Buying Boeing planes? How Alaska has done it for 50 years

Irv Bertram (pictured above) has handled the paperwork for Alaska’s aircraft purchases for the past four decades. In the 50 years Alaska Airlines has been buying and flying Boeing planes, acquiring aircraft has never been easier. First, the airline has the cash to buy jets fresh off the assembly line in Renton. Second, Alaska is…

Aviation Day: 1,000 kids get a behind-the-scenes look at Alaska Airlines

Fly a flight simulator with a pilot, turn a wrench on a jet engine with a mechanic, evacuate an aircraft with a flight attendant, students had the opportunity to try their hand at all three at the eighth annual Alaska Airlines Aviation Day today. More than 1,000 Seattle-area youth gathered at the Alaska Airlines hangar…

Alaska Airlines helps students build a plane, learn to fly

Inside a small hangar, the parts and components of a two-seat plane are starting to come together, piece by piece, built by teenagers, guided by mentors. Alaska Airlines supports these next-generation aviators through a fledgling program that teaches high school students how to build a plane and learn to fly it. Called TeenFlight Puyallup, the…