alk tail logo

Alaska Airlines

Alaska

HA tail logo

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian

Q
magnifying glass with dark circle in the middle.
Sign up for news

News hub

Hawaiian Airlines to Transport Austinites to Paradise with Interactive Scavenger Hunt

HA.com Images_COVID Test Options_Austin_GettyImages-502584545-AUS 1_mid

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is transporting Austin residents from the mundane to the majestic with the launch of a two-day immersive experience that takes participants on an interactive scavenger hunt for the chance to win a dream trip to Hawaiʻi, among other instant prizes.

“As the only airline offering nonstop service between Austin and Hawaiʻi, we are excited to share our culture in such a fun and unique way with the city of Austin,” says Rob Sorensen, vice president, marketing and e-commerce at Hawaiian Airlines. “Through this two-day activation, we’re giving Austinites the opportunity to leave their worries behind and be transported into our aircraft to view clues that can lead them to a much-desired Hawaiʻi vacation. Along the way, we’ll also be sharing other fun prizes, including fresh flower lei and shave ice as a ‘mahalo’ for warmly welcoming us the past year and a half.”

Austin_GettyImages-502584545-AUS 1

 

Hawaiian, which launched its nonstop Honolulu-Austin service in April 2021 and operates three-weekly flights, will kick off the experience at the popular outdoor shopping center The Domain in Austin on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Participants will be directed to make their way to a brightly-colored rainbow installation – reminiscent of the rainbows often seen in Hawaiʻi – where they can peer into a virtual airplane window that will showcase high-fidelity, real 3D elements that give the illusion of landing in Honolulu. A pilot’s voice will then invite the guest to participate in an exhilarating scavenger hunt to locate three additional airplane windows in the nearby area using clues offered through a QR code. Hawaiian Airlines’ employees will support guests throughout their Window Seat journey as they make their way from window to window, learning fun facts about the Hawaiian Islands, and ultimately entering for a chance to win a Hawaiʻi vacation.

One grand prize winner of The Window Seat activation will win two First Class roundtrip tickets* on Hawaiian Airlines and a five-night stay at The Prince Waikiki Hotel. All participants are eligible to win instant prizes including fresh flower lei, Hawaiian Airlines travel swag, and 120,000 HawaiianMiles, the equivalent to two roundtrip tickets between Austin and Hawaiʻi. Lastly, all Window Seat participants will be offered complimentary shave ice.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void outside the eligibility area & where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years or older at time of game play. Begins 11:00 am CT on 9/30/22; ends 6:00 pm CT on 10/1/22. For Official Rules and eligibility, visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com/Promotions/Window-Seat-Activation.

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 93rd 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.

Hawaiian Inspires Local Youth to Dream Big at Annual Girls in Aviation Day

Working a job in travel and aviation is as exciting as it gets. For the 8th annual Girls in Aviation Day (Sept. 24), 60 Hawaiian Airlines employees from across the company volunteered to give a group of 40 future female leaders a glimpse into a career at Hawaiʻi’s hometown carrier. 

1N8A4375

Students tried out inflight safety demonstrations and asked questions about flight attendants' responsibilities inside an aircraft cabin mock-up used for training.

 

Girls in Aviation Day, organized locally by the Women in Aviation International (WAI) Aloha Chapter, drew young girls from Oʻahu, ages 12 to 17, to Hawaiian Airlines' Honolulu headquarters. On Saturday, the WAI Aloha Chapter and Hawaiian's Women in Aviation Employee Resource Group (WIA ERG) joined Chief Operating Officer Jon Snook in welcoming the eager students before embarking on a series of interactive, behind-the-scenes activities. 

Hawaiian Airlines COO Jon Snook

Hawaiian Airlines Chief Operating Officer Jon Snook welcomed the group of students at the carrier's Honolulu headquarters.

 

Throughout the day, each student received one-on-one mentorship from employees who shared their expertise, from maintenance and engineering to flight attendants and pilots. They also demoed exercises in the carrier’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner simulator and inflight training facilities, tested tools used daily to maintain its 61-aircraft fleet, learned about various corporate roles, and listened to the different career paths of Hawaiian employees.

1N8A4365

Students listened to employees explain a selection of instruments used at Hawaiian's Honolulu maintenance and engineering hangar.

 

“I think it’s important to the girls to see other women with careers in aviation. For me, I love being able to share my experience,” said Elouisa Oki, manager of engineering at Hawaiian Airlines. “At the end of the day, we want them to know and believe that they can do anything if they set their heart to it. That’s the bottom line.”

1N8A4362

Oki showed the girls samples of aircraft materials and explained her role in technical operations.

 

Members of the Scouts USA Kailua Girl Troop 311 and the Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi also joined the events, leveraging their Girls in Aviation Day experiences to earn a special aviation merit badge. Requirements for their badges included identifying and describing different aircraft types and explaining the primary control surfaces used from takeoff to landing.

Boeing 787 SIM

Hawaiian Airlines pilots explained how the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner simulator is used for pilot training.

 

“The full flight simulator was quite a complete experience to earn their merit badge,” said Joelle Simonpietri, assistant scoutmaster for Troop 311. “We appreciated the opportunity from Women in Aviation International, and a big mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines’ Wahine in Aviation group for their generous hosting of our eager Scouts. Our young girl leaders were given front row access to Hawaiian Airlines pilots, flight attendants, engineers, and the other supporting work groups necessary to support a large airline.”

1N8A4387

Flight attendants demonstrated how a life raft is used during an emergency water landing.

“Exposing Hawaiʻi’s youth to aviation early on is an extension of our company’s purpose and values,” shared event co-organizer Celinda LoBosco, manager of material planning and WIA ERG member at Hawaiian Airlines. “We want to show our hoʻokipa (hospitality) and ensure that everyone – including the next generation – feels they have equal access to opportunities in the aviation industry.”

1N8A4397

Employees across Hawaiian Airlines sat down with Girls in Aviation Day participants and answered their career questions.

 

“We’re so thrilled to be able to host Girls in Aviation Day again this year, and I hope to see some of their faces at Hawaiian Airlines in the future,” LoBosco added.

Alaska pilots are inspiring young women to pursue careers in the skies

Kim, also a 2022 Customer Service Legend, one of our company’s highest honors.

San Francisco Base Chief Pilot Kim was a young girl when she learned about flying.

“I was surrounded by neighbors and family friends, all of whom were pilots; I used to think how lucky those guys were to get to fly for a living,” Kim recently told a crowd attending the Silicon Valley Business Journal Women of Influencer Awards. “I was fascinated with anything having to do with flying and airplanes.”

But it wasn’t until years later, when she met a woman who was a commercial airline pilot, that she realized becoming a captain was actually in her reach.

“It was my ‘ah-ha’ moment that changed the trajectory of my life and ultimately brought me to Alaska Airlines,” she said.

Kim not only became a pilot – she’s made sure to teach young girls that the sky is the limit for them in the aviation industry.

“When I see a young child, I recognize the importance of stopping and taking the time and putting forth the effort to answer their questions and talk to them,” she says. “I feel like you never know when their ‘aha moment’ will happen like mine did.”

For the last 30 years, Kim has flown the Boeing 727, 737 and Airbus 320. Before her recent promotion to Base Chief Pilot, Kim was a captain and check pilot. She trained new pilots and helped with captain upgrades and proficiency checks for existing captains.

Kim makes Alaska proud as a skilled pilot but also because of her commitment to giving back.

She volunteers for the non-profit organization Pilots for Kids in San Francisco, which aims to bring a smile to young cancer patients at John Muir Medical Center by simulating “first flight” experiences.

From the comfort of their beds, the patients pretend they’re pilots taking off and landing their first flight as Kim and her colleagues act as the first officer and air traffic controller.

“I remember a young boy who was having a very difficult time, and you could hear him going, ‘Mom, this is the best hospital ever,’” Kim said. “You’re wiping the tears off your eyes because it’s pretty profound.”

Kim was among a group of volunteers who also painted a smiling airplane over a plain, white wall in the room where children receive chemotherapy at John Muir Health.

It may be no surprise to many that Kim was recently named a recipient of Alaska Airlines’ Legends Award, one of the company’s highest honors, for her accomplishments in the sky and on the ground.

It feels profoundly humbling to be in the company of people I admire and respect,” Kim said. “I feel like it’s a recognition of what all of us try to do every day in taking care of each other and our guests. It’s pretty special.”

From the classroom to the big stage: Alaska surprises HBCU students with trip to legacy Monterey Jazz Festival

When Texas Southern University Student Braylon Walker is performing his bass instrument on stage, his eyes are locked on the audience—making sure they’re connecting with his music and that it’s bringing them joy.

“I’ve wanted to be not just a musician but an entertainer,” said Braylon. “I love getting up there, letting people have a good time and understand the story I’m trying to tell.”

This weekend, Braylon will tell a story through his music at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest-running jazz festival in the world.

Braylon, a Texas Southern University (TSU) jazz performance major, is not going alone. Alaska surprised Braylon and about 40 HBCU choir and jazz students from TSU and Morgan State University with an all-expenses paid trip to the festival where they’ve been invited to perform.

“For a lot of us, this is the first time going to a big jazz festival,” Braylon said. “Some people have never been on a plane or could never have afforded it. I’m one of those people. I’m super grateful.”

During their flight from Washington D.C. to San Francisco, Alaska Customer Service Agent and recording artist Lauren “Ruby Woo” Brown suddenly broke out in song mid-flight. Moments later, the MSU choir and jazz ensemble students joined Lauren and serenaded guests with the song “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” [Download video]

“When we learned how much it would cost to fly students to the Monterey Jazz Festival, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to ensure there were no barriers to attending one of the best music festivals on the West Coast,” said David Tucker, Managing Director of Public Affairs in California. “We want this experience to be the beginning of many firsts, with stories that will be shared for years to come.”

Customer Service Agent Lauren singing onboard with Morgan State University’s choir & jazz ensemble students.

And, look out ’cause here’s Texas Southern:

Meanwhile, guests boarding their flight from Houston to Monterey also enjoyed an unexpected live performance by TSU students. [Download video]

https://vimeo.com/752329828
Texas Southern University students singing at Alaska Gate C16E in Houston on their way to The Monterey Jazz Festival.

We had one more surprise for the students. The musically gifted group learned they would fly on the specially designed Our Commitment plane from Washington D.C. to Monterey. In 2021, the livery was created with UNCF to show Alaska Airlines’ joint commitment to education and advancing racial equity.

Photos courtesy of Texas Southern University

“I’m excited that we can use the gift of flight to bring students to Monterey for this legendary event,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci, who also serves on the UNCF Board of Directors. “Our ongoing support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities is one of the ways that we are living our commitment to advancing education and inclusion. We want our airline to be a place where everyone belongs, and we know we’re stronger when everyone has equal opportunity and a seat at the table.”

Q&A WITH TSU STUDENT BRAYLON WALKER 

BRAYLON WALKER
Texas Southern University
Senior,  Jazz Ensemble Major, Bass player

What does it mean to you and your classmates to go to a festival like this? Not just to attend, but to perform? It’s super meaningful. It means a lot to see what we can become by looking at the people who’ve gone before us and for them to talk to us and reassure us that it can (sic) happen. It makes me feel like the path I’m choosing, the path I’ve spent seven years of my life trying to do, is coming to fruition. It’s happening.

How do you feel about the fact that we are supporting not just students, this next generation, but HBCUs? We’re more than thankful and feel very blessed to have that kind of relationship with many people who want to help us out or open the door to go to these types of venues. I’m blessed you guys are allowing it to happen to us.

What’s the sentiment with the rest of the choir and jazz ensemble students? The art form we want to be in can’t be done to heart inside a classroom. You have to live in the music to be able to make the music. You’ve got to feel it, you’ve got to live inside it, you got to know where this stuff is coming from, and there’s no better way to do it than going to where it’s at – living in the streets of it and hearing it every day when you wake up. 

What are you hoping to get out of the festival? First and foremost, I want to put on a good show. I want to show people that we got the stuff for it. And, my favorite singer Kurt Elling is there, and I want to give him a high five.

After this, what are you hoping for in your musical career? I finally got this urge, maybe a year ago, to dedicate myself to music, so I want to do that. I want to start going to the studio, to create, to collaborate with people. I want to do a podcast. I want all of it. I’m finally reassured that this is something I want to live in. 

Hands in the Sand, Hawaiian Airlines Joins the New Zealand Sea Cleaners in Caring for Oʻahu’s Northern Coastline

It’s been three years since the New Zealand Sea Cleaners last stepped foot on the Hawaiian Islands as part of its mission to remove rubbish from coastlines and beaches. Last week, the nonprofit teamed up with Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaiʻi Tourism Oceania (HTO) to end its pandemic-ensued hiatus. Hayden Smith, who founded the Sea Cleaners in 2002 to protect New Zealand coastlines, gathered 10 youth ambassadors, including four Kiwi, four Aussie and two Hawaiʻi participants, to embark on an environmental stewardship experience of a lifetime.

DSC06609

 

In commemorating International Coastal Cleanup Day (Saturday, Sept. 17), the Sea Cleaners youth ambassadors gathered at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, an oceanside system of protected lands, marshes and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The group worked alongside 14 Hawaiian Airlines Team Kōkua volunteers and representatives from HTO, the Oʻahu Visitors Bureau and the Australian Consulate-General. In total, volunteers removed nearly 800 gallons of debris.

DSC06791

 

“We’re trying to teach these youth ambassadors about the impact of plastics on our oceans. Where the Hawaiian Islands are situated geographically in the Pacific Ocean, the shores get inundated with plastic debris washing ashore from all different directions, so it’s been an eye-opening experience for many of them,” Smith said. “Our intent during this trip is to be good tourists, leave the place better than when they found it, and educate these youth from around Oceania so when they go home, they can share their stories amongst their own community and help with slowing down the waste stream entering the Pacific in the first place.”

IMG_0919

 

Tucked away on Oʻahu’s northeastern shore, James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary for endangered waterbirds, migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, seabirds, native plant species, Hawaiian monk seals, and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Despite having few visitors, the coastline is a hot spot for trash, fishing nets and buoys, and plastics that ride ocean currents until they wash up on shore.

DSC06561

 

The Sea Cleaners and its youth ambassadors arrived on Oʻahu on Sept. 13 via Hawaiian’s nonstop Auckland and Sydney flights. Before International Coastal Cleanup Day, the group hosted educational presentations at schools, cleaned beaches with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi, volunteered with Nā Kama Kai and engaged in various voluntourism experiences through the Mālama Hawaiʻi program.

DSC06689

 

“This initiative has a close fit with the concept of mālama and shows how that concept can be incorporated into and is vital to the visitor industry,” said Darragh Walshe, New Zealand country manager for Hawaiʻi Tourism Oceania. “Regenerative tourism is all about people caring, connecting, collaborating and learning about values important to the place they visit. This group has been here for just a few days, and they’ve already helped with beach cleanups, worked with and learned from several local nonprofit leaders, shared ideas with other students, and engaged in impactful, hands-on voluntourism experiences.”

DSC06729

 

“Our partnership with the Sea Cleaners began in 2019 with two cross-cultural exchanges – one in New Zealand and another in Hawaiʻi – and continues to thrive,” said Lindsey O’Neil, a New Zealand-based sales executive at Hawaiian Airlines who helped escort the youth ambassadors. “Their work is so important, and we're proud to team up with them and Hawaiʻi Tourism Oceania in protecting shorelines across Hawaiʻi, Australia and New Zealand.”

DSC06760

 

In addition to supporting nonprofits like the Sea Cleaners, Hawaiian Airlines has focused on encouraging guests to help protect Hawaiʻi by educating those arriving in the Hawaiian Islands on how to travel safely and responsibly via a Travel Pono (responsibly) in-flight video. The five-minute spot launched in September 2021 and airs before landing on all inbound transpacific flights.

DSC06594

 

“Today was inspiring and proof that every individual’s action matters. This week has been a joy, and we feel so fortunate to be able to play a role in fostering the next generation of eco-leaders,” O’Neil said.

Alaska Mileage Plan Members can give miles to support great causes

Recently our team had a ball at Alaska’s hangar—cheering, dodging, ducking, dipping and diving—for the annual OnBlast Dodgeball Tournament benefiting childhood cancer research at Seattle Children’s Hospital.  

Seattle Children’s is one of Alaska’s Care Miles partners and uses the donated miles to fly in young patients and their families for much needed treatments.  

Children handmade thank you notes for Alaska’s Maintenance team at the hangar.

Our CARE Miles program (formerly known as LIFT Miles) offers Mileage Plan™ members a unique and meaningful way to support important causes. Miles donated to this program support charities with business travel, accommodation of special organization requests and achievement of the organization’s mission. 

Throughout the year, our Care Miles program helps us give back to the places we fly, make wishes come true for children, to honor our nation’s heroes with travel to see the war memorials in Washington D.C., and to make all feel welcome flying with us—and much more.  

Mileage Plan members with at least a 1,000 miles credit in their account can donate Care Miles at alaskaair.com/donatemiles. Bonus: Donating will help keep your account active if you haven’t been flying or redeeming as frequently. 

Last year, more than 93,700,000 miles were donated by Alaska Mileage Plan members, valued at around $2.6 million to support the following organizations:  

Alaska CARE Miles support charities with business travel, accommodation of special organization requests and achievement of the organization’s mission.

Learn more about donating Care Miles. 

First Mother-Daughter Pilot Team Makes History at Hawaiian Airlines

Two Hawaiian Airlines pilots this week made history by becoming the first mother-daughter pilot team in the carrier’s 93-year history.

Captain Kamelia Zarka and her daughter, First Officer Maria Zarka flew the Pacific skies together on Sept. 1, sharing the flight deck of a Boeing 717 aircraft as they operated a series of Neighbor Island flights. The duo also personally welcomed guests onboard, took selfies with colleagues and encouraged young girls passing by to follow their dreams.

DSC00027

Image credit: Bryan Shirota

“Flying for Hawaiian Airlines with my daughter, side-by-side in the cockpit, was a dream come true for me. I always knew Maria would be a fantastic pilot – she’s always been brilliant and professional – but sitting next to her as she flew the plane with such skill and ease still blew me away,” Kamelia reflected.

Kamelia joined Hawaiian Airlines as a flight attendant in 1992 and became a pilot in 1999, which led her to be the first Tongan woman to captain a commercial airline. Maria, who flew with Republic Airlines in New Jersey for two years, was hired by Hawaiian Airlines in April 2022.

DSC09772

Image credit: Bryan Shirota

“Everybody always tells me how amazing it is to fly with my mom and today I got to experience that. She’s an amazing pilot and learning from her is learning from one of the best. Now I call her ‘Capt. Mom’,” Maria shared.

DSC00043

Image credit: Bryan Shirota

Maria added, “I feel fortunate to have a mom who cares so much and has worked hard to pave the way for other females and me as the first Tongan female to captain a commercial airline. And now it’s my turn. I’m looking forward to continuing my mom’s legacy while making my own mark as a Hawaiian Airlines pilot.”

Start Stretching! Hawaiian Airlines Debuts Its Third Annual Holoholo Challenge with Hawaiʻi Island Inspired Routes

HONOLULU – Calling all runners, joggers and walkers to the starting line! Beginning today, athletes of all levels can sign up for the third annual Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge. The Hawaiʻi inspired fitness experience runs throughout October and invites participants worldwide to track their progress with virtual routes inspired by scenic roads that wind through Hawaiʻi Island – also known as the Big Island.

HHC22-Logo-Color

 

“Each year, the Holoholo Challenge has been a fun way for Hawaiʻi lovers to commit to their personal wellbeing while virtually exploring the Hawaiian Islands – no matter where they are in the world,” said Rob Sorensen, vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “The Big Island is considered a world-class destination for endurance fitness, making it the perfect place for Holoholo athletes to get inspired and go BIG with their challenges.”

HOLOHOLO_8

 

Participants can take on one of two virtual courses: a solo 50-mile run/walk on Saddle Road, the high-elevation highway that stretches from Hilo to Waimea, passing between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, or a 125-mile solo run/walk or team relay across the southern section of Hawai‘i Belt Road, starting in the rainforests of Hilo, through Kaʻū, and ending in the lava fields of Kona. Holoholo Challengers will also be encouraged to donate to Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit working to protect a 32,830-acre parcel on the Island of Hawaiʻi that is home to 29 critically endangered species including seven birds, one insect, one mammal and 20 plants found nowhere else in the world.

HOLOHOLO_10

 

“The Holoholo Challenge continues to expose Hawaiʻi nonprofits to new audiences and bring awareness to their important role in sustaining our islands’ environment, culture and communities. We are inspired by the Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and excited to support their work,” added Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines.

Those embarking on this year’s month-long challenge can stay motivated by creating a team, printing a bib to add to their race memorabilia, challenging friends or working out to Spotify playlists curated by Hawaiʻi’s hometown airline. Registrants can also learn about Hawaiʻi Island’s rich culture, history and unique geography on the Holoholo Challenge website, sign up for regular emails notifying them of their progress along the digital route, and join the popular Holoholo Challenge community on Facebook. Participants posting about their journey on social media can also use #HoloholoChallenge for a chance to be featured on Hawaiian Airlines’ channels.

HOLOHOLO_13

 

Finishers of the challenge will receive a collectible Hawaiʻi Island Holoholo Challenge medal, a choice of a limited-edition apparel item and an exclusive postcard map designed by POW! WOW! Hawaii Artist Aaron Kai. Those who refer friends to join the Holoholo Challenge can earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles. HawaiianMiles members and Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®  cardholders will receive 20% off registration. Cardholders can also earn three HawaiianMiles for every dollar spent during sign-up.

HOLOHOLO_1

 

Hawaiian introduced the Holoholo Challenge in October 2020 to foster wellness and connection amid times of heightened isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions. The virtual race debuted with two Oʻahu courses and attracted nearly 12,000 participants from Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland who completed approximately 852,700 miles. In 2021, the carrier introduced four new Maui routes and brought in 8,333 participants who completed nearly 595,000 miles. Since the Holoholo Challenge’s inception, participants have raised nearly $120,000 for nonprofits in Hawaiʻi.

To learn more, visit HoloholoChallenge.com.

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 93rd 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 16 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.

10 travel tips to soak up the last of summer

Summer may be quickly turning into fall, but that doesn’t mean traveling is over. Whether you’re looking for one last summer trip or an early fall getaway, here are 10 travel tips to make your experience care-free as possible:

1. Download Alaska’s mobile app.

Our app is the perfect travel companion from the day you start shopping for flights, all the way through to the moment you arrive at your destination. You can use it to plan your trip, skip the lines and get your digital boarding pass right at your finger tips.

Download the Alaska Airlines app for iPhone or Android before your next flight (you’ll be glad you did!). ✈️

2. Check in and pre-order your favorite meal.

Check in for your flight online or with the Alaska Airlines app to save time waiting in ticket counter lines. You can also pre-order your favorite snacks to freshly prepared meals ahead your flight. Meal orders are open 14 days before departure.

Pro tip: Mileage Plan members can store a method of payment in their Mileage Plan account for touch-free inflight purchases, including food and beverages. Join/Sign in Mileage Plan

Learn how pre-order works

3. Give yourself time.

Get to the airport at least two hours before your domestic flight departs, and three hours before your international flight. This should give you plenty of time to park, see one of our agents, check your bags and make your way through security.

Visit our airport guides before your trip for recommended arrival times, ticket counter hours, airport services and more. Remember: We begin boarding flights 30 minutes before takeoff. 

4. Enroll in a Trusted Traveler program.

Save time through security with SEA Spot Saver, a reservation program to get you through the security process quicker in Seattle. Similar spot saver programs are also at CHS, EWR, MCO, PHX, YYC.

You can also enroll in a trusted traveler program like TSA Pre✓®, Global Entry, Nexus, or SENTRI. Membership in these programs gives you access to dedicated TSA Pre✓® lanes at more than 200 airports nationwide.

5. Save time by checking your bags

You’ll likely make it through the security line quicker by checking your bags. You can pay for your bags in the mobile app, and print bag tags by simply scanning your boarding pass at an airport kiosk—if you’re flying out of San Jose, look for our tablets in the lobby.

Before you go, brush up on our checked baggage policy to save time at the airport. To make your vacation even more fun, you can bring most sports equipment for the cost of a checked bag. (Be sure to check the approved list of equipment.)

As a reminder, Alaska has a 20-minute baggage claim guarantee.

6. Follow the carry-on guidelines.

To ensure your carry-on bag will be accepted aboard all flights on your journey, we’ve changed our carry-on size limit to 22″ x 14″ x 9”. When measuring your bag, be sure to include the wheels, handle and expandable pockets in the total measurement.

You are allowed one carry-on bag, plus one smaller personal item. TSA allows you to carry on one quart-sized bag of liquids – aerosols, gels, creams and pastes that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Keep the liquids bag easily accessible, so that it’s simple for you to drop it into the security bin without digging through your carry-on bag at the checkpoint.

More questions? Read our guidelines for carry-on baggage. Also, don’t pack your carry-on bag too full, as densely packed, cluttered bags take longer to scan and screen at the security checkpoint.

7. Simplify going through security.

To breeze through the security line try this:

  • Have your boarding pass and ID 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 allowing those behind you to do the same.

8. Know what to leave behind.

As you pack, reference the prohibited and restricted items checklist, and make sure you know what’s in your suitcase. You can also use the “Can I bring?” feature on TSA’s app, MyTSA, to learn whether an item is allowed in carry-on baggage, checked luggage or if it should be left at home.

If you’re heading on an outdoor adventure, certain items are prohibited from checked and carry-on bags because they are considered dangerous goods. Don’t pack camping stoves with the residue of flammable liquid, bear repellant, fuel (white gas, propane, sterno, etc.), lighters, matches or wet ice.

Be especially aware of restrictions regarding lithium ion batteries, and devices that use them, including phones, cameras, e-cigarettes, drones, hoverboards and smart luggage/e-bags. If you plan to check a smart bag, the lithium battery must be removed and carried on the plane.

9. Kiddos can travel solo.

If you have kids who will be flying by themselves, visit our site to learn about how to book their flights, download the required forms, and discover the different types of care we offer kids of all ages.

To expedite the process, fill out the Guardian Contact Form before arriving at the airport. This will ensure the safety of your child.

Be sure to allow extra time for check-in and plan on staying in the boarding area until the flight departs.

10. Plan ahead for pet travel.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with our pet travel policies well before you fly. An important note: pets cannot travel in the baggage compartment or in the First Class cabin on Airbus aircraft, which are flight numbers 1000-1999.

Feeling the summer heat? For the welfare of your pet, we may have to deny transportation of any animal when extreme temperatures are evident on the day of departure. To be safe, choose flights that depart and arrive during cooler hours of the day, avoiding midday flights if possible.

If you’re traveling with a service animal, be aware that only service animal permitted on Alaska Airlines is a service dog. Read through our updated policy on support animals for all the documents and timelines you’ll need.

Now, time to relax.

You just fought traffic all the way to the airport, parked like a pro and got through security with all your belongings. Reward yourself with a drink, snack and comfortable spot in airports with Alaska Lounges.

Trailblazing trans pilot Jessica helps ensure transgender pilots soar 

Not many pilots can say they’ve worked to pave the way for an entire generation of trans pilots, but Alaska First Officer Jessica can, and she continues to pave the way for trans aviators to soar.   

Jessica transitioned to presenting as a female in 2012, three years after obtaining her airline pilot certification. For Jessica, the decision was about honesty and truth—to herself and others. Complying with additional and lengthy Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical and psychological clearances was another barrier she was ready to break down for herself and other trans pilots. In some cases, the extensive clearances resulted in trans pilots being grounded for up to two years to review their cases. 

“When I transitioned from male to female in 2014, the FAA saw this [being trans] as a disorder. For many transgender humans, we know this not to be a life-limiting diagnosis, but rather a side effect or gender flaw at birth,” she says. “So, I gathered a team of congressional support and went to work to create meaningful change.” 

Jessica and other advocates worked with the FAA to create more inclusive guidelines for trans pilots. She volunteered to serve as a case study to change the term “gender identity disorder” to “gender dysphoria” in the Aviation Medical Examiners guide to match the terminology in the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH).  

“Together, we re-wrote the guidelines of transition so transgender and non-binary pilots did not have to be grounded for up to two years. Since then, I have been involved in helping the FAA maintain those guidelines and help pilots transition, as well as working with companies to improve lives for all transgender humans,” she said. 

Like many trailblazers, Jessica’s activism is nonstop. She’s proud to bring her advocacy work into the aviation industry to increase the representation of transgender pilots and has made an incredible impact on the industry, including Alaska. 

When Jessica joined our team in November 2021, Jessica says she knew she needed to be a part of the flag wavers and help carry the torch forward in building an inclusive culture. So, it was a no-brainer to join Pride Crew, Alaska’s LGBTQ+ employee business resource group. 

It has always been my dream to work for an airline (and more specifically Alaska) with an inspiring diversity, equity, and inclusion program that helps build up marginalized communities,” says Jessica. “When I joined the company, I was so happy to see the incredible culture of diversity and how employees reflect the guests and communities we serve.”  

Pride at Alaska 

Caption: Alaska Pride Crew leaders pose in front of the Pride Plane. From L to R: Alice, Kevin, Jeremy and Chad.

While Pride Month is in the rearview, our Pride Crew celebrates and honors the LGBTQ+ community all year long. And the celebrations aren’t over yet—you can still join two of our 8 sponsored Pride Parade events in Honolulu, and Palm Springs.

The mission of Alaska’s Pride Crew is to provide employees and the company a resource for cultural awareness within the LGBTQ+ community. They also encourage personal growth and professional development by fostering an inclusive atmosphere and provide outreach for LGBTQ+ employees and their allies.  

Alaska’s Pride Crew strives to offer events throughout the year that celebrate its diversity and educate allies. The busiest time is June during Pride Month, but they celebrate pride throughout the year and in different cities. Pride Crew also partners with our marketing, community relations and DEI team on various events and educational opportunities. 

Related:

Want to fly? How to become a pilot with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air
Love is – quite literally – in the air at Alaska Airlines  
Alaska pilots are inspiring the next generation of flying in Compton 

New route alert! Alaska Airlines adds nonstop flight between Everett and Anchorage

Daily, year-round service will link families, friends, businesses and industry in two key regions.

We’re connecting the newest commercial airport in the Seattle area with another one of our main hubs: New daily, nonstop service between Everett, Wash. and Anchorage begins Nov. 30, 2022. Tickets for flights between Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport and the state of Alaska’s largest city are available for purchase now on alaskaair.com.

We listened to our guests who live and work from north of Seattle to the Canadian border. They told us one of their top requests is a nonstop flight between Everett and Anchorage,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of network and alliances for Alaska Airlines. “There’s a significant need and demand to connect workers and businesses in the two regions —from the fishing industry to aviation—in addition to the desire for leisure travel. We’re ready to welcome our guests on this new route this fall.”

Our guests flying to and from Everett—about 20 miles north of Seattle and 70 miles south of Bellingham—have enjoyed a convenient, stress-free, upscale alternative airport experience with a lounge atmosphere.

Since our regularly scheduled service launched there in March 2019, we’ve flown roughly 1.3 million guests to and from Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport. 

Flight schedule:

Start dateCitiesDepartsArrivesFrequencyAircraft
Nov. 30PAE-ANC11:05 a.m.2:05 p.m.DailyE175
Nov. 30ANC-PAE1:40 p.m.6:10 p.m.DailyE175
All times Pacific Standard Time and all flights are year-round.

With the new nonstop from Everett, operated by our sister airline Horizon Air, Anchorage becomes the farthest destination and longest flight we’ll serve from that airport, and it’s also our first route to fly north from it.

On the operations side, Horizon began operating a new 74,000 square foot hangar and maintenance facility on the Paine Field property this year that can accommodate up to four E175 aircraft at a time.

9 destinations from Paine Field in Everett

From Everett this fall and winter, we’ll fly to nine destinations: Anchorage, Boise, Las Vegas, Orange County, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco and Spokane. For the latest flight schedules and to purchase tickets, visit alaskaair.com.

Our sister carrier Horizon Air provides most of our service at Paine Field with the Embraer 175 jet. The E175 features First Class and Premium Class, and only window and aisle seating – there are no middle seats. Guests can enjoy hundreds of free movies and TV shows available for viewing on personal devices, free texting on most flights and Wi-Fi connectivity for purchase.

“For Economic Alliance Snohomish County, the City of Everett and Paine Field, we are thankful for the rich history of business and community engagement provided by Alaska Airlines. This announcement is another example of Alaska Airlines’ willingness to be forward thinking, valuing its customers to create desired opportunities for travel and connection. This is extra sweet due to Alaska Airlines’ history: Anchorage served as the first flight location for Alaska Airlines and its founder Linious McGee back in 1932. Snohomish County is grateful for Alaska and its continued efforts at Paine Field.”

— Garry Clark, president and CEO at Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Travel like a pro: 5 tips to tame your carry-on bag

Packing for that next trip? Streamline your day of travel with these five tips for wrangling your carry-on.

1. Would it be easier to check the bag? What if it was free?

Before purging every 4-ounce tube from your bag, ask yourself this: “Do I really need a carry on, can I check it?” There are three strong reasons why checking your bag might make more sense when you fly Alaska Airlines.

  • Your first checked bag is always free with your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card, for you and up to six other people in the same reservation.
  • Alaska pioneered the 20-minute baggage service guarantee way back in 2010. That means we guarantee we’ll have your luggage back in your hands within 20 minutes of your flight’s arrival at the gate – or we’ll pay up, to the tune of 2,500 Mileage Plan miles or a voucher for $25 off a future flight. (You can also streamline your airport arrival by printing your own luggage tags.)
  • Lighten your load and relax! When you check a bag, you don’t have to lug it through the airport or worry about whether there will be space in the overhead bin by the time you board.
2. Make sure your bag meets carry-on size limits.

Make sure you’re familiar with our carry-on size limits—what you’re able to fit through a security checkpoint is not necessarily what you’ll be able to fit into an overhead bin.

In June 2018, Alaska’s maximum allowed carry-on dimensions will be slightly smaller to better align with our codeshare partners and other major U.S. carriers, so you can more easily transfer among airlines without running into a snag with your bag.

Be wary of expandable pockets on the front of your suitcase, which can increase the dimensions of your carry-on to the point that it no longer fits into an overhead bin. Minimize use of expandable pockets, and when in doubt, test your bag in the sizer device at the ticket counter or gate before you board.

Before you buy a bag, measure it yourself—include the handle and wheels. Consumer Reports says not all bags are as small as manufacturers claim.

3. Wheels down and facing out – unless it’s a Space Bin.

Most overhead bins will have a sticker with instructions telling you “wheels out.” That’s the easiest, most-efficient way to load your bag in most bins, preventing wheels from getting stuck on the lip of the bin. If you find yourself on a flight with Alaska’s roomier “Boeing Space Bins” you’ll be instructed to do just the opposite. (Don’t worry – our flight attendants will let you know if you’re on a Space Bins flight, and show you how to position your luggage!) In this case, point the wheels toward the back of the bin and then flip your bag up on its side. You’ll want the heaviest part of the bag to be farthest from the aisle, and belongings tend to settle downward as luggage is wheeled through the airport.

4. Are you sure you can lift that? If not, check it.

Minimalist packing can be a challenge for even the savviest of fliers, and even a carry-on-sized suitcase can quickly become too heavy. For safety reasons, flight attendants are not allowed to assist customers in lifting bags, so make sure you’re not packing a suitcase that is heavier than you can safely lift.

Consider lowering your carbon footprint by leaving behind a pair of shoes or bulkier items. If each guest just packed 5 lbs lighter, it would decrease our CO2 emissions by 11,800 metric tons each year. That’s the equivalent of taking 2,543 cars off the road for one year.

5. If you’re buying a battery-powered “smart bag,” know the limits.

While rich with features like GPS tracking, electronic locks and the ability to charge other electronic devices, Alaska Airlines only allows “smart bags” with batteries/power banks that can be removed without the use of a tool (e.g. push button, connected to the bag via USB or similar connection, or removed with a “key”).

Any luggage with charging devices or use a lithium battery powered electric motor must meet these requirements:

  • Carry-on: The battery/power bank may remain attached to the bag.
  • Checked/gate-checked bag: The battery/power bank must be removed prior to acceptance. Once removed, the lithium battery/power bank needs to be protected from short circuit (such as placing in a plastic bag to prevent contact with anything metal).
  • Bags with non-removable lithium batteries, power banks, or batteries that require a tool to be removed (e.g. screwdriver) will not be accepted as checked or carry-on baggage.

While these restrictions may pose a challenge to some of our guests, there have been no incidents to date with smart bags on airplanes and we want to keep it that way.

And don’t forget – your first checked bag is always free with your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card.

Loading...