge.

“This event is similar to Kīlauea in that it is a relatively calm eruption compared to pyroclastic eruptions like the ones that recently erupted in Iceland and Tonga, and only a small percentage of the Big Island (Island of Hawaiʻi) is impacted. Mauna Loa’s lava flows currently aren’t going near populated areas. So, we want to reiterate to folks concerned about their travel plans that it’s perfectly safe to visit – and even an exciting time to see something that we may not get another look at for 38 years (if history is our guide),” Snook explained.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)/Department of the Interior/L. Gallant

This image, taken during an early morning overflight on Dec. 5, shows Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone fissure 3 vent and lava channel. Fountain heights of 130 feet (40 meters), with bursts over 330 feet (100m) were measured by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Aside from traveling to the Island of Hawaiʻi for a volcanic adventure, guests should also use the Mauna Loa event to learn about the cultural significance of volcanoes and lava in Hawaiʻi and what it means to travel pono (responsibly).

"This is a good time for malihini (visitors) and kamaʻāina (residents) to educate themselves before going to experience the lava so that they may stay safe and be respectful of the eruption’s spiritual and historical significance."

Many in Hawaiʻi observe lava and volcanoes with immense respect and consider the events highly sacred. In Hawaiian folklore, Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, venerated as a creator (and destroyer) of land, is believed to be responsible for eruptions and embodied in the fiery lava. Legend has it that Pele resides inside Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

“Flowing lava is definitely a sight to remember, but it’s also, more importantly, an occasion to be revered,” said Manakō Tanaka, senior community and cultural relations specialist at Hawaiian Airlines. “This is a good time for malihini (visitors) and kamaʻāina (residents) to educate themselves before going to experience the lava so that they may stay safe and be respectful of the eruption’s spiritual and historical significance.”

An archived Hawaiian Airlines print advertisement from 2004

The eruption is also an opportunity to listen to moʻōlelo (stories) of those who have witnessed one of Hawaiʻi’s many volcanic eruptions over the decades. Hawaiian Airlines Archivist Monica Bacon is the daughter of one of the carrier’s first flight attendants who flew during the 1950 Mauna Loa eruption.

“My mom used to fly flights to the Big Island all the time, and she would recall passengers' great enthusiasm and interest to see the Mauna Loa eruption,” she recalled. “She was a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa during the day, so she would usually work the late afternoon/evening flights and would come home talking about being able to see Mauna Loa’s glowing lava flows from the cabin windows.”

The cover of Hawaiian Airlines' inflight magazine from 1987

“For decades, visitors have been drawn to the Island of Hawai’i to watch the steam rise from the [Halemaʻumaʻu] crater’s vents and to drive through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park,” shared Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Station Manager Luana Gibson while reflecting on the Kīlauea eruption’s impact in 2018. “One of my favorite memories [of the volcanoes] is when I hiked to the cliffs in Kalapana and watched the glowing lava kiss the sea while a tūtū wove a haku lei (a lei worn on the head) nearby and a local brother named Puna played and sang beautiful Hawaiian songs.”

While experiencing a volcanic eruption in Hawaiʻi is an extraordinary event, it is also a powerful and humbling force of nature to be respected. Travelers planning to visit the Mauna Loa eruptions should always do so safely and with deference to Hawaiian culture, surrounding communities, the land, and local laws. For the latest alerts and guidance on appropriate viewing areas, click here.

5 things Alaska Airlines flyers can expect in 2023 & beyond

December 6, 2022
Guest Experience
Alaska Airlines
4 min read

Yesterday, we hosted our first-ever “Flyer Forum” in Seattle to engage with Mileage Plan members about upcoming valuable oneworld benefits, new additions to our fleet, and innovations to improve our guest experience.

At the in-person event, hosted by Seattle Kraken Play-by-Play Announcer Everett Fitzhugh, our loyal guests heard from our President and CEO Ben Minicucci and a few of our Alaska leaders about what’s ahead in 2023 and beyond.

“We wanted to do something different and special to deepen our connection with our most loyal guests,” said Alaska Air Group President and CEO Ben Minicucci. “This was about us sharing exciting things on the horizon and hearing how we can offer the best care now and for years to come.”

Last night’s event took place at a facility where we also host day-long retreats for our guest-facing employees with the goal of welcoming 13,000 employees through exercises that emphasize care.

1. We are growing with our largest aircraft order, ever.

2022 was a big year for Alaska and our regional partner, Horizon Air. We ratified 5 labor deals, announced the transition to a single fleet of aircraft and hired more than 6,000 new employees. By the first quarter of 2023, we’ll be back to 2019 flying levels and on-track for sustainable growth.

By 2026, we’ll have a fleet of more than 400 aircraft, and we’ll have one of the youngest fleets in the industry —the average age of our mainline and regional fleet is 9 years as of November 2022.

2. We are upgrading the airport experience.

Over the next 3 years, we’re investing $2.5 billion in overall improvements to enhance the airport experience within our hubs and focus cities, including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Alaska.

3. Our goal is to get you through the lobby in 5 min or less.

At Alaska, our goal is to have our guests get through the lobby in 5 min or less through innovative technology and self-serving tools like our electronic bag tag program and mobile app.

Print bag tags faster: We’ve launched electronic bag tags! This will allow guests to tag their bags before arriving to the airport by setting it up through the mobile app.

Automated bag drops: You won’t have to get in line to drop a bag. But our amazing agents will always be there to help.

Track your checked bags on our app: This is a feature that many guests have asked for. A lot of other airlines do it, but we’re going to go further, by adding the ability to keep tabs on your bags within our mobile app. Stay tuned!

4. oneworld elite benefits are worth crowing about. And soon you will be able to buy tickets with 10 global airlines on alaskaair.com.

If you’re a Mileage Plan elite, one of the best things about joining oneworld is that your elite status automatically carries over when you fly on other oneworld partners, a group of world-leading airlines with connections to more than 900 destinations in 170 territories. The more you fly with Alaska, the more benefits you’ll unlock on not only us, but internationally. Learn more.

Elite flyers can get priority check-in, access to preferred seating and priority waitlist when on standby, priority boarding, bonus miles and more depending on tier status. **one**world Sapphire and Emerald members can also access partner lounges when traveling outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.

Soon, guests will be able to book travel on 10 **one**world airlines using alaskaair.com.

5. We’re committed to making care count.

We have survived and thrived for 90 years by creating value for everyone who depends on us – employees, guests, our stakeholders and our communities. Connecting with our guests at events like these is just one of the ways we are demonstrating care and making sure our amazing guests learn what we’re all about and the good work our employees are doing.

Care is more than our legacy. It’s also the key to our future. Working in some of the most unforgiving conditions in the world, we understand what matters most: keeping our guests and each other safe, doing what’s right and creating meaningful connections. As we continue to grow, we are committed to making care count.

CARE for our people. CARE for our planet. CARE for our guests.

Reasons why Alaska Airlines is taking the ‘ugly’ out of holiday sweaters

December 5, 2022
Community
Alaska Airlines
3 min read

It’s that time of year again to look fly at every festive soiree with Alaska’s holiday sweater!

Fashion expert Tan France calls holiday sweaters “a win-win.” He insists they’re acceptable enough to transition from a daytime look to an after-hour happy hour event without drawing too much attention.

Take it from fashion expert Tan France who says: “holiday sweaters are the epitome of a win-win.” He insists they’re acceptable enough to transition from a daytime look to an after-hour happy hour event without drawing too much attention.

Here are some other reasons why we think ‘ugly’ sweaters should no longer get that wrap:

It’s giving ‘born to stand out.’

“You become pretty hard to miss when you have a sweater with such a great color scheme and all the retro vibes to go with it,” says Denise, a first officer for Alaska based in Seattle. “When choosing the perfect sweater, pick one with a motive that inspires or represents you. Just have fun with it!”

Even if you’re on mute, at least your outfit pops on camera.

Exhibit A:

Call it “festive” or “vintage” what matters most is how it makes you feel.

“What I love about the sweater is how bright and comfortable it is. The style, designs and color just put you in the holiday spirit,” says Darren, one of our line aircraft technician trainers in San Francisco.

They’re soft, cozy and easy to pack.

“Alaska’s 2022 holiday sweater is a swanky design blending fashion and holiday fun. Roll your sweater loosely in tissue paper and tuck in a candy cane or two,” says Matthew, an Alaska flight attendant in San Diego. “To find the best one, look no further than the 2022 Alaska Holiday sweater. Perfect for everyone on your list. Pro tip: purchase one size larger for extra comfort.”

It goes great with a French tuck.

“Holiday sweaters have become a style all on its own. It’s a great way to block out the winter blues and add some fun and flare at any age,” says France.

They never go out of style.

Snag this year’s Alaska Airlines sweater & perfect gifts for the travel lover in your life

This year’s festive threads should make you feel extra cozy as temperatures drop. Our design is a throwback to a classic and features Alaska’s signature snow planes and other festive décor. You can purchase Alaska’s holiday sweater and other unique airline swag online or at our company store, located in SeaTac, Wash.

Perfect gifts this holiday season

Holiday Gift Guide

The perfect gift guide for the traveler in your life

December 5, 2022
Community
Alaska Airlines
2 min read

Whether you’re spending the holidays at home this year in your favorite holiday sweater or flying Alaska to somewhere special, we have gift ideas for the travel lover in your life! Give the gift of travel this year, along with some of the most unique airline swag available online or at our company store, located in SeaTac, Wash.

Note: For delivery before the holidays, please place your order by December 14.

Alaska’s 2022 holiday sweater

Holiday Sweater [SOLD OUT]

Hair Scrunchie

Ornament

Give the gift of travel.

This holiday season we’re inviting our guests to give the gift of travel! We are donating 1 million miles to our CARE Miles program, a unique and meaningful way Mileage Plan members can support important charitable organizations. You can also share miles with someone to help them reach their next award level or top off your own. Gift certificates are also a great gift idea for the traveler in your life!

Donate Miles

Book a Trip

Send Gift Certificate

Up your travel game with Flight Pass.

With a Flight Pass subscription, you’ll choose your own frequent flights every month to great destinations within California, between California and Nevada, and between California and Arizona. Subscribers lock in a price for 12 months worth of travel, below standard airfare rates.* With a fixed per-month price, you don’t have to worry about fares increasing, and planning/budgeting travel becomes a breeze. Plus, flying Alaska means you always land amazing care in the air.

Subscribe to Flight Pass

Kraken scarf and hat in-store only.

#FillBeforeYouFly with these great reusable bottles.

All Drinkware

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A Heroes’ Welcome for a Pearl Harbor Survivor and Two Rosie the Riveters

December 3, 2022
blog
Hawaiian Airlines
3 min read

Hawaiian Airlines employees today offered a warm welcome to a World War II veteran and two “Rosie the Riveters” arriving in Honolulu for events marking the 81^st anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Crewmembers of flight 25 from Portland to Honolulu welcome Ira "Ike" Schab onboard

Flight attendant Grace Antipala took a selfie with Ira "Ike" Schab

A Pacific Fleet band and honor guard were on hand at Honolulu airport to greet 102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Ira “‘Ike” Schab when he deplaned Hawaiian’s flight 25 from Portland. Ike was a U.S. Navy musician aboard the USS Dobbin on the morning of the attack that catapulted the country into World War II.

Hawaiian flight 25 carrying Pearl Harbor survivor Ira "Ike" Schab received a ceremonial water salute by Honolulu airport’s Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting unit.

Earlier in the day, Hawaiian flight 47 from Oakland arrived with Marian Wynn and Marian Sousa onboard – they were among some six million women who entered the workforce during the war as part of the “Rosie the Riveters” movement. Wynn was a pipe welder at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyard in California while Sousa worked in the yard’s engineering team that helped plan the transportation of U.S. troops.

Last year, members of Hawaiian's Wahine (Women) in Aviation Employee Resource Group hosted Wynn and fellow Rosie the Riveter Mae Krier on a tour of the carrier's maintenance hangar.

Both women will be recognized at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade starting at 6 p.m. in Waikīkī on Wednesday, Dec. 7.

"Rosie the Riveters" Marian Wynn and Marian Sousa with crewmembers of flight 47 from Oakland to Honolulu

John Kim, director of IT field services for Hawaiian Airlines and a member of the company's Veterans Employee Network, joined dozens of employees recognizing Schab, Wynn and Sousa.

"It was truly a heartwarming experience for me today," Kim said. "After serving 22-plus years in the U.S. Air Force, moments like these make me truly proud to be an American. It was an honor to be a part of this event because it allows us to remember. As Americans, we must remember because to forget is to dishonor the memory of those who gave their lives that day and those who would eventually give their lives in the defense of liberty and freedom."

Hawaiian's John Kim with Marian Wynn and Marian Sousa

Hawaiian Airlines to Begin Service Between Hawai‘i and the Cook Islands

November 30, 2022
releases
Hawaiian Airlines
5 min read

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines will connect the Hawaiian Islands with the Cook Islands starting in May 2023 with a weekly flight between Honolulu (HNL) and Rarotonga (RAR). The service, which launches May 20, in time for the U.S. summer travel season, will provide travelers from Hawaiian’s 15 U.S. Mainland gateway cities convenient one-stop connections to the Cook Islands.

“We are delighted to grow our South Pacific network by offering our guests access to the Cook Islands, an archipelago that shares Hawai‘i’s Polynesian roots and natural beauty,” said Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines president and CEO. “This service greatly expands travel opportunities between the Cook Islands and the United States, thanks to our well-timed connections and robust network, including service between Hawai‘i and eight California cities.”

“As a 93-year-old destination airline committed to sustainability, Hawaiian Airlines is a perfect partner for the Cook Islands,” said Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. “We welcome this timely announcement from Hawaiian Airlines, as we look to rebuild our tourism industry and strengthen access to our northern hemisphere markets. Inbound tourism is a key economic driver for our nation, and to reach our potential we need access from the larger international markets. Hawaiian’s Honolulu-Rarotonga service connects us to Los Angeles, the Pacific Northwest, and many other large U.S. Mainland cities.”

Ticket sales for the Honolulu-Rarotonga service will begin Dec. 7 on HawaiianAirlines.com and other third party distribution channels. Flight HA495 will depart Honolulu at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and arrive in Rarotonga at 10:25 p.m. the same day. The return flight, HA496, will depart Rarotonga at 11:35 p.m. on Sundays with a 5:50 a.m. Monday arrival in Honolulu.

Guests will enjoy Hawaiian’s award-winning onboard hospitality in the comfort of its Airbus A321neo, the most fuel-efficient and quietest aircraft of its kind. It features 16 luxurious leather recliners in the Premium Cabin, 45 Extra Comfort Premium Economy seats, and 128 Economy seats. Textiles and other materials throughout the cabin pay homage to traditional Hawaiian crafts including bark cloth (kapa) and fishing nets. Other details range from sand-inspired wall panels to Hawaiian language signage and LED mood-lighting evoking Hawaii's soothing sunrises and sunsets. Guests will enjoy access to wireless streaming entertainment, USB outlets, and large overhead stowage space.

Hawaiian previously served the Cook Islands from 1987 through 1993. Learn more about the Cook Islands by visiting https://cookislands.travel.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian^® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 18 years (2004-2021) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation and consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi. In 2022, the carrier topped Travel + Leisure’s 2022 World’s Best list as the No. 1 U.S. airline and was named Hawaiʻi's best employer by Forbes.

Now in its 94th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.

The airline is committed to connecting people with aloha by offering complimentary meals for all guests on transpacific routes and the convenience of no change fees on Main Cabin and Premium Cabin seats. HawaiianMiles members also enjoy flexibility with miles that never expire. As Hawai‘i’s hometown airline, Hawaiian encourages guests to Travel Pono and experience the islands safely and respectfully.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com. Follow Hawaiian’s Twitter updates (@HawaiianAir), become a fan on Facebook (Hawaiian Airlines), and follow us on Instagram (hawaiianairlines). For career postings and updates, follow Hawaiian’s LinkedIn page.

For media inquiries, please visit Hawaiian Airlines’ online newsroom.

About the Cook Islands

At the center of the Polynesian triangle, in the South Pacific the Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered across 850 square miles. The Cook Islands are located in the same time zone as Hawaii, with the same distance south of the equator as Hawaii is north of the equator. The islands range from low coral atolls to the mountainous Rarotonga. The main island of Rarotonga is 20 miles in circumference with one main coastal road that circles the island, making exploring the island easy and simple to navigate.

The Cook Islands offer a range of boutique accommodation options located around the island including resorts, hotels, private villas and holiday homes. With its natural beauty, warm welcoming people, and relaxed pace of life the Cook Islands offer a holiday paradise where there is an abundance of activities to see and do.

In the Cook Islands, you will not find traffic lights, food chains, or buildings taller than a coconut tree. You will find unforgettable authentic experiences and culinary delights conveyed through the Kia Orana spirit of its people – where you are treated like a friend coming home.

In recent years awareness of the Cook Islands has been boosted by many international awards including Lonely Planet’s Top Country to visit 2022, World Travel Awards Oceania’s Leading Island Destination 2022 and Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Best Island Pacific Rim 2022 for the seventh consecutive year. Learn more about the destination by visiting https://cookislands.travel and by following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Alaska Airlines officially becomes first U.S. airline to launch electronic bag tag program

November 30, 2022
Guest Experience
Alaska Airlines
3 min read

Today, we became the first airline in the United States to launch an electronic bag tag program, which will enable guests to tag their own luggage through the airline’s mobile app before they even reach the airport.  

This week, 2,500 Alaska Mileage Plan members will begin receiving their electronic bag tag. Those elite status members included in the first wave of the program are guests who have traveled in the last 12 months, checked-in at least one bag and were among the first to register to use the device. 

The last thing our guests want to do is stand in line,” said Charu Jain, senior vice-president of merchandising and innovation for Alaska. “With the addition of the Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag our guests can complete almost all of their check-in tasks – from the comfort of their home, at work or on the way to catching their flight.” 

The three-by-five-inch devices are updated with a guest’s flight information through the Alaska Airlines mobile app during check-in; essentially allowing travelers to head straight to the bag drop area once they arrive at the airport. 

The Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag is estimated to reduce the time guests spend in airport lobbies by about 40%, including reducing lines and the use of paper bag tags. In addition to the device’s impressive lifespan and durability (Alaska Airlines employees tested it by running it over with a truck), the devices don’t require charging or batteries. 

“We’ve tested our electronic bag tags on countless flights across the country, including international routes where Alaska Airlines flies, and the devices have performed exactly as they’re meant to,” said Jain. “We’ll collect feedback from our first wave of users before the devices become available to purchase to all our guests early next year.” 

We’re also excited to announce that the Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag made Popular Science’s Best of What’s New list of 2022! Each year, PopSci reviews thousands of new projects and innovations before choosing the top 100 winners across 10 categories. Alaska was recognized in the Aerospace category. To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.

The Alaska Airlines electronic bag tag will be available for purchase to all guests starting in 2023 and will operate on all Alaska Airlines marketed flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines. 

Along with the hardware, the software for the device is provided by BAGTAG, a Dutch company that is a pioneer in the field of baggage technology solutions.  

Alaska Airlines is an excellent example of a carrier on a mission to improve all aspects of their passenger’s experience,” said Jaspar Quak, BAGTAG managing director. “This vision is leading their choices for innovation such as electronic bag tags and we are very proud to assist them in this project.” 

Click here to see how it works and to join the notification list when the devices become available for purchase.

Winter weather is impacting our flights in Seattle

November 30, 2022
Company
Alaska Airlines
4 min read

UPDATE Dec. 1

No additional snow is expected for the Seattle area, though there may be residual delays across our operation. We apologize to our guests who were inconvenienced, and we are working hard to get everyone to their destinations.

All restrictions on unaccompanied minors and pets in the cargo hold have been lifted. If you still need to adjust your travel, the flexible travel policy is in place through Thursday, Dec. 1.

UPDATE Nov. 30

Additional snow is expected for the Seattle area beginning Wednesday afternoon/night. While Tuesday was challenging for many guests, who experienced long taxi times and deicing delays, our strategy of proactively thinning our flight schedule worked to mitigate the worst impacts from the storm. We’re implementing a similar strategy for this next snowfall.

Guests whose flights are pre-canceled will be contacted and reaccommodated on another flight. A flexible travel policy remains in place for guests to be able to adjust their flights themselves. Please use the Alaska Airlines app or visit alaskaair.com for more information.

We’re also enacting travel restrictions on flights to and from Seattle. Restrictions are now in place for animals in the cargo hold (AVIH) and unaccompanied minors (UMs) to protect the safety of everyone. Employees across our system are working hard to care for each and every guest and get you where you need to go. Guests traveling through Seattle should expect delays and extended taxi times. Thank you for your patience as we navigate these conditions together.

Nov. 29

The Seattle area is seeing wintry conditions today with varying amounts of snow forecasted throughout the region. Light to moderate snow started falling early this morning at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and is expected to continue throughout the afternoon. As part of our winter weather protocol, we proactively reduced our flight schedule today to get ahead of the conditions and to keep our operations running as smoothly as possible at our main hub. Here’s why and how we do that:

With safety always top of mind, our operations are intentionally slowed down to allow time for the extra steps required during snowy or icy conditions.
Reducing (in airline terms “thinning”) the number of flights helps ease congestion at the airport and allows us to maintain a steady flow of aircraft instead of creating traffic jams.
A reduced number of flights allows us to focus on deicing our aircraft, which requires extra time and staffing. It can take up to 30 minutes to deice one plane, longer in moderate snow.
With potential snowy conditions and decreased visibility, it takes longer for aircraft and other equipment to move around at the airport, much like driving on the interstate during similar conditions.
It’s always a possibility that ground delay programs could be implemented for the entire airport (like what the Federal Aviation Administration instituted in Seattle this morning). Ground delay programs and ground stops require more spacing between aircraft or even a cessation of operations during challenging conditions.
Additional cancellations are possible as we assess the weather’s impact on our operation today and tomorrow.

Snowy conditions at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday, November 29.

How does deicing work?

Whenever there’s any snowfall or ice on our aircraft, we begin deicing procedures as part of our safety protocol. That takes time. We have a full fleet of trucks, equipment and personnel in Seattle ready to do that work, along with a well-stocked amount of deicing solution. They’re working as quickly as the airport and weather conditions will safely allow.

What should I do if my flight is impacted?

We’ve pre-canceled roughly 100 Alaska, Horizon Air and SkyWest flights today, representing less than 9% of our schedule. Additional cancellations are possible as we assess the weather’s impact on our operation today and tomorrow.

Guests whose flights are impacted have been contacted and reaccommodated on other flights. We’ve also activated a flexible travel policy for guests who want to adjust their travel plans themselves. Please visit alaskaair.com or the Alaska Airlines app to make your adjustments. If traveling through Seattle, please allow extra time to travel to the airport and navigate security.

We are grateful for the extra care our teams are applying to get our guests where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is snow4.jpg

Alaska Airlines latest efforts to be more sustainable

November 29, 2022
Sustainability
Alaska Airlines
1 min read

We are on a path to be a more sustainable airline, setting ambitious goals last year to have carbon net zero emissions by 2040 with near-term 2025 goals around carbon, waste and water. Watch to learn about some of the steps we’ve taken to acquire SAF and make it a more attainable resource for all.

Earlier this month, the world met in Cairo, Egypt for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP27, to discuss ways to reverse, or at least slow, the dangerous consequences of climate change. While we were not in attendance, we wanted to take the time to provide a brief update on some of the big things we’ve been up to on our path to becoming carbon net zero by 2040 – specifically around sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.

Watch Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability, explain the importance of SAF.