This week marks the official start of the 2019 Copper River king salmon season in Cordova, Alaska — and for many people, these salmon are the first sign that summer is on the way.
In celebration of the first catch, Alaska Airlines hosted a red carpet welcome for the Copper River salmon arriving Friday at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. About 18,000 pounds of fresh fish were on the early-morning flight.
The outlook for the season is good, with the forecast for Copper River kings up from past years, and the sockeye projections holding steady, according to Christa Hoover, executive director of the Copper River Marketing Association. “We hope to see 55,000 king salmon and close to 1.5 million sockeye return to the Copper River this season,” she says.
“Cordova is off the road system here in Alaska, and we rely heavily on the passenger and cargo services that Alaska Airlines provides year-round,” Hoover says. “For nearly a decade, Alaska Airlines has flown the first Copper River salmon of the season to Seattle and beyond. In just a matter of hours, Copper River salmon is transported from the fisherman to dinner tables across the country.”
“I am an Alaskan fisherman”: A spotlight on the people who catch your fish
For the fishermen of Cordova, this moment is what they’ve been waiting for all year.
Darin Gilman started fishing with his father, Shawn Gilman, when he was only 5 years old. Growing up and watching his dad instilled a sense of pride in Darin that led him to work alongside his father at the same fishery today.
“It’s been wonderful to watch my son and the next generation of fishermen come up,” says Shawn Gilman. “I hope that they can pass our traditions and our fishery on in as good of shape as my generation was able to do for them.”
While neither man would say it’s easy work — acting as their own boat mechanics, net menders and salmon trackers — the Gilmans and other Cordova fishermen are true artisans. And they take pride in Cordova’s sustainable fishing practices. “We make sure year after year to have enough fish go up the rivers so they’ll keep coming back,” Darin Gilman says.
The Honkola family and others fishing in Cordova are dedicated to the preservation of salmon and their ecosystem, recognizing that their work today impacts what others can enjoy in the future. “To be a fisherman, you have to be dedicated, patient, and most importantly, passionate about sustainability,” James Honkola says.
Reflecting on her decades-long career, Thea Thomas recalls making the decision to follow her dream to fish in Alaska — at a time when few women worked in the industry. The best advice she received came from her father, who told her: “The most important thing is figuring out what you want to do. Don’t worry about the money, just make sure this is really what you want to do.”
Thomas thinks about retirement, but can’t bring herself to do it. “I love Cordova,” she says. “I love what I do.”
Seattle Storm and Alaska: Going the extra mile at the free-throw line
The Seattle Storm’s free throws will go a little further this season — about one million miles further.
Today, Alaska Airlines and Seattle’s defending WNBA champions announced an exclusive multi-year partnership and the “Free Throws for the Future” program, which will donate airline miles to community organizations working with young people. For every free throw made by Storm players throughout the 2019 season, Alaska will donate 2,000 airline miles. Last season, Storm players averaged 13.9 points per game from the foul line, which will now feature the Alaska logo on the Storm’s home court.
As they celebrated the new free-throw line sponsorship, Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska’s vice president of external relations, and Storm CEO Alisha Valavanis took a moment to reflect on the values of partnership, leadership — and the commitment to elevate young people in our community.
Storm CEO and General Manager Alisha Valavanis.
DBR: Alisha, you and your team are fantastic partners and champions for so many around our region. You’re recognized for your humility and drive to grow the team, to learn together, and to excel — but to never rest on your laurels. You’re national champs, and back out there this year to strive for the next level of performance. That’s a good model for business, too.
A year or so ago, we talked about taking our partnership to a new level by empowering women and girls to own their strengths — on or off the court. My own grandmother was a brainy powerhouse, but I think it took her until she was in her 80s to fully own that. As for sports, she used to remind me that sweating wasn’t appropriate for girls (so I went ahead and played ice hockey). Times have certainly changed, but many kids don’t have enough champions — people who say “who you are is amazing, and you CAN play ball, or fly airplanes, or make robots, or work in finance, or lead.” At Alaska Airlines we’ve been talking a lot about how, as a community, we lift and empower young people furthest from opportunity to realize great futures — through inclusive education, mentors and models, exposure to career options and more.
When you’re building a roster for the Storm, you’re looking for amazing basketball talent — but probably some other characteristics of great team players. Some things that won’t necessarily be taught in a classroom, but might be relevant for any career path. What are the elements of great players — and leaders — that you look for to make up a championship team?
AV: I grew up in a big family, I have an identical twin and four other siblings, so being on a team started very early. Long before I understood team dynamics and what it would take to cultivate a winning team, I learned the fundamentals from my family unit. We shared common values instilled in us by our parents: honestly, kindness, generosity and passion. There was also space for our individuality, curiosity and adventure. When I think about the kind of leader I am today and some of the principles used to build the Seattle Storm, I think about those early lessons. Successful teams share core values that create the culture needed to achieve the highest levels of success, oftentimes in the face of great adversity.
But it is also true that winning takes talent, in the front office and on the court. In the WNBA we have the most elite women’s basketball players in the world; these athletes have spent decades committed to their game. We are fortunate to have a team that has been led by the best point guard in basketball history, Sue Bird. We have an ownership group and a front office and a basketball staff that are all working from the same playbook. There is clear vision and a relentless commitment to team that is in pursuit of success and committed to it. So, if I had to put it in one word it would be “culture.” Our culture created the space for talent and teamwork to achieve the greatest results possible; championships!
DBR: Culture matters so much! At Alaska, it is one of our greatest areas of focus. But I also wanted to ask you about how you share the story of the team. I saw recently that the league secured additional coverage through CBS Sports Network; congratulations! Why is that important?
AV: I believe the growth of this league is directly correlated to the visibility of this league. The exposure that the league gains through deals like the one with CBS Sports Network is imperative to developing new fans and exposing the country and the world to the WNBA. This season they will carry 40 live WNBA games, including six Storm games. Between the league’s deals with ESPN and CBS Sports Network, our partnership with JOEtv, and live-streamed games on Twitter and WNBA League Pass, people will get to know Storm Basketball.
DBR: Congratulations! OK, so my son loves the Storm, and proudly wears your gear. When he went to a game, he was impressed how fast the Storm players are. Makes me wonder — what are the demographics of your fan base? Does it skew female or are men watching women’s sports? Might my son be part of a new generation who does watch women’s sports?
By the way, we also recently introduced him to the Rat City Rollergirls — they are a good example of resilience! Those women are knocked down over and over, and get right back up and GO. And then hug each other at the end! Sportsmanship AND drive.
AV: That’s awesome, Diana, I love that your little one is getting exposure to all types of sport!
One of my favorite games last year was when I got to sit next to your son because it gave me the chance to experience the game from his perspective. There’s so much joy in sports and so many fantastic role models. It’s special to see how kids respond to that. It reminds me of one of my favorite memories during the playoffs last year. I was at a coffee shop — very Seattle, I know — when a father approached me and said that his little ones were chanting “PLAYOFFS!” while eating their cereal that morning. They are part of a generation that is growing up in a time when little girls and little boys can have strong female role models on the court.
Our fan base is incredibly diverse, and as far as numbers go it’s fairly equal between women and men for attendance. But what continues to be a top priority is to get families and kids out to games. It’s awesome entertainment that has the potential to really drive positive societal change; imagine all our children given the opportunity to look up to elite female athletes as well.
DBR: Really cool, thank you for being such great role models. Now, one final question — What’s your favorite place to fly, nationally or globally, and why?
AV: I absolutely love to fly. I love traveling around the country and the globe whenever possible, and basketball has definitely given me the opportunity to do that! One of my favorite spots every season is Chicago because I get the chance to meet up with family and spend time with them. New York is another place that’s circled on my calendar every year. I love the energy of New York and the restaurant and art scene. But of course, there’s no greater feeling than coming back to Seattle, flying over Mount Rainier and Puget Sound, and finally touching down at home.
DBR: Thank you, Alisha, and go Seattle Storm!
AV: Thank you, Diana. We’re thrilled to partner and excited to team up to make a positive impact in Seattle.
CAMBRIDGE, MASS – QuantumID Technologies today announced that Hawaiian Airlines has renewed its 5-year contract with SmartKargo, continuing the cloud-delivered real-time management of the carrier’s air cargo business using the advanced end-to-end Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. Hawaiian was the first U.S. carrier to adopt the SmartKargo Cloud platform in 2014, with the implementation Go Live in the second quarter of 2015.
Since then, the airline has utilized the innovative set of integrated tools that the SmartKargo SaaS solution offers to support and grow its domestic and international Cargo business, including the addition of freighter-configured ATR-72 aircraft to support a new All Cargo Overnight service within the Hawaiian Islands. The airline in 2017 also unveiled its multimillion-dollar Charles I. Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility, the Honolulu hub of its cargo business.
Brad Matheny, managing director of cargo at Hawaiian said: “For the past 5 years, the SmartKargo Cloud solution has provided Hawaiian Air Cargo with the advanced digital tools needed to quickly transform our cargo operations. As a result, our team was able to further digitize our processes to support faster air freight operations, growth and an improved experience for our customers in Hawai‘i and abroad. We are very pleased to extend the partnership and look forward to continuing to grow and innovate.”
SmartKargo has allowed Hawaiian to empower customers with real-time shipment information, gain access to advanced tools such as mobile apps and integrate quickly, and seamlessly, with airline systems and a network of 3rd party providers. This was accomplished via the SaaS solution offered through the Microsoft Azure platform and the large number of APIs that SmartKargo can provide.
The enhanced capabilities of the SaaS solution have also given Hawaiian access to paperless e-AWBs; ease of booking for Cargo agents and customers with single- screen data entries; powerful pricing and rate-making via simplification; real-time capacity management: user-configurable real-time Business Intelligence and reporting; and integrated Cargo Revenue accounting.
In addition, streamlined participation in e-commerce growth is available to Hawaiian via the platform to operate first-mile pick-up and last-mile delivery for e-commerce—facilitating B2B or B2C door-to-door operations via mobile applications and 3rd party integrations.
Milind Tavshikar, CEO, QuantumID Technologies, SmartKargo said: “On behalf of the SmartKargo team, we are grateful to have the continued support of Hawaiian’s Air Cargo team as well as their exemplary and forward-looking leadership. We look forward to supporting their growth and in enabling new opportunities in the marketplace as they arise.”
About SmartKargo
The SmartKargo end-to-end platform has robust mobile applications and advanced technologies such as real-time information, business intelligence, mobile apps, and machine-learning capabilities–while providing quick and seamless integrations with an airline’s current or future systems via APIs, for fast deployment and integration.
The end-to-end technology is an extension of the SmartKargo Cloud SaaS solution that is built upon the world’s leading global cloud infrastructure, Microsoft Azure. SmartKargo Cloud provides ease-of-use and instant access to shipment information for all members of the value chain. Azure is the world’s leading cloud platform that supports our robust mobile applications.
About Hawaiian Air Cargo
As the first U.S. airline certified to ship cargo in 1942, Hawaiian Air Cargo is a flagship carrier of the Pacific. For more than 70 years, we have provided high quality overseas shipping and outstanding customer service. Our dedication has helped us build outstanding relationships with local and international customers, freight forwarders, carriers and many others in the industry. Our streamlined process begins the moment you request an estimate for shipping cargo. Whether you’re shipping an animal, food or furniture, we’re committed to giving you clear and easy-to-understand estimates and guidelines for all your air shipping needs. We offer personalized service that includes fast and affordable shipping for domestic and international cargo that are tailored to your needs.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 15 years (2004-2018) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.
Now in its 90th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i’s biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai‘i from more U.S. gateway cities (13) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides, on average, more than 170 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, and over 260 daily flights system-wide.
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.
Hawaiian Airlines Reports April 2019 Traffic Statistics
HONOLULU, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) ("Hawaiian"), today announced its system-wide traffic statistics for the month ended April 30, 2019.
Hawaiian welcomed more than 947,000 guests in April. Total traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 3.7 percent on an increase of 3.9 percent in capacity (available seat miles) compared to April 2018. Load factor decreased 0.2 points year-over-year to 85.0 percent.
The table below summarizes April and year-to-date statistics compared to the respective prior-year periods.
SYSTEM-WIDE OPERATIONS1
APRIL
2019
2018
% CHANGE
PAX
947,438
961,431
(1.5%)
RPMs (000)
1,437,569
1,386,621
3.7%
ASMs (000)
1,691,970
1,627,927
3.9%
LF
85.0%
85.2%
(0.2) pts
YEAR-TO-DATE
2019
2018
% CHANGE
PAX
3,770,072
3,852,953
(2.2%)
RPMS (000)
5,566,054
5,417,404
2.7%
ASMS (000)
6,543,890
6,359,424
2.9%
LF
85.1%
85.2%
(0.1) pts
PAX
Passengers transported
RPM
Revenue Passenger Mile; one paying passenger transported one mile
ASM
Available Seat Mile; one seat transported one mile
LF
Load Factor; percentage of seating capacity filled
1Includes the operations of contract carriers under capacity purchase agreements.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 15 years (2004-2018) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai'i.
Now in its 90th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai'i's biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai'i from more U.S. gateway cities (13) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides, on average, more than 170 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, and over 260 daily flights system-wide.
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.
On a brisk New England morning, Hawaiian Airlines made history as the first carrier to offer non-stop service between Boston (BOS) and Honolulu (HNL). Today, the route holds the title as the longest interstate flight in U.S. history.
Our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana kicked off the inaugural HA89 (BOS-HNL) flight in true island style, welcoming our guests in the same hospitable way we would welcome them into our home. We indulged guests arriving at our gate with complimentary food and drinks, music and hula, and a few words from Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram. Then, as guests boarded the aircraft, each received a fresh orchid lei – a special memento that embodies the aloha spirit of Hawaiian culture.
Amid the celebrations, I grabbed my camera and made a run for the top floor of the airport’s Central Parking Garage. This, I learned via coconut wireless (word-of-mouth), was a popular watering hole for the Boston Plane Spotters, a group of aviation enthusiasts who live for photographing airplanes.
Sure enough, I found the group angling their lenses at Runway 33L outside of Terminal E, with East Boston across the harbor as their backdrop. We welcomed each other and talked story (had a conversation) to pass time until our Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 would be positioned for take-off.
The author offering a welcoming lei to a BOS plane spotter. Photo courtesy of Thornton Shepherd
“We always love to celebrate these things, but when an airline includes us in their special day, it’s fantastic,” said Thornton Shepherd, founder of the Boston Plane Spotters.
This gathering was unlike any other for the group. For many, it was the first time they met Pualani – the unmistakable Flower of the Sky icon adorning the tails of our fleet — and saw her proud gaze in the Massachusetts skies.
Marissa Villegas, Mana‘o editor (third from left), and Ann Botticelli, senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs (sixth from left), with the Plane Spotters. Photo courtesy of Vance Martin.
“We are so happy to have a new airline coming into Boston, particularly one with Pualani on the vertical stabilizer,” said Jeffery Magnet, a longtime BOS plane spotter.
I learned plane spotting happens daily at BOS. The group was created by a collective of aviation lovers who organize gatherings around all things aviation. Their ears perk to news of inaugurals, interesting liveries, notable air turn-backs, and more.
“Spotters are out every day, especially for these events,” said Thornton. “We had an inaugural from another flight last week and some of us actually flew on the plane to take pictures from the inside while others took pictures from the ground.”
Photo courtesy of Vance Martin.
The group includes a mix of personalities, including pilots, aviation bloggers and just your “average Joe” mesmerized by airplanes since childhood. During a conversation, Magnet reminisced on when he and his father would go to the airport, walk on the tarmac and place his hands on a new Trans World Airlines aircraft. Nowadays, he shared, he prefers to take photos from a helicopter.
Plane spotters rely heavily on applications like live Air Traffic Control, Flightradar24, FlightAware, and other trackers to map an aircraft’s exact location and know when and where they need to set up with their camera gear.
In the case of HA90 (our first flight to Boston from Honolulu), the group followed the aircraft’s path the night prior, set their alarms, and woke up before sunrise to document the plane’s wheels touch the runway.
“I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was look at Flightradar24 to see where it was, and it was over Detroit, so I knew I had time to get over here,” Thornton said.
Plane spotters on top of the Central Parking Garage at BOS after the arrival of Hawaiian's inaugural flight from Honolulu. Photo courtesy of Thornton Shepherd.
Most of the first group returned to the warmth of their homes to prepare for the day ahead, while others like Thornton braced the bitter cold for the departure of HA89. When the time came for our Airbus A330 to spread its wings, the spotters took their positions to capture the perfect shot.
Pualani left our sight, bound for warmer shores, and I thanked them for allowing me to be a spotter for a morning. As I said my goodbyes, Thornton admitted to me that, just as the plane took off, his camera battery died due to the cold air.
“I wasn’t expecting that to happen, and it was one of the first times I’ve watched through my own eyes and not the lens of a camera,” he said. “It was actually a truly beautiful moment.”
Photo courtesy of Ora Lassila.
Click here to learn more about why we chose Boston as our newest route, or hereto experience our flight.
SLIDESHOW: Check out some of my favorite shots from our inaugural flight and morning with the Boston Plane Spotters. Click the arrows or photos to view more. Image credits can be found in the file name when you right click + save image as.
Hawaiian Airlines to Seek New Fukuoka-Honolulu Service
HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines today announced it intends to provide new non-stop service between Fukuoka, Japan and Honolulu starting as soon as November 2019, subject to government approvals. Hawaiian plans to operate four weekly flights between Fukuoka Airport (FUK) on the island of Kyushu and Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) on O‘ahu.
“We are eager to bring travelers in Fukuoka and throughout Kyushu our warm Hawaiian hospitality along with the convenience of non-stop flights to Hawai‘i,” said Theo Panagiotoulias, senior vice president for global sales and alliances at Hawaiian Airlines. “Japan is a special place to Hawaiian and Hawai‘i, and we are excited to make both island chains more accessible for our guests.”
Hawaiian’s proposed new service is subject to the airline securing FUK slots that enable a commercially viable schedule. Additional approvals are also required from Japanese and U.S. government agencies.
“I would like to send my sincere welcome to Hawaiian Airlines for its plan to operate Fukuoka-Honolulu service,” said Masanori Hashimoto, director general of airport planning bureau, Fukuoka Prefectural government. “Fukuoka Prefecture and the state of Hawaii have been sister states since 1981, and have been establishing exchanges in various areas, including tourism, culture, and the economy. We are excited that the discontinuation of service to Hawai'i this month will be short lived. Hawaiian’s new service will ensure that our Hawai'i exchange relationship and opportunities to travel abroad will be unaffected. We are glad that Hawaiian Airlines is planning to start the route in response to local demand.”
Fukuoka Prefecture is home to more than 5 million of the 13 million residents of Kyushu, the third largest and most southerly of Japan's four main islands. In 1981, the prefecture became Hawai‘i’s first sister state in recognition of their deep cultural and economic ties. Hawaiian previously operated non-stop service between FUK and HNL from April 2012 through June 2014.
Hawaiian’s new FUK-HNL flights would complement the airline’s Japan network, which includes non-stop service connecting the Hawaiian Islands with both Haneda and Narita in Tokyo, as well as Osaka and Sapporo.
Guests traveling with Hawaiian Airlines between Japan and Hawai‘i enjoy the roominess and comfort of the carrier’s wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, which would serve the new Fukuoka-Honolulu route. It features 18 lie-flat Premium Cabin leather seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration tailored for couples, families and honeymooners, while offering great functionality to business travelers. Hawaiian also offers 68 of its popular Extra Comfort seats with more legroom and enhanced amenities, in addition to 192 Main Cabin seats. All guests will enjoy Hawaiian’s award-winning hospitality, including island-inspired meals prepared by Hawai‘i’s top chefs.
About Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 15 years (2004-2018) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai‘i.
Now in its 90th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai‘i’s biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai‘i from more U.S. gateway cities (13) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides, on average, more than 170 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, and over 260 daily flights system-wide.
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.
‘Reach for the sky’: Exploring the many pathways to an aviation career
The first time London Holmes flew a plane, she navigated past Santa Monica and out over the ocean. She peeked at the instructor to see if he was nervous — and caught him looking down at his phone. “It was really cool to see that he trusted me,” Holmes says. She took in the view of the blue waters and the coastline. “It was so pretty. I realized then that this is definitely for me.”
London Holmes took the controls of a plane for the first time in Southern California in 2017. She was 15. (Courtesy London Holmes)
She was 15.
Now 17, the Sammamish High School junior is a mere two weeks away from her check ride — the “final exam” to get her private pilot’s license. It’s a milestone for any aspiring pilot, but for Holmes, it’s just one step in the path toward her ultimate goal of becoming a military pilot. “I really want to fly fast jets,” she says.
Holmes is following in the footsteps of one of her mentors, Kim Ford, an Alaska Airlines First Officer and Sammamish High grad who attended the Air Force Academy. Ford’s 25-year Air Force career included service in Afghanistan and Iraq, and she retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel. She has been flying for Alaska Airlines since 2001, starting her commercial airline career while still serving in the Air Force Reserves.
Holmes and Ford discovered they shared the same high school and a passion for military jets when they met at a regional Women in Aviation conference at The Museum of Flight in 2016.
“I was just blown away that there were all these parallels and that she had this interest level at such a young age,” Ford says.
She’s thrilled Holmes has taken advantage of opportunities available through The Museum of Flight and other organizations that now put aviation training in reach for many young people, including programs encouraging young women and people of color to explore careers in flight.
“They just didn’t have this wide variety of programs in the ‘80s,” Ford says. “I wish I could have soloed before I went to the Academy. I wish I could have had my private pilot’s license. London has been able to do all of those things that will propel her toward the higher echelons of success.”
Aviation Day: The Need and the Possibilities
One of the opportunities for students like Holmes is Alaska Airlines’ Aviation Day, which brings more than 1,200 young people from around Western Washington to the Alaska Airlines hangar at Sea-Tac International Airport. They get to meet pilots, engineers, flight attendants and technicians who work in a range of aviation jobs at Alaska, Boeing, the FAA and the Port of Seattle. They also can connect with educators, military representatives and corporate recruiters to chart potential career paths. Aviation Day is possible because of the efforts of Alaska employees who lead the event, along with partners including Boeing, Port of Seattle, Aerostrat, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and The Museum of Flight.
Now in its 11th year, Aviation Day on Saturday, May 4, allows students to get up-close to 30 different aircraft, including several military planes and a refurbished DC-3, which will be used for a World War II D-Day reenactment in France next month. The teens also can check out a 737 flight deck with pilots, look into a wheel well with mechanics and kick the tires of an F-18 or Lockheed Martin KC 130.
This will be Holmes’ first time attending Aviation Day, while Ford has volunteered multiple times: “I love to see kids walk into the 737, and they are so excited to go up to the flight deck and to sit in the pilot and co-pilot seats, and look at all the displays,” Ford says. She encourages students to not be limited by preconceptions of who can work in aviation. “There’s room in the military and in aviation for everyone to be able to lend their talents and to enjoy it,” she says. “Have courage. Reach for the sky.”
With a looming pilot shortage, airlines have an urgent need to inspire more young people to pursue aviation careers. In the next seven years, more than half the current commercial pilots in the U.S. will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65, and Boeing projects that in the next 20 years the industry will need 206,000 new pilots working in North America. Because women currently hold just six percent of the commercial pilot jobs in the U.S. — and African-American women hold only about one-half of one percent of all pilot jobs — Alaska is especially committed to helping passionate young women like Holmes find their way into aviation careers.
Ford and Alaska’s Black Employee Advocates and Allies group are helping Alaska significantly increase the number of female African-American pilots by 2025, a commitment made with the nonprofit Sisters of the Skies. And more than 170 Girl Scouts will attend Aviation Day this year.
Aircraft Maintenance: Getting in at the Ground Level
Brendan Cray remembers “geeking out” at the 2011 Aviation Day, which set him on the path to his current job as an aircraft maintenance technician at Alaska Airlines. Back then, he was a junior at Kentwood High School in Covington, Washington, who loved working on cars, and he saw an Aviation Day poster at the school library. At the event, he met some Alaska mechanics, toured Aircraft 569 (which is still in service) and got a look inside a 737 wheel well: “It’s amazing. Pipes, hydraulic lines, hydraulic fuses. I thought, ‘Imagine knowing what each of these lines goes to. Wouldn’t that be incredible to possess that knowledge?’”
Maintenance technician Brendan Cray attended Aviation Day in 2011 and started at Alaska Airlines three months after graduating from South Seattle College. (Photo: Ingrid Barrentine / Alaska Airlines)
After high school graduation, he started in South Seattle College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, working his way through school while living at home. After graduating a little over two years later, he was hired by Alaska within three months. For students worried about costs, he points out that his education and testing costs came to about $16,000 over two years — less than a single semester’s tuition at some four-year universities. And aircraft maintenance technicians start off with good wages, Cray says. “The rate of return is huge.”
The opportunities for people who share Cray’s passion for plane mechanics are growing at Alaska and Horizon Air because more than a third of the airlines’ current maintenance technicians will be eligible for retirement in just three years. And when Cray gets the chance to volunteer at Aviation Day, he looks for those students whose faces reflect the same level of excitement he felt when he first looked inside a wheel well.
“It’s nice to know there are people who love planes as much as me,” he says. “You never know where aviation can take you. And there’s no greater feeling than waking up every day to go do something you love.”
“There are so many people who want to help”
Holmes urges young people who might want to try flying to start with programs like the Private Pilot Ground School at The Museum of Flight. And she shares a list of other resources, including educational organizations and scholarships. (Check out Holmes’ list) “It’s the perfect time to become a pilot,” she says. “Especially for teenagers and young adults, there are so many scholarships out there. There are so many people who want to help.” The costs of her own private pilot training have been covered by a scholarship from the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation.
Holmes keeps a sharp focus on her goals and takes Aeronautical Science Pathway courses after school. She’s looking forward to a summer internship at Boeing, where she’ll see how the Navy P-8 Poseidon is made. “It’s basically a 737 that carries missiles,” she says. “It’s pretty cool.”
But first, that check ride coming up on May 18. Holmes has a waitlist of passengers eager to fly with her. At the top: her mom, Sherrie Holmes. “Being around people who support you and believe in you is very important,” London Holmes says. “My mom is always there, uplifting me.”
One young pilot’s tips for others who aspire to fly
London Holmes grew up fascinated by the planes she could see from her house as they took off from Boeing Field and Renton Municipal Airport. By age 14, she was immersed in aerospace education programs — and now, at 17, she’s poised to get her private pilot’s license. Her plan is to become a military pilot, and possibly eventually fly commercial airplanes, too. “I’m a huge aviation nerd,” she admits. “I can live, drink and breathe aviation.”
Holmes is attending Alaska Airlines’ Aviation Day for the first time on Saturday, May 4. Now in its 11th year, Aviation Day brings more than 1,200 young people from around Western Washington to Alaska’s hangar at Sea-Tac International Airport. They get to meet pilots, engineers, flight attendants and technicians working in a wide variety of aviation jobs at Alaska, Boeing, the FAA and the Port of Seattle. They also can connect with educators, military representatives and corporate recruiters to chart potential career paths. Aviation Day is possible because of the efforts of Alaska employees who lead the event, along with partners including Boeing, Port of Seattle, Aerostrat, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and The Museum of Flight. (Read more about Holmes’ story and Aviation Day.)
Holmes appreciates the support she’s received from organizations that help aspiring young pilots, as well as from mentors like Alaska Airlines First Officer Kim Ford. And she’s eager to share what she’s learned. “It’s important for me to give back to other girls in aviation because I have had really great mentors,” Holmes says. “I’ve had really great opportunities. I’ve received great scholarships and I want to give back because I know how amazing it feels.”
For people who worry about the costs of pilot training, Holmes reassures them that it’s possible with help. “I could not pay for flight training by myself. It’s just too expensive,” she says. Her pilot-training costs are covered by a scholarship from the LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation. “It’s just a really great time to be in aviation because there are so many resources.”
Here are several organizations that Holmes and Ford recommend aspiring aviators check out.
Holmes says this should be the first stop for young people around Puget Sound who are curious about aviation. “I know that some people aren’t sure about aviation. This is a great introductory course — especially if you live in the area because it’s free. And these are people your age who also have an interest in aviation.”
Aeronautical Science Pathway program. The Museum of Flight
Holmes attends this after-school program for juniors and seniors two hours a day, four days a week, and she’ll earn both high school and college credits. “It’s really cool because six of the students that I took the Private Pilot Ground School course with when I was 14 years old are in the class now.”
ACE Aerospace Camp Experience, The Museum of Flight
Created in honor of Anderson, a Washington native and the payload commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia, this free educational program is offered to Washington state middle-schoolers.
(Note: The Museum of Flight offers several additional educational programs and resources. Check out the full site here: http://www.museumofflight.org/Education/)
The Civil Air Patrol is a civilian public service organization offering STEM education and cadet programs focused on developing young aerospace leaders.
Flying Clubs
Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club, a chapter of the Black Pilots of America
“It’s really important to find aviation-related activities because then you’re able to network but also enjoy and have fun doing aviation-related things at the same time,” Holmes says.
Scholarship Opportunities and Other Resources
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation
Sisters of the Skies is an organization of black women pilots offering scholarships, mentorships and an outreach program called “Girls Rock Wings.” This year, Alaska Airlines made a commitment with Sisters of the Skies to significantly increase the number of female African-American pilots by 2025.
Love our new non-stop service between Boston and Honolulu? We do too! However, did you know that Boston Logan International Airport welcomed guests aboard Pualani to its runway well before our inaugural, regularly scheduled commercial flight on April 4?
As part of our inaugural celebrations, we traveled around Boston to spread our aloha far and wide. Those who joined us took home a fresh orchid lei and warmed up in the cold weather with some live music and entertainment.
Our DC-10 charter plane at Boston Logan International Airport. Photo courtesy of Darryl Sarno.
Back in balmy Hawai‘i, the DC-10 played a monumental role in our airline’s growth over the next decade. We leased our first in 1992, introducing our guests to an in-flight experience that was more comfortable than ever before. Its roomier cabin interior featured wider seats, larger overhead storage bins and more conveniently located lavatories.
Our DC-10 charter plane at Boston Logan International Airport. Photo courtesy of Darryl Sarno.
Our fleet peaked with up to 15 DC-10s in operation, allowing for expansion into new U.S. Mainland and trans-Pacific markets. This aircraft also opened exciting opportunities to partner with some of our favorite organizations, including the Oakland Raiders.
Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants posing in front of the iconic tail of the DC-10.
We bid a fond aloha to the DC-10 on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu in February 2003. The fleet was replaced by the Boeing 767-ER, which continued the DC-10’s legacy of propelling Hawaiian into far-reaching destinations until it was retired earlier this year.
Opinion: Some kids need a little lift to see aviation as a career path (Seattle Times)
In aviation and in other realms, “lift” is the force that lifts airplanes into the sky, pulls sailboats forward, and makes propellers on windmills work. In 1738, a guy named Daniel Bernoulli figured this out. Specifically, he figured out that as the velocity of a fluid (air or water in these cases) increases, pressure decreases. So engineers went to work. With airplanes, they built curves into the wings to force air above the wing to travel farther, and therefore faster, than air below the wings. This simple idea creates high pressure air below the wing, and low pressure air above the wing, and it is what keeps airplanes aloft. Magic!
As our region grows faster than the Seattle skyline, adding jobs and opportunities, we have a moral imperative to figure out our own version of Bernoulli’s principle, something we should have figured out a long time ago. The question is how do we lift kids from all backgrounds and circumstances into the futures that they deserve.
Over the next five years, 740,000 jobs will be added in Washington State. The majority of these will be in highly skilled positions. We’ll need teachers, nurses, technicians, builders, aviators, and more. Some 70% of these jobs will require some training or education beyond high school, but only 31% of our kids are achieving this higher level of learning today. If we don’t fix the imbalance, we’ll most likely import the talent, which means our own kids, especially those kids from more economically challenged backgrounds, will miss out on the opportunities that they so clearly deserve.
As an industry, aviation offers a diverse array of jobs, and a chance to move between them throughout a career. Our state has the largest concentration of aviation and aerospace activity of any in the nation, and Boeing estimates our industry will need 206,000 new pilots and 189,000 new maintenance technicians over the next two decades. To fill these jobs, Alaska Airlines is working with local schools and colleges to make sure we fill these key positions.
In the meantime, one thing that all of us should do is expose our young people to potential career options. We can do this by partnering with local school districts, by mentoring and creating programs that enable kids to find their voice and believe in their strengths, by providing internships for young people to explore work pathways, and by hiring, training, and promoting a diverse workforce. If kids can see the destination, it will help them find a way to get there.
This Saturday, Alaska Airlines employees will lead our 11th Annual Aviation Day, and we expect more than 1,200 students to visit our hangar – more than ten times the number who came more than a decade ago. Young people, largely teens, will explore aircraft designs with engineers, kick the tires of an F-18 fighter (and a 737!), and test their skills on our flight simulators.
Many who’ve attended Aviation Day have gone on to careers within the industry. People like Brendan Cray, an aircraft technician for Alaska who credits Aviation Day for steering him toward a career in aviation.
Like an airplane taking off, an event of this size is a team effort. As the real experts, our employees create and lead Aviation Day. But we couldn’t do this without great partners – the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, U.S. Air Force and Reserves, Sea-Tac Airport, local community colleges and flight schools. Together, we ensure kids can have new experiences, ask questions, and connect with resources for their futures.
Middle school students in Highline are some of those who inspire us. A few years ago, when we asked them about their dreams for the future, many told us they didn’t think they’d be qualified for jobs in aviation – despite growing up with aviation all around them. Some didn’t even know these jobs existed.
Our goal at Aviation Day, and beyond, is to ensure that every kid believes they can work in aviation – or another great career option. But this is a path – not a single step. We recognize that year-round efforts are needed across many fronts:
Our partners at Highline Schools, Museum of Flight, and Pacific Science Center fuel possibility and creativity throughout the year.
Our Rotor Wing and Camo2Commerce programs support vets to leverage their valuable skills from the military as commercial pilots and maintenance technicians.
We pledged with Sisters of the Skies to significantly increase the number of female African-American pilots by 2025 – to hire the best pilots and ensure a pipeline of talent full of young people who can see themselves anywhere.
We’re inspired by Starbucks’ commitment to opportunity youth, Boeing’s Core Plus curriculum development, Vigor’s community workforce training programs, and many other local companies.
Bernoulli’s principle of lift took our world to places our ancestors would never have imagined. Let’s enable kids, including those furthest from opportunity, to reach new ones, too.
If you’re wondering how to make the most of Mileage Plan and even work your way up to elite status, the best advice typically comes from those who’ve done it. We talked to two 30-year Mileage Plan members: John from Juneau, a current MVP Gold 75K, and Bruce from Portland, who enjoyed MVP Gold status for years. While neither John or Bruce felt they had any sage advice, we begged to differ.
Stick to Alaska and its partners when traveling for business
Business travel is often outside of your control, but companies are increasingly making it possible for employees to choose their airline and/or enter their Mileage Plan number when booking flights. Both Bruce and John racked up a lot of miles traveling for business by flying Alaska almost exclusively.
You’ll always earn a mile per mile flown on Alaska, but you can earn even more than that depending on the type of fare you book. First Class, and even certain economy fare classes earn additional bonus miles that get you even closer to elite status or that dream vacation faster.
And if your business travel takes you around the globe, booking with an Alaska Global Partner is a great way to ensure you’re still racking up your Mileage Plan miles. Earn even faster if you book Premium Class seats internationally. Earn rates vary by partner, but you can earn up to 3 miles per mile flown in Business Class or up to 5 miles per mile flown when you fly in First Class.
Spend more time in the air, not the airport
Neither Bruce nor John pay attention to racking up segments, though that is a way to earn elite status. Instead, John says he will look at the big picture of his trip: if there’s the option to have multiple segments but be stuck with a long layover, sometimes it’s worth it to book a longer, maybe slightly less direct route.
The way he looks at it: he’ll spend the time somewhere – in the airport or in the air. He’d rather spend more time on a plane, racking up miles.
Shop your way to your next vacation
Savvy members know that even if you don’t have any trips coming up, there are plenty of ways to keep your Mileage Plan balance growing. An easy one? Shopping! Through Mileage Plan Shopping, you can earn miles for your online and in-store shopping with over 850 participating merchants. Once signed up with Mileage Plan Shopping, you can mark stores as favorites to get alerts when additional bonus mile offers are running. There’s even a browser button you can download that will alert you when you are on a site eligible to earn miles, so you never miss out on mileage earning opportunities.
Save up miles for big trips abroad
Bruce is what you might call a Mileage Plan retiree – he had elite status for nearly 30 years and spent his miles sparingly. Now when he has more time to fly for fun, he’s using his miles to travel the globe.
He highly recommends flying an Alaska Global Partner and paying with miles. He and his wife traveled to Europe and purchased a one-way First Class ticket for around 60,000 miles, which he feels is a much better deal than paying for the ticket with cash.
Use miles for more than flights
Alaska Airlines Hotels gives you access to more than 400,000 properties worldwide, from unique boutique hotels to major chains. You can either earn miles for stays – up to an astounding 10,000 miles per night – or, redeem miles for all or a portion of your stay.
Team Kōkua and New Zealand’s Sea Cleaners Restore Kiwi Shores with Three Hawai‘i Youth
Sleeves pushed up, gloves on and a fresh coat of reef-safe sunscreen: this is what business attire looks like for the Sea Cleaners, a New Zealand nonprofit committed to preserving kiwi coastlines. Hawaiian Airlines recently teamed up with the organization to fly three Hawai‘i youth leaders from Honolulu to Auckland for a stewardship trip of a lifetime.
Our Partnership with the Sea Cleaners
Hawaiian Airlines has offered non-stop service between Auckland and Honolulu since 2013. Our ‘ohana first partnered with the Sea Cleaners last year to bring nine Māori youth to O‘ahu for International Coastal Cleanup Day. Together, they tackled plastic pollution head on, removing marine debris from our Island’s hardest-hit coastlines, engaging in cultural exchanges and working with local schools to share their impactful field stories.
Team Kōkua volunteers in purple and Sea Cleaners volunteers in black joined forces in restoring Rangitoto Island, a popular tourist attraction and a hot spot for marine debris.
“Our partnership with Hawaiian Airlines has been a wonderful advancement in engaging and driving the youth leadership component here. It’s just been sensational,” said Hayden Smith, boat captain and co-founder of the Sea Cleaners.
Last month, we collaborated with Sea Cleaners again, as well as Nā Kama Kai, a Hawai‘i nonprofit that educates youth about ocean conservation, to select three local teenagers to engage in environmental initiatives in New Zealand. Once selected, the group embarked on a weeklong trip to take on Kiwi shores and help spread a message of sustainability to North Island communities.
Meet the Selected Youth
We worked with our two nonprofit partners to select the right candidates. The result: three O‘ahu boys who, day in and out, are passionate caretakers for our Island home and leaders among their peers:
L to R: Kamo, Lio, Brennan at Rangitoto.
Kamohaiki “Kamo” from Waimānalo and Brennan from Aiea were selected based on their leadership through volunteer work with Nā Kama Kai. Both are watermen at heart who have grown up in and around the ocean, from surfing to freediving. They encourage their friends to be involved in ocean conservation and have worked to reduce their respective community’s consumption of single-use plastics.
Lio from Hale‘īwa has followed the Sea Cleaners for years and previously volunteered with the group in Hawai‘i. Outside of school, Lio helps at his family’s restaurant, where he has worked to minimize plastic use. An advocate for a greener restaurant industry, he is planning a plastic-free restaurant outreach program.
“The three young men whom we selected are here because they’ve put their hand up in one way or another to help the ocean and the environment, either through reducing plastic consumption in an industry or helping other community groups,” Hayden shared while in New Zealand with the group. “They were not looking for any sense of reward for what they were doing, they just knew it was the right thing and they wanted to do it.”
Brennan holds up a sample of trash he collected at the start of the Rangitoto cleanup initiative.
Duane Desoto, founder and CEO of Nā Kama Kai, added, “Today’s youth hold the key to our Islands’ future, and these boys were standout candidates who embody the meaning of ‘mālama honua’ (to care for our island Earth) through their actions.”
Team Kōkua in Auckland
Humbled by the boys’ journey ahead, our Team Kōkua volunteers packed their bags and joined them and the Sea Cleaners for one of their activities: a half-day coastal cleanup at Rangitoto Island.
As the sun stretched its arms over the morning horizon, 20 volunteers, including our seven Team Kōkua members, loaded into a fleet of harbor boats to cross the Hauraki Gulf. We had one goal: clean and remove trash from Rangitoto, an uninhabited volcanic island and popular hiking attraction seven miles from Auckland’s port.
Sea Cleaners boats heading to the iconic Rangitoto Island summit.
Throughout the morning, our group traversed Rangitoto’s rugged coastline, pulling items like plastic toothbrushes, drinking straws, commercial fishing nets, stray takeout bags, and single-use utensils from the grips of the rocks. Hayden forewarned us that the island is a hot spot for trash – pushed to shore by the gulf’s currents, tides, and winds – and is cleaned monthly by their volunteers due to how quickly it piles up.
Sea Cleaners volunteers carry away bags of trash and boat-mooring ropes that had washed ashore.
“People don’t live here, but we’re still finding rubbish and it’s shameful,” Kamo said. “If we want our kids and grandkids to experience something as beautiful as [Rangitoto], we have to make a change right now.”
Team Kōkua volunteers make their way along the Rangitoto coast to remove trash from the rocky shoreline.
At day’s end, we loaded over 15 bags of recovered trash into the boats and became overwhelmed with a shared sense of accomplishment. Our Team Kōkua volunteers, the three youth and the Sea Cleaners left the island cleaner than we found it, but we knew the battle was far from over.
Team Kōkua and Sea Cleaners volunteers working together to load a boat with bags of collected debris.
As we boarded our flight back to Honolulu, the Sea Cleaners would continue their endeavor to educate the next generation about the impact plastics have on the environment.
“Be mindful that every time you let go of something, it’s going to end up somewhere else,” said Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, who heads Hawaiian’s Team Kōkua program as director of Community Relations. “Until we stop consuming those things, we have to be more consistent in cleaning up and bringing ourselves together to create change.”
Learn more about the organizations we worked with on this trip, Hawaiian Airlines’ commitment to sustainability, and how you can get involved:
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