Trailblazing trans pilot Jessica helps ensure transgender pilots soar
Not many pilots can say they’ve worked to pave the way for an entire generation of trans pilots, but Alaska First Officer Jessica can! Read her remarkable story.
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.
Women who landed their dream jobs & are making history at Alaska
Meet two remarkable women of aviation—Ali who is the first flight attendant-to-pilot direct transfer in Alaska Airlines history and Elissa who dreamed of becoming a flight attendant and started her career on the heels of a pandemic.
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.
Taking new roads in the sky: NASA and Alaska Airlines are making it happen
Have you ever been stuck in traffic and thought: “There has got to be a better way to get where I’m going”? Pilots often think the same thing up in the air. In the hours before takeoff, airline dispatchers specifically plan flights and file flight plans using the best information available at the time. But…
Women pilots share the moments of inspiration that led to aviation careers
Good pilots are known for their technical expertise, precision, teamwork and customer service. At Alaska Air Group, pilots go beyond that to also exemplify the company’s core values: Own safety, do the right thing, be kindhearted, deliver performance and be remarkable. These professionals have a deep and unwavering commitment to outstanding flying skills. They take…
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.…
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…