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How to Ce-lei-brate May Day with Us, No Matter Where You Are

Every year on May 1, communities statewide come together for one of Hawai‘i’s most colorful celebrations of culture and aloha.

May Day is Lei Day in the Hawaiian Islands, and it's a special time when people in Hawai‘i are tightly strung together by lei and hospitality. Festivals are held throughout the islands, the smell of fragrant flowers and fresh greenery lingers in the air, music is shared, and a love for our island home reverberates far and wide.

Sharing Aloha Series Lei 3 - Kamahanaokala Tim Sing

One of our employee's handmade lei, strung and ready for gifting this Lei Day.

 

While this year’s celebration will be limited by Hawai‘i’s government restrictions on public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lei Day lives on. We welcome people from around the world to join our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana in celebrating May Day virtually. We have planned several digital experiences that will live on beyond May 1, so those who miss the Lei Day fun can keep the celebration going.

A Virtual May Day Concert

We teamed up with Hawai‘i nonprofit Kāhuli Leo Le‘a and local broadcast station Hawaii News Now in turning O‘ahu’s biggest annual May Day concert into a virtual showcase.

May Day Concert 2019 - 2

Hula dancers on stage during the Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2019 concert. This year, artists will perform remotely from their homes due to social distancing requirements.

 

“Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2020: Aloha ʻĀina” will debut today at 7 p.m. HST on Hawaii News Now (KHNL). There will be a rebroadcast at 8 p.m. HST on Hawaii News Now (K5), HawaiiNewsNow.com  and the station’s Facebook channel.

MayDay5x5p1

 

Viewers will enjoy a selection of Hawai‘i’s renowned artists performing remotely to comply with social distancing requirements. Featured musicians include 17-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning group Keauhou, with special guests Robert Cazimero, Josh Tatofi, Lehua Kalima and Kainani Kahaunaele.

Fans can also download lyrics to sing along before the concert kicks off and learn more about the lineup by visiting WeAreALei.Org.

Make Your Own Lei

We launched our new digital Sharing Aloha Series in April to share our island home (and all that makes it special) with our global audience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Videos, hosted by our featured chefs, employees and local artists, highlight recipe tutorials, hula and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) lessons, and more.

Sharing Aloha Series - Kamahanaokala Tim Sing Ground Service Equipment GSE Lead Mechanic

Kamahanaokala Tim Sing, a Hawaiian Airlines ground service equipment lead mechanic, teaches viewers how to make a lei using fresh pua kenikeni and ferns.

 

Exclusively for Lei Day, we created a lei-making video with our employees so you can share the aloha from wherever you are in the world.

Sharing Aloha Series - Brian Sabog Flight Attendant

Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant Brian Sabog shows viewers how to make a specialty lei outside of his home on Oʻahu.

 

Stay tuned – the video will be released today, May 1, at 2 p.m. HST and available for viewing here. While you're waiting, follow the Sharing Aloha Series to learn how you can keep the vacation vibes going strong and welcome a bit of aloha into your own home.

Share a Lei with Your ‘Ohana on Social Media

Share the lei love with your ‘ohana digitally this May Day by taking a selfie with our Lei Day filter! The new plumeria lei filter is available on Facebook and Instagram.

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Learn the “Language of Lei”

Giving a lei is no small gesture, and it’s considered an important opportunity to show honor, high regard and love. Here in the Hawaiian Islands, many adorn people they care about with lei on special occasions or as an expression of their gratitude and aloha.

If you’ve never given a lei before, we made a starter guide to help you get to know some of the most commonly exchanged lei in Hawai‘i.

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Plumeria lei

 

From masks to airports and aircraft cleaning, safety is our top priority

Updated August 5:

These days Alaska Airlines may look a little different when you fly. From our check in counters to our aircraft, you’ll notice changes to ensure the health and safety of our guests and employees. From social distancing stickers on the floor to our guests & employees wearing masks, we want you to know our care is never cancelled.

Masks

To align with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and to keep our guests and employees safe, masks will be mandatory for all our guests. Additionally, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees who cannot maintain six feet of physical distance during interactions with guests or co-workers have been required to wear masks since May 4. This includes pilots, flight attendants and customer service agents.

Starting August 7, all Alaska passengers will be required to wear a cloth mask or face covering over their nose and mouth (except for children under the age of two) – with no exceptions. Cloth masks or face coverings will be required on all flights, at ticket counters, throughout gate areas and any other location where Alaska conducts business.

Guests will be expected to bring their own mask and will be required to wear it throughout the airport and flight experience. Additional supplies will be available for those who forget their face masks. Specific details about the face mask requirements will be shared with guests in pre-trip communications before their date of travel. The temporary policy will be reevaluated periodically as guidance evolves.

“Safety is our most important value at Alaska Airlines, and thanks to our employees we have an incredibly safe operation. In light of COVID-19, we’re in a new era and are continually updating our safety standards to better protect our guests and employees. For now, this includes wearing masks, which is another layer of protection that can reduce the spread of the virus,” said Max Tidwell, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of safety.

Questions? Read our FAQ about masks & physical distancing 

Enhanced cleaning

Our planes have never been cleaner.

We’ve always had robust cleaning processes on our aircraft and will continue using disinfectants that use of high-grade, EPA registered disinfectants to sanitize critical touchpoints like tray tables, seat belts, overhead bins, armrests and lavatories, etc.

As an extra level of precaution, we’ve implemented an enhanced aircraft cleaning process between our flights that are on the ground longer than an hour at our hubs. We’ve also expanded the use of electrostatic sanitizing spray to disinfect aircraft at all of our hubs.

At the airport – mind your wingspan!

We’re installing decals to remind people to ‘Mind Your Wingspan,’ at each one of our airports where we fly. The stickers, spanning 6 feet apart, can be found at our ticketing counters, baggage drops, customer service centers and gate areas. The Alaska branded stickers will be deployed systemwide over the coming weeks.

On the plane

Through July 31, 2020 and beyond, we’re limiting the number of guests on our flights and blocking select seats. Families or large groups may request to sit together. Learn more here.

Finally, we’ve also updated our onboard service to limit the interaction between our flight crews and guests. You’ll also notice we have removed all seatback contents, except for the safety card, to limit the spread of germs.

Safety remains our top priority at Alaska Airlines – for you, and for our employees. We will continue to evaluate best practices to ensure the health and safety of our guests and employees.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and see you soon.

Related:

From Cabin to Community: Giving New Life to Our Soft Goods

Mālama, meaning to “care for” in Hawaiian and one of our core company values, has been on top of our minds as we think of ways to continue to support our people and communities during the pandemic. 

As we started to suspend most of our flying, our product development and in-flight teams immediately began assessing our large inventory of unused cabin items – such as blankets, pillowcases, slippers, mattress pads and amenity kits – to find them new homes and help vulnerable members of our community. 

“We saw that several of the nonprofits that we’ve supported over the years are now being met with an unprecedented need for donations as their program beneficiaries are relying more on their services to stay afloat,” said Renee Awana, managing director of product development at Hawaiian Airlines. “Our product development team had the opportunity to look into our inventory and redirect several thousand units of excess soft good items into the hands of shelters and human-services organizations statewide.”  

truck

After Hawaiian Humane Society received our donation, its team was sent off by an ānuenue (rainbow in Hawaiian) outside our Honolulu cargo facility.

 

Since March, Hawaiian has distributed over 10,300 fleece Main Cabin blankets, 169,000 Main Cabin pillowcases, 600 Business Class pillowcases, 2,200 Business Class slippers, 2,050 Business Class mattress pads, and 2,750 Business Class and Extra Comfort amenity kits to 12 organizations:  

[Editor’s note: We encourage our readers to join us and click the links above to learn how you can support Hawai‘i’s nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic.] 

"The meaning of kōkua goes beyond the word help; it carries a deeper meaning of offering service, devotion to caring for others, and maintaining this sense of humility. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our community in ways we could have never imagined, and our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana is doing all that it can to be there for the communities who have supported us for over 90 years,” said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director of community and cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines. “These donations are part of our ongoing commitment to support the efforts of organizations that continue that care for our community, especially in these challenging times.” 

We checked in with a few of our nonprofit recipients to see how their donations are being used and share how you can join their impactful efforts.   

Maintaining a Safe Space for O‘ahu Animals 

Earlier this month, over 2,000 Business Class mattress pads were donated to the Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) to help animals stay relaxed while its facilities are partially closed. Daniel Roselle, director of community relations at HHS, said the pads will ensure animals can rest comfortably while awaiting adoption or foster care or recovering from critical veterinary services.   

cat

Hawaiian Humane Society is using our donated Business Class mattress pads to provide comfortable shelters for its animals.

 

"The mattress pads we received have been a big help and are making life more comfortable for our animals and more convenient for our animal care staff,” he said. “We use them in our dog and cat kennels, and when we spay or neuter a pet, we can wake them up gently on their own heated pad. We are so grateful for this generous gift from Hawaiian Airlines. It's wonderful to be part of repurposing soft goods in a way that makes life better for O‘ahu’s animals."  

Helping Local Shelters Care for the Homeless 

The Institute for Human Services (IHS), Oʻahu’s oldest and largest homeless services provider, which operates nine shelters across the island, has faced a similar need for essential items. To keep its temporary residents safe, the organization has implemented strict social distancing rules and reduced the number of beds to allow for six-foot spacing. However, the new rules have made it difficult to accommodate everyone who needs assistance. 

To help IHS welcome new residents to their shelters or serve the needs of people who remain on the streets, we donated 2,800 Main Cabin fleece blankets to help keep homeless individuals comfortable at night.  

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Several boxes of blankets being loaded onto an Institute for Human Services' truck at our cargo facility.

 

“Our guests often come to us with nothing but the shirts on their backs,” said Jill Wright, director of philanthropy and community relations at IHS. “By welcoming them with basic comforts like a blanket to sleep under, we are reaffirming that they are valued. This can often make all the difference in their outlook and belief in a brighter future.” 

IMG_3544

Hawaiian employees and Institute for Human Services' staff in front of a truck filled at capacity with boxes of our Main Cabin blankets.

 

The Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons (HONU) program provides short-term shelters and housing navigation services to Leeward O‘ahu’s homeless community. However, the urgency to help unsheltered individuals off the streets and the resulting demand for supplies has grown two-fold amid COVID-19. In response to a spike in homelessness, HONU has opened a temporary shelter near Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport with spaced-out beds, food, personal hygiene stations, and more. To assist with their transition, we donated over 1,000 of our Main Cabin fleece blankets to HONU earlier this month. 

Supporting Pacific Islander Communities in Need 

Through its culture-based programs, Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF) helps at-risk groups within the Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities overcome difficult life and economic challenges.  

IMG_8673

Boxes of soft goods waiting to be loaded onto a Partners in Development Foundation truck. Donations will support families and people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

As a PIDF partner for over 10 years, we understood the critical need for supplies to support people most vulnerable to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Items like blankets, amenity kits, pillowcases and slippers were expedited to PIDF’s team to be delivered to Pacific Islander families who receive the nonprofit’s vital social services – from safe houses to low-income family programs.  

IMG_8675

Partners in Development Foundation staff and Hawaiian employees load boxes of donations into vans.

 

"Partners in Development Foundation is humbled by Hawaiian’s willingness to provide hope, joy, and comfort to our families during this very difficult time,” said Kasey Galariada, outreach manager for Partners in Development Foundation’s Ka Pa‘alana Homeless Family Education Program. “On the day the families received the items, there were smiles, laughter, and so much gratitude shared. We value our partnership as we continue to serve those in need, especially at a time when we all need a little extra love.” 

Alaska Airlines begins testing passenger aircraft to fly critical cargo

Since making the difficult decision to reduce our flying due to the coronavirus, we’ve been looking at other ways to utilize passenger aircraft to carry essential goods to people and businesses who need it most.

On any given day before the coronavirus dramatically changed travel, we carried about 400,000 pounds of cargo per day in the “bellies” of passenger aircraft – where luggage is stored. By utilizing passenger aircraft as freighters we’ll be able to backfill some of 45% loss in capacity across Lower 48 and Hawaii where passenger flights have been reduced by 80%.

“We’re determined to make sure our nation’s supply chain stays robust and resilient, connecting critical cargo quickly to the communities we serve,” said Torque Zubeck, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo. “Our teams have been working hard to identify the safest and most effective processes to increase our cargo capacity as quickly as possible.”

Trying to pull off a passenger-to-freighter operation is no easy task. A team of 40 people have been working on the effort since March. If approved by the FAA, we could begin flying passenger aircraft dedicated to cargo within the United States as early as May.

We aim to utilize the passenger cabin on five Boeing 737-900 aircraft – placing cargo boxes, mail and other items on and under seats, in overhead bins and in closets – creating room for an additional 13,500 pounds of cargo than a traditional passenger flight. In total, each flight will carry up to 30,000 pounds, including belly capacity.

The crew for these cargo flights will consist of two pilots and two flight attendants. The flight attendants will be seated in the main cabin to make sure the cabin is safe and secure and provide fire suppression if required, as passenger cabins do not have automated fire suppression systems like cargo compartments.

“Our cargo customers depend on us as much as we do them to fuel our supply chain with life-saving medical treatments, medical supplies and perishable foods that have a short shelf life,” said Rick Bendix, cargo marketing and business development program manager. “With the decrease in cargo capacity, this innovative approach allows to meet the demand of cargo customers whether “mom and pop” businesses or large freight forwarders who are working tirelessly to keep the critical goods moving.”

This week, a team of employees tested loading an aircraft, securing the shipments and mapping a safe and viable process for leveraging passenger cabin space to ship critical cargo. Protecting the areas of the passenger cabin where cargo will be stowed was incorporated in the test to ensure the passenger aircraft can easily return to carrying our guests when needed.

According to Anthony Johnson, Alaska Airlines senior engineer, the overhead bins are designed for stowage of carry-on luggage and are durable. However, we need to protect the seats by removing the life vests from under the seats and covering the leather with a protective fabric.

Our roots set us up for success

We’ve been delivering cargo to the state of Alaska for 88 years since our founding as McGee Airways. For some pilots, such as First Officer Bill Jacobson, flying the freighters is especially rewarding because he gets to see the impact cargo has on Alaska communities.

Alaska Airlines First Officer Bill Jacobson @alaska737

“Cargo is hugely important in the state of Alaska. We’re really the lifeline to many communities and bring things necessary to everyday life, like groceries, medicine and machine parts, just to name a few,” Jacobson said. “You usually meet the plane at one of our cargo buildings. When we’re walking through the cargo facilities, I’m often in awe of the variety of goods we’re hauling all over the state.”

These remote communities aren’t always connected by roads to the outside. When the grocery store is out of fresh produce or milk in remote communities in the state of Alaska, residents look to Alaska Airlines to deliver the supplies.

“Our cargo customers depend on us as much as we do them to fuel our supply chain with life-saving medical treatments, medical supplies and perishable foods that have a short shelf life,” said Rick Bendix, cargo marketing and business development program manager. “With the additional aircraft, we’ll be able to move these goods, as well as e-commerce orders, quickly and efficiently across the country keeping supply chains flowing and supporting our logistics and freight forwarding customers.”

737-700 freighters are cargo-only aircraft that can carry up to 40,000 pounds of cargo. Photo taken by FO Bill Jacobson.

Alaska Air Cargo Facts

By the numbers:

    • Cargo planes (freighters): 3 Boeing 737-700s
    • Cargo flown annually: 200 million+ pounds
    • Seafood flown: 30 million+ pounds per year
    • Destinations in Alaska we serve: 19 of 20 cities, only two connect by road
    • Around 60% of our cargo business touches the state of Alaska in some way
    • Total destinations served in 2019: 100+
    • Freighter flights flown in 2019: 5,487

Typical cargo includes:

    • E-commerce goods – such as books, clothing, electronics and more
      Mail
    • Perishables – short shelf life/fragile items like herbs, lettuce and flowers
    • Seafood and shellfish
    • Medical – medicine, equipment and lab samples
    • Equipment – such as critical parts to repair a fishing boat plane or logs to build bedroom furniture

Key customers:

    • Small businesses
    • Seafood companies and distributors
    • Medical labs and couriers
    • Freight forwarders
    • Logistics companies

Hawai‘i Made: How You Can Join Us in Supporting Local Businesses

Hawai‘i’s vibrant food and art scene, along with its warm culture, help make the Hawaiian Islands a leading global destination. For years, we’ve remained committed to supporting and sharing the talents of our hometown’s chefs, musicians and artists – incorporating their creations in our in-flight amenities, aircraft livery, and employee uniforms, in addition to offering cargo service that helps mom-and-pop shops get their products to the shelves.

We’re constantly partnering with island entrepreneurs and businesses to deliver unparalleled, authentic experiences – not just for our guests, but for the communities we serve right here at home.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to find creative ways to keep supporting each other, and especially the small local companies that are more vulnerable to a prolonged economic downturn. 

Pop-Up Mākeke

The cancellation of the 2020 Merrie Monarch Festival (co-sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines) sent many artisans, designers and retailers scrambling. The world’s most prestigious hula competition also serves as a popular marketplace for small businesses – particularly Native Hawaiian-owned companies – that rely on the weeklong event’s foot traffic in Hilo to showcase their products to attendees from around the world. With a critical revenue stream dried up, leaders at Hawai‘i’s Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) went to the drawing board to find a solution.

The result of their efforts is Pop-Up Mākeke, an online marketplace organized by CNHA to help consumers access Hawai‘i-made products during the pandemic.

PU Makeke Banner

Image credit: Pop-Up Mākeke

 

Participating businesses can feature their products in the digital store at no cost and CNHA staff handle every stage of the order fulfillment. Neighbor Island vendors ship their products to O‘ahu, where they are transported to the Pop-Up Mākeke headquarters on the island’s west side. Orders are processed, packaged and mailed by CNHA’s small staff.

"With all community events and gatherings canceled, our local artisans and businesses needed immediate support to survive the economic impacts of COVID-19. Through our partnerships and community network, we have been able to help dozens of struggling vendors navigate these difficult times," said Kuhio Lewis, chief executive officer of CNHA. "Our online Pop-Up Mākeke has even helped to expand the reach of our microenterprises and allow consumers across the world to patronize our local businesses."

To help offset costs, our Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® has stepped in to cover transportation costs – from air cargo for businesses to ground shipping for customers – of up to $50,000. Our rental car partner AVIS Budget Group is providing delivery vans to carry products from our cargo facility to the Pop-Up Mākeke headquarters.

The result of the collaboration: customers can browse and purchase products from their favorite Hawai‘i and Native Hawaiian businesses from the comfort of their home without the burden of additional shipping fees.  

TK1

A Team Kōkua volunteer helping pull and prepare orders at the Pop-Up Mākeke headquarters.

 

To help with the influx of orders, our employees regularly donate their time to work at the Pop-Up Mākeke headquarters. At least one day a week, our Loyalty and Travel Products team is taking product photos for the online marketplace, and our Team Kōkua volunteers are helping unpack new items, prepare customer orders and organize inventory whenever possible.

To explore Pop-Up Mākeke’s selection of unique Hawai‘i products, visit www.popupmakeke.com or watch its live shopping show on Facebook and Instagram.

Food-A-Go-Go

When we learned about the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation’s (HAF) initiative to kickstart an online database of restaurants whose doors remain open during the pandemic, we were hungry to help. The Food-A-Go-Go program catalogs local food establishments offering takeout, delivery and curbside pickup while remaining compliant with government-imposed safety restrictions. The goal: create awareness about the need to support Hawai‘i’s melting pot of tastemakers.

Our Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® proudly joined the effort, becoming Food-A-Go-Go’s major sponsor in April by providing financial support throughout HAF’s Instagram campaign #EveryOrderCounts.

Teddy's Bigger Burgers Hawaii Kai

Photo credit: Teddy's Bigger Burgers
Food-A-Go-Go helps connect hungry customers with places like Teddy's Bigger Burgers, which has locations on O‘ahu and Maui.

 

“Food is deeply rooted in Hawai‘i’s culture so it’s important we play a part in supporting the local food establishments that are struggling in this difficult time,” said Lori Watanabe, director of financial and retail partnerships at Hawaiian Airlines. “Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation has been an incredible force for the culinary community and we’re proud to support them in this statewide initiative.”

The #EveryOrderCounts campaign sweetens the deal for customers with a grand-prize giveaway and by matching a portion of their purchases toward a charitable fundraiser.

Broken Rice-Shaking Tofu

Photo credit: Broken Rice
A tofu dish from Kaimuki eatery Broken Rice, one of Food-A-Go-Go's participating restaurants.

 

Through April 30, consumers can enter for a chance to win one of 400, $100 gift cards to one or more Food-A-Go-Go’s restaurants. Ten winners are selected each day and 100 winners will be selected on May 1. Entry details can be found here.

Starting on Monday, May 4, Food-A-Go-Go users can also join our ‘ohana in giving back to Hawai‘i’s food industry. For every purchase made with the Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®, we will donate one dollar and up to $100,000 to HAF to help support and sustain Hawai‘i’s agriculture and restaurant industry.

IMG_9546

Photo credit: Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation
Denise Yamaguchi, Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation executive director, picking up her meal order outside her home from a Food-A-Go-Go restaurant.

 

“Since launching Food-A-Go-Go, we’ve seen an outpouring of community support for our local restaurant industry,” HAF Executive Director Denise Yamaguchi said in a new release announcing the program. “While we’re all at home trying to decide what to eat and endlessly scrolling through social media, the #EveryOrderCounts campaign is a new and fun way to keep takeout, delivery and curbside options top of mind to support our local restaurants and keep our economy going.”

Worked up an appetite for some ‘ono local food and a good cause? Browse Food-A-Go-Go’s database of over 1,000 restaurants here. Food-A-Go-Go supporters can also enjoy home delivery from 25 O‘ahu restaurants (select zip codes apply).

Hawaiian Holdings Announces 2020 First Quarter Conference Call

HA High Res Logo_mid

HONOLULU, April 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA), parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian"), plans to report its first quarter 2020 financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, May 5, 2020.  An investor conference call is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that day.

The call will be open to all interested investors 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 listen to the live webcast, the call will be archived for 90 days on Hawaiian's website.

About Hawaiian Airlines     

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.

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hawaiian-holdings-announces-2020-first-quarter-conference-call-301048655.html

SOURCE Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

Alaska Airlines launches #MillionMealsChallenge to feed families left hungry by Coronavirus – you can help!

This is a difficult time for many, and food security is a challenge across our communities. Last week, the United Nations projected that because of COVID-19, the number of people facing severe food insecurity worldwide could double to 265 million. And here in the United States, unprecedented levels of job displacement and supply chain disruption have created a crisis for countless families, many seeking help for the first time in their lives.

Supporting the growing demands on our local food banks is a critical need and isn’t new for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Every year, our employees rally together in a “Pack the Plane” food drive and collected enough donations to fill an equivalent of over 20 cargo aircraft (providing almost a half-million meals) last year. During our inaugural “Week of LIFT” of volunteering in our communities last October, our employees worked at several West Coast food banks to pack meals and sort goods to help feed those in need.

Alaska Airlines kitchen partners donated 273,000 meals to community food banks in 16 states, including our hometown partners Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline.

So, when we found ourselves with fresh food on hand following the suspension of our inflight service last month, we worked with our kitchen partners to donate 273,000 meals to community food banks in 16 states, like our hometown partners Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline.

That sparked an idea about how to further support families have the food they need to thrive. Last week, the Alaska Airlines Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, pledged $200,000 to provide 896,000 meals to 14 local food banks across Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. Together, we’ve donated over 1 million meals, but hope to double our impact by inviting our employees and guests to join us, if they can.

“This crisis has changed so much in our country – but the values of our employees have not. They and our partners, including our Chief Football Officer Russell Wilson and Ciara, Starbucks, and many others inspire us to do more,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska Airlines Vice President of External Relations. “Between now and the end of May, we’re encouraging our guests, partners and employees to join us in the #MillionMealsChallenge to help fuel another 1 million meals for local food banks feeding our communities.”

The Alaska Airlines Foundation was founded in 1998 as a way to support the communities we serve through ups and downs – including during lean times like these. “We’re thankful to have foundation funds to be able to directly support people who need it most,” said Birkett Rakow, who also serves as chair of the Alaska Airlines Foundation board of directors.

Join the #MillionMealsChallenge

Give to your local food bank or one of our nation’s hunger relief partners. Here are some of ours:

Alaska

Alaska Community Foundation
Armed Services YMCA of Alaska
Fairbanks Community Food Bank
Lutheran Social Services of Alaska
Southeast Alaska Food Bank

California

Alameda County Community Food Bank
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

Hawaii

Hawaii Foodbank
Hawaii Foodbank Kauai
Maui Food Bank
The Food Basket

Oregon

Oregon Food Bank

Washington

Food Lifeline
Northwest Harvest
Philanthropy Northwest – WA Food Fund

Couch getaways: Virtually tour U.S. National Parks

It’s National Parks Week! Even when you’re parked at home, you can still get your dose of wide open spaces. Adventure through the Olympic trails, go on an underwater exploration of the Dry Tortugas or take in the view at Yellowstone’s hot springs.
Don’t trail behind––check out our virtual guide to the national parks below!

Yellowstone

See the hot springs

Olympic

Get lost in the trees

Yosemite

Take yourself to new heights

Bryce Canyon

Soar above hoodoos & desert vistas

Kenai Fjords

Bundle up for a guided glacier tour

Dry Tortugas:

Swim past reefs & shipwrecks

Hawaii Volcanoes:

Tour the lava fields

It Takes a Community: Celebrating Our Employees’ Acts of Aloha

Whether in good times or bad, our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana has always stepped forward to help its fellow teammates and neighbors in need. Amid uncertain times brought on by the pandemic, our employees have put themselves on the frontlines of efforts to kōkua (help) the local communities that have supported us for the past nine decades.  

For several weeks, volunteers have proudly donned their purple Team Kōkua shirts while building a rich portfolio of philanthropic efforts during these difficult times. Their efforts include sorting food at the Hawaii Foodbank, helping Lanakila Meals on Wheels provide food for our kūpuna (senior citizens), shipping food to our state’s rural and at-risk communities, and more.  

Our ‘ohana’s inspiring acts of aloha have been executed at every level of giving, from wide-scale company efforts to individual employees pushing to make a difference. These are the stories that make us proud to be Hawai‘i’s airline, proving that no effort to mālama (care) and lōkahi (collaborate) is too big or too small. 

Sewing Face Masks for Her Community

As health experts began recommending that anyone going into public spaces cover their faces, the demand for face coverings soared. With masks flying off store shelves, Caprice Vida, senior project manager at Hawaiian Airlines, and her family put their sewing talents to work to join a growing cadre of citizens making their own face coverings for their families, friends, and others. 

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Vida and her mother sewing masks in the kitchen of her home.

 

“In our little operation, I go out and buy the fabric while my mom does the sewing,” explains Vida. “After the day’s work is complete, my daughter and I go out and make deliveries. In addition to my regular Hawaiian Airlines work, it makes for a long day, but it’s worth it.” 

The Vida ‘ohana makes 10 to 20 non-medical face coverings per day with each mask taking 30 to 60 minutes to complete. She has donated her masks to the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i for their volunteers, distributed batches to her colleagues and offered to make more for others at no cost. 

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A selection of the masks Vida and her family have made for her community.

 

“We are doing this because we know that there’s a need and we have the capability to meet that need. I am so passionate about helping our community and this is our small way to contribute to everyone’s safety as we try to get through this pandemic,” she said. 

PPG Station Gathers Food for Teammates in Need 

In the Samoan language, mālama translates to fetausia`i – and our team in America Samoa had plenty to spare. With our flights between Pago Pago (PPG) and Honolulu suspended until at least the end of May, some of our employees were impacted by the grounded operations. 

Our PPG management team recognized the need for food and basic supplies within their own ‘ohana and organized a food drive to help relieve their hardship. More than 23 employees donated food over the three-and-a-half-hour drive. As a result, 13 boxes full of chicken, rice, milk, water, and other essential items were collected and distributed to any colleague who needed the help. 

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The team at our station in Pago Pago, American Samoa, at the conclusion of a successful food drive.

 

“In the Samoan culture, we have a saying that when the big toe is injured, the rest of the body feels it and that’s exactly how I felt when I thought of this idea,” recalled Mariana Faiai, guest service chief agent at PPG and organizer of the station food drive. “I felt the struggles that people are feeling, not only the Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana but also everyone affected by the coronavirus pandemic.” 

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Each person who attended the food drive received a food kit, ranging from fresh eggs to canned goods.

 

Even though the food drive is over, Faiai continues to receive donation offers, including one employee family’s pledge to give several boxes of frozen meat, and she is considering hosting a second event.  

“For so many years, team PPG members have given their best effort for me and the company, and during these tough times, we are very honored to return the favor,” reflected Tuli Fruean, manager of our PPG station. “I am so very proud of all the people who stepped forward to assist our ‘ohana in need.”  

The Cargo Flight That Took an Entire Company (And More) 

When Every1ne Hawai‘i wanted to bring a large supply of face masks to Hawai'i residents, they turned to our airline for assistance in transporting the shipment to Honolulu (HNL) from Shenzhen, China. Working with local organizations and vendors, the grassroots group acquired the protective gear directly from factories in China for distribution via a fleet of “mask mobiles” and a “mask marketplace” at City Mill locations. As the hometown carrier, we welcomed the humanitarian mission with open wings.  

However, organizing an international charter flight can be complicated even when the industry is at its healthiest, and this mission required a company-wide effort and several weeks of planning to ensure the necessary approvals, people and equipment were in place to safely transport 1.6 million masks.  

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An image of the shipment of masks being loaded into our aircraft in Shenzhen, China.

 

Our cargo teams developed a plan that followed the government regulations and restrictions of all countries involved and fulfilled unique requirements with freight forwarders and cargo consolidators in China. In Honolulu, our operations teams were busy finalizing flight plans, obtaining maintenance support and equipment, arranging crew rest and layovers and catering the aircraft. Our maintenance team removed the lower deck crew rest module, located underneath the passenger cabin, of an Airbus A330 to maximize cargo space to accommodate over 800 boxes.

Unloading HNL

Our crews unloading 1.6 million face masks from the belly of the retrofitted Airbus A330 that landed in Honolulu on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 21.

 

“It takes many hands to do great work and there were many that made this effort possible,” said Managing Director of Cargo Brad Matheny. “We are proud to be Hawai‘i’s airline and appreciate the opportunity to help our community, especially in times of great need.” 

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The crew onboard the humanitarian cargo flight bound for Shenzhen, China. From L to R || (Back row): A330 First Officer Theodore Scott Hebert, Aircraft Mechanic Hirotake Masuko, A330 Captain Donald Del Carmen, Assistant Manager of Weight and Balance Sean Sanfilippo, Aircraft Mechanic Sheldon Burgher || (Front row) A330 First Officer Aron Penzes, and Senior Manager of Contract Services Lianne Villaro || (Not pictured) A330 Captain Neil Yonamine

 

On Saturday, April 18, four pilots, two mechanics and two airport operations employees boarded our aircraft and departed HNL for Incheon (ICN), South Korea, where the crew rested before continuing to Shenzhen (SZX), China. The aircraft made its celebrated return to HNL on Tuesday, April 21 at about 4:30 p.m. HST. 

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Upon landing at HNL on Tuesday afternoon, the plane was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute, or water lei, as it taxied to its gate.

 

“There was an incredible effort made from our entire company to get the logistics, planning and approvals done for this flight. It was a lot of work but we’re glad to have accomplished it and have the shipment here in Hawai‘i now,” said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines. “I couldn’t be prouder of the team at Hawaiian Airlines for all of the amazing things they accomplished to make this happen for the community.”

HA and Every1ne Hawaii

Every1ne Hawai‘i representatives and Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram joined our crewmembers at our cargo facility to celebrate the arrival of 1.6 million face masks, which will be loaded into the organization's "mask mobiles" for complimentary distribution.

 

“Hawaiian really stepped up and rose to the occasion to make a lot of things happen…and I don’t even think we fully understand how difficult it was for them to get that shipment here,” said Robert Kurisu,  co-founder of Every1ne Hawai‘i. “With this supply, we can basically supply all of our nonprofits partners serving vulnerable communities – not only on O‘ahu but throughout the whole state.” 

Face masks will be loaded on a fleet of Every1ne Hawai‘i “mask mobiles.” Over the next several weeks, the organization will work with community nonprofits statewide and the City and County of Honolulu to coordinate the distribution of masks to protect Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable community members from COVID-19. 

Celebrate Earth Day by getting outside with our virtual backgrounds

Where on earth would you want to be right now? Let us take you there virtually! Download beautiful landscapes for your Zoom or computer background.

Maui

Lake Tahoe

Oregon Coast

Big Sur

Oregon

Bali

Lake Tahoe

Matanza

Zihuatanejo

Mexico

Oregon

Glacier in Alaska

Oregon

San Diego

Maui

Make one of these destinations your Zoom background in 3 easy steps:
  1. Download and save your favorite pictures from the blog.
  2. In Zoom, find the arrow next to the camera icon and click “choose virtual background” OR go to Preferences/Settings > Virtual Background.
  3. Upload the picture you downloaded!  Ta-da! A Zoom with a view!

If you’re still having issues uploading a background, please visit the Zoom Help Center.

Sustaining connections that matter most during COVID-19

The world around us has changed dramatically, and many lives upended. People have lost loved ones or livelihoods, kids are trying to learn remotely, businesses have had to close or reset their business model. Together, we feel that loss and are deeply grateful for essential workers: our employees, first responders, health care workers, retail personnel, caregivers and childcare providers working through this time.

And yet, there are some things that do not change – spring is coming, the need for human connection and basic life supports, learning, the beauty and draw of the outdoors.

“Sustainable (adj.): 1. capable of being sustained [maintained at length without interruption or weakening]; 2. of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about this definition lately. It’s Earth Month, and as we honor the planet – its priceless natural resources, people and communities, and the critical work required to preserve it – our focus is also on ensuring that we and others can be sustained for a long time to come.

I am impressed by our tremendous employees who have faced many challenges together throughout our history – from the aftermath of 9/11 to the financial crisis – and with each one, have emerged stronger. Now, facing one of our greatest challenges, we’re inspired to see the values of our employees shine, alongside those of friends and neighbors stepping up to support one another. At Alaska Airlines, our values grew from our roots 88 years ago in Alaska: caring, connecting people, supporting communities and stewarding resources responsibly.

This Earth Month we’re focused on safety, on jobs, and on sustaining the places our employees and guests call home. Making flying matter, even when we’re flying less:

Safety of our employees and guests is our first priority, and in the face of COVID-19 that means enhanced aircraft cleaning procedures and other measures such as blocking middle seats to allow more social distancing, limiting interaction between flight crews and guests, and removing seatback contents (except the safety card) to limit the spread of germs.

Flying health care providers for free when they’re #GoingtheExtraMile to work where they’re most needed, in partnership with Angel Flight West. And we’re donating a free roundtrip ticket to each of those health care passengers for a little R&R when it’s time.

Donating resources like unused fresh and packaged food to local food banks, and retired entertainment tablets to people in recovery centers, addresses immediate needs.

Transporting critical cargo, including needed medication, masks and other protective equipment, to medical facilities and first responders.

Today, we know that there’s limited time to make significant change. COVID-19 has brought to life the profound impact of global change, and the fact that we’re all connected. At Alaska, even as we focus today on response to and recovery from COVID-19, we also continue work to address our impacts in carbon, waste, water, and specific efforts like sustainable fuels. It has been painful to make changes like pausing our inflight recycling program to reduce the chance of spreading germs – but we, like you, are adapting.

Horizon Flight Attendant sorting recycling during service – photo taken in 2018 by Ingrid Barrentine.

On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we’re grateful for our flight attendants who started the nation’s first inflight recycling program, years ago. We’ll get back to it. In the meantime, please don’t forget to #FillBeforeYouFly – or anytime.

What keeps us going today is caring for each other, for our guests and our communities—we want to be here, to continue these relationships, to connect, long into the future.

“Flying matters, and it will play an essential role in enabling us to reconnect when this crisis is over. For now, we will continue to help our communities turn the corner together.”

Last night, my family and our neighbors had a “driveway block party.” We played Pictionary between easels 20 feet apart, strummed guitars, and my kids rode their bikes around the block.

Driveway Block Party, April 2020

The evening made me realize two things: first, how much I needed connection with friends and family. And second, on a sunny spring Seattle evening, surrounded by cherry blossoms and tulips, how much I needed to be outdoors.

We will keep working for both, and for you. Thank you for being a part of Alaska Airlines, and for inspiring us to sustain on all fronts.

How health care workers can fly for free on Alaska Airlines

We’re beyond grateful for medical workers everywhere who are going the extra mile to keep people safe and healthy. In appreciation of their heroic efforts, we’re giving each medical worker flying on us to provide coronavirus support a roundtrip ticket for some much-needed R&R in the future.

Recently, Alaska Airlines launched a program to fly medical workers for free to places where they are needed most to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

#GoingTheExtraMile is our way of recognizing individuals who are going above and beyond.

If you would like to donate your miles to help transport doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, visit the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Fund.

How health care workers can fly for free on Alaska Airlines:

What are the criteria for individuals or groups to be considered for this program?
You must be an essential health care worker (nurse, doctor, LPN, surgeons, etc.) and be in need of travel for humanitarian flight support. Groups can only be considered if traveling with 10 or less people per organization.

If I am a health care worker, how do I book my free flight?
To request a flight, visit our partner Angel Flight West’s website or call AFW directly at (310) 390-2958. They will verify if you meet the criteria and book your flight on Alaska Airlines.

What type of information do I need for booking my flight?
Besides the standard information required for commercial travel, please be prepared to provide supporting documents and contact information from the placement agency or hospital/organization you are associated with or directly supporting.

What type of ticket will be booked?
The ticket booked will be non-refundable, roundtrip, for travel between April and June.

Do I need to pay for my bags?
No, Alaska Airlines will cover your first four bags free of charge.

Where can I fly?
We are flying health care workers to any place Alaska Airlines flies in the United States.

How quickly can I fly?
We ask that you contact Angel Flight West at least three days prior to your travel.

When will I receive my free R&R ticket?
Tickets will be sent by mail once Alaska’s Airlines response to COVID-19 flight program is closed, the tickets are valid up to one year.

Would Alaska Airlines reimburse me if I paid my own way for  travel and found out about the medical provider travel program later? No. You would need to go through our approval and booking process with Angel Flight West prior for the travel.

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