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Alaska Airlines is starting up a tech incubator in Silicon Valley to enhance the travel experience

Tech-driven enhancements are coming fast and furiously to airports across the country, including San Jose where Alaska Airlines is testing out new technology to advance the way people travel. 

Our innovation team plans to modernize travel at every major city we fly, from reimagining the lobby to testing innovative technology that streamlines the airport experience to boarding your flight with biometrics.   

“As we grow our airline and fly more people to more places, we are looking for unique ways to create a seamless travel experience for our guests. We’re using tech to also empower and equip our employees with the latest tools to offer the most caring service for our guests,” said Charu Jain, SVP of merchandising & innovation. “California is the epicenter of tech and the perfect place to test out these innovations.” 

Faster check-in and self-bag drop. 

In San Jose, we’re testing out a new check-in and self-bag drop system that will streamline the check-in process, reduce confusion and decrease the time needed to drop off your bag(s).

On average, people spend about 8.5 minutes in the lobby. Our new enhancements will cut that time in half and give our guests more opportunities to bypass congested areas of the lobby. 

“We’re thrilled to give our guests more choices that will enrich their travel experience. And our bag drop system powered by iPad is just the beginning,” said Jain. 

If you’re looking for the quickest way to get from the lobby to your gate, we recommend checking in for your flight on our mobile app or online before arriving to the airport. While on the app or website, you can check-in, pay for any checked luggage and pre-order your favorite meal for your flight.  

Alaska Airlines’ use of emerging technology to enhance and streamline the passenger experience at San José Mineta International will provide more seamless transit of flyers coming to SJC—and create a more welcoming gateway to San José,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. 

With technology, we’re giving our guests more ways to have a seamless experience anywhere in our lobby. At SJC, you’ll spot our tabletops equipped with Apple iPad Pro that you can use to quickly scan your boarding pass, print your bag tag(s), and self-tag your bag(s). Our customer service agents are also equipped with iPad Mini to be able to immediately take care of guests at any Alaska touchpoint.

To use the tablets and save time checking your bags, guests will need to check in for their flight and pay or their bags before arriving to the airport using our mobile app or website.

“Alaska was the first airline to implement self-serve airport kiosks in 2007—and we hope to be the first to remove them,” said Jain. “Simply because we’re our best when we can meet guests where they’re at and be able to take care of them the second they enter our space.” 

From there, if you’ve checked a bag, you can take your tagged bag and head to our self-bag drop to give us your luggage—no more waiting in line!  

How to use our new iPad bag drop system:  

  1. Check-in for your flight on our mobile app or online.  
  1. Arrive at SJC, look for our iPad stations.  
  1. Scan your boarding pass received upon check-in. iPad can scan digital or paper boarding passes.  
  1. Your bag tag(s) will print at the iPad station. 
  1. Tag your bag(s) and head to our new self-bag drop station to drop them off. 

Boarding with facial recognition. 

Currently, we’re using biometric technology to speed up our boarding process for international flights from SJC. These flights include Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. 

Rather than hunt for your passport and boarding pass and hand them over to an agent at the gate, our guests who choose to board using facial recognition can quickly board the flight without ever having to exchange their documents with an agent. They simply scan their face and are on their way. 

On average, the use of biometrics during the boarding process saves guests up to five seconds and the hassle of finding a boarding pass when your hands are full. 

“Boarding with biometric technology uses facial recognition to verify identity and shorten security procedures for those passengers who opt into the programs,” said Jain. “For guests who are concerned about security, we do not retain any imagery and offer our guests the opt-in option to use biometrics. While it will never be mandatory, we believe it is the future of travel.”  

Guests traveling out of the San Jose Airport can try more innovation firsts with us in the coming months. We look forward to introducing new ways to travel in Silicon Valley and beyond to enrich our guests’ travel experiences so that they enjoy every journey while also giving our employees the latest tools to take great care of our guests. 

“I am excited to shape the future of the industry with our new tech,” said Sam Frost, lead customer service agent at SJC. “It will ultimately make our guests feel more in control of their journey and align our guest experience with the retail spaces of leaders in the tech industry like Apple and Microsoft.”

Air Transport World Names Alaska Airlines 2022 Airline of the Year 

Aviation Week Network’s Air Transport World (ATW), the leading media brand serving the information needs of the global airline and commercial air transport communities, announced today that Alaska Airlines is the 2022 ATW Airline of the Year. 

The ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards recognize excellence across a broad range of airline operations and are widely considered as the most coveted in the air transport industry. Alaska was selected by an independent board of ATW and Aviation Week Network editors and analysts. In making their decision, they cited the company’s excellent leadership under CEO Ben Minicucci. They noted the company’s strong 2021 financial and operational performances despite the on-going challenges of the pandemic. The airline also joined the oneworld global alliance, expanding its international network. 

“We have our incredible employees to thank for this honor. They are the heart and soul of our airline, taking care of each other and creating meaningful connections with our guests on every flight, every day,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “It’s gratifying to receive this recognition during a time that has tested us all. It’s a testament to how we’ve stuck with our business plan and delivered on our safety promise, while keeping caring as our north star of all that we do.” 

Alaska has continued to innovate, launching the Ascend Pilot Academy for aspiring pilots that provides a simpler, more financially accessible path to becoming a commercial pilot at regional affiliate Horizon Air and eventually Alaska. And it became the world’s first airline to launch a subscription service, Flight Pass, that allows up to 24 roundtrips for a fixed monthly fee. 

On top of that, Alaska remains highly committed to environmental and carbon emission reductions initiatives that include collaborative research and development efforts for sustainable aviation fuels and a hydrogen-electric regional aircraft, a commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the replacement of plastic water bottles and plastic cups with 100% recyclable Boxed Water, and a partnership with a Hawaiian organization that connects travelers with sustainable volunteer projects in Hawaii. The airline was also the first to implement network optimization software, Flyways, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize air traffic and enable more fuel-efficient flight paths for aggregate savings of fuel, carbon emissions and time. 

“The Alaska Airlines Team is always at the top of its game with friendly customer service and a true dedication to its colleagues, community and the planet. To have stayed on top and continued to invest in its future through such challenging times shows the remarkable strength and adaptability of Alaska Airlines and we sincerely congratulate them,” said ATW Editor-in-Chief Karen Walker.  

The Award will be presented to Alaska as the top honor among the 48th Annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards at a prestigious, in-person gala dinner on June 21 following the closing of the 78th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit. Other ATW Airline Industry Achievement Award winners will be announced shortly. 

Alaska last received ATW’s Airline of the Year recognition in 1990. Over the years, Alaska has been recognized with several ATW rankings, including the 2016 Market Leadership award, the 2012 Joseph S. Murphy Industry Award and the 2011 and 2003 Airline Technology Leadership. Its sister carrier Horizon Air was named Regional Airline of the Year in 2007.  

Air Transport World Names Alaska Airlines 2022 Airline of the Year

Aviation Week Network’s Air Transport World (ATW), the leading media brand serving the information needs of the global airline and commercial air transport communities, announced today that Alaska Airlines is the 2022 ATW Airline of the Year. 

The ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards recognize excellence across a broad range of airline operations and are widely considered as the most coveted in the air transport industry. Alaska was selected by an independent board of ATW and Aviation Week Network editors and analysts. In making their decision, they cited the company’s excellent leadership under CEO Ben Minicucci. They noted the company’s strong 2021 financial and operational performances despite the on-going challenges of the pandemic. The airline also joined the oneworld global alliance, expanding its international network. 

“We have our incredible employees to thank for this honor. They are the heart and soul of our airline, taking care of each other and creating meaningful connections with our guests on every flight, every day,” said CEO Ben Minicucci. “It’s gratifying to receive this recognition during a time that has tested us all. It’s a testament to how we’ve stuck with our business plan and delivered on our safety promise, while keeping caring as our north star of all that we do.” 

Alaska has continued to innovate, launching the Ascend Pilot Academy for aspiring pilots that provides a simpler, more financially accessible path to becoming a commercial pilot at regional affiliate Horizon Air and eventually Alaska. And it became the world’s first airline to launch a subscription service, Flight Pass, that allows up to 24 roundtrips for a fixed monthly fee. 

On top of that, Alaska remains highly committed to environmental and carbon emission reductions initiatives that include collaborative research and development efforts for sustainable aviation fuels and a hydrogen-electric regional aircraft, a commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the replacement of plastic water bottles and plastic cups with 100% recyclable Boxed Water, and a partnership with a Hawaiian organization that connects travelers with sustainable volunteer projects in Hawaii. The airline was also the first to implement network optimization software, Flyways, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize air traffic and enable more fuel-efficient flight paths for aggregate savings of fuel, carbon emissions and time. 

“The Alaska Airlines Team is always at the top of its game with friendly customer service and a true dedication to its colleagues, community and the planet. To have stayed on top and continued to invest in its future through such challenging times shows the remarkable strength and adaptability of Alaska Airlines and we sincerely congratulate them,” said ATW Editor-in-Chief Karen Walker.  

The Award will be presented to Alaska as the top honor among the 48th Annual ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards at a prestigious, in-person gala dinner on June 21 following the closing of the 78th IATA AGM and World Air Transport Summit. Other ATW Airline Industry Achievement Award winners will be announced shortly. 

Alaska last received ATW’s Airline of the Year recognition in 1990. Over the years, Alaska has been recognized with several ATW rankings, including the 2016 Market Leadership award, the 2012 Joseph S. Murphy Industry Award and the 2011 and 2003 Airline Technology Leadership. Its sister carrier Horizon Air was named Regional Airline of the Year in 2007. 

Hawaiian Airlines Launches Statewide Hiring Campaign

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines this week launched a statewide hiring campaign for hundreds of airport and operational positions, as well as administrative roles, to support the carrier’s growth as travel demand continues to improve. In addition to offering competitive pay, rich medical and travel benefits, paid training for full- and part-time positions, Hawai‘i’s hometown airline is also providing sign-on bonuses for select roles and flexible work options for corporate team members.

“We’re looking for people who live our values and embody aloha,” said Robin Kobayashi, senior vice president of human resources at Hawaiian Airlines. “As we build back from a bruising pandemic, we want to share the warmth, care and friendship that make our company unique – with guests and employees alike.”

HA Ramp

The airline is recruiting for more than 600 positions companywide, with 200 openings for aircraft mechanics, guest services, ramp and cargo agents at its airport spaces in Honolulu, Kahului, Maui, Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i and Kona, Island of Hawai‘i. Hawaiian is also seeking Honolulu-based pilots, flight attendants and corporate team members as it prepares to welcome a new fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft and return to its international markets as border restrictions ease in key Hawai‘i visitor markets in Asia and Oceania.

“With new contracts in place and a highly desirable benefits package, we’re hoping to attract individuals who are passionate about travel and share our love for our island home,” continued Kobayashi.

More than 90 percent of Hawaiian’s 6,700 employee ʻohana call Hawai‘i home. The commercials and digital ads will air on local broadcast television throughout the month. Interested candidates can apply at www.HawaiianAirlines.com/Careers.  

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 was named No. 1 U.S. airline by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers Choice Awards. Consumer surveys by Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi.

Now in its 93rd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 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, Japan, South Korea, Sydney, and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian’s Auckland flights remain suspended.

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.

Alaska Air Group to participate in J.P Morgan 2022 Industrials Conference

SEATTLE, March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., today announced it will webcast a fireside chat with CFO Shane Tackett at 1:20 p.m. ET March 15, 2022, from the J.P Morgan Industrials Conference. The presentation will be webcast live at https://investor.alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize Next-Level Care for our guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Air and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

SOURCE Alaska Air GroupFor further information: Media Relations, (206) 304-0008; Emily Halverson, Managing Director, Accounting & Investor Relations, (206) 392-5908

Breaking Barriers in Aviation: Celebrating Tongan Female Pilot Kamelia Zarka

When Anaseini “Kamelia” (Lino) Zarka earned her Hawaiian Airlines pilot wings in 1999, she didn't plan to make history. A Boeing 717 captain, and former Boeing 767 first officer and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 flight engineer, Zarka carries the honor of being the first Tongan woman to captain a commercial airline. 

Born and raised in the Kingdom of Tonga, Zarka did not grow up around aviation. She left the archipelago after she finished high school and received a federally funded college scholarship to Sotra Videregaende Sko in Norway, where she studied public health and social work. She then interned with the International Committee of the Red Cross, working in its Norway, Spain, and Switzerland offices until she accepted a youth coordinator position with the Tonga Red Cross Society. During the return home, she met her now-husband, a Peace Corps volunteer, with whom she eventually moved to Hawaiʻi after he took a teaching fellowship at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 

The move to the Hawaiian Islands became Zarka’s launching pad into the aviation industry.

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Photo provided by Kamelia Zarka
Zarka in the galley of a DC-8 when she was a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant

“When I first arrived in Hawai‘i, I sent out resumes and worked many small jobs here and there until Hawaiian Airlines finally hired me as a flight attendant,” she said.

Zarka joined Hawaiian in 1992, during the height of its DC-8 era when the carrier deployed the aircraft on a robust charter and commercial operation throughout the South Pacific. The year she was hired, Zarka experienced a life-changing moment while working a regular round-trip Honolulu-Pago Pago flight – which included a stop in Tonga before the return.

“I remember the captain called back to us [while flying over Tonga] and said that anyone who wants to sit up front [in the cockpit] is welcome to do so," she recalled. "I did and sat behind the first officer, and as the plane rolled down the runway, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I can do this.’ When I got home from that trip, I asked my husband what he thought about me becoming a pilot and he said I should go for it."

Not long after that memorable flight Zarka found herself strapped to the seat of a single-engine Cessna. She signed up for an introductory lesson with a local flight school, and when the aircraft took off with her in the passenger seat, her new dream of becoming a pilot seemed to be within her grasp. Zarka went on to earn her private pilot license before taking a leave of absence as a flight attendant to obtain her instrument, commercial, and multi-engine pilot and flight instructor certificates – an achievement that took years of training with the support of a scholarship from the Ninety-Nines, a nonprofit that promotes the advancement of women in aviation.

In total, Zarka invested seven years into her pilot training, which included stints at various regional carriers and flight instructing in her spare time to build the hours needed to fly commercial jets. Then, on her 38th birthday in 1999, she received a call from Capt. Rho Johnson, the assistant chief pilot at Hawaiian Airlines at the time. “He asked if I was still interested in becoming a commercial pilot,” she recalled. “I said yes and got hired at Hawaiian as a flight engineer on the DC-10.”

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Photo provided by Kamelia Zarka
Zarka pictured with her daughter Maria after she was hired as Hawaiian Airlines pilot

 

At that moment, Zarka not only made history as the commercial airline industry’s first Tongan female captain but also by joining a growing wave of women who were breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry. “When I was hired, women made up four percent of pilots of the industry – now it’s about eight percent industrywide – and even higher at Hawaiian,” she said. Today, over nine percent of Hawaiian Airlines' pilots are women, making it a leader among U.S. carriers.

Back in the day, Zarka said the job required having thick skin and stern focus. “There was plenty of bias against aspiring flight attendants, women, and Polynesians,” she said. “Like Ginger Rogers dancing with Fred Astaire in the movies: she could do everything he could but had to do it in heels and backward, but only received second billing for all her efforts. It often felt like females needed to be twice as good as their male counterparts to be considered equals in the cockpit,” she added, explaining that the airline industry has come a long way. "Now, we are judged more often on our abilities and performance.”

Zarka flourished as a pilot at Hawaiian Airlines, initially taking on the role of a first officer for our Boeing 767 transpacific fleet, which officially retired in 2018, before becoming a captain in our Boeing 717 Neighbor Island fleet, which today operates nearly 115 daily flights statewide. 

Kamelia and Bryan

Photo provided by Bryan Shirota
Zarka pictured with fellow Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 Captain Bryan Shirota

 

And while flying long-haul aircraft gave her a chance to see and experience the world, Zarka valued the Boeing 717 schedule more because it allowed her to continue flying and prioritizing family time.

“I remember once, flying the [Boeing] 767 to [Las] Vegas, and despite all the bright lights and excitement, I was still wishing that I could just be home instead of overnighting at a hotel. When I transitioned to flying Neighbor Island, I was able to get back home to my family every night,” she said.

Zarka’s two daughters inherited her passion for flying.

“When I was flight instructing, I would take Maria, my eldest daughter, on night flights. Those flights, and the traveling we did on my non-revenue benefits with Hawaiian Airlines, seem to have stimulated Maria's desire to fly,” Zarka said. “Then Kaimana, my youngest daughter, caught the bug after flying with her sister, and later in high school, she too decided to become a pilot.”

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Photo provided by Kamelia Zarka
A photo of the Zarka family on O‘ahu. (L to R): Kaimana Zarka, Christopher Zarka, Kamelia Zarka, Maria Zarka

 

Through her daughters, Zarka’s legacy will continue at Hawaiian Airlines. Maria, who flew with Republic Airlines in New Jersey for two years, was recently hired as a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 pilot and is set to begin her training in April. Kaimana is on a scholarship studying aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle University in Arizona and on a similar glide path, with Private and Instrument licenses already in her back pocket; plus, halfway through her Commercial certification, with the Multi-Engine rating on the way. Kaimana also intends to apply to be a Hawaiian Airlines pilot, Zarka shared.

Aside from her daughters, Zarka wants to see more women, especially those of color and from Tonga, in the cockpit. “When I was young, every little girl in Tonga hoped to become a flight attendant or nurse, but I would like to see a shift where they want to become pilots and doctors instead,” she said. “I feel a duty and responsibility as the first Tongan woman commercial pilot captain and try when I can to be a role model for those girls.”

Zarka has worked with the Ninety-Nines throughout the years and encourages women of all ages to apply for the nonprofit’s scholarships. In her free time, Zarka speaks about flying and piloting opportunities to visitors at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum as well as students during career days at Hawaiʻiʻs public schools.

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Photo provided by Bryan Shirota
Zarka pictured with her daughter Kaimana when Hawaiian Airlines hosted Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University students at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

 

“A lot of young women come and talk to me, especially Polynesians and other Tongans, who are interested in flying and ask for my advice. I always tell them that they must believe in themselves and aim high,” she said. “If becoming a pilot is a dream, that dream can be life-altering; but first, take an introductory flight. If the excitement is still there after the take-off and landing, then flying is a career ride to a natural high."

Zarka recently took an extended break from the cockpit for personal matters but is already planning her return. She looks forward to resuming her Neighbor Island schedule – perhaps even one day captaining a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 with one of her daughters in the first officer seat.

Hawaiian Airlines is Most Punctual U.S. Airline for 18th Consecutive Year

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines remained the nation's most punctual carrier in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, marking the 18th straight year its guests have enjoyed the best on-time performance in the U.S. industry.
 
Hawaiian's flights averaged a 90.1 percent on-time rate in 2021, exceeding the U.S. industry average by nine percentage points.
 
“I am immensely grateful for all our teams who worked so hard to keep our guests at the forefront of everything they do,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO at Hawaiian Airlines. “They overcame the continued operational challenges of the pandemic to once again deliver on our industry leading punctuality as we grew our U.S. domestic network, restored interisland flights and resumed international services, supported essential cargo transportation and charter flights, and served our local community with aloha. Our recovery is a testament to their tireless efforts, and I’m truly honored to be a part of this airline.”
 
Last year, Hawaiian expanded its North America presence with new nonstop service between Honolulu and Austin, Orlando and Ontario, California. as well as new service between Maui and Long Beach and Phoenix. The carrier also restored international services to American Samoa, Tahiti and Sydney.
 
The U.S. DOT's monthly Air Travel Consumer Report ranking the nation's 16 largest air carriers is available online at www.dot.gov/individuals/air-consumer/air-travel-consumer-reports.

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 was named No. 1 U.S. airline by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers Choice Awards. Consumer surveys by Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi.

Now in its 93rd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 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, Japan, South Korea, Sydney, and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian’s Auckland flights remain suspended.

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.

Women who landed their dream jobs & are making history at Alaska

From the cabin to the controls: Meet Ali Eckert, the first flight attendant-to-pilot direct transfer in Alaska Airlines history.

While trying to decide if law school was the right move, Ali Eckert ended up at an open house for flight attendants in 2006. They were looking for Spanish speakers, and she fit the bill. After three days of interviews, she decided she really wanted the job and wanted to work for Alaska.

“My mom was a flight attendant for United and I knew I didn’t want to be a number anywhere,” she said. “From the beginning Alaska has been like a family, and I’ve never felt like a number here.”

As someone who loves to talk and isn’t shy, Eckert loved the work as a flight attendant. She loved the lifestyle and the people, but the idea of becoming a pilot was still there.

She started to get her private pilot’s license in Tacoma, Wash. but had to stop to take care of her mom when she started experiencing health issues. Eckert could no longer afford the cost of getting her license, so she put it on hold and kept flying in the cabin.

Eckert transferred to the Anchorage base in 2012 but still couldn’t afford to finish the expensive flight training. However, several Anchorage pilots remembered Eckert, and they encouraged her to continue her pursuit. The pilots, many of whom are members of the Birchwood Flying Club, even gave her a $1000 gift card to help finance the rest of her private pilot’s license.

In 2017, Eckert was hired at Alaska Central Express (ACE), a cargo airline based out of Anchorage. She fulfilled the requirements and received approval from Andy Schneider, VP of Inflight at the time, in order to work at ACE in addition to working at Alaska Airlines as a flight attendant. Mentored by ACE Capt. Timmreck, who has taught many Alaska-bound pilots, Eckert also credits Tracey Laurion, Anchorage inflight base manager, and the late Craig Huffman, Anchorage base chief pilot, with supporting her through the transition.

She was finally ready to apply for Alaska—in March of 2020—right as a global pandemic was taking hold.

While COVID-19 deferred her dream for a little longer, she got the news she was waiting for in June 2021: Alaska was hiring pilots. When a recruiter called asking for an interview, Eckert admits tearing up. She started her Alaska pilot journey in October 2021. And though her role is in the flight deck instead of the cabin, she says she’s not retiring her love of inflight.

“I miss it,” said Eckert when asked about her time as a flight attendant. “It’s always going to be a part of my heart.” Eckert turned in her flight attendant wings the day before she started training as a first officer.

She is the first flight attendant-to-pilot direct transfer in Alaska Airlines history.

Paying it forward

Now that Eckert has achieved her dream as a newly minted San Francisco-based first officer, she’s looking to see who she can help follow in her footsteps.

“I want to get more people out of their field and into the flight deck. There are so many great people who are flight attendants, agents and rampers who just need that nudge,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many flight attendants have come to me in the past month and want to know how to become a pilot.”

Eckert is talking with flight ops leadership about how Alaska can make it easier for employees in other workgroups to become pilots, whether it be scholarships or leaves of absence.

“Ali is the epitome of an Alaska pilot – a skilled aviator who also cares deeply for our guests and our coworkers,” said Chief Pilot Scott Day. “Pilots throughout our system have watched her chase her dream, and we’re honored to have her join us in the flight deck.”

When asked if she ever considered getting behind the controls at another airline, Eckert is steadfast: “It’s always been Alaska.”

From the lounge to the cabin: Elissa Maples loves taking care of people and making Alaska the airline people love.

Nearly three years ago, Elissa Maples was greeting guests in Alaska’s Lounges. Today, she’s bringing that same smile and energy to the skies, fulfilling her long-time dream of becoming a flight attendant.

“I’ve been fascinated by everything aviation since I was a kid and there was always a part of me that wanted to be involved in that. I tried the office thing for a while but I just couldn’t do it! I absolutely love people and being stuck staring at a computer was draining me. I wanted a change and I think I found the perfect career to combine all those things into one,” she says.

Maples joined Alaska shortly after the pandemic began. She says while it wasn’t the most normal atmosphere in the airport, the things that have stuck with her most are the chances she got to go above what was required and really turn someone’s day around.

We had one guest in the lounge ask me if I could draw a dragon in his latte. I tried so hard but just couldn’t pull it off. I’m not the kind to give up so I kept practicing. Finally a few months ago, I saw him come through and without hesitation I brought a latte with a beautiful dragon over to his table. This huge smile came over his face and he shared with me how he has been telling all his friends about the latte dragon request for the last two years. Those are the moments I live for and that make me feel like I will be doing this job for a really long time,” she said.

In light of international Women’s Day, Maples says it’s important to be strong, be yourself and stand with those that may not have the same voice or opportunity that you do.

“Everything we do is built on the foundations laid by those that came before us,” Maples said. “Taking some time to reflect on and honor what those women did and all the amazing work that is still being done by all those around us helps me to feel inspired to build a better future for those that come after us. I believe that each and every one of us can play some part in that.”

Hawaiian Airlines to resume daily Oakland-Kona summer service, add flights between San Francisco-Honolulu

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is offering Bay Area travelers more convenient options to visit Hawai‘i this summer by bringing back nonstop service between Oakland (OAK) and Kona (KOA) on the Island of Hawai‘i, and adding a second daily flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Honolulu (HNL).

Hawaiian’s Oakland-Kona service, which the carrier last operated in the summer of 2016, will be available June 15 through Sept. 6. HA66 will depart KOA at 11:55 a.m. and arrive at OAK at 8:10 p.m. HA65 departs OAK at 8:10 a.m. with a 10:40 a.m. arrival at KOA, giving travelers ample time to settle in and start enjoying the island. The seasonal route will become Hawaiian’s fourth daily flight connecting Oakland and the islands, joining existing nonstop service between OAK and Honolulu, Kahului on Maui, and Līhu‘e on Kaua‘i.

Hawaiian will provide the additional San Francisco-Honolulu service May 15 through Aug. 1. HA54 will depart HNL at 8:45 p.m. and arrive at SFO at 5:05 a.m. HA53 departs SFO at 7 a.m. and arrives at HNL at 9:30 a.m.

“The Kona Coast has been an increasingly popular destination for Bay Area travelers, and we are pleased to once again offer our Oakland guests convenient nonstop service to the Island of Hawai‘i, while also providing a second flight option between San Francisco and Honolulu,” said Brent Overbeek, senior vice president of network planning and revenue management at Hawaiian Airlines.

Both flights are available for sale at HawaiianAirlines.com.

Travelers will enjoy the airline’s warm Hawaiian hospitality onboard a modern, quiet and fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo narrow-body aircraft featuring 16 luxurious leather recliners, 44 Extra Comfort seats and 128 main cabin seats.

During the peak summer period, Hawaiian will average nine daily flights between the Bay Area and the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian is also offering daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Maui from June 11 through Aug. 15.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 17 years (2004-2020) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation and was named No. 1 U.S. airline by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers Choice Awards. Consumer surveys by Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawaiʻi.

Now in its 93rd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 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, Japan, South Korea, Sydney, and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian’s Auckland flights remain suspended.

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.

Alaska named one of the friendliest airlines in the skies and a best place to work

The people of Alaska, including our regional airline Horizon Air, are the heart of our business and the reason we’re an award-winning airline. We celebrate their care and hard work every day—especially today, Employee Appreciation Day, with heartfelt thanks for all they do! 

At our core, Alaska and Horizon are all about people – the way we care for our guests and each other. Our reputation for genuine care is what sets us apart from other airlines, and people notice. 

Recently, we appeared on Forbes 2022 Best Large Employers list, which asked people to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family, and to nominate organizations other than their own. The Wall Street Journal and Conde Nast Traveler also named Alaska one of the best U.S. airlines in 2021.  

While it’s a huge honor to be recognized as “best of” anything — we wouldn’t get such accolades without our remarkable employees and guests who choose to fly with us. During the pandemic, every aspect of our lives changed including our work. New requirements forced us to travel and do things differently. Our people were asked to enforce new rules and have difficult conversations. This all impacted how we showed care. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to safety, our values and building a culture of care and kindness. 

Looking back on 2021, one thing remains certain—our guests and employees kept our wings high no matter what the universe threw at us. While times haven’t been easy, we’ve seen the best parts of our company and moments that underscore why Alaska has been successful. Other top honors we graciously took home in 2021 thanks to our employees, guests and readers from top publications include: 

Health & Safety 

People’s airline of choice:  

Best Mileage Plan Program & Credit Card 

Sustainability 

Diversity, equity & inclusion 

  • Global Traveler — First-ever Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel Award 

Alaska Air Group to hold Investor Relations Day

SEATTLE, March 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Air Group Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc., today announced it will hold an Investor Relations Day in New York City from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET on March 24, 2022. The event will feature presentations and a Q&A session with members of the Alaska Airlines executive leadership team. The event will be broadcast live at https://investor.alaskaair.com, and a replay of the event will be posted online following the conclusion of the broadcast.

Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize Next-Level Care for our guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Air and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

SOURCE Alaska Air GroupFor further information: Media Relation, (206) 304-0008; Investor / Analyst Contact: Emily Halverson, Managing Director, (206) 392-5908

Alaska Airlines and our oneworld partners celebrate arriving in style at our home airport

SEATTLE, March 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Marking a new era at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Alaska Airlines joined with the Port of Seattle today to celebrate the completion of the new International Arrivals Facility (IAF) – a state-of-the-art, world-class facility for passengers arriving from around the globe on international flights into Seattle.  

Exterior view of the Great Hall at SEA's new international Arrivals Facility. (Courtesy of SEA Airport)


The IAF will accommodate the Puget Sound region’s increasing demand for international air travel on Alaska, our fellow oneworld member airlines and our additional global airline partners. After a period of testing and transition, all arriving passengers who need customs clearance after international flights are scheduled to make their way through the new facility.

“Alaska is a global airline – backed by the expansive network of the oneworld alliance and our added partner airlines,” said Nat Pieper, senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances at Alaska Airlines. “The International Arrivals Facility offers a stunning welcome to all our guests arriving in Seattle from destinations worldwide. It dramatically raises the bar with tremendous improvements that modernize the arrival experience.”

The opening comes just in time for increased summertime travel. oneworld airlines will offer the most nonstop flights to international destinations from SEA this summer – an average of 22 daily international flights starting in June, which includes Alaska’s nonstop flights to Canada and Mexico. From oneworld global hubs, guests can connect to hundreds of other cities.

Nonstop international flights on oneworld partners from SEA this summer:

oneworld PartnerNonstop DestinationFrequency
British AirwaysLondon Heathrow2x Daily
FinnairHelsinki3x Weekly
Japan AirlinesTokyo NaritaDaily
QatarDohaDaily

“As global travel recovers, the new International Arrivals Facility will provide a world-class experience to oneworld customers returning to the skies,” said Rob Gurney, oneworld CEO. “With Alaska’s leading network and new service launched by other oneworld members, the facility will strengthen the status of Seattle as a global hub for oneworld.”

The new IAF is expected to reduce connection times by at least 15 minutes with more predictable and less stressful arrival and customs processing, making it easier and more convenient for arriving international passengers to continue their travels on Alaska’s domestic flights.

“While this facility is brand new, it reflects some of the oldest and most enduring values of our region,” said Ryan Calkins, Port of Seattle Commission President. “We are more committed than ever to making our airport one of the best connected, most convenient, most sustainable, and most welcoming airports in the world.” 

The IAF solidifies SEA as a gateway to the world. The new structure includes a marquee, first-of-its-kind aerial walkway – with dramatic views 85 feet above an active taxi lane – that connects guests arriving on international flights at the S Concourse to the IAF. That’s where they pick up their checked bags first and then go through customs processing – a single checkpoint to clear customs.

Another big change: The number of international capable gates has increased from 12 to 20 to allow for more flights during peak periods. The Port of Seattle says the new IAF is four times larger than the old facility and it will more than double peak international arrival capacity to 2,600 passengers an hour. Plus, the spacious baggage claim area now has seven carousels instead of four and each is larger than before.

Alaska joined oneworld one year ago – a global airline alliance that provides flyers with a superior, seamless travel experience. Many of the benefits that Alaska’s MVP elite flyers currently enjoy with their status seamlessly carry over to the oneworld tiers when they travel on any of the other 13 member airlines. Those guests can take advantage of a variety of privileges, including priority check-in, access to international first and business class lounges, preferred boarding, fast track through security, baggage benefits and more.

With oneworld and our additional airline partners, our guests can earn and redeem miles with our highly acclaimed Mileage Plan program to fly on more than 20 oneworld and partner airlines all around the globe.

As part of our commitment to Next-Level Care, we’ve partnered with health safety experts to adopt strict cleaning measures to ensure the comfort and safety of guests and employees. Alaska continues to enforce the federally mandated mask policy, even for those who are fully vaccinated. 

About Alaska Airlines 
Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize Next-Level Care for our guests, along with providing low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on more than 20 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). 

Nonstop international flights on oneworld partners from SEA this summer.


New baggage claim area at SEA's International Arrivals Facility. (Courtesy of SEA Airport)


SOURCE Alaska Airlines

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