Seeing double: Identical twin brothers fulfill pilot dreams at Alaska Airlines

Are you doing a double take? Us too! When Alan was hired as a first officer, he joined his identical twin brother in the flight deck – making them the first identical twin pilots at Alaska.

Alaska Airlines statement on strike authorization vote: our pilots are not on strike

The union representing Alaska Airlines pilots – the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) – conducted a ‘strike-authorization ballot’ this month. Today, ALPA released the result of that vote. As expected, pilots approved the measure. Here’s what you need to know.

Want to fly? How to become a pilot with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air

The need for the next generation of pilots is greater than ever. Alaska and Horizon expect to hire more than 900 pilots by the end of 2022, including Austen Pyle who was inspired to become a pilot after Alaska’s Aviation Day in 2015. Ready to join our award-winning crew? Explore our career pathways.

Alaska pilots are inspiring the next generation of flying in Compton

Fly Compton gives kids in Southern California the exposure and resources to become professional pilots. “Believe it or not, some kids in the inner city never leave the city, our goal is to show them that there’s a whole world out there waiting for them,” said Alaska First Officer Ronnel Norman.

A new Alaska program aims to bring careers into reach for aspiring BIPOC pilots

Alaska Airlines’ True North program helps students gain the confidence and skills required to fly for a commercial airline once they graduate and offers financial assistance along the way, while also looking to increase the diversity of our industry.

Pilot mentors young man who wanted to fly – and 20 years later, they’re both captains at Alaska

Alaska Airlines Captain Chris Cice, left, helped mentor Todd Swenson, right. In February, Swenson became one of Alaska’s newest captains. When Alaska Airlines Captain Chris Cice started chatting with a guest on a flight from Seattle to Oakland about 20 years ago, he had no idea that he’d inspire a new captain. Fast forward to…

Outside of work, pilot shares the gift of flight to lift others

Scratch the surface of almost any pilot and you’ll find a kid who dreamed of flying. When Alaska Airlines First Officer Erin Recke was little, she wanted to fly jet fighters. But it wasn’t until one significant day in her mid-20s when her dream really took off. “I took a flying lesson just for fun,” she recalled.…

Swani song: Captain Mike Swanigan to make his final flight

After 36 years with Alaska Airlines, Captain Mike Swanigan will make his final flight this weekend. “Captain Swani” plans to retire after one last round-trip Sunday: Flight 648 Seattle-Tucson and then Flight 641 Tucson-Seattle, scheduled to arrive about 4:30 p.m. Swanigan became one of Alaska’s most recognized employees after he starred in a series of…

VIDEO: Pilot straps a GoPro to his private plane, captures scenes of rugged Alaska

Captain Will Turnage loves to fly, loves the state of Alaska and loves being outdoors. He combined all three of his passions last year by recording his flights throughout the state. Turnage flew over glaciers, across rocky coastlines, and on the edge of lakes with a GoPro attached to the rear of his Cessna 180.…

Ask an Alaska pilot: what route do you fly?

By Doug Branch, Captain, Alaska Airlines Doug Branch’s interest in aviation began around the same time he could say the word “plane.” Captain Branch has deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, including growing up on Bainbridge Island and learning to fly at Eastern Washington’s Big Bend Community College. After three years flying for a commuter…