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2014: Alaska Airlines employees emerge as heroes after the hurricane in Los Cabos

Hurricane Odile was bad. The aftermath was even worse.

Amid the devastation and destruction, one bright spot was the response from Alaska Airlines employees who lent a hand when it was needed most.

In the week since the storm slammed into Los Cabos, people who were evacuated on Alaska’s humanitarian relief flights have started to share stories of gratitude for employees – on the ground and in the air – who went above and beyond.

“You have no idea what we went through – it was simply terrifying,” one traveler wrote in a post-flight survey. “Your staff was amazing – hugging us, comforting us, humoring us, and delighting us with supreme service. It wasn’t just one person, it was the entire staff.”

Through their heroic actions, employees showed the world what it means to say, “I am Alaska.”

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Fright or Flight: Seattle-area clinic helps clients who fear flying

Annette Dixon never sets foot on an aircraft without her good luck charms — an alabaster elephant known to symbolize good luck and strength, an uplifting card with personal meaning, and earrings that symbolize 30 years of friendship.

A year ago the Seattle resident wasn’t even sure she’d ever get on a plane again. She had a trip to Africa planned and tickets purchased but she wasn’t sure she should go through with it. Although Dixon was no stranger to airline travel – she had travelled to Europe, Africa, and South America in the past – a flight with severe turbulence and a separate incident involving a bird caught in the engine of a plane made her wary of flying.

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2014: Alaska Airlines supports Los Cabos relief efforts with Red Cross donation

Alaska Airlines has donated $20,000 to the Mexican Red Cross to support relief efforts in Los Cabos, which was devastated last week by Hurricane Odile.

“Alaska is proud to support the humanitarian efforts in Los Cabos with a donation to the Mexican Red Cross,” said Shaunta Hyde, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of community relations. “We have an opportunity to help a community that has experienced something truly devastating, rebuild itself.”

Last week, Alaska Airlines donated $30,000 to Alaska’s Employee Assistance Fund (EAF) to help the airline’s 45 employees who live and work in Los Cabos. The EAF set up a “Los Cabos Relief Fund” to assist Alaska employees and matched the airline’s contribution dollar-for-dollar bringing the total amount of funds to $60,000 for Los Cabos employees.

Los Cabos International Airport remains closed for the time being after sustaining severe damage from the hurricane.

Alaska Airlines is offering customers who purchased tickets or out of Los Cabos before Sept. 14 for travel Sept. 14-Nov. 20 a flexible travel policy. Visit alaskaair.com for more information.

How you can help

Donate to Charity Miles: To donate your Mileage Plan™ Miles to Hurricane Odile/Los Cabos disaster relief efforts, please select the Alaska Airlines Charity Miles Pool for your donation. Contributions will be used to support charities involved with Hurricane Odile relief efforts and for transportation of medical staff and volunteers. Learn more.

2014: Alaska scales back after Los Cabos airport closes to relief flights, commercial operations

Alaska Airlines scaled back humanitarian relief operations out of Mexico on Friday, with one relief flight out of Los Cabos and one relief flight from Loreto.

Alaska employees on the ground in Los Cabos reported Friday that all customers have been evacuated from the area that was severely damaged by Hurricane Odile on Sunday.

On Friday afternoon, Mexico’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics – similar to the FAA – closed Los Cabos International Airport to any additional relief flights or commercial operations following the evacuation of all foreign tourists. The DGAC and local governments will focus their efforts on repairing the airport.

Flights in and out of Los Cabos are not expected to resume until the airport reopens for commercial air service.

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2014 FAQ: How do I fly out of Los Cabos?

How do I get on an Alaska Airlines flight out of Los Cabos? Do I need to be an Alaska customer? Are these flights free?

Los Cabos International Airport remains closed to commercial air service, but has opened a runway for outbound humanitarian flights. Because the Alaska Airlines flights are operating under special conditions, local authorities on the ground in Los Cabos are determining who gets on these flights, regardless of reservation status. Authorities are boarding people onto planes on a first-come, first-served basis. We are accepting customers from Alaska Airlines and other airlines. Our humanitarian mission is to help people get out of Los Cabos.

The Department of State said U.S. citizens affected by Hurricane Odile should proceed to the Los Cabos airport as soon as possible, if able to do so. Travel during daylight hours is recommended.

U.S. State Department statement: Emergency Message: Hurricane Odile

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2014: Alaska Airlines begins relief flights in Mexico

UPDATE Thursday, Sept. 18, 4 p.m.

Alaska plans to operate five humanitarian relief flights out of Los Cabos on Friday, Sept. 18.

For Friday, Sept. 19:

All flights passenger flights to Los Cabos have been canceled.

The following flights are planned for Friday:

Flight 201: Los Cabos to San Jose
Flight 233: Los Cabos to San Diego
Flight 235: Los Cabos to San Francisco
Flight 251: Los Cabos to Los Angeles
Flight 279: Los Cabos to Los Angeles

These flights are trackable on alaskaair.com.

 

UPDATE Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7:45 p.m.

The first two domestic flights out of Los Cabos arrived safely in Los Angeles and San Diego this evening. A third, flight 279, is expected to arrive at about 9:20 p.m.

The airport remains closed to commercial  air service, but local authorities have authorized outgoing humanitarian relief flights. Customers waiting at the airport are being boarded on those flights on a first come, first serve basis.

For Thursday, Sept. 18:

All flights to Los Cabos have been canceled.

Alaska will operate six humanitarian relief flights out of Los Cabos International Airport. The six flights to Los Cabos will be loaded with water, food and supplies.

The following flights are planned for Thursday:

Flight 201: Los Cabos to San Jose
Flight 233: Los Cabos to San Diego
Flight 235: Los Cabos to San Francisco
Flight 239: Los Cabos to San Diego – CANCELED
Flight 251: Los Cabos to Los Angeles
Flight 279: Los Cabos to Los Angeles

These flights are trackable on alaskaair.com.

For media: these photos may be distributed courtesy of Alaska Airlines

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2014 TRAVEL ALERT: Hurricane Odile and Los Cabos

UPDATE 6:21 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26:

Alaska Airlines to resume Los Cabos flying Oct. 8

 

UPDATE 9:35 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25:

Alaska Airlines employees emerge as heroes after the hurricane in Los Cabos

UPDATE 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23:

Alaska Airlines supports Los Cabos relief efforts with Red Cross donation.

UPDATE 4:20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19:

Alaska scales back after Los Cabos airport closes to relief flights, commercial operations.

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Onboard cocktails: take a load off with a Moscow Mule

Sun Liquor onboard Moscow Mule

You don’t need a copper mug to enjoy this onboard twist on the popular Moscow Mule.

This crowd-pleasing drink (and its accompanying at-home recipe) is shared by Erik Chapman, barman and distiller at Seattle’s Sun Liquor Distillery, a small, local business which produces the premium gin, rum and vodka served onboard Alaska Airlines flights.

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Destination Detroit: A local’s guide to discovering beauty, history and tasty drinks in the Motor City

This month, Alaska Airlines launched daily nonstop service between Seattle and Detroit. For on-the-ground advice about things to do in Detroit, we turned to resident expert Dan Austin, a journalist at the Detroit Free Press who also runs historicdetroit.org and has written two books about the city’s legendary architecture.

“Detroit is a city that is on its way back, but its reputation isn’t doing it any favors,” Austin said. “Nine out of 10 people I talk to who visit Detroit for the first time say they are always impressed, that the city far exceeds their expectations.

See it for yourself: find flights to Detroit

“Folks should give Detroit a chance. It’s a city of unparalleled beauty, history and spirit, yet it’s a city with an undeniable edge. Gritty. Blue-collar. But very, very real. This isn’t Disneyland, but the proud people of Detroit wouldn’t have it any other way.”

If you’re planning to visit Detroit, here are a few of Austin’s recommendations and insights.

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Russell Wilson commercial outtakes

By now you’ve all seen the new commercials featuring Russell Wilson, starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks and Chief Football Officer for Alaska Airlines.

But what really went on behind the scenes of the 12-hour shoot? Seattle’s Evening Magazine has the story.
“It was a glimpse into the mind of a champion,” says Alaska Capt. Mike Swanigan.
See the commercials again, and learn more about our Chief Football Officer – as well as some special perks for fans – at alaskaair.com/gorussell.

Wine tasting notes: balanced, crisp and best at 35,000 feet

precept wine blending

Hal Landvoigt doesn’t care what flavors you can identify in a Walla Walla merlot. He just wants you to enjoy it.

“I don’t really care what wine you want to put with food or how you want to drink it. I just want you to drink wine,” says Landvoigt, director of winemaking at Seattle’s Precept Wine.

That’s why he focused not on the flavors but on the overall experience when he started experimenting with a special blend designed to retain its flavor at cruising altitude on airplanes.

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Secrets to finding great value in award miles

Anyone who flies should open an account with their airline’s loyalty program; it’s free, and even infrequent travelers might someday accumulate enough credit for an award flight, especially if they take advantage of the many ways to earn miles besides flying, such as staying at hotels, renting cars, using a credit card, or even sending flowers. But how do you go from earning the miles to booking that award? I’ve made this my life’s mission and want to share how to find good value from your frequent flier miles and get the most out of your membership.

Kauai visa signature card companion fare
My wife Megan and I on a trip to Kauai, Hawaii, booked using a companion fare from our Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card.

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