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Giving you the space and flexibility you need to mind your wingspan when flying Alaska

Post updated August 5:

While health and government officials around the world continue to urge people to practice physical distancing, we know it can be challenging maintaining personal space on an aircraft. To help our guests, we’re taking additional precautions to help you create extra space on board, including:

  • 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.
  • Families or couples wanting to sit together can make the request with reservations in advance or at the airport on the day of travel.
  • There can be limited occasions where extra space cannot be guaranteed due to unforeseen changes such as reaccommodating guests from a previously canceled flight.
  • If you’re uncomfortable with the distance between you and others on your day of flight, please speak with a customer service agent about your options.

While this is a stressful time, it is important to remain calm and cooperate with airline staff. In a case where relocation may not be possible (due in part to aircraft weight and balance concerns), taking personal hygiene steps is also another way to help reduce your risk of contracting the virus.

Here are some other ways to ensure you’re keeping a safe distance when it comes to onboard service, crew interaction, boarding and more:

Before your flight

    • Check or change your seat assignment through the Alaska Airlines app or online. Note: If you purchased a Saver fare, you may need to wait until your departure date to request a seat change.
    • If we are unable to properly distance our guests on the aircraft, we will allow you to cancel or rebook your travel as part of our existing flexible travel options.

At the airport – mind your wingspan!

We’re installing social distancing 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.

    • Ask a check-in or gate agent for the opportunity to move your seat. Our employees will make sure you are seated with as much distance as the flight allows. Note: If you purchased a Saver fare, you will be able to request a new seat when you arrive at the gate.
    • On your way from the gate to the aircraft, we are doing our best to space out the boarding groups to limit crowding in the jetway.

Other safety measures to expect on board:

    • 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 are required to wear masks as of 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 its 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.
    • We’ve updated our onboard service to limit the interaction between our flight crews and guests. Learn more.
    • We’ve removed all seatback contents, except for the safety card to limit the spread of germs.
    • We’ve enhanced our aircraft cleaning procedures between flights. Watch video.
    • We’ve suspended our warm towel service in First Class.
    • We’ve discontinued onboard sorting of recycling items to reduce touching guest-handled materials.
    • We’ll continue to collect and recycle materials on Horizon Air’s simplified service of water.
    • We’ve removed inflight entertainment tablets to make room for additional trash carts (except on flights to Hawaii and Florida).

Related:

Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden email to employees: ‘We must do better’

I am writing to share a letter I sent to our employees this weekend about the recent racist attacks, about racial injustice more broadly, and about the imperative for us all to work together to ensure our country is a place where all people are treated equally and have equal access to opportunity.  Black Lives Matter.  They matter in our company, onboard our aircraft and within our communities.

Hello,

I’m writing you this evening to acknowledge the pain, anxiety and stress that many of you, particularly Black, brown and other employees of color, are appropriately feeling in the wake of recent racist attacks in our country. I want to say at the outset of this note that there is much work left to be done to make this country and our company places where everyone is accepted, respected, feels safe, and has equal access to opportunity, regardless of the color of their skin.  I want to do more and be better as a leader, and I’m asking you to join me in this effort.

The coronavirus pandemic is a public health crisis the likes of which none of us have seen in our lifetimes. We all know in our hearts, and data shows, that the impact of the virus on employment, health, and mortality is far more severe for Black Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Americans, Latinx, and Asian/Pacific Islanders than for others.

On top of the tragedy of the coronavirus, we’ve had the senseless and tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. It is sickening to see these occur in the present day.  We must be better than this. And I think we all also know that it’s not the responsibility of Black Americans and other communities of color to correct the conditions which led to the attacks. That responsibility lies with all of us.

As one very small step, Ben and I will be meeting in focused sessions this summer with several groups to listen and better understand the realities of our Black and brown employees. We will be working with the Business Resource Groups such as ABEA (Air Group Black Employees Allies and Advocates) and others. It’s not enough, but we are grateful for the chance to listen and better understand what’s going on in our country today.  These factors have existed for generations and have impacted the experience and realities of our employees, guests, and communities.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are fortunate to have a diverse and culturally rich employee base. Working with our people from across the company has been one of the real honors of my life. Some of you have come to me, or other leaders, and you’ve shared your anxiety about the times. You’ve shared how you’ve had to teach your Black and brown children how to act when confronted by police or other authorities to minimize the chance of escalation. You’ve shared that you’re nervous about your kids being out alone in the neighborhood. I want to make it clear that all of us at Alaska, starting with myself and those of us in leadership, stand with you as we stand behind you. We stand for helping one another and we stand for being good to one another. Being kind-hearted and doing the right thing are our values.

If any of you feel like you need help, need someone to talk to, or need other resources, please call the Employee Assistance Program. If you don’t feel that this is working, please talk with your Supervisor, or their Supervisor, or any of us in leadership.

At Alaska and Horizon, we have the gift of flying to and serving some of the most diverse regions of our country. We have the chance to be a role model for safety, respect, and dignity for each other and for our guests. Our country has made necessary and difficult changes in freedom and liberty and justice when we’ve collectively decided that enough is enough, and we must do better.

It is my fervent hope that the time for change is now, and that each one of us at Alaska and Horizon do everything we can to effect permanent and positive change in our company, in our communities, and in our country. I’m asking for your help with this. On our own, I don’t think we’ll solve the problem, but together I know we can.

Thank you for reading this and thank you for being the best people in the airline industry.

Sincerely,

Brad

Changing Course: How Our Airport Teams Have Adapted amid COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses, and in particular, the travel and hospitality industries to be more flexible than ever and adjust to meet unforeseen challenges. At Hawaiian Airlines, we've had to rethink every aspect of our operations so we can continue to protect the health and safety of our guests and employees during and long after the pandemic.

In our blog series "Changing Course," leaders across departments, from airport operations and information technology to human resources and sales, share how their teams have quickly adapted to continue to safely welcome and serve our guests with aloha. 

Keep reading to learn how our hard-working airport teams have adapted their day-to-day roles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike Navares, managing director of airport operations, Honolulu hub:

Since March, when Hawai‘i Gov. David Ige enacted the first of a series of emergency proclamations, my team has had to change the way we do business at our Honolulu hub, the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). We implemented additional health and safety directives and have had to get creative as we adjust to a severely reduced network, new cost-savings measures, and the state's travel quarantine orders.

Mike Navares

Mike Navares oversees our operations at HNL, our airline's hub and the busiest airport in the state.

 

Some changes my team has had to make at HNL include:

  • posting signs about social distancing and mask requirements in our lobbies, gates, jet bridges, and guest service areas;
  • applying floor tape in HNL's various waiting areas to help our guests maintain six-foot spacing;
  • requiring our guest-facing employees to wear face masks and gloves throughout their shift and frequently disinfecting kiosks, work areas, and counters;
  • working with our aircraft appearance team to implement enhanced cleaning procedures, including electrostatic spraying of our cabins for additional disinfection; 
  • and expanding our upgraded cleaning procedures to include electrostatic spraying in work areas, such as our employee gathering spaces, restrooms, and breakrooms at HNL.

[Editor's note: To learn more about what we are doing to keep our employees and guests safe in the airport and on our planes, click here.]

 

HNL

Guest Service Agent Avelino Sabog smiles at the camera behind his mask as he sanitizes a check-in kiosk at HNL.

 

My team has been working with county, state, and federal agencies as we all adapt to the situation. Before the pandemic, we were working out of lobbies 2 and 3 in Terminal 1 and lobby 4 in Terminal 2 to accommodate guests traveling on our approximately 180 daily flights departing HNL during our peak period. Given our significantly reduced flying, we've moved all operations to lobby 2 and worked with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Hawai‘i State Department of Transportation Airports Division (HIDOTA) to keep at least one screening checkpoint and bag inspection room open. 

We've also had to find ways to save on costs. In addition to consolidating our lobby operations, we reduced the frequency of our once-busy employee shuttle service and temporarily suspended operations at the Makai Pier (gates B1-5) to minimize lease and utility expenses. (We are currently only using these gates for parking aircraft that are not in service or undergoing maintenance.)

Until the state is prepared to welcome visitors back to the Hawaiian Islands, my team at HNL will continue to pivot as necessary.

I feel very fortunate to have a great team and tremendous leaders who continue to guide us through all the challenges, changes, and the "new normal." We are one 'ohana and a unified company with a strong tradition of overcoming obstacles!

Pat Rosa, managing director of airport operations, Neighbor Islands:

The speed and scope of COVID-19 created an extraordinary challenge for any leader. There was no handbook to help us through this crisis. It required timely responses to our front-line employees, decisive actions coupled with consistent, honest communications, and the recognition that mistakes are inevitable. 

Pat Rosa

Pat Rosa, pictured in his office on Maui, leads our Neighbor Island operations and oversees the hard work of our station managers at each major airport outside O'ahu.

 

Some of the challenges we faced at the state's major Neighbor Island stations (Kona and Hilo on the Island of Hawai‘i, Kahului on Maui and Līhu‘e on Kaua‘i) included: implementing enhanced cleaning measures in our lobbies, breakrooms, and check-in counters with reduced staff. (Our guest service agents and ramp employees combine efforts and work with their colleagues to disinfect all work areas and equipment.)

In times of crisis, it's essential to keep your team focused. As we reduced our network to four daily flights between Honolulu and each major Neighbor Island airport, constant communication has been critical; we make sure we listen to each employee's perspective before we make any big decisions. In the beginning, we conducted daily briefings with four-to-five employees at a time to talk about company updates and new operational tasks. We also used any downtime to focus on improving as a team, including encouraging our chiefs and leads to complete professional development courses through training tools provided by the company.

AO

Keane Lee, a ramp agent at Kahului Airport, wearing a mask while completing his daily duties on Friday morning.

 

I've also had to adjust how I manage my team. Since operations require a hands-on approach, I prefer to meet with my team in person. Prior to COVID-19, I was traveling between the islands at least once a week to visit the various stations, and rarely used Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other video conferencing platforms to do my work. Now, I manage the Neighbor Islands stations from my office in Kahului, where I've quickly learned to become a virtual leader. 

I am proud to be a part of Hawaiian's Airport Operations and feel my counterparts and the front-line team have done a great job in adapting and supporting each other. They take their time to talk story, check in on each other, and express their appreciation for their work 'ohana. 

If this pandemic has confirmed anything, it's that working together toward a common goal, or in our case, a common enemy, can help you overcome anything.

Employees dance & share what Asian Pacific American Heritage Month means to them

The month of May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage month. As it comes to a close, we asked Alaska Airlines employees what this month means to them and how they have been celebrating in quarantine or during a lunch break.

“This month is a very special time where we get the chance to share our culture with the rest of the world. Tonga is known for being the friendliest island and so I’d like to keep that spirit alive whether I’m at work, home or out running errands. Be a light wherever you go.” — Ila Langi, a customer service agent in San Jose California

“This month has become a little more meaningful to me than it has in the past because I have finally taken initiative the past couple months to expand more on what I know of my culture. Especially being married to my husband, who knows the language and culture almost so fluently, he has helped me so much. He’s so encouraging and he makes it so enjoyable to learn and love our culture!” — Angelica Mapa, a customer service agent in San Jose California “Every day, I always try to make it a habit to pass on my knowledge to the younger generation in my family by trying to speak as much Tongan in the home and teach them traditions that we still hold on to today. At work, I always try to answer questions about my culture and heritage to anyone that asks. I always admire my coworkers who openly share what traditional foods they love to make or traditional events they keep up with their family because it also encourages me to share mine as well. It’s always a safe place to share about our heritage at work because no one judges,” she said.

Watch Ila & Angelica take over TikTok to celebrate API Month:

@illaa676

Wait till Sam comes in,he’s TONGAN at heart.We need a tulafale.(dc:@mtuipelehake) kataki toko we tried@mrsheitonga #fyp#polynesian#tongan

♬ Tau I Velata – LAKZ 🇹🇴

“This month means so much to me because not only does API month highlight my culture, it allows me to honor the generations before me that have paved the way for me, by their sacrifices and hard work. I am so blessed to have grown up in a multilingual household, and speaking multiple languages helps me stay connected to my heritage.” — Daniel Remigio, Seattle-based flight attendant

Watch Daniel & other Alaska employees hula to honor API Month

“When most people think of Polynesians, they usually think of song and dance, and rightfully so, as it is the root of our culture. Dating back thousands of years, singing and dancing has been an ancient tradition used to communicate and connect, from ceremonial rituals to preparing for war to reciting history through storytelling and more. And although hula might be one of the first types of dance that comes to mind, there are actually many forms of ancient melodic traditions from around the South Pacific, like Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti. But no matter which island or country, we all share that same heartbeat of Polynesia through dance.” — Shanyn Wright, multimedia communications specialist

Shanyn Wright (middle) hula dancing with her mom (left) and sister (right).

Russell Wilson, Ciara, Macklemore, Joel McHale salute 2020 grads in special video

This is a senior year for high school and college graduates like none other.

Among so many things, the pandemic scuttled graduation ceremonies – one of life’s proudest moments. Those public events canceled for safety reasons.

But make no mistake: The Class of 2020 deserves to be cheered.

So, we brought together some of our friends to salute all graduating seniors in a special video, led by our Chief Football Officer Russell Wilson. He’s joined by Ciara, Macklemore, Joel McHale, Gov. Jay Inslee, a few surprise appearances and some of our frontline employees, as well as a personal message from Brad Tilden, our CEO.

“In world of uncertainty, one thing was certain for us – we needed the Class of 2020 to know their milestone moment still shines,” said Shaunta Hyde, Alaska’s managing director of community relations. “The importance and value of education should never find its way out of the spotlight. We see you! And, c’mon, graduating from high school or college is a huge deal!”

The short video is being shared today with more than 88,000 high-school seniors in Washington state by their school districts, and it’s landing in the inboxes of thousands of college graduates across the state. The video will also be shown during virtual graduation ceremonies in the weeks ahead.

To all graduates, congratulations! May you and your dreams continue to soar.

Feel free to share this post with family and friends on your favorite social media channels! And don’t forget to use our special hashtag #SeniorsTakeFlight and @alaskaair.

Small businesses are flying more goods from farms to doorsteps

Photos courtesy of Hama Hama Oysters & North Shore Living Herbs + Greens

Today, many small businesses are flying products directly to consumers due to restaurants and retail stores being disrupted by COVID-19. Alaska Air Cargo is delivering the goods from shellfish to prepare in your kitchens to fresh herbs to mix with your soups or freshly baked bread.

“We’re grateful for the relationships we have with our shippers from small to large, and freight forwarders who help small businesses deliver their products door to door across the country. Together, we play a role in bringing joy to consumers during this uncertain time,” said Rick Bendix, cargo marketing and business development program manager. “At Alaska, we’re doing everything we can so businesses continue to thrive and people at home stay safe.”

With so many of you staying home and cooking possibly for the first or the billionth time, we get that it can be overwhelming to cook a meal from scratch. So, we reached out to some of the small businesses we partner with that bring fresh food to your tables. Here are a few tips & must-trys:

Be shellfish & stay home

Fun fact – Oysters help boost your immune system to help fight off anything that comes your way.

Hama Hama Oysters sits at the mouth of the Hama Hama river on Hood Canal in Washington state, a Pacfic Northwest region packed with delicious oysters, mussels and clams.

For nearly 12 years, Hama Hama has partnered with Alaska Air Cargo to fly oysters to cities all over the country including Chicago, New York and Miami. “There’s probably more oysters flying on planes than people think,” said wholesale manager Justin Stang.

“If you want to eat fresh oysters in Chicago, the oysters might actually beat you there if you went to the airport and tried to get on a plane,” he added. “Air travel allows Northwest shellfish to be consumed as fresh as possible all over the U.S.”

“We want oysters and clams to be iconic Northwest foods and that’s why being able to sell them through Alaska Air Cargo to get them super fresh to places around the country is really key,” – Justin Stang

Adapting on the fly at home and in business

These days, Hama Hama is shipping more shellfish straight to consumers’ homes rather than restaurants. Stang says it’s helped their small business survive the pandemic, but restaurants help them thrive. Regardless, it’s been exciting to watch oyster culture grow as people step out of the comfort zones in their kitchens to test their shellfish cooking skills.

“Being stuck at home and still being able to get fresh oysters and clams delivered to your doorstep has really broken down some of the intimating barriers that can come with preparing shellfish and has inspired people to try things they have never tried before or to experiment with different recipes to prepare oysters or clams,” Stang said. “We’re always trying to educate people to become familiar with shucking oysters, I think taking away restaurants has really empowered people.”

Hama Hama is a 5th generation oyster farm that has been in business for over 100 years.

How to shuck oysters at home:

What you’ll need:

  • Oysters
  • A pot of water
  • Oyster knife
  • Heavy duty gloves
  • Cloth towel
  • Ice & lemon wedges for serving

Directions:

Step 1: Wearing gloves or using a kitchen towel, hold the oyster firmly in one hand, cup-side down. The curved side of the oyster should be against the palm of your hand. The point, or hinge, should be facing toward you.

Step 2: Insert an oyster knife into the hinge to pry the oyster open. Tip: Point it down into the cup of the oyster and twist to separate the top and bottom shells.
You should feel a pop! Be careful not to spill the juice or puncture the meat.

Step 3: Transfer oysters on the half shell to a bowl or plate filled with ice.

Step 4: Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Check out recipes on Hama Hama’s website.

Spending more thyme in the kitchen?

“Herbs are the ultimate sidekick, they go with everything!” – Jules Buehler from North Shore Living Herbs + Greens

Jules Buehler has worked for North Shore Living Herbs + Greens as a business development manager for three years, she says you can never go wrong by adding a pinch or two of fresh herbs to any dish (like beautiful basil or rich rosemary).

You can find North Shore Living Herbs + Greens in retail stores from Alaska to Southern California, New Mexico, Salt Lake City, Portland and more.

“Whenever you use a living product, such as culinary herbs, it amplifies the flavor and dish and creates that finishing touch to elevate your dining experience,” she said. “We’re thankful to have such a wonderful and consistent delivery method for our product.”

Every year, Alaska Air Cargo carries about 20 million pounds of food, including herbs and other perishables like vegetables and fruit. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of herbs come from California, Hawaii, Michigan and more.

North Shore Living Herbs + Greens, based 60 miles East of Palm Springs, uses a unique proprietary growing method so their products remain living with the root ball still attached. Every herb is packed with everything mother nature intended and has three times the shelf life, says Buehler.

North Shore’s herbs arrive inside of a “clam shell” to lock in freshness and protection during transportation.

“We have a very unique product that is fresh and beautiful – it can’t be tossed around or mishandled, it needs to be at a certain temperature and delivered efficiently,” she said. “We can always count on Alaska to ensure our product can deliver delight to kitchens all across America especially in a time when people are looking for something to brighten their day and to freshen up their plate of chicken and rice or soup.”

Herbal homemade cleaners

Not only can living herbs bring out so many flavors, but they can also be used as disinfectants and natural remedies for health and wellness. Pair sage with water with a little alcohol to make your very own natural disinfectant that smells wonderful, says Buehler.

“Whenever you’re eating living herbs, you’re getting those healthy enzymes and oils that mother nature intended and are naturally helping your immune system,” Buehler said. “Herbs are great when you’re trying to take small steps toward living a healthier lifestyle.”

North Shore Living Herbs + Greens has been family owned for over 30 years. Owners Leo and Suzette and their 3 children still operate the business today.

Editorial: The importance of sticking together during a crisis

Gary Locke, Former Governor of Washington:

Gary Locke

As the first Chinese American to be elected governor in United States history and the first Asian American governor on the mainland, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke has been a leader in the areas of education, employment, human rights and more. As an avid traveler (Alaska MVP Gold) who celebrates diversity and enjoys experiencing different cultures, Locke was troubled to hear stories of COVID-19 triggering bias and harassment of Asian-Americans.

Locke: Over my many trips in and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, I’ve always been greeted by the warm and friendly faces of travelers and Alaska Airlines employees. Now, more than ever, I realize how valuable and meaningful a smile is in creating human connection. Today, many things remain uncertain, but I know when the time is right, we will be seeking travel and human connection like never before and Alaska Airlines will be there to get us there safely and with the upmost care and welcoming service.

This month, we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month – honoring cultures and traditions as varied as those from Tonga to Indonesia to China and Japan. As U.S. Secretary of Commerce, I have had the great privilege of traveling around the country and firmly believe the strength and essence of America is our diversity of people, cultures, customs, and perspectives of every shape and color. That diversity has been the fuel of our nation’s dynamism. And generations after generations of Asian American Pacific Islanders have contributed mightily to the progress and defense of America and have much to be proud of.

I thus find it troubling to hear many Asian-Americans have been targets of harassment and bias amid the COVID-19 crisis.  We can and must do better. Now more than ever, it’s imperative we all come together to overcome this pandemic. During Asian Pacific American Heritage month, I hope all of us can take the time to recognize and reaffirm to a friend, colleague, neighbor—whether in person or virtually—that they are cared for, respected and play an integral part of our country’s ability to rise up from this crisis.  As a former diplomat, I’ve learned that we can build lasting bridges by starting with a simple act of kindness to our fellow individuals.  I am heartened to learn that Alaska Airlines has always been an advocate for diversity and inclusion and is taking additional steps to spread awareness of this topic and is equipping their employees with the tools to support each other and Alaska’s guests.  Keep up the great work! 

Annabel Chang, Alaska Airlines Bay Area vice president and executive sponsor of the Air Group Pan-Asian (AGPA) business resource group:

Annabel Chang

Chang: Alaska has always strived to cultivate a workplace where different points of view are welcomed, where employees feel empowered to discuss tough issues and where successful—and unsuccessful— practices can be shared across organizations.  

Last month, we virtually brought our employees together to have an open conversation about COVID-19 and the impact it has had on the Asian American community.  By talking about the topic openly and discussing best practices, our hope is to empower our employees to do the right thing, lead with kindheartedness and support each other and the communities where we fly.  Our Alaska Airlines Foundation is also supporting free virtual training that is being jointly provided by Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Hollaback.  The virtual training shares practical tools and tips to respond to discriminatory situations.  

This year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is more important than ever – it provides us the opportunity to share our stories and highlight the contributions of Asian Americans.   And as we begin to travel again, I look forward to the sheer joy of experiencing new places, catching up with old friends, and simply smiling at each other.  

Alaska Airlines employees at 35 airports accept #MillionMealsChallenge & deliver 100,000 meals to 20 states

Last month, in partnership with the Alaska Airlines Foundation, Alaska Airlines donated more than one million meals to help local food banks across the country. To help double our impact, we launched the “Million Meals Challenge” to invite our guests and employees to join us in supporting the most vulnerable communities affected by COVID-19.

When our Food & Beverage team approved another round of donations earlier this month, more than 250 Alaska employees banded together to deliver a total of nearly 90,000 pounds of food throughout 35 communities in 20 states, providing an additional 100,000 meals to help feed those in need.

In Alaska, even flooding won’t stop our employees from doing the right thing

nome-alaska-CSA
Customer Service Agent David delivers donations in Nome, Alaska.

The state of Alaska is known for its mesmerizing glaciers, rich culture and breath-taking landscapes, but also communities that never give up. That’s why employees throughout the state didn’t hesitate to participate in the #millionmealschallenge — even during inclement weather.

Together, employees delivered a total of 7,328 pounds of food across four small Alaskan communities, which included donated onboard items such as picnic packs, crackers, nuts, shelf-stable creamer and granola bars.

The donated items were delivered to a local food bank in Barrow, a soup kitchen and women’s shelter in Kotzebue, and homeless shelters in Nome and Bethel, who are preparing to serve Alaskan villages displaced by possible evacuations due to spring flooding.

“Rondi, Tracy and I delivered snack packs to the local homeless shelter just in time as the Kuskokwim River was reaching the banks,” said Michael, Bethel station manager. “Fortunately, the ice broke with minimal flooding on just a few roads in town.”

Bay Area surprises & delights children

Last month, employees donated close to 40,000 repurposed onboard kids snack packs to the San Francisco Mayor’s office for the purposes of feeding youth in-need during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The snack packs were delivered to Ella Hill Hutch Community Center, where the food was distributed to community partners including the Latino Task Force, Code Tenderloin and Hope SF.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit underrepresented communities, particularly Hispanic and Black, the hardest, and I am so thankful to be a part of a company that is constantly looking for ways to give back,” said Oriana Branon, who co-leads the Latin Culture Resource group at Alaska Airlines and is the director of Community and Public Relations in the Bay Area.

New York never stops

Team JFK made three rounds around New York, delivering food provided in partnership from our catering partner LSG, restaurants Bean Post Pub in Brooklyn, Leo’s in Bay Ridge and Love Conquers Cancer’s ‘Feed Them First’ campaign.

The group of employees delivered the donations to the New York Fire Department Engine 247 in Brooklyn who supports the community of Borough Park, one of the hardest hit neighborhoods with over 6,000 residents infected with COVID-19. 

Employees made their second stop at Staten Island University Hospital to help feed health care workers. Lastly, team JFK visited the New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in the neighborhood of Park Slope.

Alaska spreads the ‘aloha spirit’ during an overwhelming time

With one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, many families in Hawaii have been hit hard by the economic impact of COVID-19. Following the reduction of our flight schedule to the Hawaiian Islands, we donated over 26,000 pounds of food to help support several organizations across four islands.

On Kauai, we joined Mayor Derek Kawakami and the Hawaii Food Bank, Kauai Branch and the Kauai Independent Food Bank in the County of Kauai’s first food distribution, which has been providing 500 food boxes to Kauai families every Saturday this month.

“The need has been overwhelming, but we are humbled by the outpouring of support,” said Mayor Kawakami. “Mahalo to Alaska Airlines for their generous donation of 14 pallets of food for the cause.”

Similarly, on Maui, our donations have supported Mayor Michael Victorino’s weekly food distribution, which has handed out over 5,000 bags of food and produce to residents across Maui County.

Bon appétits et coeurs in Las Vegas

Alaska employees in Las Vegas are used to organizing monthly volunteer events, but as the current pandemic has affected the ability to volunteer at local food banks, they had to get creative. That’s when Las Vegas’ ‘swag team’ came up with a brilliant idea to give back while supporting a small business.

Employees reached out to a local French bistro called Rosallie Le French Café, who was more than willing to support the cause. With the help and support of other employees, the LAS team managed to fundraise enough money to pay the bistro to prepare and box food for people in need. Employees then delivered the food to Desert Springs Hospital’s Emergency Room department as an act of appreciation.

Snack packs were also donated by Alaska to 150 nurses between the ER department and ICU at the Sunrise Children’s Hospital and Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center. The remainder of the snack pack donations, totaling 1,250 pounds, were gifted to the local Three Squares Foodbank in Las Vegas.

There’s still time to join the #MillionMealsChallenge

Every day, we hear more stories like these, all because people like you and our employees recognize that even in times of uncertainty, there’s a need to keep going for each other, for our guests and for our communities, and we can’t thank you enough.  

Between now and the end of May, you can support your local food bank through our Million Meals Challenge Virtual Food Drive. If you’re in a position to help, please give what you can to the following food banks below:

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

Actions we’re taking to keep our guests & employees safe

We know this can be an uncertain time to travel.  As always, the safety of our guests and our employees is our number one priority.  We are working directly with health officials as well as industry leaders for updates and best practices to do everything possible to keep our guests and employees safe.

On the plane

  • New: We’ve blocked all middle seats, except for families, to give our guests more space and the flexibility they need to achieve social distancing on large aircraft and aisle seats on smaller aircraft at the time of purchase through June 30. Learn more
  • We’re temporarily reducing food and drink service onboard.  Learn more.
  • We’ll have limited upgrades available as we implement seat restrictions to help with social distancing onboard the aircraft.
  • Flight attendants are required to wear masks and gloves during service.
  • We’re enhancing aircraft cleaning between flights and will continue to evaluate our cleaning procedures. This is in addition to the regular cleanings between flights.
  • We will temporarily not be refilling used cups, including in First Class. We’re encouraging our guests to #FillBeforeYouFly to help us reduce our onboard waste.
  • We’re suspending warm towel and blanket service in First Class.
  • We’re discontinuing onboard sorting of recycling items on Alaska and Horizon flights to reduce touching passenger-handled materials.
  • On some flights, we’re removing inflight entertainment tablets except those to Hawaii and Florida (where we have the highest usage of tablets) to make room for additional trash carts.
  • We’re encouraging guests to travel with hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial wipes out of an abundance of caution.
    • Wipes can be used to clean armrests and tray tables. Note: The use of commercially available cleaning wipes on our leather seats can deteriorate the top coat of the leather. The cloth might look dirty afterward, but it’s actually the leather dye color that’s coming off.

At the airport, in our lounges & our company offices

  • New: We’re installing social distancing 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.
  • New: Guests and employees will be expected to wear a face covering throughout any Alaska Airlines touchpoints and during the flight experience until further notice. Additional masks will be available, as supplies allow, for those who forget to bring one. Learn more
  • We’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily close all of our lounges, except our location at Seattle-Tacoma Airport in the D Concourse. Read more actions we’re taking in our lounges.
  • We’re deploying hand sanitizer to all airports and company offices for use in our crew and break rooms, lounges, ticket counters and gates.
  • We’re in communication with airports at locations we fly to ensure appropriate cleaning for public spaces.

Looking after our guests

  • Children traveling alone will only be accepted on nonstop flights through April 30, 2020. Learn more.
  • Entry restrictions are in place for travel to Canada and Costa Rica. Learn more.
  • We’re offering flexible travel options for our guests who decide not to travel because of concerns related to the virus. View full details at alaskaair.com.
  • Based on advice from medical experts in infectious diseases, we’re urging guests not to travel if they’re sick with an acute respiratory illness.
  • It never hurts to wash your hands. The CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and clean running water. Learn more at cdc.gov/coronavirus/.

Hawaiian Holdings Announces Webcast of Investor Presentation at the 2020 Wolfe Transportation and Industrials Conference

HA High Res Logo_mid

HONOLULU, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. ("Hawaiian"), today announced it will webcast a presentation by Peter Ingram, Hawaiian's president and chief executive officer, at the 2020 Wolfe Transportation and Industrials Conference on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.  The webcast will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The presentation will be open to the public through a live audio webcast accessible in the Investor Relations section of Hawaiian’s newsroom. 

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-webcast-of-investor-presentation-at-the-2020-wolfe-transportation-and-industrials-conference-301061068.html

SOURCE Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

First Copper River salmon arrives safely in Seattle

Photos by Ingrid Barrentine

Alaska Airlines Captain Brent Carricaburu presenting the first Copper River salmon, which weighed in at 33 pounds.

One taste is all it takes to fall in love with Copper River salmon. Known for its bright orange or red color and mouthwatering taste, anyone lucky enough to enjoy a fresh filet of this wild, not farmed, fish won’t be disappointed by its flavor and freshness.

The salmon made its way from the state of Alaska to Seattle this morning by Alaska Air Cargo – the first of many shipments expected this season, which runs now through September.

“Alaska Air Cargo has long been a partner of the Alaska seafood industry,” said Torque Zubeck, managing director of cargo for Alaska Airlines. “Now more than ever, we provide a critical service that directly impacts the economic vitality of the region. In Cordova alone, more than half of its 2,200 residents are directly involved in the fishery or related business and industry.”

Photos:

More than 200 health care workers at Swedish Medical Center – Ballard will be among the first to enjoy the season’s first catch of prized Copper River salmon in appreciation for their efforts to help stop the coronavirus.

Alaska Airlines, Trident Seafoods, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, and Copper River Seafoods – the region’s largest seafood processors, Copper River Marketing Association and famed Seattle chef Tom Douglas are partnering to provide a delicious meal to health care workers, as well as  feed the community while raising money for Food Lifeline.

Safety from first catch to delivery

With guidance from government and medical professionals, Trident Seafoods CEO Joe Bundrant, along with others in the fishing industry, put extraordinary workforce and community protection measures in place, with the goal of  ensuring a safe and successful season this year.

“Our No. 1 priority at Trident Seafoods is keeping our communities, our employees and our fishermen safe,” said Bundrant. “We are doing everything in our power to deliver seafood safely and in record time to allow our customers to enjoy our Alaska salmon products fresh and ready to serve thanks to Alaska Air Cargo.”

To keep our employees safe and to align with Centers for Disease Control recommendation, Alaska Air Cargo employees who cannot maintain six feet of social distance during interaction with co-workers have also started to wear face coverings.

Alaska Air Cargo employees begin to unload Copper River salmon, part of the first shipment to arrive in Seattle.

Where you can find salmon to purchase:

Make some room in your fridge, the following stores will be stocked with Copper River salmon to purchase. Note: curbside pickup is available at some locations, please call ahead to confirm.

  • QFC
  • Whole Foods Market
  • Haggen’s
  • Town & Country
  • Thriftway
  • Metropolitan Market

You can also purchase a gourmet dish from  Tom Douglas’ website for a limited time. On Sunday, May 17, Chef Tom Douglas will be “Grilling for Good,” he and his team will prepare six-ounce grilled Copper River sockeye salmon entrees with sides and make the meal available for purchase on Tom Douglas’ website, with all proceeds donated to Food Lifeline. Order while supplies last!

Cooking at home: Try Tom’s sake steamed Sockeye salmon with sake butter recipe

“I like to use sockeye salmon for this dish – its firm flesh and rich flavors are perfect for steaming.   You could, of course, use other types of salmon and this is a good technique for other firm-fleshed fish such as ling cod or halibut. Chinese bamboo steamers work well and they are not very expensive, though any steamer set up is fine.  I love the aromatic steam you get in this method of cooking: the water really does have a beautiful aroma and it permeates the salmon.” – Tom Douglas, Seattle chef & restaurateur

What you’ll need 

  • 1 Stalk lemongrass, split lengthwise
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups sake
  • 10 Ginger coins, sliced 1/8” thick
  • 2 Star Anise pods
  • Peel of 1 orange
  • 1 ½ pounds salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions

Directions – Serves 4

Bruise the lemongrass with the back of your knife to help release the aromatics.

Set up your steamer (we use a large saucepan or a wok with a Chinese bamboo steamer set over it).  Place the lemon grass, water, sake, ginger, star anise, and orange peel in the bottom of your steamer (ie. the saucepan or wok).  Bring to a boil.  Lay the salmon fillets in the steamer basket and cover with the steamer lid.  Steam until the salmon is just done, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Place a salmon fillet on each plate.  Spoon some of the sake butter over each portion of fish. Garnish with a lime wedge.  Serve with Crispy Sesame Rice Cake or Aromatic Steamed Rice and steamed baby bok choy. Pair it with some sake or a glass of classic Oregon Pinot Gris.

Bon appetit!

Vital Connectivity (Part 2 of 2): Getting Hawai‘i’s Medical Professionals Where They Need to Be

As Hawai‘i makes progress containing COVID-19, we can thank medical professionals for helping keep our communities healthy by working around the clock and traveling throughout our islands during the pandemic to conduct testing and deliver care.

We have been honored to support the selfless efforts of these healthcare heroes, including doctors, nurses, assistants and volunteers who have flown nearly 500 complimentary Neighbor Island flights since April. We’ve extended the program through the end of May to ensure their critical services continue to reach communities statewide.

Queens

Photo credit: The Queen's Health Systems
Emergency Department workers at The Queens Medical Center holding flowers that were donated to them as a mahalo.

 

A frequent guest onboard our flights has been Dr. Catherine Oliver, an emergency medicine physician who works at the Wound Care Center at The Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu. Oliver is part of a group of five other physicians and physician assistants who take turns rotating shifts at wound care centers throughout the state, including Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital on the Island of Hawai‘i and the Molokai General Hospital. As they travel, Oliver and her team remain focused on ensuring patients are receiving the consistent care they need during the pandemic.

“Being able to maintain this service safely and not let [COVID-19] interfere with caring for our Neighbor Island patients has been so important to us. I think it’s much safer for me to travel than my patients, so I am happy I can still do that,” Oliver said. “The patients are so grateful to not have to travel weekly to get their care, and it is so much better for them medically. Plus, I love going…so it’s a win-win-win.”

oliver

Photo credit: Catherine Oliver / The Queen's Health Systems
Dr. Catherine Oliver waiting for take-off while traveling via our complimentary Neighbor Island medical flights.

 

During her visits to Moloka’i and the Island of Hawai‘i, Oliver treats patients diagnosed with COVID-19 while continuing to work with wound care cases. She notes that patient communication has been more important than ever to comfort people experiencing anxiety from the pandemic.

“I find myself acknowledging their fear as valid but also letting them know about the way how we are trying to keep them safe and working to keep patients out of the hospital as much as possible,” Oliver said.

oliver and north hawaii staff

Photo credit: Catherine Oliver / The Queen's Health Systems
Oliver taking a selfie with her team at the North Hawai‘i Community Hospital.

 

The use of more personal protective gear (PPE) such as face shields, N-95 masks and gowns have also impacted patient communication, she said.

“While [PPE] keeps our patients and ourselves safer, it makes it more challenging to communicate and connect,” Oliver said. “It’s not so bad for my existing patients, but for people I am seeing for the first visit, it can be weird to meet them this way and sometimes harder to hear each other.”

Rene Pagaoa, vice president and executive director of clinical operation at Premier Medical Group Hawaii (PMGH), said her team has also had to be nimble and adjust to changing conditions. Its urgent care unit in Windward O‘ahu now serves as a COVID-19 testing facility and PMGH providers have transitioned to virtual care services.

“If someone started having a cough or needed to be seen for routine examinations, we’d assess and treat them through a telehealth platform,” Pagaoa said. “We do have some home visits for some patients that need more hands-on treatment but want to avoid them having them come in.”

PMGH MKK trip

Photo credit: Premier Medical Group Hawaii
PMGH staff en route to Moloka‘i, via our daily 'Ohana by Hawaiian flights out of Honolulu, to conduct more COVID-19 testing on the rural island.

 

PMGH’s clinics throughout O‘ahu and the Island of Hawai‘i offer specialized services ranging from urgent and family care to pain management, physical rehabilitation and occupational medicine. In response to the pandemic, it has since added drive-through, walk-up, and onsite COVID-19 testing on O‘ahu, Maui, the Island of Hawai‘i, and Moloka‘i – including sites dedicated for seniors and the homeless.

PMGH Drive Thru

Photo credit: Premier Medical Group Hawaii
A drive-through COVID-19 testing site that PMGH staff organized for the Windward Oʻahu community.

 

As many as 20 PMGH staff have relied on our complimentary medical travel program to provide COVID-19 services throughout the Neighbor Islands.

“We’ve been flying a mixed team of our O‘ahu-based nurses, physicians, physician assistants, medical assistants, and staff out to Maui and the Big Island about once a week, and also have some specific individuals flying back and forth throughout the work,” Pagaoa said. Staff not traveling, she added, continue treating patients, physically in the office, virtually through telehealth and in-person with home visits.

PPE PMGH

Photo credit: Premier Medical Group Hawaii
PMGH staff donning their PPE and taking a selfie while overseeing a pop-up COVID-19 testing site in Hana, Maui.

 

After their long workdays traveling the state, Pagaoa and Oliver agree there’s been a sense of shared pride throughout the medical community.

“In the beginning, it was quite stressful, and I think almost everyone on my staff has at one time reached a breaking point, but we’ve also adapted,” Pagaoa said. “My staff is tight-knit and if anything, we’ve grown stronger and have learned to lean on each other and pick each other up when we need it. The experience has brought us closer together and has made my employees feel good about their work. Everything we do, pre-, during and post-COVID-19 will always be for what’s best for our community and state.”

PMGH POPUP

Photo credit: Premier Medical Group Hawaii
PMGH staff and volunteers gather at the end of a long day on Maui testing Kahului residents for COVID-19.

 

“I've seen a lot of extra kindness between colleagues, despite the added stress and uncertainly,” Oliver said. “Most of the conversations I have with my colleagues from other specialties often start with ‘How are things for you?’ There is an understanding that all of us are affected in some way by this and it is heartwarming to see everyone checking in on each other.” 

On behalf of our entire Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana,

mahalo nui loa to Hawai‘i’s selfless essential workers.

 

Queens2

Photo credit: The Queen's Health Systems
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