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Alaska employees share the importance of Native culture

While November serves as a time for giving and spending quality time with loved ones, it also serves as an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that Indigenous people have made to our country and communities.

Our airline’s roots run deep in the state of Alaska. For more than 88 years, we’ve been a lifeline for many Alaska Natives by flying necessary essentials for their everyday life. We value this relationship and would also like to honor all diverse Native communities in which we serve and fly within North America, Costa Rica and Mexico.

To celebrate this month, our employees shared how they connect with their Native heritage and their thoughts on what they would like people to know about their culture:

With heart and Steilacoom spirit

Robyn D.

Anchorage-based Alaska inflight supervisor Robyn D. says with her connection to the Steilacoom Indian Tribe, it felt natural to join Alaska’s Native Employee Network (NEN) 14 years ago, of which she has been chair of since 2017. NEN is Alaska’s business resource group filled with passion for uplifting Alaska Native and Native American employees.

Robyn at the Sobriety Celebration in Eyak, Alaska with Yakutat Native dancer.

“For me, Native American Heritage Month isn’t a specific month to be recognized but is a culture that fills my heart and spirit daily. I am proud to be enrolled as a tribal citizen in the Steilacoom Indian Tribe. Our Culture Center and Museum is located in Steilacoom, WA, and I briefly sat on the council until relocating to Anchorage. I still love attending tribal gatherings and have wonderful memories watching my uncle Adam cook salmon on cedar planks in front of an open fire and learning how to basket weave from my uncle Les.”

Uvna Agaa Qikiqtagrumi (I’m Agaa, I’m from Kotzebue.)

Kotzebue is a small town located thirty-three miles above the Arctic Circle. At the airport there, Alaska Customer Service Agent Chloe N. has made it a point to share one Inupiaq “word of the day” in her training classes.

Chloe teaching an Inupiaq word of the day, source instagram.

She says in English her name is Chloe, but “Agaa” is her Yupik name. Chloe was named after her great uncle Agaa, who is from Kotlik, originally from St. Mary’s, Alaska.

“Every morning, I’d share a lesson on an Inupiaq word, how to pronounce it, what it means and then quizzed the class on the word from the previous day. Of course, I started with ‘tiNmisuun,’ which means ‘airplane.’ My teammates loved learning Inupiaq, and it made me feel proud to share my heritage with them.”

The importance of history and the resurgence of Native pride

Juneau, Alaska ramp service agent Jerry A. is of Tlingit heritage; a tribe that stretches throughout the southeast panhandle of Alaska into British Columbia, as well as the Yukon Territory and Skokomish Coastal Salish tribes in Washington state. He says he is half Alaska Native from his mom’s side, and half Native American from his dad’s side.

I recognize Native American Heritage Month as a special time because there is a variety of community education work that comes from a wide range of diverse tribes and organizations, which for me, is the Sealaska Heritage Institute. They have been sharing information throughout the month via their YouTube page and other social media channels,” said Jerry.

Jerry A.

One thing the average person may not be aware of he says, unfortunately, is the generational trauma that has trickled down, influencing some Native families and individuals, with missed opportunities to learn, embrace and celebrate their culture out of fear or shame. This has led to the endangerment of Native history and language. Fortunately, there has been a resurgence in the last several years to educate those willing to learn with an emphasis on teaching children. For example, before the pandemic, there were elementary school classes that integrated the Tlingit language into the learning curriculum. “I’m looking forward to the work resuming to help reignite our Native pride,” he says.

Family, feasts and feelings of fulfillment

Melissa K.

Anchorage-based Alaska Flight Attendant Melissa K. says she feels it’s important for people, especially Alaska employees, to learn more about Native culture; as a half-Inupiaq person whose mother is from King Island and great grandfather was the chief there, she has great pride in her ancestry. King Island, located in the middle of the Bering Sea, is no longer inhabited. Once a thriving community before being overtaken with tuberculosis, the people migrated to Nome, Alaska and other villages in 1959.

“We are resilient and resourceful. Subsistence and sustainability are still a big thing in Alaska; everything we hunt, we eat. We use every part of the animal, and we fill our freezers in the winter,” said Melissa. “When I visit home, I connect with my culture and my family with a Native feast.”

Melissa’s grandmother and her cousin traveling on Alaska with the King Island dancers who traveled all over the country in the 1960’s thru the 1970’s.

Proud family history and dreams of flying come true

Jay W.

While Portland-based Captain Jay W. spends the bulk of his adult life in Washington state, he hopes to share Native traditions his mom and family taught him with his children, like berry picking in Nome, Alaska.

“The Native experience for me involves respect for the land, resources and elders and the ability to share that with future generations,” said Jay. “Summers in Nome were very busy, as it included a subsistence lifestyle of gathering food for the frozen winter months, much like our ancestors did. In the summer months, we traveled to a fish camp called Nook and would stay there for weeks. When not catching and drying fish, we would spend time in the tundra picking berries and greens. Most of the food would be stored for wintertime.”

Jay as a small boy with his mom in the tundra in Nome, looking for berries to pick.

Native traditions, and the importance of honoring language

Sherri (left) and her eldest daughter (right) wearing their yin/yang bidzaaghoolaanh, a traditional piece of clothing worn during memorial potlatches (ceremony) at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage.

Growing up fishing, hunting and gathering in Koyukuk, Alaska to live a subsistence lifestyle, Seattle-based Alaska Flight Attendant Sherri K. says her grandmother also taught her to sew/ knit and the importance of language.

“What I would like for people to know about my culture is that there is a lot of non-verbal communication in the Native communities that non-Natives are not familiar with. It is often misunderstood as being ignored or non-responsive,” said Sherri. “I also feel that it’s essential for us – especially as employees – to learn the proper pronunciation of Alaska places and landmarks by asking Alaska Natives or doing an online search for Native Alaska pronunciations. Taking the time to try and get it right is an important part of respecting our culture and the residents born and raised in these communities.”

Sherri wearing the first dress that she made as the first Athabascan Woman featured in a calendar of Native American Women. The dress would later be worn by her daughters when they graduated high school.

Alaska Airlines Native Employee Network

At Alaska, our Native Employee Network (NEN) business resource group provides social and networking opportunities for our Alaska Native and Native American employees so they feel committed and connected to their workplace. In addition to supporting Alaska and Horizon’s commitment to attracting and retaining Alaska Native and Native American employees and customers, NEN works with our company to continue being a neighborhood partner by volunteering in the communities we serve.

Shanyn Wright conducted interviews and contributed to this story. Shanyn is a West Coast nomad, having bounced around from Hawai’i to California and now, Washington. No matter where she goes, Shanyn tries to spread the Aloha spirit by sharing culture and is a multimedia communications specialist at Alaska Airlines and member of Alaska’s Pacific Islander Alliance Business Resource Group.

You’ve got mail: Alaska Airlines sends flight carrying nearly 30,000 lbs of cargo on passenger jet

Last week, Alaska Airlines operated its first flight with a cabin full of mail instead of passengers. Since reducing our flying due to the coronavirus, we’ve been looking at other ways to utilize passenger aircraft to carry essential goods to people and businesses who need it most.

The first revenue cargo flight, on a classic 737-900, carrying mail and freight was a success. It flew from Seattle to Southeast Alaska.

This mail-illion dollar idea and FAA-approved-design allows cargo to use all available space on the main deck for essential goods like mail, medical equipment, e-commerce packages and other freight.

Each one of these flights can carry close to 30,000 pounds of cargo, including belly capacity where luggage is typically stored.

Trying to pull off a passenger-to-freighter operation is relatively new. No other known carriers in the country are doing anything similar on domestic flights, with cargo on seats. After months of planning, we worked with HAECO, one of the world’s leading independent aircraft engineering and maintenance groups, to be their first launch customer in North America.

Our teams have been working since the pandemic hit to identify the safest and most effective processes to increase our cargo capacity,” said Torque Zubeck, managing director of cargo. “HAECO’s design will allow us to maximize the available space, increase our cargo capacity and protect the supply chain by connecting critical cargo to the communities we serve during this public health crisis.”

How does it work?

First, the cargo container bags are installed on the passenger rows by the maintenance team, a process that can take six to eight hours.

Each container bag is limited to 110 pounds of mail to meet FAA requirements, and once fitted, the main deck will carry an additional 13,500 pounds of cargo on top of what a passenger-only cargo flight can carry. Our seats did not require any modifications to install the containers, the existing seat belts are used to secure the bag.

Once the containers are installed and safely secured, the cargo flight is equipped for its scheduled route. The crew for these cargo flights will consist of two pilots and cargo load agents. The cargo load agents will be seated in the jumpseat during the flight and provide oversight of loading, ensure proper tagging and cargo integrity. They’ll also provide fire suppression if required and will make sure cargo is safe and secure within the in-seat package stowage system.

Over 100,000 pounds of mail to Alaska are expected daily this winter.

What happens next? Although we have just one cargo aircraft fitted with the in-seat solution, we’re planning to continue flying it in the state of Alaska to help with the holiday rush. The passenger aircraft will operate alongside our 3 freighters to supplement heavy holiday demands, which will help to free up space for cargo that truly needs the freighter.

Depending on its continued success, Alaska hopes to expand the cargo container solution to other 737-900 aircraft throughout the rest of the winter. The extra capacity could allow us to bring 100,000 pounds of additional e-commerce into Southeast Alaska.

Alaska prepares for the Boeing 737 MAX to safely join our fleet with first passenger flights expected in March

This March, Alaska Airlines is scheduled to start welcoming guests on our first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. We currently don’t have a MAX in our fleet. We expect delivery of the first plane in January, followed by several more throughout 2021.

On Nov. 18, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified the MAX, giving the approval to all airlines to begin the process of bringing the aircraft back into service. Our guests will only fly on a MAX aircraft after we’ve tested and verified all required and necessary processes to prepare the aircraft for passenger service.

We have high expectations and confidence that Boeing has made the required changes and necessary improvements to the MAX. With these enhancements and the FAA’s thorough inspection processes, this aircraft will meet the high safety standards we expect.

For us, safety is always priority number one. If an aircraft is not safe, we won’t fly it.

As a safety professional with decades of experience, including many years with the FAA, I’ve had the opportunity to stay very close to the FAA and Boeing through the grounding and recertification of the 737 MAX,” said Max Tidwell, Alaska’s vice president of safety and security. “I’m very confident with all the steps the FAA and Boeing have taken and the steps we’re taking at Alaska to prepare us to safely bring this aircraft into our fleet.”

One of Alaska’s 737-9 MAX at Boeing Field in Seattle.

Once our first MAX is delivered, we’ll begin two months of testing and verifying all the necessary processes to prepare the aircraft for passenger service, which is scheduled to begin in March. Our teams will put the plane through its paces, which includes flying it more than 19,000 miles and over 50 flight hours all over the country, including Alaska and Hawaii.

In the coming weeks, our pilots will also begin the required eight hours of flight simulator and computer-based training that focuses on the operation of the MAX. Our pilot training program for the MAX is more extensive than what’s required by the FAA. All of our maintenance technicians undergo a minimum 40 hours of training on the variations between the MAX and our existing 737 NG fleet, with certain technicians receiving additional specialized training.

Learn more about our dedication to safety and our training programs for the MAX at alaskaair.com/737MAX.

Alaska Airlines is planting a tree for every flight to the Hawaiian Islands—and we invite you to Malama Hawaii with us

In the spirit of giving back as Hawaii tourism recovers, Alaska Airlines will plant one tree for every flight we fly to the Hawaiian Islands from now through the end of the year, in support of Malama Hawaii. Malama means to “take care,” and as visitors return to Hawaii, the Islands are asking travelers to be respectful of Hawaii’s beauty and leave with a better understanding of what it means to care for the earth and each other.

Whether you plan to work from Hawaii or are planning a future trip to the islands, we’re encouraging our guests to experience the Islands on a deeper level with a greater emphasis on connecting with the community, culture and to leave Hawaii better than when they arrived — and help preserve it for the future. Now through the end of 2020, Alaska will plant nearly 900 trees, in partnership with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. We invite our guests to join us in support of Malama Hawaii by sponsoring their very own Alaska Airlines Legacy Tree or participating in another volunteer activity during their visit.

The trees will be planted with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) at Gunstock Ranch, located on the island of Oahu — the same location where our President Ben Minicucci planted a tree with other Alaska employees during a recent visit to Hawaii.

Why trees? Trees produce oxygen for the environment while improving our air, land, and water quality. According to HLRI, when you plant a native endemic tree, like the Milo tree, it helps to reforest lands in Hawaii that have been decimated by livestock and commercialization. Native Hawaiian birds, insects and wildlife also benefit from these forests, as well as the environment and lands that are passed on to the next generation.

Travel has fundamentally changed, and travelers have become aware of their personal impact on the places they visit now more than ever,” said Jeffrey Dunster, Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative’s co-founder and executive director. “By planting an Alaska Airlines Legacy Tree and helping to offset your carbon footprint during your stay in Hawaii, you’ll be making a difference for our island home — and the only footprint you’ll leave behind will be left in the sand of our beautiful beaches.”

While visiting Hawaii might look and feel different these days, visitors can count on strengthening their connection to the Islands by experiencing its natural beauty and learning from its residents — all while helping regenerate the destination.

As we welcome visitors back to Hawaii, we want to support awareness of mindful travel to the Islands—both in the air and on the ground,” said Daniel Chun, Alaska’s director of sales, community and public relations for Hawaii, who is also a Hawaii Tourism Authority board member. “Alaska has always taken great pride in being responsible stewards of the places we fly, and we hope our guests take pride in this, too. We’re excited to support Malama Hawaii, as it provides a way for our guests to partner with local residents and organizations to help strengthen the communities they visit.”

When you’re ready to explore, rejuvenate and reconnect, Hawaii is waiting for you and offers plenty of opportunities to not only visit, but to give back to Hawaii.

Book a stay that really stays with you at alaskaair.com.

COVID testing for Alaska flyers.

We’re helping our guests travel to destinations that require a negative COVID-19 test result. Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program allows anyone entering the state who tests negative for COVID-19 in advance to proceed without the current 14-day mandatory quarantine. Learn more.

We’re partnering with multiple testing providers such as Carbon Health, Bartell Drugs and Costco to offer COVID-19 testing — available by appointment in-person, at-home, or drive-thru. More details.

Related:

Alaska Airlines flag flies atop Space Needle to remind hometown we’re here when they’re ready to fly

If you were flying above or driving through downtown Seattle earlier this week, you may have spotted a familiar logo flying above one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic landmarks.

The Space Needle is not only one of our neighbors, but a symbol of Seattle. We couldn’t imagine a better place for us to honor our employees and recognize them for all their hard work during this challenging year.

On Tuesday, our team helped raise our tail atop the Space Needle. Alaska Flight attendant Hampton Isom, who took part in the event said “Being able to participate in something like this with other employees is so gratifying. I never thought I would have an experience like this – it’s just fantastic.”

Alaska software engineer Denny Tran shared similar sentiment. “It’s definitely really cool – it’s a once in a lifetime experience. I am really glad I was able to do this,” Tran said.

Not only was the flag raising meant to celebrate our employees, but we also hope it reminds our hometown guests, friends and family that we aren’t going anywhere.

I hope guests see these images as a reinforcement of our commitment to Seattle,” said Alaska President Ben Minicucci who was also present for the flag raising. “We are proud to be a member of this community, and we want every single person in Seattle to know that Alaska is here for them when they’re ready to fly again.”

Raising the flag was just the kickoff to a new partnership between our two iconic Pacific Northwest companies. Over the next year, the Space Needle will offer our elites and credit card holders exclusive benefits and more. Stay tuned for more details as we roll out this exciting partnership!
The flag, which is 35 ft wide X 25 ft tall, will be finding a new home in one of our office buildings near Sea-Tac to help continue to celebrate our amazing employees and our pride in our Seattle hometown.

Honoring those who serve: Alaska Airlines salutes members of the United States military

We are so very grateful for the service of active duty military and veterans, and we appreciate the personal sacrifices that they and their families make for us all. Here are just a few of the ways that Alaska Airlines honors those who serve.

We are here to help you fly.

If you’re serving and have a trip on the horizon, we’ve come up with a few ways to make it simpler and more affordable.

Book military fares.

We offer special military fares to active duty military and their dependents in some markets. These fares apply to service members traveling on an official excused absence, and those discharged from active duty military service in any one of the US military agencies. Learn about our military fares

Receive a Veterans Advantage discount.

We offer a discount on our flights for members of Veterans Advantage. If you’re already a member, sign into your VetRewards to redeem your discount. If you’re not yet a member, enroll today to start saving on Alaska Airlines flights.

Check 5 bags for free.

For active duty US military personnel, and military dependents with travel orders, we’ll check your first 5 bags for free. Learn more

Fly with four-legged friends.

Trained service animals or emotional support animals travel for free with proper documentation. We also offer active military members and their dependents a pet shipping discount on Alaska Air Cargo. In order to qualify for the cargo discount, you must:

  • Present a common access card (military I.D.), indicating Uniformed Services, at the time of payment and at the airport. No photocopies will be accepted.
  • Provide military orders indicating Permanent Change of Station (PCS) at the time of acceptance within 60 days of report date. Orders must be reviewed at the time of tender. If no orders are provided, or are outside the date range, the full AVI rate will be charged.

Please note: Discount pricing is only applicable to pets traveling as cargo for shipments directly related to moving on official orders. The discount does not apply to commercial shipments (e.g. breeder) or personal moves. More about traveling with pets

Save on inflight purchases.

Did you know that all members of the military and their families get a 15% discount on food purchased during a flight with us? Just show your military ID to our flight attendant, and then prepare to snack. Note: Due to COVID-19 our inflight food & beverage service is limited. Browse our inflight food menu

We’ve got your back.

No matter what direction life takes you after your service, we’ll continue looking for ways to support you and your families, and to show you that we’re grateful for all you’ve done.

Thinking about your next career?

We’d love to help you join our team. Alaska Airlines has a long history of recruiting military talent. We work with groups like Camo2Commerce to learn how to help service members and their spouses use their military training and experience in civilian positions. Our Alaska Military Employee Resource Group supports current and future military and veteran employees with career development, promotes education and awareness, and provides networking opportunities. Explore the possibilities

Pilots, aircraft technicians, flight attendants – employees throughout Alaska and Horizon – balance full-time work schedules with service in the military reserves and National Guard. Read full story: Balancing work and duty: Stories from those at Alaska who serve in the military reserves

Thank you, heroes.

We are fortunate to work with the Honor Flight Network to provide complimentary travel and reduced fares for veterans on specially planned tours of Washington D.C., to honor them for their military service. Since 2012, we have flown nearly 4,000 veterans to the D.C. Area on 80 Honor Flights.

While Honor Flights are currently on pause, we are already planning for flights in the near future, and we look forward to welcoming you back and saying “thank you, thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

Donating miles goes a long way.

We’ve made it simple for our guests to donate extra Mileage Plan miles to the Hero Miles program, to help injured service members and their families to stay connected during treatment. Donate miles

Mike, Seth and Karen Duggan at the Air Force Wounded Warrior Trials in March. (Courtesy of the Duggan family) Read full story: Donate Hero Miles to military families on Giving Tuesday and double the impact

Honoring the fallen and their families.

The conversations and dedication of a thoughtful group of employees were the catalyst for the creation of the Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier program, which allows us to pay proper tribute to soldiers on the way home to their final resting places. Learn more about the program

Alaska Airlines aircraft technicians created and implemented the “Fallen Soldier Program” in 2011. This process ensures that military protocols are followed when handling the remains of fallen servicemen and women being flown to their final resting place on Alaska Airlines. Watch video

Our largest (& heaviest) tributes to service members.

Between Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, our combined fleet has three special aircraft to honor those who serve. The designs — adorned on two Alaska Boeing aircraft and a Horizon E175 — feature an Alaska Airlines Salutes medallion and a fallen soldier badge, with the Battlefield Cross to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The planes also feature five rings surrounding the engines, representative of the five branches of the United States military, and American flag winglets. See one of our special liveries

In 2019, Horizon Air unveiled its E175 aircraft sporting the “Honoring Those Who Serve” livery, which pays tribute to U.S. military members, veterans, fallen soldiers and their families.

It’s our pleasure.

We are gratified that employee-led efforts like those above, along with tributes from individual employees, and our company’s work as a whole, have been recognized with a Freedom Award from the Department of Defense. It has been our honor to help service members and veterans however we can, and we promise to keep at it.

Thank you, again to all service members, past and present.

Alaska Airlines shines bright for Pride in Palm Springs

Although this year has presented us with new challenges, our Pride continues to fly. Even in a year when we can’t celebrate like before, we have not lessened our long legacy of supporting the people and communities we serve. When Palm Springs’ annual Pride Parade and community events were on the cusp of cancellation, our employees put their heads together to create a colorful alternative.

Over the weekend, our LGTBQ+ business resource group “GLOBE” and employees with Palm Springs community organizers created a show-stopping socially distanced “Light Up The Night” event using one of our aircraft.

Lights were projected onto the aircraft both Friday and Saturday evenings.

It was truly something to see—and a team effort—the aircraft awash in a rainbow of colors against the night sky was made possible thanks to local businesses, residents and our employees. Drivers honked and waved from afar and some even stopped to snap photos.

“This was a team effort and could not have been accomplished without the support of so many,” said J’Keren Sears, brand activation manager. “Creating moments of joy in the communities we serve is a privilege. We all feel so honored to be a part of Pride celebrations across the country.”

Teamwork makes the dream work

The teamwork and coordination behind this colorful event proved yet again that our innovative and scrappy team can support our communities, even in this difficult time.

Getting lit. Employees Kevin Larson, a manager of central baggage and Jeremy Naz, senior HR systems analyst, worked with Pacific Northwest Theater Associates (PNTA) a Seattle based production company, to install the lighting and monitored the light projection throughout the event.

“PNTA was just as excited and motivated as we were to bring this together, we couldn’t have imagined a better partnership!” said Larson.

Smooth talkers. Fellow GLOBE leaders Chad Gabagat, workforce planning specialist and Alice Tam, codeshare & interline revenue program manager, worked communications from Seattle to make sure everything went smoothly.

All good on the ground. Palm Springs Manager of Station Operations Deana Engelke-Spence and her team provided support with on- the-ground logistics.

Best PJ in town. The plane’s park job was coordinated by Contract Service Lead Donald Walker and Palm Springs SkyWest Maintenance. They made sure of the safe delivery and parking of the aircraft—which looked better than ever.

Our Pride flies nonstop.

Alaska is fully committed to celebrating diversity, inclusion and the fight for equality. As longtime supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, we will continue to build a more equitable society and bring people together—even if we are social distancing. Our incredible employees are our driving force as we strive for full equality, diversity, and inclusion for all people and the communities we serve. We’re proud to sponsor Pride in Seattle, San Francisco, Honolulu, Anchorage, San Diego, Portland and Palm Springs.

Related:

Breathe easy on your next flight with fresh, clean air on Alaska Airlines

The air you breathe on Alaska Airlines flights is probably cleaner than the air you’re breathing right now. Surprised? Just keep reading.

Most flyers tend to think of an airplane as a closed environment with recirculated air. Not true! And that misconception has led to a lot of anxiety among flyers during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we’re here to set the record straight.

Every Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air aircraft recirculates fresh air from outside and through hospital-grade HEPA filters every 2 to 3 minutes.

Our aircraft recirculates fresh air from outside and through hospital-grade HEPA filters every 2 to 3 minutes. The filters onboard also remove 99.9% of airborne contaminants.

Recent findings from researchers at Harvard even showed the average age of clean air onboard is 1.8 minutes. For context, the average age of the air in a hospital room is 16 minutes, and 240 minutes at home.

Related: Experts say airplanes are among the safest indoor environments in the world

And that’s just the beginning. In the mere couple of minutes air is onboard, it goes through numerous steps to keep you safe and healthy.

How does it work? Let’s go with the flow:

Step 1: Fresh outside air comes in

During your flight, fresh air is continuously pulled into the plane from outside, completely refreshing the air onboard every few minutes. This system was initially created back in the days when smoking on planes was common. Since then, it has evolved into a powerful system for keeping the air you breathe germ-free.

Step 2: Clean air flows from the top down

After fresh air comes onboard, it takes the most direct route to your seat, entering the cabin through vents in the ceiling, before getting pulled back out of the cabin through the vents by your toes.

This flow may seem like a minor detail, but it’s actually clever engineering. Because air flows top down, rather than traveling the length of the plane, the air you breathe only comes in contact with your immediate surroundings, keeping you in your very own travel bubble. This constant flow of air is a big part of why researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health concluded recently that flying can be safer than eating at a restaurant or shopping in a grocery store (pg 3, 5, 7).

Data from Table 4.3 Comparison of Clean Air Ventilation Rates for Various Space Types Expressed in Air Change Rates per Hour and Average Age of Air, HSPH-APHI-Phase-One-Report pg 76.

Step 3: Hospital-grade filters stop germs in their tracks

After flowing from the ceiling to the floor, air from the cabin is pulled through two HEPA filters in the belly of the plane. These filters use the same technology hospitals and laboratories rely on to stop the spread of pathogens, removing 99.9% of airborne contaminants.

According to researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health HEPA filters remove more than 99% of particles of the size that cause SARS-CoV-2.

Step 4: Mixing it up

Once air travels through the HEPA filter, it gets mixed 50/50 with fresh air from outside and flows back through the cabin. There is a full exchange of cabin air with outside and HEPA-filtered air every 2-3 minutes and 100% fresh air every 6 minutes.

All of these steps working together, along with mandatory masks, make it nearly impossible to contract COVID-19 when flying. In fact, research by the Department of Defense concluded that even if you were sitting right next to someone that has COVID-19 on your flight, it would take at least 54 hours to be exposed to an infectious dose.

So, if you’re on the fence about flying sometime soon, rest assured that you can breathe easy on your next flight. It’s all part of our Next-Level Care, which includes 100+ layers of safety to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including mandatory masks, enhanced cleanings between flights, electrostatic disinfectant spray and more.

Throw in finishing touches like complementary lavender-scented EO sanitizing wipes and contactless options to make your journey nearly touch-free, and you’ve got the recipe for a relaxing and safe flight.

We look forward to flying with you soon!

Once a Marine, always a Marine: Teague brings the same standards of excellence and safety to his job every day

When employees at the Portland Operations Center see the flag in front of their building at half mast, they know to pause for a moment and reflect—and to thank their coworker Mike Teague.

A former Marine, Teague leads up a small team of volunteers who keep Horizon in compliance with federal and state flag protocols. “This is our way of honoring those who served and gave everything for our country,” he says.

Mike Teague, Horizon Air Quality Assurance Auditor

It was while serving his country that Teague honed his skills in aircraft maintenance. He worked primarily on F-4 Phantom fighter jets and KC-130 tankers in locations around the world, including in the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War.

Teague has been with Horizon Air for 26 years—starting as a technician, then lead technician, along with being a temporary supervisor on various maintenance projects. In his current job as quality assurance auditor, he spends about 50 percent of his time overseeing Horizon maintenance operations. The rest, he’s traveling to various repair stations and inspecting vendors to ensure they’re in compliance in repairing Horizon’s aircraft parts.

He’s great at his job, but at the same time, misses having a wrench in his hand.

“As corny as it sounds, I still sometimes miss being a mechanic because I’ve always enjoyed working on planes and getting the job done.” Teague says. “It’s a satisfying feeling when you work all night to get a plane fixed and then you’re there to see it getting loaded with people and taking off.”

But being an auditor and overseeing all functions of the Maintenance & Engineering processes allows him to see a broader scope.

“I see the the tremendous pride and dedication that everybody has in their jobs, striving to make our little airline the best it can be,” he says. And he is an ambassador for Horizon to our more than 300 repair vendors worldwide, ensuring compliance. “So, I don’t get to fix airplanes anymore, but that same level of job satisfaction is still there.”

Once a Marine, always a Marine (Teague served for 14 years) he brings the same standards of excellence and safety to his job every day. Founding the flag team is just one example of that.

Teague remembers the exact date that he took on the flag duty, because it was Sept. 11, 2012. There, of course, was a proclamation to lower the flags that day in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but when he arrived at work, he saw they weren’t at half-staff. So, he took it upon himself.

That was almost 8 years ago, and he continues to perform the duty today.

Researchers at Harvard say masks, air circulation & cleaning make air travel safe

Alaska’s robust 100+ layers of safety—from mandatory masks, to more space and enhanced cleaning—are making travel safe, according to a new study released by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Recent findings from the report indicates air travel “is as safe or substantially safer” than the routine activities “such as grocery shopping or eating out.” Similar studies also support aircraft are among the safest indoor environments in the world.

These new insights by the researchers at Harvard indicate multiple layers of precautions like mask-wearing, diligent cleaning protocols and advanced ventilation and filtration systems can effectively reduce the risk of COVID-19 disease transmission during air travel.

Interview with Dr. Leonard Marcus on APHI Phase One Report:

How to reduce the risk of COVID-19 while flying:

Fly healthy and with your mask on.

No mask? No travel. When you have to face the world, we want to make sure we’re all doing it safely—and with each other in mind.

According to the study, the universal use of face masks were the most essential way to reduce COVID-19 transmission during air travel. For the safety of everyone, as part of Alaska’s Next-Level Care, guests must complete a health agreement and comply with our mask policy to fly.

The vast majority of flyers follow our strict mask policy. Guests who refuse to wear masks on board or at the airport, will be banned. So far, more than 145 individuals have been suspended from flying with us for a period of time for failing to comply with this necessary safety precaution.

Clean, filtered air plus advanced ventilation and filtration are critical.

The risk assessment from this study, among other studies, reinforce air filtration and ventilation systems are a crucial part of lowering the risk of COVID-19 transmission on board.

Every Alaska aircraft is equipped with airflow systems that are comparable to what’s found in hospitals. We operate using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters that remove more than 99% of airborne particles (even the size that causes COVID-19). The study by the researchers at Harvard showed passengers and crew members breathe a combination of 50% filtered and 50% fresh outside air every 2-3 minutes, which is consistent on Alaska and Horizon Air flights.

The air onboard is filtered not just in flight, but also during boarding and while guests exit the plane.

Every Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air aircraft is equipped with HEPA filters.

Additional processes to prioritize the disinfection of high-touch surfaces between flights.

EO alcohol-based, relaxing French lavender-scented sanitizing wipes are available to guests on all Alaska and Horizon Air flights.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the study found airlines’ disinfection processes dramatically increased in frequency and intensity, reducing the indirect spread of infection through contaminated surfaces on aircraft.

Between every flight, dedicated cleaning crews clean the most critical areas of our aircraft using a high-grade EPA disinfectant.* We’re also using electrostatic disinfectant sprayers, which emit a safe, high-grade EPA cleaning solution that sanitizes high-touch surfaces, such as overhead bins, armrests, tray tables, seatbelts, lavatories and more.

Once complete, our procedures are thoroughly audited by a crew leader, who signs and validates a cleaning certificate. Alaska’s cleaning procedures are in line with guidelines and cleaning recommendations from manufacturers and exceed CDC recommendations.

Read the full comprehensive report by visiting npli.sph.harvard.edu.

5 ways to make your trip to Hawaii as smooth as possible using Pre-Clear

Alaska Airlines President Ben Minicucci and Alaska employees visited Hawaii on the very first day of the pre-travel testing program last week to experience it first hand and to meet with local officials.

Hawaii began to welcome visitors back to its beautiful islands in October with its pre-travel testing program. The new program allows anyone entering the state who tests negative for COVID-19 in advance to proceed without the current 10-day mandatory quarantine.

Update Dec 3: All travelers to the islands must have a negative test result BEFORE beginning the final leg of their trip. Anyone without a negative test result PRIOR to departure must quarantine upon arrival. Learn more The negative test result must be uploaded onto Safe Travels prior to departure or printed out prior to departure and hard copy in hand when arriving in Hawai‘i.

We had to see for ourselves what the first wave of travel to Hawaii was like for our guests and employees. President Ben Minicucci and other Alaska employees packed their bags, tested negative for COVID-19 and flew to the Aloha State on the very first day of the program last week. Below are their tips to make your journey as smooth as possible.

“With all the enhanced safety measures we’ve put into our Next-Level Care, when Alaska guests are ready to fly, we’re ready to take them where they want to go,” said Minicucci. “As more of our guests fly to Hawaii, it’s important to take care of one another and the islands by visiting responsibly, wearing your mask and following the state’s safety guidelines.”

1. Get tested.

Getting a negative COVID test before traveling to Hawaii is key to enjoying the islands without sitting in a hotel room to quarantine.

“Once you find out you’re COVID-negative, the goal is to hold onto that status as long as possible before your flight—you can always run to the store to buy sunscreen when you land,” said Alaska photographer Ingrid Barrentine.

Within 72 hours of flying to Honolulu, Minicucci and others were tested for COVID-19 using Alaska’s testing providers, which offer rapid and standard COVID-19 testing — these options are available by appointment in-person, at-home, or drive-thru. If you’re making plans to travel to Hawaii, follow all travel guidelines and use a testing provider approved by the Hawaii Department of Health. Only test results from trusted partners, completed within 72 hours of travel, will be accepted in order to be exempt from the 14-day mandatory quarantine.

Steps to enter Hawaii with your test results:

Step 1: Go to Hawaii’s Safe Travels website: https://travel.hawaii.gov/#/
Step 2: Create an account and add your trip information. Within 24 hours before your flight, log back into your account to complete the state’s health questionnaire and upload a PDF of your negative COVID-19 test from one of Hawaii’s trusted testing partners. When all of that information is complete, you will receive a QR code.
Step 3: When you get off the plane and enter the gate area, your temperature will be automatically taken by a thermal screening image camera.
Step 4: Be prepared to show state officials your QR code by clicking “trips” in your Safe Travels account. You may also need this QR code when you check into your hotel.

Watch how to get your QR code.

If you must quarantine, most hotels just give out a one-time use room key to ensure visitors don’t leave their rooms until their test results come back negative, or the mandatory time period is complete. This policy is in place to protect the islands from the spread of COVID-19 and is a good reason to get tested before you travel!

As part of our standard flight check-in process no matter where you fly, every guest must complete a health agreement. For your safety and of those around you, the agreement confirms you have not exhibited COVID-19 symptoms in the past 72 hours, have not been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive, and will bring and wear a face covering in the airport and on board.

2. Mind your wingspan at the airport.

Most airports around the country have stepped up their safety protocols to ensure the safety of travelers and employees. At any Alaska Airlines touchpoint, we’re giving you the tools you need to feel confident about your travels such as the ability to print your bag tags, touch-free using our mobile app. You can also expect our countertops to be topped with plexiglass shields and the floors and walls to be covered with social distancing signage as a reminder to stay six feet apart.

“This was my first time flying since March and I noticed a huge difference in the amount of safety precautions since COVID happened,” said Barrentine. “Everyone was wearing a mask and sanitizer and plexiglass dividers are everywhere you look.”

3. Enjoy the flight.

Cleanliness and safety have always been our top priority, but the next level involves techniques that reduce the already low risk of onboard transmission inflight such as enhanced cleaning procedures, mandatory masks and limiting the number of guests on our flights and blocking seats through January 2021.

Through January 6, 2021, middle seats are blocked and we’re capping the number of guests on our flights. Gate agents may reassign seats to create more space between guests or to seat families traveling together, which may include the use of the middle seats. There can be occasions where extra space cannot be guaranteed due to unforeseen changes such as reaccommodating guests from a previously canceled flight. If you’re uncomfortable with the distance between you and others on your day of flight, please speak with a customer service agent about your options.

4. Welcome to Hawaii.

Upon arriving at Hawaii’s airports, it might feel similar to going through airport customs in Mexico or Europe. Anticipate long wait times for the arrival screening process, which vary by island.

Speed up the process: Hawaii Pre-Clear has arrived! To help speed things up for you and your fellow travelers, Alaska Airlines guests are now able to pre-clear at the departure gate, and bypass airport screening upon arrival in Hawaii. Learn more.

Please be sure you have uploaded your test results (PDF file) to your Safe Travels account and completed the mandatory online health questionnaire prior to your arrival.

5. Travel responsibly.

With more people flying to Hawaii again, the islands are asking visitors to malama, to “care for” each other, for local communities and for the land. As visitors, you’re encouraged to keep one another healthy by following safe health practices like always wearing a mask in public, and to experience the destination on a deeper level—to buy local, learn about local history and culture, and give back to Hawaii.

“We love the concept of malama, which means to care for the land and to care for the people,” said Minicucci. “Caring is such a big part of what Alaska’s all about. It’s part of our core values and that’s why we’re going to take great care as we start flying more people to the islands and will work closely with local officials to make sure we’re doing the right thing and are great stewards of travel to and from Hawaii.”

During their visit, Minicucci and Alaska employees did their part to help protect and preserve Hawaii for the future by planting native trees and learning the history of the land at Gunstock Ranch on Oahu’s North Shore, in collaboration with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative and the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach.

“Every time I travel to Hawaii I am inspired by the amazing natural beauty of the islands. But we are each responsible for ensuring that beauty sustains for our children, grandchildren, and the people of Hawaii,” said Alaska’s vice president of external relations, Diana Birkett Rakow. “We’re conscious as an airline about our impact, and responsible for reducing it. And if each of us as individuals brings a reusable bottle, plants trees, and supports local business, we will come out of this pandemic stronger together.”

Fly Alaska to Hawaii.

Alaska currently flies to each of the four major Hawaiian Islands with twice daily service from Seattle. On Nov. 1, Alaska’s nonstop service to Hawaii will resume from Portland, Oregon; San Jose, California; and San Diego, California. Hawaii service will begin from Anchorage, Alaska and Los Angeles on Nov. 20.

Book your next trip today!

Related:

Alaska Airlines and Microsoft are making travel a little greener—see how you can reduce your carbon footprint

Alaska Airlines and Microsoft will fly more sustainably thanks to the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by SkyNRG to cover Microsoft employee travel on the routes they fly most. Microsoft has ambitious sustainability goals, including a commitment to be carbon negative by 2030 and remove all historical carbon emissions by 2050. We’re grateful for the opportunity to support them on this path.

SAF is produced from sustainable resources, including feedstocks and waste oils, and is an important way for the aviation industry to reduce CO2 emissions on a life cycle basis.

“As an airline, we are responsible for reducing the negative environmental impacts of air travel in our community and the communities where we operate. To do that, we’re focused on ongoing efforts to improve our operational efficiency, including growing our use and the market for SAF,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of external relations at Alaska Airlines. “We believe deeply in the transformational benefits of air travel. It’s what connects people—and helps communities worldwide grow and thrive. We know to continue to deliver these benefits, we must operate sustainably.”

We’re excited about this milestone and remain committed to a long journey of reducing carbon emissions, including creating a marketplace for SAF, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. More than a decade ago, we were one of the first airlines to demonstrate the use of SAF in passenger travel, and by managing a fuel-efficient fleet and using technology to make flight paths most efficient, we have reduced its intensity target of Greenhouse Gas emissions by 16% since 2012. But there is a lot more work to do, and many partners on this journey, from airports like our home hub SEA to California hubs and research institutions. 

So today, we also announced a two-year investment with Washington State University to support additional research at the WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute to advance the mid- and long-term development of SAF as an economically viable option, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. 

What if I don’t work for Microsoft, but want to offset your carbon footprint? Good news! Travelers can invest in carbon offsets from our new partner The Good Traveler, which is then invests in carbon reduction projects that restore the climate balance. Since the inception of the program, more than 667 million miles have been flown and with the help of The Good Traveler – who also partners with airports from SEA to SFO and beyond – and 229 million pounds of CO2 has been removed from the air through funding projects like planting trees, protecting habitats, composting waste and using renewable energy.

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