Tag Archives: N560AS

Alaska Airlines today launches San Diego-Kona flights

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) is expanding its service to the Hawaiian Islands, with new nonstop flights between San Diego and Kona, on the Big Island, starting today.

Kona is the fourth Hawaiian island that Alaska serves from San Diego. Alaska also flies to Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), and Lihue (Kauai). At the peak, Alaska will offer 27 flights a week to Hawaii from San Diego.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N560AS (msn 35179) in the special “Spirit of the Islands” scheme taxies to the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:

Alaska Airlines launches its new “Alaska Beyond” inflight entertainment service

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) today issued this statement:

Starting today, Alaska Airlines customers can enjoy free* entertainment directly on their personal electronic devices. The new entertainment service, available today on 50 of Alaska’s 737 planes, will be available at no extra charge through January 31, 2015. Alaska will equip nearly all of its all-Boeing fleet by April 2015.

Above logo: Did you notice the subtle change in the Alaska titles? The jagged lines have now been smoothed out a bit and the “k” no longer intrudes on the “a”. No, the Eskimo is not going away but the aircraft titles are now likely to change to this updated and cleaner look.

Alaska’s inflight entertainment launch marks the debut of Alaska BeyondTM, a new flight experience that highlights what sets Seattle’s hometown airline apart from other carriers. In addition to entertainment, Alaska Beyond is further defined by its artisan food and beverage program, and its in-cabin comforts including Recaro seats with personal power at every seat.

Alaska Beyond Entertainment lets customers catch up on their favorite television shows and watch recently released movies using their own Wi-Fi-enabled tablet, smartphone or laptop. *All content, including premium movies and TV shows, will be complimentary through Jan. 31, 2015. Starting February 1, customers can still enjoy access to a wide selection of complimentary custom curated content and purchase premium movies and TV shows starting at $1.99.

With Alaska Beyond Comfort, Alaska customers power-up with standard and USB personal power outlets at every seat. The custom-designed leather seats, made by Recaro, feature 6-way adjustable headrests, enhanced personal space and three inches of recline. Access to power outlets is conveniently located in the seatback in front of each passenger. Today, more than 95 percent of Alaska’s fleet of Boeing 737-800s, -900s, and -900ERs have power outlets at every seat. Many of Alaska’s aircraft also feature the Boeing Sky Interior which creates a lighter and more spacious cabin. Later next year, Alaska will be the launch customer of Boeing’s innovative Space Bins , which provide 48 percent more overhead bin storage.

Alaska Beyond Delicious offers travelers locally-sourced, artisan food and beverage from iconic Northwest brands, including signature entrees designed by award-winning chef Tom Douglas. The popular Signature Fruit & Cheese Platter features Beecher’s Flagship and Tillamook cheeses are available on all flights, as well as hand-poured Canoe Ridge wines, Sun Liquor hand-crafted liquors, Alaskan Amber and other local micro-brews, and in First Class, Chateau Ste. Michelle wines.

Launching Beyond Entertainment

Customers will know entertainment is available on their device by reviewing the Flight Amenities seatback card located at each seat on equipped aircraft. Programing available through Alaska’s inflight entertainment is powered by Gogo Vision, a service that wirelessly streams content from a server onboard the aircraft to customer tablets and smart phones.

Customers can begin viewing content after the aircraft reaches an altitude of 10,000 feet. To connect, customers go to the Gogo Inflight network, launch their browser and click on “Entertainment.” Further instructions and a list of supported devices is available at http://www.gogoair.com . Customers traveling without a device can rent a video player with pre-loaded content on many longer flights. Prices vary depending on the length of the flight and start at $8.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Alaska Airlines). Boeing 737-890 N560AS (msn 35179) “Spirit of the Islands” now has Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:

Video:

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7399551-alaska-airlines-debuts-alaska-beyond-with-the-launch-of-new-inflight-entertainment/embed_videos.html?video=77085b12-de76-4731-b1e2-577f841fd324&embed=true

Alaska Airlines starts Seattle/Tacoma-New Orleans flights

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) yesterday (June 12) inaugurated round-trip service between Seattle/Tacoma and New Orleans.

The New Orleans service contributes to a plan to increase Alaska Airlines departures out of Seattle/Tacoma 11 percent by next spring. Alaska’s daily flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will increase from 253 to 280, giving travelers more options to the places they want to fly most.

Other previously announced new service includes Albuquerque, New Mexico, Baltimore, Detroit, Tampa, Florida, and Cancún, Mexico.

Summary of other new daily Seattle/Tacoma service:

• Seattle – Tampa: starting June 20
• Seattle – Baltimore/Washington: starting September 2
• Seattle – Detroit: starting September 4
• Seattle – Albuquerque: starting September 18
• Seattle – Cancún: starting November 6 pending governmental approval

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-890 N560AS (msn 35179) in the special “Spirit of the Islands” motif taxies to the runway at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) hub.

Alaska Airlines:

Video: One summer at Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Airlines to start Seattle/Tacoma-Cancun service on November 6

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will commence daily seasonal service between Seattle/Tacoma and Cancun, Mexico on November 6 pending the approval by the Mexico Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC).

With the new flights, Alaska Airlines will offer 279 peak-day departures nonstop to 79 destinations from Seattle/Tacoma, more than any other carrier. This fall, Alaska will operate nearly four times as many flights out of Seattle/Tacoma than any other airline.

When approved, the Seattle/Tacoma-Cancun route will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft.

In other news, Alaska Airlines will hold the sixth annual Aviation Day at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on May. The company issued this statement:

Nearly 600 high school students will gather at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on May 10 to kick the tires and stand inside the wheel well of a 737 jet while learning about careers in aviation during the sixth annual Alaska Airlines Aviation Day. Employees from Alaska Airlines, The Boeing Company, Port of Seattle and Federal Aviation Administration will be on hand to inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers, air traffic controllers and aircraft mechanics, among other disciplines.

Students from as far away as Arizona will join youths from more than a dozen organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Raisbeck Aviation High School, The Ninety Nines, Women in Aviation International, the Museum of Flight and the Black Pilots of America (BPA).

“Our goal is to nurture the wonder and enthusiasm of these kids and show them the path toward a rewarding career is within reach,” said Allen Cassino, an Alaska Airlines first officer and Aviation Day project manager. “We’ll introduce students to professionals who will help them understand that, no matter where they come from, there are opportunities for them in this industry. Be it a pilot or an engineer or an aircraft mechanic, the possibilities are endless.”

Attendees will have an opportunity to sit in a Cessna 182, build a glider with a Boeing engineer, simulate an emergency evacuation with Alaska Airlines flight attendants, and construct a robot with the Museum of Flight and the Raisbeck Aviation High School robotics team. All students will also get to fly in an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 simulator.

“With Aviation Day, we’re hoping to inspire young people in our local communities to realize their dreams and pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industries,” Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden said. “We have the ability to accomplish this by providing a forum where the dream of flight meets the reality of the world. Aviation Day would not be possible without the hard work of Air Group employees and others who work tirelessly to make it a success.”

“The Boeing team is again glad to be part of this great event. It is a wonderful opportunity where we’ve come to share our experiences and passion of aviation,” said Edward Zielinski, Boeing 787 propulsion integration team lead. “The best part of Aviation Day is, while sharing our experiences with the participants, when you make a key connection with a student, and you instantly see that a flame has been kindled; you see in their eyes that they have the same passion I have and they want to be part of the aviation industry.”

Students will also have an opportunity to network with Alaska Airlines pilots, flight attendants and aircraft technicians along with FAA air traffic controllers, federal air marshals and Port of Seattle airport managers, who will provide career advice. Representatives from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Central Washington University, Purdue University and Green River Community College, among others, will be on hand to answer questions about education opportunities.

“All of us at the Port of Seattle are thrilled to connect kids with aviation,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant. “We’ve done it through our support of Raisbeck Aviation High School and we’re happy to be able to participate with Alaska Airlines on Saturday.”

Alaska regularly supports education programs throughout the local communities where the airline flies. Most recently, Alaska announced a $1.5 million grant in collaboration with the Port of Seattle to help support job training for workers at Sea-Tac Airport. The Port Jobs donation comes on the heels of the airline’s donation of $2.5 million to Seattle’s Museum of Flight to help create the Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center to guide students toward a future in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The airline will host a second Aviation Day on Saturday, May 17, at Horizon Air’s hangar located at Portland International Airport.

Copyright Photo: The “Spirit of the Islands” in the form of Boeing 737-890 WL N560AS (msn 35179) taxies to the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Air Group reports 3Q net income of $289 million

Alaska Air Group, Inc., (Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) (Seattle/Tacoma) reported third quarter 2013 GAAP net income of $289 million, or $4.08 per diluted share, compared to $163 million, or $2.27 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2012. Excluding the impact of mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments of $20 million ($12 million after tax, or $0.17 per diluted share), and a one-time special revenue item of $192 million ($120 million after tax, or $1.70 per diluted share) that primarily resulted from the application of new accounting rules associated with the modified affinity card agreement, the company reported record adjusted net income of $157 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $150 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, in 2012.

“These results represent our best quarter ever and mark Alaska’s 18th consecutive quarterly profit,” Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden said. “This is noteworthy given significant additional competition in some of our core markets. The balance and strength of our network combined with the ability of our people to respond quickly to changing business conditions are enabling us to succeed in this highly competitive industry.”

The following table reconciles the company’s reported GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share (EPS) during the third quarters of 2013 and 2012 to adjusted amounts:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012
(in millions, except per-share amounts)	Dollars		Diluted EPS		Dollars		Diluted EPS
Reported GAAP net income	$	289	$	4.08	$	163	$	2.27
Mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, net of tax	(12)		(0.17)		(13)		(0.18)
Special revenue item, net of tax	(120)		(1.70)		—		—
Non-GAAP adjusted income and per-share amounts	$	157	$	2.21	$	150	$	2.09

Financial Highlights:

Reported record third quarter net income, excluding special items, of $157 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $150 million, or $2.09 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. This quarter’s results compare to a First Call analyst consensus estimate of $2.14 per share.
Recorded net income for the third quarter under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $289 million or $4.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $163 million, or $2.27 per diluted share in 2012.
Achieved trailing 12-month return on invested capital of 13.0 percent compared to 12.7 percent in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2012.
Lowered adjusted debt-to-total-capitalization ratio by 7.0 percentage points, to 47.0 percent, from Dec. 31, 2012.
Paid a $0.20 per-share quarterly cash dividend on August 22 totaling $14 million. This is the first time since 1992 that Alaska Air Group has paid a dividend.
Repurchased 537,008 shares of common stock for $32 million in the third quarter. For the year, the company has repurchased 1,454,790 shares for $83 million.
Modified the affinity card agreement with Bank of America and extended it through 2017, estimated to generate $55 million in additional cash flows on an annual basis.
Held $1.4 billion in unrestricted cash and marketable securities as of Sept. 30, 2013.

Operational Highlights:

Held the No. 1 spot in U.S. Department of Transportation on-time performance among the 10 largest U.S. airlines for the 12 months ended August 2013.
Named most fuel-efficient airline in the U.S. in a report released by the International Council on Clean Transportation.
Named Airline Industry Leader in the 2013 Temkin Customer Service Rankings.
Surpassed 1 million customer downloads of the Alaska Airlines mobile apps.
Began new routes between Portland and Atlanta and between Portland and Dallas.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-890 WL N560AS (msn 35179) in the “Spirit of the Islands” motif departs from Los Angeles.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon-Horizon Air:

Alaska Airlines and ALPA tentatively agree on a new five-year contract

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), International announced today they have reached tentative agreement on a new five-year contract for the carrier’s 1,480 pilots.

The proposed contract includes pay raises, and quality of life and productivity improvements. ALPA’s leadership is unanimously recommending that Alaska pilots ratify the tentative agreement, and a vote is expected to be completed in mid-July. The current contract was ratified in May 2009 and became amendable on April 1. Negotiators for ALPA and Alaska Airlines have been working on a new contract since last summer.

Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com. Here is another view of Alaska Airlines’ new Boeing 737-890 WL N560AS (msn 35179) in the special “Spirit of the Islands” Hawaiian color scheme.

Video: The “Spirit of the Islands” contest:

Alaska Airlines:

Hot New Photos:

Alaska Airlines’ “Spirit of the Islands” logojet is painted and unveiled

Alaska Airlines (Seattle) today (June 3) officially unveiled this colorful “Spirit of the Islands” logojet. The pictured Boeing 737-890 N560AS (msn 35179) is a special salute to the state of Hawaii. The airline issued this statement:

A specially painted Alaska Airlines jet adorned with a Honolulu high school student’s winning design honoring the culture of the Aloha State touched down today in Honolulu before a crowd of students, educators and travelers. The unique paint theme, dubbed the “Spirit of the Islands,” was created by 17-year-old Aaron Nee.

Winning designer Aaron Nee sees N560AS for the first time at Honolulu.

Nee’s design was selected from among more than 2,700 submissions by students across the Hawaiian Islands in a statewide “Paint-the-Plane” contest sponsored by Alaska Airlines, in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Education and Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. A 10-member judging panel, comprised of Hawaii artists, educators and other local community members, carefully scored and selected the three top designs, which were then voted on by Hawaii residents in an online public vote.

As the grand prize winner, Nee received a trip for four to any of the carrier’s destinations and a $5,000 scholarship.

“This has been an incredible opportunity to share Hawaii’s beauty with people throughout the country,” said Nee. “This contest helped me to sharpen my graphic design skills and demonstrated that with hard work, attention to detail and determination, great things are possible.”

Nee’s winning design displays a voyaging canoe depicting the cultural diversity of the Islands, a bright yellow hibiscus (the state flower), the Hawaiian Island chain and the phrase “Spirit of the Islands.”

The soon-to-be Kaiser High School senior is a nearly straight-A student and a decorated member of the school’s Air Force ROTC program. Known for his artistic ability and interest in graphic design and athletics, Nee said he plans to invest his $5,000 for college and take his family to visit relatives in New York, where he hopes to see snow for the first time.

The “Spirit of the Islands” Boeing 737-800 was revealed to Nee at Honolulu International Airport on June 3, where he was joined by his parents, Robin and Mitch Connell, and father Aaron Garrett Nee, as well as Hawaii Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO Mike McCartney, Kaiser High School Principal John Sosa and several of Nee’s teachers. Also joining the welcoming ceremony were the 12 finalists and honorable mention winners, who received prizes and scholarships for their entries, as well.

Izabela Hamilton, a 12th grader at Seabury Hall on the island of Maui, placed second for her design featuring a male and female hula dancer against a backdrop of ocean waves and windswept mountain cliffs. Sophia Cleek, a sixth grader at Kapolei Middle School on Oahu, placed third for her design depicting a voyaging canoe sailing around the Islands. Hamilton and Cleek will each receive a trip for four to any Alaska Airlines destination and a $1,000 scholarship. The 10 other honorable mention winners were awarded a $1,000 scholarship each.

“Spirit of the Islands” trivia

The 129-foot-long Boeing 737-800 has a wingspan of 117 feet and a cruising speed of 530 mph.
A crew of 18 worked around the clock for 24 days at Aviation Technical Services in Everett, Wash., to paint the plane, which required 26 colors and about 140 gallons of paint, including 20 gallons of primer. In addition, 28,800 yards of masking tape were used.
The plane accommodates 157 passengers and six crew members.

The aircraft will fly throughout most of Alaska Airlines’ network, connecting destinations from Hawaii to San Diego and from Anchorage as far south as Mexico.

The “Spirit of the Islands” contest is the third time Alaska Airlines has turned to the public to paint a plane. The Spirit of Alaska Statehood aircraft paint scheme was created by a 16-year-old Sitka student in a similar statewide contest celebrating Alaska’s 50-year anniversary of statehood. In 2011, two soccer fans designed the MLS Portland “Timbers Jet” to celebrate the airline’s jersey sponsorship of the Portland, Ore., soccer team.

What does it take to paint an aircraft like this? Here is a previous video on the painting of “Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II“: