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Fear of Flying Clinic helps nervous flyers overcome anxiety to get off the ground

Music executive Oscar Flores was so nervous about flying that he hadn’t been on an airplane in 22 years.

After not flying for 22 years, Oscar Flores showed up to surprise his mother for her birthday.

Thanks to the Fear of Flying Clinic and some caring Alaska Airlines volunteers, Flores gained the courage to fly from Portland to Kansas City to surprise his mother for her birthday.

“I survived!” Flores said after his recent round-trip flight on Alaska Airlines.

That exclamation was music to the ears of Alaska flight attendants Lynn Hodges and Chris King, whose volunteer efforts with the Fear of Flying Clinic helped Flores take a big step that was more than two-decades in the making – and create some priceless memories with his family.

“My entire family told me how proud they were of me,” Flores said.

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Flights in Northeast canceled because of massive winter storm

The temperature was minus-5 degrees on New Year’s Day at JFK airport in New York, where Alaska Airlines station supervisor Mellisa Delduca, Dollie Landvatter and Martin Paddock bundled up for work.

UPDATE: 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4

Alaska Airlines and Virgin America continue to keep close watch on a massive winter storm that’s causing problems today in the Northeast with heavy snow and blizzard conditions.

Both airlines have canceled an additional six flights Thursday (Jan. 4) and seven flights Friday (Jan. 5) in and out of New York Kennedy, New York LaGuardia and Newark. Depending on the weather and recovery efforts at the airports, more flights could be canceled.

Since Wednesday, Alaska and Virgin America have canceled more than 85 flights to and from Boston, the three airports in the New York City area and Philadelphia due to the winter storm.

Alaska and Virgin America have implemented flexible travel policies that waive change and cancellation fees for guests who would like to alter their plans to or from affected airports. Learn more at alaskaair.com.

All customers are encouraged to check the status of their flights online at alaskaair.com and virginamerica.com, or on Alaska’s mobile app before leaving for the airport.

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#iFlyAlaska: See the top photos from our flyers in 2017

People, places, planes! In 2017, we saw more than 58,000 mentions of #iFlyAlaska across social media. Our guests shared stories of employees going above and beyond for them, stunning landscapes from Alaska to Costa Rica, and many shots from the wing. We’re closing out the year with some of our favorites.

Join the conversation in 2018: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram and make sure to tag your posts with #iFlyAlaska. We can’t wait to follow your adventures.

Wishing you a happy new year!
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Video: Kevin Durant and Alaska Airlines deliver some holiday cheer in the Bay Area

Feel-good Friday: After guest lost her purse, Alaska ‘restored my faith in humanity’

Lauren Whiteside of Anchorage, Alaska was recently flying on Alaska Airlines on her way to Austin, Texas, when she experienced utter panic. She’d lost her purse with all her valuables inside.

The saga started when she arrived in Seattle after taking a red-eye from Anchorage and had only 25 minutes to get on a flight to Los Angeles, where she would connect to Austin.

In her rush, she left her purse – with her ID, money and credit cards – on the plane.

She realized her mistake just as the flight to L.A. hit cruising altitude.

“Aaaand then I freaked. Full-freak-out-tears-flowing mode,” she later wrote in a Facebook post.

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Alaska Airlines ready to tackle wintry conditions at Sea-Tac and Portland

When winter weather is forecast, preparation is essential for Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Virgin America– especially when it comes to the potential for light snow and ice in Seattle and Portland, which are primary hubs.

Whenever conditions get too cold and moisture is present, there’s a chance frost or snow can accumulate on aircraft surfaces. When this happens, a plane needs to be deiced so its surfaces can be clean and clear before takeoff. This season, significant changes have been made in how that work gets done.

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Feel-good Friday: Reuniting a girl with her stuffed dog takes a village of caring employees

In a child’s world, losing a toy is upsetting. But for a 4-year-old girl named Rougen from Coos Bay, Oregon, the polka-dotted, stuffed dog named Bubba left behind on her flight was more than just a toy. It was a memory of her brother.

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Alaska is the most fuel-efficient airline for 7th year, also lands on Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Alaska Airlines ranks No. 1 in fuel efficiency for U.S. airlines for the 7th consecutive year.

Alaska led all 13 major U.S. carriers as the most fuel-efficient airline operating in the United States in 2015 and 2016, according to a report released today by the International Council on Clean Transportation, an independent, nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C.

“Alaska burns about 13 percent less fuel (per passenger mile) than the industry average, it’s a profitable airline, and it’s done this for seven years running,” said Naya Olmer, lead author of the study.

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Weekend trip: Los Angeles to Liberia, Costa Rica

By Jess Dale (instagram.com/jess.wandering)
and Quin Schrock (instagram.com/everchanginghorizon)

The hike to the Oropendola waterfall is short, fun, and photogenic. It’s one of the only waterfalls we visited that allowed swimming, so don’t forget your suit!

When I was 6 years old I was obsessed with bugs. I picked up this interest from my friend’s dad. He was an entomologist, and would travel all over the world collecting insects. After one trip in particular he came back with tales of lush forests, neon blue waterfalls, white sand beaches, and a stunning array of biodiversity. And thus, a new obsession started – Costa Rica. I checked out every book in the library, cut out pictures from my parents’ magazines, and put it at the top of my list of places I would visit when I grew up.

But it wasn’t until Quin contacted me about doing the Weekend Wanderer program with him in Costa Rica, that my childhood dream became a reality. We left from Los Angeles and took Alaska Airlines’ new direct flight to Liberia, picked up our car, and hit the road! Flying into Liberia put us near Costa Rica’s vibrant rain forests, numerous National Parks, and beautiful waterfalls.

Our goal was to see as many as possible during our stay!

Shop: Flights to Costa Rica

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Local Wanderer: Raleigh, North Carolina

By Chana Lynn, RaleighWhatsUp 

Raleigh is an incredible city to live, work and play – and also to visit!

Raleigh is a creative and closely connected city. Like many other cities, Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area are currently experiencing a lot of growth these last few years, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.

Raleigh is home to many world-class technology companies and universities, NHL and elite college athletics, several incredible museums, a fast rising destination food scene with award-winning chefs, fantastic coffee shops and plenty of amazing local breweries. I’d say we are pretty lucky to live here!

On my blog, RaleighWhatsUp, I enjoy sharing and highlighting lots of amazing local places in Raleigh and beyond to dine, drink, listen, shop and explore. I’ve put together a few of my favorite destinations in Raleigh but plan a visit and decide for yourself! Shop for flights to Raleigh.

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Alaska Airlines to put limits on ‘smart bags’ starting Jan. 15

Alaska Airlines will put limits on “smart bags” starting early next year.

As of Jan. 15, any bag powered with a lithium battery or lithium battery power bank will need to follow these requirements:

  • Smart bags will be allowed as carry-on baggage, if they meet carry-on size limits and if it’s possible to remove the battery from the bag if needed.
  • If the bag will fly as a checked bag, the battery must be removed and the battery must be carried in the cabin.
  • If it’s not possible to remove the battery from the bag, the bag won’t be allowed on the plane.

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A note to our guests about sexual misconduct

By Andrea “Andy” Schneider
Alaska Airlines vice president of People

I am writing today to address a recent situation involving an alleged sexual harassment incident on board one of our aircraft.

This report is very disturbing. We take it extremely seriously and have launched a thorough investigation. The safety and well-being of our guests and employees is our number one priority. We want our guests to feel safe. As a company, we have zero tolerance for any type of misconduct that creates an unsafe environment for our guests and our employees.

Our aim is to create an environment where guests and employees alike feel protected and empowered, and where our guests have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

As a company with strong values and a deep commitment to our guests and our employees, we will do our part to find solutions to a pervasive societal problem. We are driven to learn continuously, to lead, and to do the right thing.

In the weeks ahead, we will be working with guests, employees, union partners, and other leaders to review and strengthen our approach to preventing, identifying, and addressing these important issues.

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