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

Brighten your day with Glassybaby candle holders.

Midnight Blue

Light Blue

White

Multi-color glassy baby in-store only.

Other gifts & accessories.

Cozy up with some of our favorites.

Socks

Holiday stocking in-store only.

Pack up in style.

Black Backpack

All Bags

Grey backpack/insulated cooler on the left is in-store only.

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.

Give the gift of travel this #GivingTuesday to help veterans, children and great causes take flight

November 29, 2022
Community
Alaska Airlines
6 min read

Under clear blue November skies in Washington, D.C., Korean War veteran Charles Amor of Oahu was overcome with pride watching the honor guard’s careful precision at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At the Korean War Veterans Memorial, he paused to remember those he knew killed in “The Forgotten War.” And as he and fellow veterans from Hawaii placed fresh orchid lei at memorials throughout the capital, he felt enormous gratitude for being there among them.

Charles Amor (middle) / Photo courtesy of the Honor Flight Network

Amor joined 27 other veterans of three wars — World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War — and their caregivers to fly on Alaska Airlines for the inaugural Honor Flight from Honolulu. The Honor Flight Network pays tribute to veterans around the country by providing trips to Washington, D.C. For many, it’s their first opportunity to see the monuments built to honor their service.

Photo courtesy of the Honor Flight Network

Throughout the weeklong journey, Amor marveled at the care shown for the group — from the warm sendoff with a traditional Hawaiian blessing to the friendliness of the Alaska flight crew and the Honor Flight volunteers who kept them comfortable and safe along the way to the Hawaiian music and hula that welcomed them home on Veterans Day.

‘It was all so unselfish, and they just accepted us and treated us with dignity and equality regardless of our previous military rank,” Amor said. “It reinforced my allegiance to our great country.”

This was a very special privilege for us to take veterans from Hawaii to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials that are dedicated to them,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, who joined Hawaii Gov. David Ige and an applauding crowd to welcome the veterans home. “This is one small way for us to thank them.”

Jean Carlon, an Alaska Airlines marketing operations specialist and Puget Sound Honor Flight board member, has volunteered on more than a dozen Honor Flights, including in Honolulu. In total, more than 245,000 veterans around the country have been honored with all-expense-paid trips through the Honor Flight Network. “It’s inspiring to see how happy the veterans are when they come home and really feel that long-overdue gratitude from the public,” Carlon said. “It’s healing wounds from 50 or 60 years ago.”

For this inaugural Honor Flight, Alaska Airlines had the privilege of donating the travel for the veterans and their guardians while celebrating 15 years of service to the Hawaiian Islands. “We’re excited to be the launch partner for the Honor Flight hub in Hawaii, and we look forward to many more flights to come,” Minicucci said. “Our goal is to ensure that every veteran who wants to travel to D.C. has the same opportunity.”

Give the gift of travel! On Giving Tuesday, your donation goes twice as far

Now our guests can help make future Honor Flights possible. The Honor Flight Network’s Lone Eagle Program is our newest member of our CARE Miles program, allowing Alaska Mileage Plan members to donate their miles to 13 different charities. So far this year, our guests have donated 39 million miles to causes like the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Red Cross, the Nature Conservancy and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Foundation.

And if you donate miles on Giving Tuesday, November 29, your donation will go twice as far: Alaska Airlines will match all miles donated on Giving Tuesday up to 1 million miles. This is in addition to the 1 million miles we are donating to CARE Miles to celebrate the Gift of Travel and our festive holiday-themed aircraft.

Miles donated to our CARE Miles program help charities with business travel, accommodation of special organization requests and achievement of the organization’s mission.

Donate miles

Here is a list of great causes you can support with miles:

Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool

Contributions to the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool will be used to support charities involved with disaster relief efforts and for transportation of medical staff and volunteers.

Alaska Airlines Miles for Youth

Alaska Airlines believes all young people should have an opportunity for future success. The Alaska Airlines Miles for Youth provides miles to nonprofits who support young people to reach their full potential.

Angel Flight West

Angel Flight West provides patient transportation for those needing medical treatment in another city and who otherwise would not be able to afford the cost of getting there.

Dream Foundation

Dream Foundation is the first and largest national organization whose mission is the granting of dreams to adults, over the age of 18, who are suffering life-limiting illnesses. Donated miles are used to reunite families, bring loved ones together or to create lasting memories with one last family trip. Learn more.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Foundation

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is an independent, nonprofit biomedical-research institution and is one of 39 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers nationwide.

Learn more.

Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation^™ administers the Hero Miles program to provide transportation to wounded, injured, and ill military members and their loved ones. By bringing patient and family together, whether at a hospital bedside or an approved occasion, the donation of travel rewards directly promotes the continued healing process of our military heroes.

Make-A-Wish

Grants wishes to children with serious illnesses or injuries. When Make-A-Wish^® volunteers ask a child for his or her favorite wish, very often the response begins with “I wish to go to…”.

Medical Teams International

Medical Teams International is a disaster relief organization that provides much needed medical staff and equipment/supplies to areas stricken throughout the world.

National Forest Foundation

Engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System. NFF programs—with a strong presence in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest—utilize collaborative conservation to restore our forests, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and recreation resources.

The Nature Conservancy

The leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

Seattle Children’s Hospital

Seattle Children’s Hospital is nationally ranked and provides superior patient care, advance treatments through pediatric research and serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho- the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country.

UNCF

UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.

The Honor Flight Network

We’ve added a new cause to CARE Miles! You can now donate your miles to support the Honor Flight Network’s Lone Eagle Program. Learn more in the description below. While we get our system updated to accept automatic donations, you can donate to Lone Eagle Honor Flight by emailing us from the email address associated with your Mileage Plan account.

Saladino and Hand Seek Veteran Applicants for Long Island “Honor Flights” – Town of Oyster Bay

Please note: A minimum of 1,000 miles is required to donate to Alaska Airlines CARE Miles Program, and donations can be made in increments of 1,000 miles.

Get Extra Mileage from Your HawaiianMiles This Giving Tuesday

November 28, 2022
blog
Hawaiian Airlines
5 min read

This year, Hawaiian Airlines marks its fourth annual Giving Tuesday celebration, the global holiday for giving and an opportunity for loyalty members to help Hawaiʻi nonprofits that rely on air travel to provide critical services statewide.

Tomorrow, Hawaiʻi’s hometown carrier is inviting HawaiianMiles members to support important causes by donating their miles to one (or more) of its 14 local charity partners.

Need more convincing? The carrier will match up to 100,000 miles donated on Giving Tuesday (in addition to its 500,000 miles annual match) for each charity – making an additional commitment of 1.4 million miles.

Double the Miles = Double the Reason to Give

Hawaiian Airlines launched its HawaiianMiles Charity Program in 2006 to connect members with organizations that protect and preserve all that makes Hawaiʻi special. Kanani Kealoha-Faleafine, a senior loyalty manager who helped launch Giving Tuesday at Hawaiian Airlines in 2018, emphasized that even a small donation goes a long way.

“The HawaiianMiles Charity Program helped establish another avenue to support Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit organizations – and Giving Tuesday put those giving efforts on a global stage,” said Kealoha-Faleafine. “Our participating charities have a continuous need to travel statewide to deliver essential services, ranging from life-saving medical treatment in rural communities to finding forever families for homeless pets.”

“With HawaiianMiles donations, we can showcase and spread the success in Hawaiʻi to other parts of the world that also face similar challenges,” said Manuel Mejia, regional program director of the Coral Reef Alliance – Hawaiian Islands, one of our partner charities. “By donating to us, you’re investing in a global strategy that helps coral reefs around the world.”

Giving Tuesday puts the HawaiianMiles Charity Program in the spotlight with double the incentive for members to donate, thanks to the company’s holiday match.

“There’s no reason not to donate on Giving Tuesday. Our members know that those miles go to a worthy cause and that the people behind these nonprofits appreciate it,” Kealoha-Faleafine added. "We are an island chain, and the only way for any organization to provide services across the state is to travel by plane. So, helping alleviate that financial burden from local nonprofits so they can deliver those services is a considerable benefit when monetary donations are harder to come by.”

“Donations from our community supporters allow us to truly change the lives of our keiki (children), and we are so grateful to Hawaiian Airlines and HawaiianMiles donors,” said Janice Knapp, director of development at Shriners Children's Hawaii. “We serve a wide range of children statewide and donated miles enable us to bring kids who could not afford to pay to travel throughout our hospital for specialized orthopedic treatment.”

Turning Nostalgia and Emotion into Impact and Action

The Hawaiian Islands hold a special place in people’s hearts worldwide, from those who visit its shores to those who call it home. To Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines, donating idle miles is a means to make a meaningful contribution to Hawaiʻi and perpetuate responsible travel.

“Whether a first-time or repeat visitor, a resident, or a family that moved away, Hawaiʻi leaves a special impression on just about everyone. Many folks leave Hawaiʻi with a personal connection to this place and the people,” she said. “Our HawaiianMiles Charity Program is a meaningful opportunity to remain connected and contribute tangibly and measurably.”

Nakanelua-Richards also likes to think of the work of the HawaiianMiles Charity Program as an opportunity for the airline to both give and receive.

“What we have to offer is extremely helpful, but it’s also reciprocal…these organizations teach us about the concerns of our island home; they help us grow. Many of our employees – including those who call Hawaiʻi home – are involved with these nonprofits in some capacity, whether as volunteers, board members, or beneficiaries of their help. Giving Tuesday is a means to give of yourself and the resources you have to organizations that do important, meaningful work in our community.”

“Animal welfare is a dynamic field with a lot to learn and stay on top of, so one of the things we use HawaiianMiles for is getting to conferences and networking events with our animal welfare peers,” said Stephanie Kendrick, director of community engagement at the Hawaiian Humane Society. “We also put together auction packages with HawaiianMiles and the money we raise from those packages is a huge help. We are very focused on the animals and people of Oʻahu and would welcome the community’s support.”

In 2021 the Hawaiian Miles Charity Program donated 14 million miles for nonprofits – including 2.3 million miles raised by members on Giving Tuesday. To donate your miles this Giving Tuesday, click here.

10 tips to take the stress out of traveling (with kids) this holiday season

November 23, 2022
Guest Experience
Tash Haynes
7 min read

For many of us, this will be the first holiday where we travel to gather and reunite with friends and family, and for some of us that may include traveling with children (as a mom of three, I’ve got you covered!).

It goes without saying, the holidays can be the busiest time of year for most of us, especially when it comes to travel. So while you are booking those flights and checking your list twice, here are 10 tips to make navigating your journey a bit easier.

1. Pack for nonstop fun.

When traveling with little ones, whether it’s on a long or short haul flight or an international trip, I’ve found the key is to keep them busy. Pack an array of different activities that will hold their attention & surprise them about every 30 minutes with a new source of entertainment. Load up on budget friendly crafts, grab bags, small snacks, coloring books and crayons—anything besides something that can easily be dropped and lost beneath your seat.

2. Download the Alaska Airlines app.

Alaska’s app is the perfect travel go-to from the day you start shopping for flights all the way to the moment you arrive at your destination. I use it to plan our trips, check-in for flights, get mobile boarding passes and so much more. You can also use it to check your flight status, view/change your seats and track your Mileage Plan balance for future travel with your family! It’s a travel-must for me.

3. Give yourself some grace.

If you haven’t traveled before or in a while, I highly suggest giving yourself enough time to get to the airport (at least two hours before domestic travel and three hours before flying internationally) and if you’re traveling with little ones, I’d add an hour to that just to be on the safe side! This way you should have plenty of time to park, speak to an agent if needed, check your bags and keep track of the kids and make your way through security.

Airport guides are also helpful and show recommended arrival times, ticket counter hours, airport services and more. Remember: Alaska begins boarding flights about 40 minutes before takeoff.

4. A trusted traveler program or spot saver is worth the sign up!

If you prefer to speed through lines like me I’d suggest considering signing up for a trusted travel program like TSA Pre ✓^®, Global Entry, Nexus, or SENTRI or other airport verification programs to speed up your wait times and to skip the lines. While some take some time to obtain, CLEAR is same-day sign up as well as spot saver programs like SEA Spot Saver, a reservation program in Seattle that helps you get through the security process quicker. Similar spot saver programs are also in Calgary, Charleston, Newark, Orlando and Phoenix.

5. Alaska can text you on the fly.

While the app notifies you of travel updates, Alaska’s texting feature is also a great resource to let you know of any sudden changes during your travel journey. Alaska will send you a notification if your flight is canceled or delayed by more than 15 minutes. It also sends important notifications about gate changes, whether your flight is on time and if Wi-Fi is available on your plane. During my most recent international trip to Mexico with my family, I was notified the night before that Wi-Fi wouldn’t be available on my 5+ hour flight, which gave me a friendly heads up to plan ahead and prep for the flight with that in mind. You can sign up for text notifications here.

6. Pre-order your meals before your flight.

Fresh food and beverage options are available on most Alaska Airlines flights, and that’s such an important option to have when traveling with kids. You can snack on favorites like the one my kids love, the Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter (they look forward to it every time they fly) or you can try new menu options via pre-order on most flights over two hours.

For guests in First Class, hot meals are back on coast-to-coast and Hawaii flights, plus Boxed Water is offered to quench your thirst (& it’s eco-friendly).

Don’t forget to pre-order meals for yourself and your littles (if applicable) 20 hours before your flight! Learn more: alaskaair.com/preorder.

7. Pack the essentials.

The holidays can be one of the busiest times of the year to travel, and sometimes bags don’t always end up where they should be (it happens). My advice: pack the essentials in a carry on bag so you know you’ll have what you need when you land.

Our family loves Alaska because of its special 20-minute bag guarantee—if your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival at the gate, they’ll offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska flight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ bonus miles. Learn more about Alaska’s baggage policies.

8. Buy the lounge membership, it’s worth it.

Alaska Lounges are the vacation before the vacation. Located in several major cities including Seattle, their lounges are a sweet escape from the airport hustle and bustle. I love taking my littles into the lounge because it’s so much easier to keep them close and even if they stray away, I can keep an eye on them. They love watching Alaska’s concierge pour fancy drinks and serve fresh food to guests (especially the pancake printer, that is a must-do). Overall, it’s a great way to power up and relax before a flight. You can learn more about Alaska’s lounge membership and its amenities here.

9. Breeze through security.

If traveling with kids, children 12 and under can leave on their shoes, light jackets and headwear during screening. For littles using strollers and car seats, you’ll have to pick them up and carry them through the walk-through metal detector. The rest of us, here’s some to-do’s:

Have your boarding pass(es) and ID(s) ready to hand to screening agents.
Remove any outerwear, belts with metal buckles, larger metal jewelry and accessories, and the contents of your pockets. Secure these items in your carry-on bag before putting them through the X-ray tunnel or find a small bin to place them into.
In general screening lanes, remove electronic devices larger than a cell phone—including laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles—and place in a bin for screening. Cell phones can stay secured in your carry-on bag.
In general screening lanes, place the one quart-sized bag of liquids, gels and aerosols in a bin by itself for x-ray screening. Doing this will allow the TSA officer to get a clear view of the items to ensure they don’t pose a security risk.
Wear shoes that are easily removable or untie/loosen shoelaces if you can.
Once your bags and bin have gone through the X-ray, be sure to retrieve all of your personal property. Take your items to a nearby bench or chair. You’ll have more time to gather/repack your items, while those behind you to do the same.

10. Sit back, relax & be merry.

When you fly Alaska, staying connected is easy! On most flights, you can stream fast satellite Wi-Fi for only $8. During your flight, simply connect to AlaskaWiFi.com to stream over 800+ movies and TV shows – all for free! You can also chat for free and pick up your conversation where you left off, all while flying above the clouds!

And, during your flight, if you have kiddos, don’t miss exploring Vooks, a new inflight experience to keep your littles’ minds and hands occupied while they fly. You can also print free companion printable activity books that pair well with the titles you’ll find on board. Simply print before you go, pack headphones and your child’s favorite coloring supplies, and they’ll soon be on their merry way with programming created just for them.

From my family to you & yours, we hope you have a wonderful holiday and journey with Alaska!

– Tash @itstashhaynes

Building the next generation of aircraft technicians: Horizon Air donates retired Q400 to Portland Community College

November 23, 2022
Sustainability
Alaska Airlines
3 min read

As a high school student, Horizon aircraft technician Kayler was a member of his school’s robotics team. Though Kayler had never set foot on an airplane, let alone thought about a career in aviation, his coaches who were both military aircraft technicians, planted an idea. If Kayler liked the technical problem solving and the hands-on aspect of building robots, then working with airplanes might interest him.

So that’s what Kayler set out to do. After graduating high school and attending the Oregon Institute of Technology, he moved to Portland and enrolled at Portland Community College (PCC). During his time at PCC, Kayler landed a summer internship with Horizon Air.

“I grew familiar with the company and aviation in general. During the last six months of my internship, I had the opportunity to work on the floor under the guidance of several experienced technicians while finishing up at PCC,” Kayler said. “It was great to get such broad exposure and develop my skills before I even left school.”

Kayler was hired as an aircraft technician for Horizon in 2021.

Kayler, a PCC graduate and Horizon aircraft technician.

A big donation to meet the growing demand for maintenance technicians

Students like Kayler are in growing demand. In the next two decades, the aviation industry will face a shortage of skilled certified workers, according to an industry report developed by Boeing. Throughout the next 20 years, there will be a projected global demand for more than 600,000 aircraft technicians.

To help us build the next generation of aircraft maintenance technicians, Horizon donated a retired Q400 – N429QX- to the Portland Community College Foundation, a non-profit that mobilizes private support for student scholarships and educational programs at PCC.

The donated Q400 will give students in the school’s Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Aviation Science (AVS) programs the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on a commercial aircraft. At many AMT schools, students work on aircraft that are much smaller than what’s used at mainline and regional airlines, so the donated Q400 is a game changer and will better prepare technicians for joining airlines like Horizon and Alaska.

The donated Q400 arrives at Hillsboro Airport, outside of Portland, OR, where student technicians will study it.

“Last year, we created a partnership with PCC’s AMT program called the Horizon Technician Development Program, which provides students with industry-relevant training and employment opportunities,” said Archie, Horizon director of line maintenance. “In turn, PCC provides us high qualified applicants for future technician positions, like Kayler.”

In addition to the Q400, Horizon donated 50 iPads to ensure the school has the latest procedures and manuals to work the aircraft to commercial standards. Many people across Horizon, including numerous technicians, worked for months to return this aircraft to service. It flew its final flight to Hillsboro Airport, where it will become a critical component to students’ learning.

“This Q400 will give students the opportunity to get their hands on a full-size airplane from a real airline and the skills and knowledge they gain will carry them for their entire career,” Kayler said. “This is a huge asset to the program and I’m really grateful to everyone involved in making this happen.”