Threading the celestial needle: Catching the Great American Eclipse at 35,000 feet

There’s nothing Alaska Airlines pilots like more than a challenge. As a company that started out flying between remote airfields deep in the Alaskan “bush,” safely navigating where other airlines can’t is in Alaska’s blood. So, for Alaska, putting a flight in the path of the Great American Eclipse wasn’t really a question of if,…

Weekend Wanderer: San Francisco to Mexico City

As a San Francisco local, Instagrammer Nanette Wong, knows how to live the sweet life. From photos of decadent treat to her favorite coffee spots in town, Nanette’s mouth-watering content is the best part of anyone’s feed. She just returned from an Instagram takeover in Mexico City, Mexico as part of Alaska’s Weekend Wanderer series.…

Improved communication between our pilots and ATC – without even talking

For decades, air traffic controllers have relied on a system that uses two-way radio to transmit instructions and route changes to planes waiting to take off. Pilots jot down these notes on paper, and then read the instructions back to the air traffic controllers. If there’s a misunderstanding, the process must be repeated until it’s…

A decade of awesome: 10 ways Alaska and Virgin America continue to shake up the airline industry

Creating an airline people love is a bold goal, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it’s Alaska Airlines and Virgin America. Today, Virgin America was named the “Top Domestic Airline” 2017 in Travel + Leisure “World’s Best Awards” for the 10th year in a row. In May, Alaska Airlines ranked highest in airline…

Weekend Wanderer: San Francisco to Sitka

Living life by the California Bay with her family in tow, Madeline Lu isn’t afraid to add a touch of decadence to her photo feed. From cityscapes to epic crepes, Madeline captures exactly what we’re hungry for. She just returned from an Instagram takeover in Sitka, Alaska as part of Alaska’s Weekend Wanderer series. For…

Weekend Wanderer: Los Angeles to San Francisco

As a native to the City of Angels, Mark Miller, won our hearts with endless photos of adventure, love, and delicious eats. Together with his boyfriend, Ethan, the two have mastered the element of exploration and taken Los Angeles by storm. Mark and Ethan just returned from an Instagram takeover in San Francisco, California for…

Local Wanderer: San Luis Obispo

Daydreamer and San Luis Obispo, California native, Karen Grubb knows just how to bring adventure to our small screens with her amazing photography. From epic mountain scenes to dreamy deep forests, we’d follow her to any adventure. She is being featured as part of Alaska’s Local Wanderer series. Follow Alaska Airlines on Instagram as Karen…

Like father, like daughter: Pilot team flies together on Father’s Day

This Father’s Day, a special pair of pilots is scheduled to fly together for Alaska Airlines: Captain Nick Cosmakos and First Officer Niclina Cosmakos plan to work as a father-daughter flight crew on Sunday. They are scheduled to fly together all month. Niclina credits her love of flying to her father, and fondly remembers flying…

Alaska Airlines CEO takes pledge to further advance diversity and inclusion

Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden is one of more than 160 U.S. business leaders to sign a “diversity and inclusion pledge” this week, the latest effort by the company to embrace diversity in all its forms. In signing, Tilden is committing Alaska Air Group to “to cultivate a workplace where different points of view are…

Seattle Air Traffic Control equipment outage at Sea-Tac Airport delays flights

People traveling to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport today can expect delays due to low ceilings and a temporary Air Traffic Control equipment outage, which has significantly reduced the hourly rate of planes arriving and taking off at Sea-Tac. Some 90 Alaska Airlines and Virgin America flights scheduled to depart Seattle through noon have been…

Delayed flight? Lack of modernization in the skies might be to blame

Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden testified before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation earlier this year As airlines head into the busiest travel season of the year, one big worry looms: the nation’s antiquated Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. The ATC system is a critical part of the U.S. economy and air travel infrastructure,…

New flying out of Paine Field will ease commuting pain for many

UPDATE 1/22/19: We’re postponing our scheduled start of service from Paine Field until March 4, 2019. Our latest post has all the details. ORIGINAL POST 5/17/17: For most Seattle-area guests of Alaska Airlines, getting to the airport is relatively painless. But for the more than one million residents of northern King County, Snohomish County and surrounding…

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