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Elves, toys, and a holiday-themed plane: How Alaska delivered an unforgettable North Pole adventure for kids this year

Alaska Airlines flew an unusual and truly magical 40-minute charter flight Saturday afternoon from Spokane International Airport to the “North Pole.” For many, it was their first time on a plane—and for all, it was extraordinary.

Inside the festive “Merrier Together” Starbucks-themed aircraft, 58 beyond-excited kids, ages 4 to 10, came together from the region’s homeless and at-risk youth populations to celebrate the holidays in a big way. Their seatmates were special elves sent to escort them specially to the North Pole for a visit. I jumped at the chance to tag along to report on the adventure as an embedded elf, nicknamed “Notes.”  

The day of the flight, I tried my best to blend in with the experienced band of pointy-toed, glittered, and jingle-belled elves with names like Ember, Sugarplum, Sprinkles, Seesaw, McJingles and Ginger Beans. Together, we waited for five school busloads of kids to arrive at the Spokane airport.

I was a bonus elf for Lucian, a 6-year-old child, who was paired with “Snowflake,” also known as Mary Shea-Ferger, one of the many Alaska and Horizon Air employees who volunteer for the event each year.

“Just remember you’re an elf,” she told me, “Try to have fun. Remember what being a child was like. And focus on making this an unforgettable, wonderful memory for a kid who may not otherwise have a great Christmas.”  

Ready, set, jet!

When the kids arrived at the airport lobby, they were met with a sea of elves and live holiday music courtesy of the Inland Northwest’s Rainbow Fiddle Kids. Some children were understandably nervous and wary at first, but Lucian greeted Snowflake with a big hug.

Once he was fitted for an “I Believe” t-shirt, and filled his North Pole passport with elf autographs, he was ready to fly! Lucian had never flown on a plane before or visited the North Pole before—but said he looked forward to both.  

  • Elves and kids alike went through airport security.
  • Each child was given a special passport to fill with Elf’s signatures.
  • The enthusiastic TSA at the Spokane Airport had a dedicated lane for Fantasy Flight guests.

Elves put their magic pouches and jingle-bell encrusted hats, belts, and necklaces into bins to go through the x-ray machines; a very tall TSA officer wearing antlers warmly welcomed each kid with a sticker; and everyone got their hands swabbed for “magic.”

Snowflake, Lucian and I breezed through security and headed up the escalator to a decorated gate area where games, snacks and backpacks filled with school supplies, socks, hats, flashlights and small toys were waiting for everyone.

Anticipation for the flight was palpable.

Saturday’s flight marked the 25th year the nonprofit Northwest Pole Adventures and its hundreds of volunteers, sponsors and donors organized Fantasy Flight — and Alaska’s 14th year as the event’s flying sponsor.

Kids oo-ed and ahh-ed when they spotted Alaska’s latest snowflake adorned Starbucks plane through the concourse windows.

“This is my one of my favorite things,” said Carole Scallon, a senior Alaska flight attendant who has been on every Alaska-hosted Fantasy Flight, “I love being able to help make the event special for these kids.”

 

During the flight, everyone’s window shades remained closed (to keep the North Pole route a secret). Before we knew it, Santa’s Pilot (Captain Hrivnak) came back on the intercom to tell us Santa’s sleigh has been spotted on radar and we’d be going very fast, at “ludicrous speed,” to catch up to him so they could guide us to the North Pole.

“It feels so weird like I’m in a dream,” said Lucian as the plane touched the clouds.

The “North Pole”

When the plane’s front door finally opened, we were greeted by a horde of elves lining the stairway and walkway to a private hangar, which magically transformed into the “North Pole” for the night. Lucian, beamed with joy as he stepped off the plane, high fiving the elves as they welcomed us ‘home’ to the North Pole. He raced around the whimsical new world, checking out every corner as soon as the doors opened.

Santa and Mrs. Claus welcomed guests, followed by lots of fun at craft tables, activity stations and an all-you-can-eat ice-cream bar. Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen was also there, with shelves stocked with decorated cookies, chocolate, cotton candy and other treats.

Best of all, Santa surprised the kids with a giant bag of gifts they wished for, from pink Barbie Dream Campers and guitars to Robot Batman, Legos, Slime studios and more. Lucian was given a pair of radio control laser tag cars in his bag and said they’d be great for his brother, and declared the evening “the best night ever.”

Noah Stiles, the 29-year-old North Pole DJ, named “Jamz,” recognized the excitement Lucien and the other kids were experiencing. He went to the North Pole on a Fantasy Flight when he was about 10 years old.

“I was convinced we’d landed at the North Pole,” he says, “And meeting Santa was exactly as I imagined.” Getting gifts of everything from Lincoln Logs to socks was a real treat, but so was the giant bag he was given to take away all his loot.

“As a foster kid, you’re often given trash bags to move your stuff,” says Stiles. “The really well-made green bag I got became very special to me. I used it to move my belongings from placement to placement until I aged out of the foster program, and I still have it.”

  • Each child received a special bag full of gifts from Santa.
  • The North Pole also gave them boots, pajamas of their choice and more!
  • The kids also got a pillow, blanket and stocking stuffed with goodies.

When the evening winded down, Mrs. Claus gathered the children and the elves to read aloud her favorite storybook, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, which tells the story of a boy who travels to the North Pole by train and learns the importance of believing. As one final gift (to nod to the story), each child received a large silver jingle bell from their elf.

When the evening wrapped, and it was time for the kids to make their way back, the elves escorted their new little friends to the “Magic Transporter,” a decoratively foggy room made to look like a portal back to reality.

Lucian exited the portal, bound for the awaiting bus. And just when we thought he wouldn’t look back, he ran up to the bus window as quick as he could to wave goodbye to Snowflake and me one more time.

Both exhausted and filled with gratitude, we will forever be grateful knowing we helped deliver a memorable holiday for him—one he and the other children may never forget. 

“Notes” sure won’t forget the magic! ✨

—

Fantasy Flight requires juggling thousands of details each year. This year, with COVID-19 top of mind, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air and Northwest North Pole Adventures ensured all safety-protocols and precautions were met to ensure the safety of attendees.

Prepare to ooh and ahh in Alaska’s reimagined space at Portland International Airport

We have some new digs at Concourse B at Portland International Airport (PDX) – and it’s B for beautiful. We’re thrilled to report the brand-new Concourse B is now open for business and think you’re gonna love it when traveling to, from or through PDX.  

The completely redeveloped space is bigger, brighter and bolder with Pacific Northwest flair. Our guests arrive and depart at 10 gate locations for Alaska Airlines. Most flights at Concourse B are regional flights operated by our sister carrier Horizon Air.  

“PDX is a crucial part of Alaska’s future, especially as one of our key West Coast hubs,” said Shane Jones, vice president of real estate and airport development at Alaska Airlines. “Our partnership and joint investment with the Port of Portland highlights our commitment to provide our guests with an excellent travel experience by making improvements that will make their journeys more enjoyable.” 

Here’s what you can expect at Concourse B:  

  • Let there be (lots more) light! More sunshine now streams in through massive floor-to-ceiling windows that offer great exposure to southern light. Even on the gloomiest of Northwest days, the concourse feels more open and brighter.
  • With better sightlines and improved visibility to what’s going on outside, plane watching just got a major upgrade. You can take in the action happening down on the tarmac and enjoy a front-row seat to endless takeoffs and landings. There’s upgraded technology throughout the concourse, including hundreds of power outlets in the gate areas so you can plug in and charge your devices without going on a treasure hunt. There’s also faster Wi-Fi to get you connected.  
  • The concourse is a short, easy walk from the security checkpoint. 
  • A new guest service counter is in place to help you with travel plans. 
  • A pair of well-known Portland eateries will call Concourse B home in the spring: Good Coffee (acclaimed specialty roaster) and Screen Door (acclaimed for its fried chicken and waffles). 

“The unveiling of Concourse B is an early holiday present for our flyers and employees – many of them call PDX one of their favorite airports,” said Michael Pastrick, airport affairs director at Alaska Airlines. “After a tremendous amount of hard work, we’re very happy to have created an enhanced travel experience for our guests and a more comfortable, collaborative workplace for our employees.”  

In 2019, PDX said farewell to Concourse A with its dim lighting, low ceilings and crowded seating areas that greeted Horizon passengers. A new Concourse B is part of its replacement with a project cost of $115 million. See more of the ongoing transformation of PDX at pdxnext.com. 

“For those of you who remember the dark, cramped Concourse A basement, you’re in for a treat in this new space that serves important regional flights, said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of the Port of Portland. “Concourse B will provide a quintessential Pacific Northwest welcome and an experience with food and art that passengers and employees of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air deserve.” 

Prior to the pandemic greatly disrupting air travel, our bigger and smaller jets flew about 133 daily departures at PDX in 2019. Speaking of departures, we all love a nonstop flight! This month, we’ll fly to 44 destinations nonstop from PDX. Recent additions include new nonstop service to Cancun, Denver, New Orleans, San Luis Obispo and Tampa. 

Book your next trip to or from Portland on alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines adds Clorox to disinfect 90 airports & lounges

We love having good, clean fun—while keeping your safety at the forefront of everything we do.  

And with holiday travel making our airports busier than we’ve seen in 20 months (we love to see it 😍) and new variants of the coronavirus (😐), we’re excited to team up with Clorox to take our cleaning and disinfection procedures to the next level.  

Since the pandemic hit, we’ve implemented 100 different ways to help support a healthier and safer return to travel for our guests and employees. Travelers can now expect to see Clorox products (sanitizer stands and wipes) land at our most popular airports & Lounges where we fly and on our aircraft. 

Wipes can be used to clean arm rests and tray tables. Please note: The use of commercially available cleaning wipes on our leather seats can deteriorate the top coat of the leather. The cloth might look dirty afterward, but it’s actually the leather dye color that’s coming off.

“We’re excited to be working with Alaska Airlines to help make your travel experience cleaner, safer and more fun,” said Tony Matta, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer at The Clorox Company. “Travelers like you can be even more confident in knowing Alaska is taking yet another important step to help safeguard your health and make your trips something to remember.” 

A HIGHER STANDARD OF CLEAN 

We’re leveraging the disinfecting expertise and suite of products from Clorox, the #1 trusted brand for powerful cleaning, to deliver an industry-leading standard of cleanliness. And have developed and validated enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures in partnership with the University of Washington Medical Directors, specializing in Infectious Diseases. 

AWARD-WINNING CARE 

Thanks to the 100+ ways we’ve implemented as part of Next-Level Care, we were among the five largest U.S. carriers to be awarded Diamond status by APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying for our cleanliness and sanitization efforts.  

“Alaska Airlines has raised the bar for health safety standards in the industry by initiatives such as mandatory mask requirements, social distancing at baggage belts and hospital-grade aircraft cleaning efforts. These steps in ensuring health safety go a long way in bolstering trust among travelers,” said Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying. 

Diamond ratings indicate that an airline has put in place hospital-grade health safety measures, processes and training, along with an end-to-end focus on wellness.

BOOK WITH PEACE OF MIND

The safety of our guests and employees always comes first, and we want you to feel great about booking a flight with us. Here’s what you need to know before you fly Alaska. 

You must wear a mask to fly. 

We take a layered approach to safety, which starts with the requirement that all employees and guests wear a face mask or covering through the airport and on board. This requirement applies even if you are fully vaccinated. 

Experts agree—it’s safe to fly due to exceptional air quality. 

Travelers wearing a mask have a .003% or NEAR-ZERO CHANCE of being exposed to the virus, even on a full aircraft (according to a Department of Defense study). Air travel is safer than eating out or shopping at a grocery store thanks to:  

We don’t charge change fees. 

Your peace of mind is always top of mind, which is why we’ve permanently eliminated change fees for Main and First Class fares* purchased on or after May 1, 2021. Fare differences may apply. Learn more. 

Learn more about our Next-Level Care and what to expect while traveling on alaskaair.com. 

Gift ideas for the travel lover in your life

Whether you’re spending the holidays at home this year or flying Alaska to somewhere special, we have gift ideas for all your wander-lusting needs!

Visit our company store Monday through Friday, 9:30am – 5:00pm. Located in our new office building, “The Hub” at 19235 International Blvd, Seattle, WA 98198.

Give the gift of travel for 2022, along with some of the most unique airline swag available online or at our company store, located in SeaTac, Wash. 

Give the gift of travel

Treat yourself with miles or share miles with someone else. You can buy Alaska Mileage Plan miles for friends and loved ones or top off your account to jet off onto your next great adventure.

Model Planes 

Our shop is full of model airplanes in various designs & sizes, including Alaska’s new Pride plane, Our Commitment aircraft and more! Each plane has spinning engines and rubber tires that roll and turn. Collect them all!

Cozy all the way with our holiday Sweater!

We’re continuing one of our coziest traditions & celebrating the holiday season in the merriest way with our 2021 Holiday sweater. Due to high demand, the best way to get your hands on our threads this year is to pre-order them in-person at our Company Store. We’re expecting more sweaters to arrive soon, please stay tuned!

Enjoy the little things

Sometimes it’s the little things that make our day (like our holiday sweater, but fun size!). Give something small & great to someone this season! See more.

#FillBeforeYouFly

Did you know every time you use the hashtag #fillbeforeyoufly, Alaska helps plant a tree with the National Forest Foundation? Since 2019, our initiative has encouraged guests and employees to bring their own water bottles and become active partners in our goal to reduce single-use plastics. BYO-Alaska-bottle & other drinkware.

Bags that have your back

Well equipped for the person on the go, Alaska’s Herschel backpacks, fanny packs and more are perfectly designed with a versatile range of storage pockets for all your travel essentials — you’re less likely to forget packing that must-have with these bags! Buy now.

Fan out with Alaska apparel

Show your airline pride with apparel that looks great & will keep you comfortable and warm on your next adventure. Shop all our new beanies, tees, puffers & more!

For little av-geeks in training 😉

Our adorable airplane backpacks & bomber jackets are just the ticket to bring smiles this holiday season! Or keep the little one’s toesies nice and cozy with our baby socks! Check out more gift ideas for the kiddos.

Buy something for the co-pilots in your life 

Treat your co-pilot pupper with an Alaska placemat, bowl and more. And, for those sweet moments to have a picnic, indulge yourselves! Last but certainly not least, give the gift of accessories for the traveler (or golfer) in your life!

Check out Alaska’s company store in-person or online for more gift ideas.

Happy holidays to all our guests, community partners & employees!

Honoring the Women who Paved the Way

When Mae Krier and Marian Wynn, both 95, arrived at our Honolulu maintenance hangar to speak to our Women in Aviation employee resource group and other female mechanics and engineers, they were also observing 80 years since their lives (and the entire world) was forever changed by the attack on Pearl Harbor.
 

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Mae Krier and Marian Wynn pose with female employees at the Honolulu mainenance and cargo facilty.

Krier and Wynn joined millions of women who entered the workforce during World War II, due in large part to the extremely popular "Rosie the Riveter" campaign. Of those women, 310,000 worked in the U.S. aircraft industry in 1943, making up 65 percent of the industry’s total workforce (compared to just 1 percent in the pre-war years).

Krier was a bucker and riveter in the Boeing factory, building B-17 and B-29 bombers. Wynn was a pipe welder at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyard.

“You first became a bucker and then you became a riveter. A bucker and riveter work in tandem, one on either side of the fuselage, bucking on the inside and riveting on the outside," Krier told the group. "You had to be pretty flexible and not be claustrophobic! We would use a communication system using the bucker bar for our message. You would tap it so many times to remove a rivet or so many times to hit it again and so forth, it became like a rhythm."

Elouisa "Eli" Oki, a structures engineering manager at Hawaiian and member of the U.S. Army Reserve, was honored to meet the women and hear their story. Oki started her career at Hawaiian in 2009 fresh out of college as an A&P technician. She went on to become an engineer in 2012.

"These women opened the door for us and made it easier to be in this industry. I have no words on what this day means to me," she said.

Oki and the other women showed the "Rosies" around the hangar explaining their roles in the facility, located less than five miles away from Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Krier touched the rivets of our Boeing 717 aircraft and both women posed for pictures with eager employees.
 

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Eli Oki shows Mae Krier the rivets on Hawaiian's Boeing 717.

Before departing, Oki presented the women with a special gift to 'mahalo' them for all they've done, and continue to do – an ʻIʻiwi bird ornament (Hawaiian Airlines’ logo from 1952-66) made out of aircraft sheet metal and a single rivet for the eye.
 

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Oki presents Krier and Wynn with specially made gifts.

 

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The women were gifted special ornaments made from sheet metal and rivets.

"How can we show them that what they did really made a difference? Today was about showing appreciation to these women. Even to this day, they're still trying to make an impact and spread the word about women in aviation,” Oki said.

“As a member of our employee resource group, we do a lot to bring awareness to women in aviation. I think a lot of girls still don't know the roles they can have in certain careers until they see a female in that position. And I'm trying to do that for the next generation of women,” she added.

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Krier and Wynn signed a 'Rosie the Riveter' poster that will be displayed at the hangar

 

Merrier together: Starbucks & Alaska take coffee to new heights with a holiday plane and delights

This holiday season we linked up with our hometown friends at Starbucks to spread joy through craft and travel. Because, like coffee, travel is better together. 

On Dec. 7, we unveiled our newest brew-tiful aircraft. It will fly throughout our network all season long. To top it off, Alaska guests had the chance to buy one ticket and get one for just the taxes & fees* using promo code STARBUCKS. The offer has expired, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get a great deal on flights. Find our lowest fares with flight deals.

Jet setting & offsetting + RED CUPS

And because you can’t have too much cheer – Starbucks and Alaska will provide passengers on 50 flights with reusable holiday cups and treats through December 12th! We’re also offsetting the carbon impacts of these flights through The Good Traveler program, as part of our commitment to be carbon net-zero by 2040. 

Enjoy flights to sunny destinations like Belize, Hawaii and Palm Springs or chill out in Jackson Hole, Anchorage or Boston and more. And if you’re flying from our hometown, you can now fly to over 100 destinations from Seattle, see more reasons to fly Alaska, below!

Reasons to fly Alaska —

First, you can sip Starbucks coffee at 30,000 feet on every Alaska flight.

Guests enjoy streaming the most movies and TV shows in the sky* for free on their own device(s)––plus, Wi-Fi, free texting, and in-seat power to keep your devices charged. Learn more. You can also preorder meals 20 hours before your travel on Alaska’s mobile app or online.

As the newest member of the oneworldⓇ Alliance, Alaska and its Global Partners are proud to help you safely reach more than 1,000 destinations worldwide, including amazing places like the Maldives, London and beyond! Book your next global getaway and redeem miles today!

Alaska has a 20-min bag guarantee. If you don’t get your bags in under 20 minutes, you’re eligible for a discount on future travel.

Alaska is also committed to Next-Level Care, which provides a higher level of cleanliness and safety throughout your entire journey, including enhanced onboarding cleaning, mask requirements, health agreements, contactless touchpoints. Learn more at alaskaair.com/NextLevelCare.

Alaska’s loyalty program is for anyone who loves to travel. Earn miles for EVERY mile flown on Alaska, even on the lowest fare. Plus, earn when you shop, dine, rent a car, stay in a hotel and more. Membership is free, and it’s easy to sign up!

Alaska cares about people, places and the planet. We’re also known for our on-time performance, low fares and award-winning customer service. You’ll get that and more when you fly with us!

For the latest travel updates and destination inspo, follow @AlaskaAir on social. Our Social Care team is here for you 24/7.

Book now, mask up, let’s go!

*For complete terms and conditions, visit alaskaair.com//starbucks-bogo

Hawaiian Holdings Announces 2022 Investor Outlook Webcast

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HONOLULU –  Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (“Hawaiian”), will hold an investor event to discuss the Company’s 2022 outlook on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. A webcast is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time that day.

The call will be open to all interested parties through a live audio webcast accessible in the Investor Relations section of Hawaiian’s website at HawaiianAirlines.com. For those who are not able to attend the live webcast, the webcast will be archived for 90 days on Hawaiian’s website.

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 and Brisbane 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.

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.

Give the Gift of Care, Connectivity and HawaiianMiles this Giving Tuesday

Our expansive Neighbor Island network has been a hallmark service of Hawaiian Airlines for over 92 years, helping nonprofit organizations better serve communities statewide with essential services. In 2006, to bolster the vital work of these organizations, we launched our HawaiianMiles Charity Program.

The program allows our members to easily gift their miles throughout the year to any of our 14 Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit partners which rely on donations to continue work in culture, education, environment and health and human services.

FEATURED CHARITY PARTNER: Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) supports citizen science programs on water quality, reef-friendly landscape design and natural filtration processes to protect Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs, marine ecosystem and shorelines. Donated HawaiianMiles ensure their work continues across the islands.

“We wanted to find a meaningful way to engage with our members – not just connect them to Hawaiʻi but connect them to people in Hawaiʻi doing great work,” said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines, who helped launch the program.

“In our experience with the community-at-large, we know that there are many needs, and one of them is flights,” she added.

FEATURED CHARITY PARTNER: Make-A-Wish® Hawaii has fulfilled some 1,500 wishes for youth across the state of Hawaiʻi and hosted more than 17,000 other wishes for children around the world. Donated HawaiianMiles help Make-A-Wish® Hawaii grant wishes with the gift of travel.

Our HawaiianMiles Charity Program is joining the celebration this Giving Tuesday. All donations made today by our valued loyal members will be matched, up to 100,000 HawaiianMiles to each recipient organization, on top of 500,000 miles we pledge to match annually.

FEATURED CHARITY PARTNER: American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, Inc., makes certain no one faces a cancer diagnosis alone. Donated HawaiianMiles allow the organizations to provide flights for patients who need to travel to life-saving cancer treatments.

Nakanelua-Richards reiterated our nonprofit partners’ gratitude for mile donations in a new program video, which was released today as part of a HawaiianMiles Charity Partner video series. “Any donation, small or large, has its merit. We are in this together, and it’s the accumulation of our giving that makes a difference and provides value to each of these nonprofit organizations,” she said.

FEATURED CHARITY PARTNER: Friends of Hōkūleʻa and Hawaiʻiloa build, restore and share traditional voyaging canoe skills to increase participation in Hawaiian heritage. Donated HawaiianMiles are used for material sourcing and community outreach, as well as switching crews at ports of call.

HawaiianMiles members can make a Giving Tuesday donation and learn more about the work of our nonprofit partners at www.HawaiianAirlines.com/DonateMiles.

Ultimate guide to Belize: Calling all thrill-seekers & beachgoers, this Caribbean oasis is for you!

Tucked between Mexico and the Caribbean sits Belize, a tropical marvel whose unique attractions and off-the-radar experiences lure in thousands of travelers every year.

A country that’s part of Central America and the Caribbean, Belize continues to be an anomaly attracting thrill-seekers and beach bummers alike. Lush jungles grace most of its landscape, coupled with hundreds of offshore islands in the world’s second-largest barrier reef.

Check out all the things to see and do unlike any other Caribbean destination below.

Things to do

Swim with sharks in Shark Ray Alley

What’s more adrenaline-pumping than swimming with sharks? Yep, it’s a thing. You can swim with sharks at Shark Ray Alley, located in a marine reserve, just a short boat ride away from the renowned island of Ambergris Caye.

This popular adventure has become the go-to site for snorkeling with sharks – the harmless ones, of course! Back in the day, fisherfolk cleaned their fish near this area, attracting nurse sharks and stingrays. Now, the area is a prime hang-out spot with these marine spectacles for travelers to experience and photograph. So you can don your fins and snorkeling mask, jump right in and swim alongside gentle creatures as they curiously circle the boat. Don’t worry, there’s no Jaws moment here! 

Master your top of the world selfie at the Mayan City of Xunantunich

Unbeknownst to many, Belize was home to one of the world’s most mysterious civilizations: the ancient Maya. Bewilderingly enough, the Maya culture is still alive and well in Belize, though its numbers are nowhere near the colossal amount it once was a millennia ago. Still, the country is peppered with archaeological Maya sites from north to south.

One of the best ancient sites to wander is Xunantunich, a Maya city that once thrived during the Classic Period. Its name, which translates to “Maiden of the Rock” or “Stone Lady,” came from an old legend where in the 1800s, a hunter from the village of San Jose Succotz said he saw the apparition of a woman at the base of the largest temple. The temple, “El Castillo,” towers at 130 feet and offers sweeping panoramic views of the meandering river below and the jungle canopies surrounding the site. Unlike other Maya cities in Mexico, you can climb these temples to the top, meaning your selfies will be out of this world! 

Explore fascinating grounds below in the ATM Cave

Belize boasts vast underground cave systems, many of which are still unexplored. Some are so world-renowned, visitors come from across the world to venture into the dark, damp mysteries. The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave is one of Belize’s most difficult caves yet most captivating. National Geographic even named it one of the Top 10 Sacred Caves in the world back in 2018! But what makes it so special? Dare to enter the tight-creviced cave and you’ll be greeted by not only Mayan pottery and artifacts but an actual Mayan skeleton purely intact. Known as the Crystal Maiden due to its crystallized form, the skeletal remains are believed to be the victim of a sacrificial ritual by the ancient Maya. Archaeologists and historians believe the Mayas may have used caves for such affairs, whereas the culture believed caves to be entrances to the underworld. 

Sites to See

Spring break year-round in Ambergris Caye

Everyone may know the island’s only town as the inspiration for Madonna’s hit song “La Isla Bonita,” but there’s more to Ambergris Caye. The party island is Belize’s most visited destination, and for good reason. Its silk-sand beaches and swaying palm trees are the epitome of a dream vacation in the tropics.

An all-year-round Spring Break destination, Ambergris Caye is beaming with stellar nightlife and straight-up island vibes. You can opt to lounge the day away planted on a beach chaise at a beachfront resort or explore the island via its ubiquitous golf carts. Either way, the food, people, and the ever-present Caribbean breeze will make it a challenge to leave. 

Enjoy the welcoming mecca of San Ignacio Town 

At the heart of Belize’s Cayo District sits San Ignacio, a historic town with its own set of Maya sites and dense rainforests a stone’s throw away. About two hours away from the international airport, San Ignacio is a cultural Mecca with the warmest welcoming around. Stroll the Farmer’s Market downtown and exchange stories with the local fruit vendors.

You can also visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project at San Ignacio Resort Hotel and befriend the cute, green iguanas. Looking for a quick to-do? Make your way to the nearby Cahal Pech Maya site for a short, one-hour morning tour! The possibilities are endless. 

Hopkins Village

On the southeast side of Belize lies the up-and-coming coastal village of Hopkins. This sleepy fishing village is a cultural hot spot and home to the Garifuna people of Belize. Hopkins is a great central hub, close to both the reef and rainforests and offers visitors the best of both worlds.

A perfect day in Hopkins includes a half-day snorkeling  trip to a nearby offshore island and bookending it with drumming lessons at Warasa Garifuna School. If you’re searching for something a little more steeped in nature, a half-hour drive away is Maya King Waterfall, easily accessible and a welcome respite from the tropical heat. 

Know before you go 

Best time to visit

With Belize having only two seasons — wet and dry — any time is a great time to visit. However, the months of November to March are ideal as the weather is considerably cooler. This also coincides with the country’s dry season. 

Book your travel to Belize

You can now fly to Belize City with Alaska Airlines from Los Angeles and Seattle!

Starting today, Alaska’s service to Belize operates four times a week between Los Angeles and Belize City (BZE) and twice weekly between Seattle and Belize City, just in time for the holiday season! You can purchase tickets here.

Photos courtesy of Belize Tourism Board.

Flying soon? Here are some holiday travel tips to keep spirits bright

Holiday season is here — and it’s a busy one!  

While the thought of traveling for the first time in over a year for some may seem daunting, studies have shown flying is minimal risk while wearing a mask and that cabin air may be cleaner than most homes, hospital rooms and supermarkets. 

To make the travel process as smooth as possible, we have some helpful tips to relieve some stress. 

Arrive early.  

Please plan for additional time to get to and through the airport. We recommend arriving at least two hours before your flight and three hours before international departures. 

Airports are busier than usual this time of year, which means lines could be longer and slower, congested traffic, and parking is at a premium. On top of that, many of us are traveling for the first time since the pandemic and our savviness might be a little rusty. 

Check out airport guides for recommended airport arrival times, ticket counter hours and cut-off times for check-in and boarding. 

Learn more: alaskaair.com/airports

Speed through security. 

You can avoid long airport lines with a trusted traveler program like TSA Pre✓®, Clear or Global Entry. Membership in these programs gives you access to dedicated TSA Pre✓® lanes at more than 200 airports nationwide. 

Departing from Seattle? Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle are offering a new way to get you through the general screening security checkpoint faster called SEA Spot Saver. A similar program is also launching in Newark (EWR), called VirtuaLine. Travelers can start reserving their spot(s) in line starting on Nov. 20, for flights departing on or after November 23rd. 

If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, you can still take advantage of these reservations, but you won’t receive the benefits of those trusted traveler programs, such as not having to remove your shoes and electronics. You’ll need to choose which program you want to use. 

Ensure you have proper ID. Before heading to the airport, travelers should make sure they have acceptable identification. Identity verification is an important step in the security screening process.

Pack smarter not harder. 

Prep for security when packing and ensure that there are no prohibited items in your bag(s)! Know which foods should go into a checked bag — gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam, and preserves should all go into a checked bag, because they are not solids.

If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it, then it’s not a solid and should be packed in a checked bag. As always, passengers can bring solid foods such as cakes and other baked goods through the checkpoints.

Pro-tip: Wait to wrap your gifts—those won’t fly through security! 

It’s okay to bring hand sanitizer. TSA is currently allowing travelers to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect all containers larger 3.4 ounces will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint experience. Travelers can also bring alcohol wipes or anti-bacterial wipes in carry-on, checked luggage, or both.

Check in, print bag tags at home. 

You can check in for your flight and print your bag tags in advance online or on our mobile app up to 24 hours before departure. For international flights, you can enter your passport information online. This way, you just drop your bag and go!  

Learn more: alaskaair.com/selftag 

Watch, text and be merry. 

Snuggle into your seat and grab some snacks – we’re bringing you the most movies in the sky*- and TV shows, too – all for free! Choose from over 1000 free movies and TV episodes in our entertainment library. Simply connect to our onboard Wi-Fi network during your flight and visit AlaskaWiFi.com to browse our extensive library. 

Most aircraft feature our streaming entertainment system, letting you watch free movies and TV shows on your own device.  

Last-minute holiday to-dos? Texting doesn’t stop when you fly with us. Just connect to our inflight Wi-Fi and select “free texting.” 

Learn more: alaskaair.com/inflight-entertainment 

Pre-order meals onboard. 

More food and beverage options are now available on board! Snack on favorites like the Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter or try our new menu items via pre-order on most flights over two hours. For guests in First Class, delicious hot meals are back on coast-to-coast and Hawaiʻi flights, plus Boxed Water to quench any thirst.   

Don’t forget to pre-order your meal (if applicable) 20 hours before your flight! 

Learn more: alaskaair.com/preorder 

Junior jetsetters flying solo? We’ll take great care of them!

If you have kids who will be flying by themselves this holiday season, visit alaskaair.com to book their flights and discover the different types of care we offer kids of all ages. 

Pro-tip: Print this travel checklist to ensure the smoothest process for your child passenger.

Book now. Mask up. Let’s go!  

Our commitment to Next-Level Care means we’ve implemented 100+ ways to maintain the highest standard of safety throughout your travels.  

Masks are still federally required during travel. All employees and guests must wear a face mask or covering through the airport and on board. This requirement applies even if you are fully vaccinated. 

Travelers wearing a mask have a .003% or NEAR-ZERO CHANCE of being exposed to the virus, even on a full aircraft (according to a Department of Defense study). 

Learn more: alaskaair.com/next-level-care 

Spread joy & kindness 

Remember that everyone is doing their best to make travel as safe, hassle-free and accessible as possible. The holidays are a busy time, and the airports will be filled with many people who fly just once or twice a year. It may seem like a small thing, but a little kindness goes a long way. 

Book your holiday travel today on alaskaair.com.

Get your questions answered: 

Manage your reservation online at alaskaair.com/booking.

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Call us

Reservations / Pre-flight questions: 1-800-252-7522 (1-800-ALASKAAIR)

Guest Care / Post-flight concerns: 1-800-654-5669

Baggage

Report any baggage issues in person before you leave the airport—you’ll need to do it within 24 hours. Baggage recovery and reimbursement steps

Lounge: 1-800-654-5669

Hearing and speech impaired (TTY) help is available. Dial 711 for relay services.

Questions about Mileage Plan? Reach out to us at 1-800-654-5669 or online.

TSA questions? Travelers can get assistance in real time by submitting their questions and comments to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger. Travelers can also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. Staff is available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends/holidays; and an automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Alaska Airlines flight attendant honors USS Indianapolis with special tribute to survivors & crew lost at sea  

When Alaska Flight Attendant Kim Roller met retired U.S. Navy Capt. John Woolston on a layover in Honolulu, she had no idea the impact he and other USS Indianapolis survivors would have on her life. 

The USS Indianapolis warship sinking remains the largest loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy. Of the 1,196 crew on board, 316 were rescued from the water, and only four survivors remain alive today. 

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. John Woolston (left) and Alaska Flight Attendant Kim Roller (right) met in 2012 and made a lasting connection. He eventually came around to the idea of attending a USS Indianapolis reunion. He never missed one after that.

Like many survivors, Woolston didn’t speak about his haunting ordeal for a long time. He told Roller, “I may be a survivor, but I don’t want that to define me.”  

The Indy’s legacy and service came to a tragic end on July 30, 1945. In just 12 minutes, the sleek heavy cruiser, spanning the size of two football fields, was sent to the bottom of the Philippine Sea after being struck by enemy torpedoes in the middle of the night.  

  • Woolston, 20 years old courtesy of the U.S. Navy Memorial 
  • Woolston in 2018, 93 years old.

Woolston, was an engineer assigned to the Indianapolis when it sank. For five nights and four days, he and other service men were left drifting in the ocean to battle dehydration, shark attacks and extreme conditions until they were spotted by a pilot flying low enough to see them. After his rescue, he went on to serve a total of 31 years on active duty, sharing his story with hundreds of service men and women throughout Hawaii. 

Kim (left) dressed in traditional era attire for her presentation at the 2016 USS Indianapolis Reunion.

Some members from the Indy crew still gather for a reunion in downtown Indianapolis to reconnect and remember. Roller attends every year and has dedicated her time paying tribute to the survivors with a multimedia presentation. She also visits as many crew members as she can when she travels. 

“I owe these men everything. We all do. We’re free today because of what they did so long ago,” said Roller, who was named an honorary survivor in 2013 for her dedication to the men rescued. “I’ve done this presentation for almost 20 years and it still brings me to my knees, emotionally.” 

Roller developed an interest in World War II from her grandfather, a photographer in the Navy who took pictures of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. Her father also served in Vietnam. She learned about the Indy from the book, “In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors,” by Doug Stanton, which chronicles the sinking of the Indianapolis during World War II and the events that followed. It serves as the inspiration for Roller’s multimedia tribute to surviving members. 

Since 2004, Roller has conducted multimedia presentations for universities and military functions. She dresses in full 1945 vintage attire and tells the story of Indianapolis survivors. The sessions also include some of the remaining survivor(s) and rescue crew members. 

After eluding discovery for nearly 72 years, the wreckage of the heavy cruiser was finally located on the floor of the Philippine Sea in 2017 by a research expedition funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Woolston is featured in the film, which Roller says brought him a lot of peace. 

“It’s fantastic, there’s no doubt about it. Of course, I never dreamt I’d be able to see it,” Woolston said in The USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter documentary directed by Kirk Wolfinger. “This is an eyeopener for sure. Beautiful.” 

A bittersweet ending to an honorable life

For years, Alaska has honored veterans with trips to see the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. — and even has three military-themed aircraft for the occasion.

In 2018, Roller convinced Woolston he needed to experience an Honor Flight to D.C. to visit the national monuments named in his and other veterans’ honor.  

Kim with John & his escort to the Honor Flight in 2018.

Together with the Puget Sound Honor Flight program, Roller and other Alaska employees accompanied Woolston and 50+ other veterans of the Korean War, the Vietnam War and World War II to the nation’s capital aboard our “Honoring Those Who Serve” aircraft, which is dedicated to all the brave men and women of America’s military and armed forces, along with their families.

 

“He went into the Honor Flight and he cried. And that man did not cry,” she said. “He was so touched by that trip and how Alaska treated everybody, he was just so amazed. And, to top it off, when he landed back in Seattle after the flight, he was met at the gate by one of his shipmate’s grandsons in his uniform saluting him. He was blown away.” 

A month after his memorable trip to D.C., Woolston passed away. He was 93. 

  • Before the Honor Flight from Seattle to D.C. Roller flew Woolston up early to get acclimated to the time change & organized a boat ride together around Commencement Bay.
  • “When Evan (her friend) handed the wheel over to John, it was an unexpected, emotionally-charged moment. John was very touched,” she said.

In 2013 Roller was honored with a special honorary survivor title.

“We nominated and voted you in as an honorary survivor,” Woolston told her when he came out of the meeting room. “You’re one of us now.”

Honoring Those Who Serve 

At Alaska and Horizon, we are grateful for the service of active-duty military and veterans, and we appreciate the personal sacrifices they and their families make for us all.  

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

We’re also proud of our “Fallen Soldier Program,” which pays proper tribute to soldiers on the way home to their final resting places. Alaska’s aircraft technicians were the thoughtful catalysts behind the program’s creation, ensuring military protocols are followed when handling the remains of fallen servicemen and women being flown to their final resting place.  

Learn how Alaska and Horizon support all service members, past and present. 

 

 

Pride in Service: A Mahalo to Our Veterans

Hawaiian Airlines would not carry the storied legacy it does today if it were not for the contributions made by members of the armed forces. Whether they’re employees, guests, or troops transported via our military charter flights, we are honored to call veterans and active-duty service members part of our ʻohana.

Our veteran employees have played a critical role in our success by applying their training and expertise toward ensuring the highest level of safety is maintained when servicing our fleet, supporting our operations and caring for our guests. It’s also because of their pride and dedication that the Hawaiian Airlines Veterans Employee Network (HAVEN) exists today. In 2017, a group of service men and women from various departments formed HAVEN, which gathers military vets throughout our airline, providing them with volunteer, networking and career development opportunities.

The group’s members have also served our communities, including collecting school supplies, donating to military dependents and helping facilitate special accommodations for war heroes traveling with us.

 

In December 2019, our airline partnered with HAVEN's members to host a special welcome for two World War II veterans, Colonel Clarence Anderson, a World War II pilot and Lieutenant Commander Lou Conter, who was one of three remaining survivors of the USS Arizona at the time. The veterans arrived in Honolulu from Sacramento and were given a water cannon salute, a red carpet, an official recognition bell and a group salute among waving flags.

 

“We are proud to have served our nation and are grateful for the support of our company and communities,” said Michael Church, manager of facilities and training devices and HAVEN board member. “We are also fortunate to have a forum [HAVEN] to support each other and to provide assistance whenever needed.”

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Team Kōkua and HAVEN members at Puʻuloa behind a pile of overgrowth they removed from the stream's edge.

 

To commemorate Veterans Day this year, HAVEN members and our Team Kōkua employee volunteers joined Hui o Hoʻohonua, a veteran-founded nonprofit dedicated to the restoration of the land and waters of Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor) via its Mālama Puʻuloa program. Volunteers helped care for the area's stream and fishpond, including clearing weeds, overgrowth and invasive mangrove trees and planting ‘ākulikuli along the shoreline for stability.

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Team Kōkua and HAVEN members at Puʻuloa with Hui o Hoʻohonua.

 

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Misty Park

Misty Park, a senior platform engineer of information technology who recently returned from active duty in the Middle East, was among HAVEN's members who volunteered at Puʻuloa.

"Volunteering with HAVEN and Team Kōkua for Veterans Day was a pleasure for me. I enjoyed being able to give back to my community and learn about our 'āina, while also honoring the many amazing people who have served in the nation's armed forces, both at home and overseas," Park said.

"I am an activated Hawaii Air National Guard member who recently returned from an overseas deployment, so volunteering at today's event felt like a wonderful gesture of support for those who have served our country," she added.

As we continue our companywide commemoration of Veterans Day, a handful of our military employees shared their manaʻo (thoughts, knowledge) and moʻōlelo (stories, history) of times in service and at Hawaiian Airlines.

Jim Landers, senior vice president of technical operations and U.S. Navy veteran

Landers

Jim Landers

 A desire to live in Hawai‘i and fly helicopters led Landers to join the U.S. Navy. Landers completed 27 years of service, providing him with the skills to lead Hawaiian Airlines’ technical operations division.

“Now, eight years into my career at Hawaiian Airlines, I find that I still often look back and reflect on how those experiences [in the Navy] are directly applicable to work I do here,” Landers said.

“The hallmark benefit of my Navy career is the example of leadership and mentorship from some of the very best leaders in our nation – leaders who understand that trust and integrity are essential to successfully leading a team to meet the mission. After all, the real work of those missions (and our company’s mission) is accomplished by people who work hard, in sometimes difficult environments, often with specialized skills, who advocate being sufficiently trained and have the tools needed to do their job.” 

 

John Kim, director of IT Field Services, HAVEN president and U.S. Air Force veteran 

Kim

John Kim, pictured far right

 Kim is of the less than one percent of Americans who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces, and is proud to be employed by “a company that values and employs a diverse population of military veterans.”

“If you look closely at your fellow teammates, you’ll be amazed by the accomplished careers they’ve had before their life at Hawaiian Airlines,” Kim said.

“I know of several accomplished one- and two-star general officers, commanders, senior enlisted, and chief petty officers who proudly call themselves members of the Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana” he said. “Their wealth of experience adds to this amazing company we are all so proud to be a part of. Everyone has a story, and we must recognize their sacrifices and hear their stories as our veterans deserve to be honored and appreciated.” 

 

Michael Church, manager of facilities and training devices, HAVEN board member and U.S. Navy veteran

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Michael Church

 Answering the call of duty has been a cornerstone in Church’s life, but his definition of the term evolved throughout his military career.

“Responding to duty means distant deployment away from your family. It means not being able to call on a birthday. It means to take on a tough mission where folks your age with families of their own are getting hurt. It means making hard decisions at the hardest of times for the best outcome possible,” Church reflected.

“Even with all those demanding duties, I loved my service in the Navy,” he said. “It prepared me for life after service and – most importantly – showed my wife and children what it means to sacrifice for the greater good and our nation.”   

 

Michael Guerrera, Airbus A330 first officer and U.S. Air Force veteran

Guerrera

Micheal Guerrera, pictured right

A boyhood quest for a flight suit inspired by “Top Gun” turned into a rewarding career and sense of belonging for Guerrera.

“As a teenager, I remember wanting to have a flight suit. I saw myself as the next ‘Maverick’ and needed to have those green overalls (and not worry about what to wear to work ever again)!” he said. “I planned to join the military right after high school and get one. After a great deal of luck, patience, and sheer brute force determination, I finally got my very own flight suit, which I aptly wore to the local mall that same day. I felt that this one thing [the uniform] would be the reason for a career in the military. Not even close.

“As the years went on, I started to realize that it wasn’t just about owning a flight suit; it was the military community that I served with that made this career so rewarding. They came from all parts of the country with one goal in mind: to serve. Throughout our challenges and struggles, we celebrated, cried and always supported each other.”

 

Jordan Pingrey, Mark Kerber, Patrick McCarthy, Hawaiian Airlines pilots and active service members of the U.S. Navy Reserve 

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L to R: Jordan Pingrey, Mark Kerber, Patrick McCarthy

When they aren’t at the controls of our aircraft safely taking our guests to their destinations, Jordan Pingrey, Mark Kerber, Patrick McCarthy and Erin Pierce serve our nation in the U.S. Navy Reserve. They’re members of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 51 (VR-51), a unit composed of active duty and reserve personnel based at Marine Corps Air Station at Kāne‘ohe Bay. Also known as the “Windjammers,” the squadron provides rapid response transport of cargo and personnel utilizing a fleet of C-40A Clipper aircraft (a militarized version of the Boeing 737-700). 

“We’re proud of the connection between our civilian work and military service,” said Kerber. “Many former members of the Windjammers continue to fly for Hawaiian Airlines.” 

 

Thumbnail photo: Rod Villacruz, aircraft mechanic at Hawaiian Airlines

On behalf of our ʻohana at Hawaiian Airlines, we offer a warm mahalo to our country’s veterans, active military members and their families for the sacrifices made to keep our country safe.

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