A speedy way to save time & skip stress through airport security at SEA is here to stay

September 9, 2021
Guest Experience
Alaska Airlines
4 min read

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We’ve got good news about a new way to save time at Sea-Tac International Airport that we first told you about this past spring. SEA Spot Saver allows Alaska Airlines guests flying out of Seattle to make online appointments to get through general screening security checkpoints faster. It has been such a hit with flyers, it’s now a permanent fixture.

From early May (when the pilot program began) through the end of August, more than 125,000 Alaska guests took advantage of SEA Spot Saver on their departing flights from Sea-Tac. Interesting tidbit: The most reservations during that time were on Alaska flights between Seattle and Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Columbus and San Diego.

When we launched the new system with the Port of Seattle, our easy-to-use reservation process proved to be so popular we’ve now extended how far out you can book an appointment – from 24 hours before departure to 72 hours.

Here are a few comments we received from guests who used the program:

“I have artificial hips and knees that are titanium. I am always a nervous wreck. This service was comforting to me and the staff was very helpful. It was very organized as well. Thank you…will always use this when available.”

“I have an unvaccinated child, under 12. I am so nervous about flying with her. This service eased my mind. I’d love to use it again for our flight in October!”

“I wish all airports would use this system. I didn’t have to leave for the airport nearly as early as I would have if I didn’t have a security checkpoint appointment.”

“We’re thrilled so many of our guests are giving SEA Spot Saver great reviews and embracing like we are, new innovations and ideas to make traveling more convenient and less stressful,” said Charu Jain, Alaska’s senior vice president of merchandising and innovation. “Anything we can do to make the airport experience easier is always a win for our guests.”

If you’d like to give SEA Spot Saver a try on your next trip out of Sea-Tac (securing a slot is free and no membership is required), follow these pointers:

Sign up online for an appointment. Again, you can do it as early as 72 hours before your departure. Just type in your date of travel, destination, flight number and how many are traveling in your party.
With your entire family listed on your reservation, everyone gets through security together. Super convenient.
You’ll receive an email with a designated 15-minute window of time – say 9-9:15 a.m. – to pass through an expedited security screening line at Checkpoints 3 or 5 on the day you’re flying out.
Slots are issued every day between 4 a.m. to noon Pacific Time – the prime morning hours when the airport is busiest.
If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, you can still take advantage of SEA Spot Saver, 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.

Guests can also take advantage of the program once they get to the airport by scanning the QR code on SEA Spot Saver signs around the terminal — the code will take you to the website to sign up.

With hygiene and safety concerns top of mind as many of us return to air travel, we’ve focused additional innovation efforts on making it easy for your journey to be almost entirely touch-free:

Use the Alaska mobile app to do it all, from buying a ticket to checking in for your flight to paying for any bags you want to check.
At our airport kiosks, you can scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags – without even touching the screen.
If you need to check in with one of our agents, no need for handing over a paper trail: they can text you your boarding pass and email your receipts.
During boarding, your boarding pass can now be scanned from up to six feet away to help maintain physical distance.
Onboard your flight, enjoy the food and beverage you pre-ordered and paid for using a credit card stored in your Mileage Plan account. If you purchase a Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter and a glass of wine on the flight, our flight attendants can still use your stored credit card – no need to reach out and hand over a card.

Hawaiian Airlines to Resume American Samoa Service

September 8, 2021
releases
Hawaiian Airlines
3 min read

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is reconnecting Honolulu (HNL) and American Samoa (PPG) by resuming nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and the U.S. Territory next week. Hawaiian, which suspended its twice-weekly HNL-PPG service at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, will be offering service through Dec.6.*

“We are delighted to bring American Samoa back into our network and welcome guests who have been patiently waiting for our flights to restart,” said Brent Overbeek, senior vice president for network planning and revenue management at Hawaiian Airlines. “As Pacific island neighbors, we understand how much our guests rely on our service and we look forward to safely reconnecting family and friends.”

Hawaiian is resuming nonstop service between Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye (HNL) and American Samoa's Pago Pago (PPG) international airports with Airbus A330 aircraft.

Hawaiian, which provides the only regularly scheduled air link between the two island chains, paused flights for 17 months at the request of the American Samoa government. On Jan. 13, Hawaiian began operating a series of repatriation flights to bring to American Samoa thousands of residents who had been stranded away from home in Hawai‘i, the U.S. mainland and beyond.

Travelers to American Samoa must follow a series of government health and safety protocols, including proof of vaccination and negative pre-travel test results. More details are available at the TALOFApass website. Guests flying to Hawai‘i are required to create a state of Hawai‘i Safe Travels account and upload their vaccination card or negative pre-travel test to avoid quarantine upon arrival.

Hawaiian will continue to operate the route with its 278-seat, wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft. Please visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com to view flight schedules and purchase tickets.

* This release was updated on Sept. 23 to reflect changes to the flight schedule.

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. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia and New Zealand.

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.

Ready, Set, Holoholo! Registration Begins for Hawaiian Airlines’ Second Annual Virtual Fitness Challenge

September 1, 2021
releases
Hawaiian Airlines
4 min read

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HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is encouraging its employees and guests from around the globe to combat pandemic-related stress and holoholo (to go out) with the launch of its second annual Holoholo Challenge. Starting today, exercise enthusiasts and Hawaiʻi lovers worldwide are invited to register for the monthlong fitness journey, which begins Oct. 1 with new Maui-inspired routes.

Challenge participants can opt to walk/run, swim, or bike virtual courses that span the Valley Isle’s diverse terrain. Routes include a 244-mile bike ride, equivalent to biking up Haleakalā’s hillsides and around Maui; a 50-mile run/walk, the distance from Upcountry Maui to Kāʻanapali on West Maui; a 26-mile swim mimicking a Maui-to-Molokaʻi-to-Lānaʻi race; and a 170-mile run/walk/relay (up to four people), the approximate circumference of the island. Those signing up will also be given the option to donate to Special Olympics Hawaiʻi or The Maui Farm, a local nonprofit providing farm-based, family-centered programs that teach essential life skills for self-sufficient living.

“The first Holoholo Challenge connected thousands of people, safely and virtually, around a shared goal,” said Rob Sorensen, vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “With the continued uncertainty of the pandemic, and resulting burnout and stress, we want to encourage participants, especially those in our work ʻohana, to make their wellness a priority. And there’s no better way to reenergize than getting outside for a little healthy competition among friends – new and old – that also supports a great cause.”

Participants can join groups, download and print a race bib, challenge friends, enjoy a curated Spotify playlist, find tips and recipes and learn more about the Valley Isle on the Holoholo Challenge website, as well as earn up to 40,000 bonus HawaiianMiles by referring friends. The carrier’s popular Holoholo Challenge Facebook Group will also make its return, where participants worldwide can share photos and testimonials of their experience, and use #HoloholoChallenge for a chance to be featured on Hawaiian Airlines social media channels.

Additionally, the carrier is boosting engagement within its workforce by offering giveaways to employee participants, who have the option to track miles throughout their workday, as well as during their personal time.

Hawaiian introduced the Holoholo Challenge in October 2020 to foster wellness and connection amid times of heightened isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions. The fitness experience debuted with two Oʻahu walking/running courses and attracted nearly 12,000 participants from Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland, including more than 900 Hawaiian Airlines employees, who completed approximately 852,700 miles (the equivalent of walking the island perimeter more than 6,500 times) and raised over $68,000 for the carrier’s nonprofit partner, Special Olympics Hawai‘i.

Finishers of this year’s challenge will receive a Maui Holoholo Challenge medal, limited-edition shirt and exclusive postcard map of Maui designed by celebrated Hawaiʻi graphic designer Nick Kuchar.

To register and learn more about this year’s courses, visit HoloholoChallenge.com.

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. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa.

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.

Celebrating 40 years of flying in the Pacific Northwest with Horizon Air

September 1, 2021
Guest Experience
Alaska Airlines
5 min read

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Today is one for the history books! On this day, 40 years ago, Horizon Air, our sister airline in the Pacific Northwest, flew its first flight between Seattle and Yakima, Washington.

If you’re from the PNW there’s a strong chance you’ve flown with Horizon. They’re the regional airline for Alaska Airlines and help connect our guests in the West with the world.

“Horizon connects us all to the Pacific Northwest’s incredible outdoor communities and amazing small cities and enables our connection to the country and world. Horizon Air employees make travel feel personal and bring incredible heart and care to every guest,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska CEO.

Meet Travion Smith, a ground service agent in Seattle who stays “grounded” through kindness and awareness. Read more

Did you know?

Horizon flies to more than 50 destinations in our route network.
First airline to serve Starbucks coffee in the sky.
Are always looking for great new team members. Check out current job openings!
Known for delivering performance with excellence and developing industry leading innovations to create safe, incomparable flying experiences.
Flies 32 Bombardier Q400 aircraft—perfectly suited for serving smaller communities in the PNW—and 30 Embraer E175 aircraft.
Well known for offering FREE beer + wine to guests 21 years young on Q400 flights!

To commemorate Horizon’s momentous day, a special flight will fly the same route that started it all on Sept 1, 1981. This time, it will be flown on Horizon’s “Meatball” plane, a custom-painted retro-themed aircraft, which will fly some of its beloved employees and guests from Seattle to Yakima.

“We’re flying our meatball livery on the same route Horizon flew 40 years ago,” said Capt. Perry Solmonson, 40th Anniversary Committee Chair. “This is a huge milestone for us and this anniversary flight recognizes not only the hard and successful work accomplished to date, but also celebrate our up-and-coming team members of the future.”

40 years of history

Founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Milt Kuolt and a group of venture capitalists in Seattle, Horizon had fewer than 100 employees at that time and operated a fleet of two F-27 propjets.

Kuolt believed that every guest deserved more than just a ride from point A to B, which turned into the superior service that Horizon is still known for today.

“Service began with complimentary wine then blossomed into other little but much-appreciated amenities such as free newspapers handed out at the gate, complimentary coffee, and baskets on board filled with munching snacks that included all kinds of goodies,” wrote Robert J. Serling in the chapter on Horizon Air in the book, Character & Characters: The Spirit of Alaska Airlines.

The service created a culture, a way of life and a state of mind that was “firmly embedded in the work ethic and attitude of every Horizon employee,” wrote Serling.

Today, Horizon has more than 3,500 employees and operates a fleet of 62 aircraft.

Reaching 40 years is a huge milestone. Despite the ups and downs of the industry, it’s been the people of Horizon who have carried the company forward. Our 40th anniversary is all about our people.

First Officer Perry Solmonson waves from the cockpit.

“What I love most about Horizon is our family unit. I have never seen a group of people come together more for the good of a company or each other as I have witnesses during my time with QX. The commitment to our values, the love and respect we show each other and the service to our guests across all work groups is unmatched. I look forward to seeing my colleagues who I consider extended family.” – Natalie Razor, Flight Attendant. SEA

“I love the opportunities to travel around the world on behalf of Horizon Air. I love the opportunities I’ve had to mentor the next generations of Maintenance Technicians. I love the opportunities to travel through the system and assist in new station openings. I love the dynamics of the business, always learning the new aircraft, working through the highs and lows, (9-11, the pandemic). Raising my family.” – Willard Clark, lead technician, GEG

“Being a part of the Horizon family is exactly that. Like any family, we have our ups and downs, highs and lows. We support our Horizon family members and help each other overcome our problems. Some say you can’t pick your family; Horizon is the exception.” – Bill Bowling, Q400 Captain, PDX

“Growing up in the tiny town of Connell, WA; Horizon Air was the airline I trusted to get me to the nearest major airport. It is always the airline I flew on my voyage outside of home and back to my home. Now I am living in Seattle and Horizon still connects me to my parents in my hometown that I love flying to! I am proud to be part of the airline that keeps us connected through the years. #PSC” – Jaime Chavez, passenger service agent, SEA

“I love the loyalty and dedication the employees have and flying with a regional airline I see that same loyalty with our customers. In the short 10 months I have already seen several of our elites on a regular basis and it feels good to be able to build that relationship with them.” – Catherine Alder, Flight Attendant, PDX

New San Francisco Lounge celebrates local flavor and flair

August 31, 2021
Guest Experience
Denise Clifton
5 min read

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Sip and savor your way through the iconic flavors of San Francisco at our newest Alaska Lounge, opening Aug. 31 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Our lounge, conveniently located in Terminal 2 just past security, offers more than 9,000 square feet of relaxing space where guests can enjoy classic bites like San Francisco sourdough bread and a pint of the city’s famed Anchor Brewing Crisp Pilsner while taking in art inspired by the Bay Area. The lounge is a complete renovation of the former American Airlines Admirals Club and will be open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

SFO is the second-largest lounge in our network and has some fun features including:

Trained baristas who will serve Starbucks coffee.
A sourdough cart and candy bar with delicious bites.
California beers and wines for smooth sips.
Local art from artists in the Bay Area to brighten your day.
Room for kids to play, inspired by the San Francisco Giants.

“We’re thrilled to give our guests a place to work, relax, unwind and enjoy some of the best of what the Golden City has to offer when they travel through SFO on Alaska or a oneworld partner,” says Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines.

The Sourdough Cart

Sourdough bread – a part of San Francisco’s food scene since Gold Rush days – will be the highlight of our vintage-style cart featuring local bakeries like Acme Bread Company. Acme is known for its San Francisco Ferry Building location and the Bay Area restaurants it supplies, including Berkeley’s celebrated Chez Panisse. Available at lunch and dinner meal times, the sourdough cart will also offer a variety of sweet and savory toppings, such as ricotta with figs and honey, and burrata with pesto.

The Candy Bar

Just past the Lounge reception desk, a nook beckons with jars of jewel-toned Jelly Belly jelly beans and sweet squares of Ghirardelli chocolate. Ghirardelli’s roots in San Francisco stretch back to 1849, and Jelly Belly candies have called Northern California home for more than three decades.

Guests can also seek their sweet fortunes in custom travel-themed cookies from Oakland’s Fortune Cookie Factory, a third-generation family business that has been baking fortune cookies in the Bay Area for more than 60 years.

California beers and wines

Unwind with a taste of one of Northern California’s finest brews; along with Anchor Brewing, we’ll be pouring Lagunitas IPA, Calicraft Brewing’s Tiki Time tropical wheat ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. We’ll also offer a rotating selection of California wines, and our bartenders will mix up a new craft cocktail each month.

Guests can also enjoy an all-day buffet featuring steel-cut oatmeal, fresh salads and hearty soups – along with our famous pancake printer.

Art with a purpose

In addition to art by local artists sourced by San Francisco’s Minted, our new Lounge will showcase a piece called “Offshore” by American painter and printmaker Anne Neely, who is inspired by Alaska’s commitment to reduce our climate impact. “The artist saw the efforts we have been making in sustainability, and she gifted the art to support those efforts and add to the conversation,” says Jordan Womack, Alaska Lounge product manager.

Fans will have a ball

Young San Francisco Giants fans can cheer for the home team in the play area featuring baseball-themed games and art celebrating mascot Lou Seal.

The Alaska Lounge value

Alaska Lounge membership costs nearly 60 percent less than other airline lounge programs. “Hands down, Alaska offers the single best value of any airport lounge membership in the country,” Woerner says. “Our eight lounges redefine the guest experience and offer a calm oasis for every type of traveler.”

And like SFO, each lounge lets guests explore its region through its unique food and drinks. For example, here are some of the local beers featured:

Anchorage (ANC): Alaskan Amber, King Street Brewing

Los Angeles (LAX): Boomtown IPA

New York (JFK): Greenport IPA, Bronx Brewery Summer Ale

Portland (PDX): Deschutes Mirror Pond

Seattle (SEA): Airways Preflight Pilsner, Georgetown Bodhizafa IPA

How to visit Alaska Lounges

Guests can visit Alaska Lounges by becoming a lounge member, flying First Class with us or purchasing a day pass. Pro tip: Guests can enjoy 50% off a lounge day pass when they pay with their Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card*.

Giving you more options

Beginning Oct. 1, we’re updating our membership structure to give you more options and flexibility.

We’ll now offer two tiers of lounge memberships:

Alaska Lounge: Members will receive access to all Alaska Lounges when flying on any airline.

Alaska Lounge+: Members will receive access to all Alaska Lounges and an extended network of more than 90 partner airline lounges across the country, including all American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

Pricing will update to the following:

Alaska Lounge membership: $450 annually ($350 for Alaska Airlines MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k members)
Alaska Lounge+ membership: $600 annually ($500 for Alaska Airlines MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k members)
New Lounge membership enrollments and renewals made before Alaska’s two-tier structure goes into effect in October will be grandfathered into an Alaska Lounge+ membership for the duration of the membership period.

Keep up with our Lounges on alaskaair.com.

FLY TO SAN FRANCISCO

Pre-game the Alaska way with all things PRE

August 27, 2021
Guest Experience
Alaska Airlines
3 min read

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Whether you’re catching a flight or the tail end of Russell Wilson’s PRE-season, we’ve got you covered on all things PRE at Alaska.

PRE-check yourself through TSA

We want to make sure you arrive at your gate with plenty of time to catch your flight, despite the extra busy airports. Consider joining trusted traveler programs like TSA Pre-Check®, Global Entry, Nexus, or SENTRI. Membership in these programs gives you access to the faster security screening lanes at participating airports, where you can keep on your shoes, belts, or light jackets and your laptop can stay in your carry-on.

PRE-order your Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter

Enjoy ingredients inspired by the West Coast, from snacks to freshly prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pre-order your favorites ahead of your trip (from 2 weeks to 20 hours prior to your flight) on our website or mobile app.

A limited number of fruit & cheese platters are available by pre-order only on trips 1,100+ miles.

Pre-mium Class gives you more space.

Treat yourself to 4 inches more legroom with our Premium Class Cabin seats. And, enjoy complimentary beer, wine and cocktails for those 21+! Premium also means you can board early, access overhead bin space before space fills up and be among the first to deplane when you arrive to your destination.

Preprint bag tags and check your bags.

You’ll likely make it through the security line even quicker by reducing your carry-on items. We recommend checking your bags instead. Brush up on our checked baggage policy and then print your own bag tags at home to save even more time at the airport.

Pre-pack the essentials

Masks are still required, per federal law. So, please remember to pack your mask! In case you forget yours or lose it, don’t worry we’ve got you covered—simply ask us for a mask.

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).

Pre-view the most movies in the sky* – for free.

Snuggle into your seat and grab some popcorn – we’re bringing the movie theater to you. Choose from over 500 free movies and browse 550+ episodes of more than 80 TV series in our entertainment library.

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

Pre-boarding for anyone who needs a little more time

Alaska Airlines offers pre-boarding for anyone with disabilities who may need help or more time to board, families with children under the age of two. And, active members of the military.

Pre-tty hot deals

Take advantage of our hottest fares to some of your favorite Alaska Airlines destinations. See our flight deals happening now.

PREpare for takeoff

Whether it’s a business trip or the ultimate vacation, when you fly with us, you’ll get Next-Level Care and the best experience in the air. Here are 4 ways to travel with us.

Want to see Russ in action on his home turf? Book your next flight to Seattle on alaskaair.com.

Mahalo on Wheels: Delivering Thanks to Our Employee ʻOhana

August 26, 2021
blog
Hawaiian Airlines
3 min read

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Inspired by the legendary local Manapua men, who sell the signature steamed buns, fried noodles and other local treats from their van, Hawaiian Airlines very own 'Mahalo Van' has been surprising employees across our company carrying similar snacks and goodies delivering messages of appreciation.

Our Purpose and Values committee launched The Summer Appreciation Pop-Ups in early July to mahalo each work group – from cargo to guest service agents, mechanics, crewmembers and corporate teams, among others – who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. Our maintenance team, with the help of longtime partner Pow!Wow! Hawaii, spent over 180 hours transforming an unused company shuttle into a colorful display of gratitude, now known as the ‘Mahalo Van.’

Our maintenance team converted an unused company vehicle into the Mahalo Van.

Mahalo Van volunteers serve sweat treats and shakas.

"Our employees not only worked during the pandemic, so many of them worked harder than ever before given the constant changes and increased challenges," said Alisa Onishi, senior director of brand, culture and community relations. "It's a simple gesture but we really wanted to recognize our team's hard work. A 'thank you' and 'enjoy this' goes a long way. Especially when it's among fellow colleagues."

The Mahalo Van makes a stop at the crew center at HNL.

The Mahalo Van is staffed by employee volunteers, including senior leaders, and stocked with favorite local treats like lemon peel gummies, furikake popcorn and shave ice cups. The cultural resource center located in our corporate headquarters became the designated poster-making area where employees got creative with their mahalo messages.

Mana Kanahele, a ramp lead on our airport operations team, is also a passionate artist.

"I've been doing art for as long as I can remember, and I was inspired to make a sign for my fellow ramp employees, and for everyone, because I, too, am appreciative of them," Kanahele said. "[At Hawaiian] We want everyone to feel like ohana, feel welcome, and you can't get that anywhere else."

What's the next stop for the Mahalo Van?

"For our employees not based in Honolulu, we're sending gift boxes to all of our stations with similar sweet treats,” Onishi said “We definitely want to do more fun events with the van. It was a labor of love and represents the pride our employees have for each other.”

Check out Hawaii News Now's coverage of the Mahalo Van and interviews with Onishi and Kanahele below.

University of Hawai’i Athletics, Hawaiian Airlines Extend Integrated Sponsorship

August 25, 2021
releases
Hawaiian Airlines
3 min read

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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and Hawaiian Airlines today entered into a three-year, $1.7 million exclusive sponsorship agreement that extends the decades-long relationship between Hawaii’s home team and Hawaii’s hometown carrier. As the “Official Airline of UH Athletics,” Hawaiian will welcome onboard student-athletes, coaches and staff representing the university’s 21 varsity athletic programs in competitions on the U.S. Mainland.

“We’re proud Hawaiian Airlines remains a member of our valued corporate partner family, a legacy relationship now spanning over 30 years,” said UH Athletics Director David Matlin. “While we appreciate their longstanding commitment to our overall athletics programming, more importantly, we’re grateful for their extreme care around ensuring safe and efficient travel for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”

“We’re thrilled to continue building upon our partnership with UH Athletics despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and we take immense pride in safely and comfortably transporting their teams to competitions so student-athletes can arrive rested and ready to compete,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO at Hawaiian Airlines. “I can confidently say that all of us at Hawaiian Airlines will be cheering on our home teams and we look forward to a winning season.”

Under the agreement, Hawaiian will enjoy corporate partner branding benefits in signage, digital integration on official athletic platforms and use of marks, among other channels and assets. The airline will bolster its Flying with the Bows social media features in the new term, including student-athlete insights and in-flight surprises for its guests.

Hawaiian, a Diamond Level partner of UH Athletics and a sponsor for three decades, will title sponsor the 2021 Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic on Aug. 27-29. Fans can tune in on TV via Spectrum OC16 and Radio via ESPN Honolulu.

The UH Athletics and Hawaiian Airlines relationship was secured by Hawaii Sports Properties, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and Honolulu-based LEARFIELD team.

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. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.

Now in its 92nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 130 flights within the Hawaiian Islands, daily nonstop flights between Hawai‘i and 16 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as once-weekly service connecting Honolulu and Tahiti. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaiian is operating an adjusted flight schedule between Hawai‘i and Japan and Korea, and has temporarily suspended service in Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa.

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.

Boeing and Alaska test technology to make flying safer and greener

August 25, 2021
Sustainability
Alaska Airlines
4 min read

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One of the paths in our roadmap to net zero by 2040 is fleet renewal and continuing to test and adopt technology to further improve our fleet’s efficiency. This partnership with Boeing is one way our company invests in research and development and the future of aviation. If these technologies prove particularly valuable, we’ll advocate for those being on future aircraft.

This month, 250 students stopped by our Anchorage hangar to explore the latest technology Boeing and Alaska are testing to make aviation safer and more eco-friendly.

Planemakers like Boeing must test absolutely every thing on a plane before guests ever step on board. The students, part of Alaska’s Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP), learned all about our industry and Boeing’s latest developments that will help us reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

In its eighth iteration, Boeing and its partners, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), using one of our 737-9 aircraft before it is delivered to us in early 2022. Test flights began in late June, flying around the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, California and Montana to test out various technologies.

*Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, started in 2012, takes innovative technologies from the lab, tests them on real aircraft and implements the most promising tech in its products and services.*

What’s the newest tech?

Low-profile anti-collision light – an aircraft body needs to be as streamlined as possible – anything sticking out creates drag and reduces efficiency. Anti-collision lights currently are located on the top and bottom of the fuselage and stick out so they can be easily seen.

A low-profile light is being tested with a new lens so the light doesn’t stick out as far but can still be easily seen. This design also moves the electronics from outside to inside the aircraft, improving the light’s reliability.

Recycled Carbon Fiber Sidewalls – Boeing is testing replacing conventional cabin wall insulation with composite waste material from the construction of a Boeing 777X wing to make sidewalls stronger and lighter. The panels will be tested to ensure they’re as quiet as the ones in service today.

NOAA Greenhouse Gas Measurement – NOAA uses data from commercial airplanes – such as wind and temperature – to improve climate modeling and long-term forecasting.

For better long-term climate modeling, they need to measure the concentrations of existing greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, water vapor). Our airplane is helping NOAA determine the best placement on the airplane for air sampling probes, and the agency hopes to add the technology across fleets of commercial plans to crowdsource data in real-time worldwide.

Non-halon fire suppressant – Halon 1301 is an ozone layer-depleting agent that has not been in production in the U.S. since 1994 (and the only places it’s still used is for aviation fire suppression, the oil industry and in military applications). A new fire extinguishing agent, CF3i, is being tested that would be significantly less damaging to the ozone layer.

Additional technologies include wireless sensors and drone inspections to improve maintenance efficiency, new technologies on the flight deck to enhance safety and fly more efficiently and advanced engine nacelle treatments to reduce community noise.

*Launched in 1995, ANSEP focuses on increasing opportunities for Alaska Natives in science and engineering-related careers by placing students on an education and career path to leadership.* *We’ve supported ANSEP for over 10 years, flying students from communities across Alaska to Anchorage for classes and inspiring them to find rewarding careers in aviation.*

Fun facts:

The split wingtips you see on our new 737-9 and other new Boeing aircraft came from a prior ecoDemonstrator aircraft test and increase fuel efficiency by 2%.
More than one-third of the technologies tested have advanced into Boeing’s products and services.
The ecoDemonstrator plane flies mainly using a 30-50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel and Jet A fuel.
There’s a fun surprise on the right side of the aircraft’s design. Can you spot what it is?

Learn more about the ecoDemonstrator.

Flying on an airplane is safer than ‘grocery shopping or eating out,’ says experts

August 3, 2021
Guest Experience
Alaska Airlines
2 min read

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Updated April 18, 2022

While doing anything besides staying in your bubble assumes a level of risk, we believe it’s safe to fly—and experts agree.

According to research, airplanes are the safest indoor environments globally, and flying remains relatively low risk. We love to hear it and hope you enjoy flying with us.

Air travel is the safest form of transportation thanks to…

Hospital-grade air filtration

HEPA filters remove 99.9% of airborne particles, including viruses like COVID-19 and other variants.

Clean air exchange

Outside and filtered air in the cabin is exchanged every 2–3 minutes, giving better ventilation than grocery stores and office buildings.

Top-down air flow

Air flows from the ceiling to the bottom of your seat, instead of front to back, minimizing particle movement throughout the cabin and reducing contact other guests.

Wearing Masks

A face mask or covering has been proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19 according studies and the CDC. While masks are no longer required to be on our flights as of April 18, 2022, we respect your decision to keep using this added layer of protection. Above all, we hope you’ll treat each other with kindness and respect throughout the travel journey and beyond.

Getting vaccinated — but not required to travel.

Getting fully vaccinated has proven to be the best way to protect yourself & others from the coronavirus and the many variants which continue to lurk around right now. So, while it is not a requirement to fly, we encourage you to do so.

With over 100 ways to keep you safe, our Next-Level Care meets hospital-grade health safety measures and recommendations from experts, including researchers at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who found a “layered approach” lowers the spread of viruses on planes.

“This layered approach, with ventilation gate-to-gate, reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission onboard aircraft below that of other routine activities during the pandemic, such as grocery shopping or eating out,” the report says.

Related:

Book your next flight with us at alaskaair.com.

Sisterly Love: Coming Together to Care for Japan’s Coastlines

July 29, 2021
blog
Hawaiian Airlines
3 min read

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The beautiful stretch of pristine white sand, palm trees and waterfront resorts make Japan's Shirarahama Beach reflective of Honolulu's Waikiki Beach. It comes as no surprise that the two beaches, popular destinations for residents and visitors alike, have shared a special "sister" relationship since 2000 – one of 24 sister state and city relationships between the two archipelagos.

Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region shares a "sister-beach" relationship with Honolulu's Waikiki Beach.

Beyond their visual beauty, Hawai‘i and Japan share a similar philosophy when caring for each other and the environment. In Hawai‘i, we "mālama" (take care of) one another, our land and our natural resources. It's more than an action; it's a mindset. In Japan, the concept of Omoiyari, or the art of compassion, is a shared understanding of consideration in Japanese society.

It is with these principles in mind that the Shirarahama Waikiki Beach Friendship Committee invited our Hawaiian Airlines Japan-based, Team kōkua employee volunteers to join a beach cleanup project at Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region. More than 150 participants, including city officials, tourism agencies and local hotels like Nanki Shirahama Marriott, community members, as well as employees from our Japan sales team and their families, donned purple Team Kokua T-shirts and spent the afternoon picking up trash along the half-mile coast.

Team Kokua members joined the Shirarahama Waikiki Beach Friendship Committee in a beach cleanup project.

Hawaiian’s Japan Country Director Takaya Shishido reflected on the importance of Japan and Hawai‘i businesses working together on initiatives that promote sustainability: "We are honored to join the Shirarahama Waikiki Beach Friendship Committee in a beach cleanup that shares a special connection with Hawai‘i,” he said. “Through these activities, we can share with residents and travelers what it means to travel pono (responsibly) and why preserving our coastal communities is an important step in building a sustainable future."

Mālama and Omoiyari are similar philosophies shared in Hawai‘i and Japan when it comes to caring for each other and the environment.

Before the sun began to set, participants arranged 2,021 candles across the sand with a message for the sister beach, located over 6,000 miles across the Pacific. "ALOHA WAIKIKI" shone brightly from the beach while a fireworks display illuminated the night sky.

Following the cleanup, the group arranged 2,021 candles with a message recognizing the sister-beach relationship.

"Japan and Hawai‘i share such a special relationship,” Keiko Tsukui, Hawaiian’s manager of Japan partnerships and promotions, said following the ceremony. “I’m grateful that all of us, many of whom work in travel and tourism, can come together with a common goal of caring for these cherished areas so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come.”

Alaska Airlines releases the Kraken (on a plane) just in time for NHL season

July 29, 2021
Community
Alaska Airlines
3 min read

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Hockey is back in Seattle! And what better way to celly than a custom plane?

Today, we’re releasing the Kraken with one our special aircraft, which will fly on routes to the team’s away games in cities we serve.

As the official airline of the Kraken, we can’t wait for the first puck drop at Climate Pledge Arena, where our community and guests will get to enjoy the Alaska Airlines Atrium, which will serve as the main entrance for all events at the Climate Pledge Arena.

The plane is just the beginning of a long-term major partnership between us and our new hometown NHL team. See some of the perks we’re offering guests and more below!

*The plane (tail number N915AK) was unveiled this morning to fans and guests awaiting a flight to Las Vegas, where the team will play its first regular season away game.*

*The aircraft was designed in collaboration with Kraken designers and our own creative team, led by Jonny Mack. He says it takes a lot of people working together for months to make it all happen*.

“As the official airline and founding partner of the Seattle Kraken, we’re so excited for this aircraft to take to the skies and help us cheer on the team during their inaugural season,” said Whitney Ellison, Alaska director of brand marketing. “We’re Seattle’s hometown airline, so we’re thrilled to be part of this historic moment and support Seattle’s first NHL team. Go Kraken!”

Have an ice trip, get early boarding!

It’s time to rally & look fly doing it, Kraken fans. All season long, if you’re flying out of Seattle or Everett and wear a Seattle Kraken jersey, you get priority boarding!

Now, through the end of the hockey season, Kraken fans who wear the teams’ jersey can board early on all Alaska flights departing from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Paine Field (PAE).

Alaska Airlines Atrium @ the Climate Pledge Arena

Located on the south side of the arena, the Atrium spans 36,000 square-feet and feature stories and images reflecting the Pacific Northwest and the travel opportunities within our region and across the globe.

“With our headquarters in Seattle, we love giving back to our hometown and connecting Seattle to the world,” says Sangita Woerner, VP of Marketing. “This partnership is no exception as we’ll work closely with the Kraken to create a variety of initiatives that benefit our community, beyond events at the Climate Pledge Arena.”

Fans will see Alaska branding on the ice and on several boards around the hockey rink during games.

We can’t wait to cheer on the home team and share some special surprises we have up our wings this season. Follow @alaskaair for your chance to score big in the future!

Don’t miss a Kraken game this season!
Book now. Mask up. Let’s go!