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6 things to do on a Seattle weekend adventure

By Jeff Bartlett

I’ve always wanted to explore Seattle and its nearby mountain playgrounds, but it’s so close to home – just a 90-minute direct flight from Calgary, Alberta – that I’ve always put it off in favor of more far-flung destinations.

Finally, when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to book my flight and explore this iconic Pacific Northwest destination. I flew into Seattle, picked up my rental car and never slowed down.

I only had a few days and I wanted to cover as much ground as possible. I photographed Mount Rainier, slept under the stars on the Olympic Peninsula, and drank too much locally roasted coffee. I met up with some locals, too, who eagerly showed me their favorite places to kayak and mountain bike.

Whether visiting for a weekend or longer, I promise it’s a destination that will deliver plenty of outdoor fun, both in city or the nearby wilderness.

Here are my six can’t-miss moments for any Seattle adventure:
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Heartwarming inflight experience proves everything happens for a reason

When a guest who is blind and deaf traveled on an Alaska Airlines flight alone this week, a number of other guests, the flight crew and a very special 15-year-old girl worked together to make him feel comfortable and less alone. The result was a viral post on Facebook that had many people commenting that it was the feel-good story they needed to hear.
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Rhubarb, asparagus and Salt & Straw ice cream on a plane? If you’re in First Class, it’s on the summer menu

How does brioche French toast with rhubarb thyme compote, real maple syrup and scrambled eggs sound for breakfast? Or, if it’s dinner time, perhaps some miso ginger beef with mesclun mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and ginger vinaigrette?

These are just two of the dishes rolling out on our First Class summer menu on Saturday, a selection that focuses on simplicity, fresh ingredients and generous portions.

The meals will be served on any flight with a First Class cabin – Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft – and will change every three months based on the season.

“Our guests have told us they want more fresh food, larger quantities and a wider variety of options,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, director of food & beverage. “With a focus on local and healthy food with complex flavors, as well as our thoughtful beer and wine choices, the menu has a distinctive West Coast vibe.”

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Alaska simplifies boarding process

You may have a complicated relationship with boarding an aircraft. On the one hand, it means you will soon settle into your seat and you’re almost on your way. On the other hand, it can sometimes be stressful if you’re not sure when it’s your turn to board. At one point or another, you’ve probably seen a big queue of people – let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just a shapeless blob – that forms when people aren’t sure if it’s their time to board.

Starting July 18, Alaska will be launching a new group boarding process that will simplify the process for guests. This identifies which of the six groups – First Class, Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D or Group E – you belong to. You’ll simply approach the gate with the rest of your group when your group is announced.

This new boarding process doesn’t change anything about where you sit once you’re inside the plane – Alaska Airlines still has confirmed, assigned seats that you may select in advance. There’s no change to that.

Here’s a quick rundown on what this all means for you the next time you fly Alaska Airlines.

Boarding Pass

For flights on or after July 18, 2018, you will see some changes to the boarding pass design – such as larger fonts and more streamlined information.

Your boarding pass is really a guide for your journey. You want to know, first and foremost, where you need to be (your gate) and when you need to be there (your boarding time).

You’ll notice these two pieces of information are now big and bold. In tests, guests were quickly and easily able to get the information they needed from their boarding passes.

You will find your group letter listed on your boarding pass. If you have multiple flight segments, you’ll see each one on a separate line and an assigned group letter for each. If you’re a Mileage Plan MVP traveling with other people on the same reservation, you will all see the same boarding group noted on your boarding pass.

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Video: A stylist’s take on San Francisco

Alaska Airlines recently partnered with Darling Media to launch the “Go, Be You” video series, which follows eight women as they explore eight Alaska Airlines destinations. Each video is hosted by a traveler who shares the hidden gems that define the personality of each city.

San Francisco with Bethany Menzel

The quirks are the perks. Unconventional museums. Vintage shops. Stylish restaurants. Content Creator Bethany Menzal’s hilly adventure shares the city’s creativity and unique architecture.

Watch more videos in the series

Stirred to action: Alaska Airlines to ditch plastic straws in favor of marine-friendly stir sticks

By Jacqueline Drumheller, Sustainability Manager

These days, most 16-year-olds are focused on getting their driver’s licenses, playing Fortnite or deciding who they want to ask to prom, but Shelby O’Neil isn’t your average teenager. She’s a Girl Scout who created Jr Ocean Guardians for her 2017 Girl Scout USA Gold Award Project to share her passion to save our oceans and marine life for future generations.

Shelby O’Neil reached out to Alaska Airlines last year, asking us to eliminate single-use plastic stir straws to reduce the amount of plastic pollution that is damaging our oceans.

Shelby reached out to Alaska Airlines last year, urging us to eliminate single-use plastic straws to reduce plastic pollution that is damaging our oceans. Little did she know, we were on the cusp of becoming the first U.S. airline to make this change, building on our decades-long commitment to environmental stewardship.

Starting this summer, we’re replacing non-recyclable plastic stir straws and citrus picks – we used 22 million last year – with sustainable, marine-friendly alternatives on all domestic and international flights, as well as in Alaska’s lounges across the country. For people with special needs, we’ll happily provide non-plastic, marine-friendly option, upon request.

We’ve partnered with the Seattle-based nonprofit Lonely Whale, an organization that drives impactful market-based change on behalf of our oceans, to support this initiative.

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Copper River salmon 2018: Alaska brings first fish to Seattle

This week marks the official start of the 2018 Copper River King Salmon season in Cordova, Alaska. For many people, the kick-off of Copper River salmon season means that summer is officially here.

As part of the tradition to celebrate the first catch, Alaska Airlines hosted the 9th annual Copper Chef Cook-off on Friday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

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Video: A beautician’s take on San Diego

Alaska Airlines recently partnered with Darling Media to launch the “Go, be you” video series, which follows eight women as they explore eight Alaska Airlines destinations. Each video is hosted by a traveler who shares the hidden gems that define the personality of each city.

San Diego with Jeanette Ogden

A breath of perfect air. The ultimate facial. Authentic Japanese Matcha. Campfire-inspired cuisine. Jeanette Ogden (founder of Shut the Kale Up – a wellness, health, and fitness platform) takes in the relaxing and rejuvenating air and aura of San Diego, and its surrounding natural beauty. Ready to fly? Shop now.

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Tap to taste: Alaska expands pre-flight ordering for first class meals on more than 200 daily flights

Great trips require great planning. Whether you’re traveling for business, or flying some place new with the family, there’s a lot that goes into getting ready for travel.

You’ve scrolled through options for hotels, activities and restaurants, and made your selections. And now on Alaska, if you’ve splurged on a first class seat, or snagged an upgrade with your elite status, you can do the same with your in-flight meal options.

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Video: A wellness blogger’s take on Palm Springs

Alaska Airlines recently partnered with Darling Media to launch the “Go, be you” video series, which follows eight women as they explore eight Alaska Airlines destinations. Each video is hosted by a traveler who shares the hidden gems that define the personality of each city.

“Alaska provides West Coast residents with the most nonstop flights to places where they can truly discover themselves, rejuvenate and create memories,” said Natalie Bowman, Alaska’s managing director of marketing and advertising. “Partnering with Darling has allowed us to highlight these travel opportunities in such an authentic and engaging way.”

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Careers ready for takeoff – Alaska Airlines Aviation Day celebrates 10th anniversary

On May 5, 2,000 students descended on Alaska’s Seattle hangar for a taste of the aviation industry. What they got was a nine-course meal.

Students tried their hand at landing a Boeing 737 in-flight simulator, built gliders with guidance from Boeing engineers, chatted up military fighter pilots, performed maintenance checks with Alaska mechanics and attended lectures with the pros to learn what it takes to pursue aviation careers.

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Giving back to Habitat for Humanity, while breaking new ground

As Alaska Air Group breaks ground on a new office building near Sea-Tac Airport, we’re giving back to our communities and keeping as much as we can out of landfills.

Earlier this spring, Alaska teamed up with a group of volunteers from Habitat for Humanity to clear out each room of the former Sandstone Inn in SeaTac, across the street from Alaska’s Corporate Headquarters, to get it ready for the construction of the new office building.

“Habitat for Humanity is a valued partner serving communities where Alaska employees live and work,” said Shaunta Hyde, managing director of community relations. “As we strive to build a better future for our people, partnering with Habitat to benefit the lives of families in our backyard seemed like a logical next step for Alaska.”

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