Tag Archives: PDX

Alaska Airlines debuts new Lounge in Portland, raising the bar for premium West Coast travel

Alaska Airlines is set to welcome guests to its newest Lounge at Portland International Airport (PDX) when it officially opens on June 4, underscoring its continued investment in premium travel and one of the carrier’s key West Coast hubs.

After more than two years of construction, the approximately 14,000-square-foot Lounge will welcome guests with a warm, thoughtfully designed Pacific Northwest aesthetic, featuring an inviting fireplace and a striking wooden Mt. Hood mural by artist Ben Butler. At twice the size of the current Portland Lounge, it offers more than 200 seats, including Alaska’s Signature Loungers, along with high, open ceilings that bring in natural light and views of Portland’s new terminal. Guests can relax, enjoy fresh, regionally inspired food, sip barista-crafted beverages or cocktails from West Coast partners, or take advantage of ample power plugs and privacy booths for calls and meetings.

Portland guests have chosen Alaska for years and played an important role in our growth in the Pacific Northwest. This new Lounge is our way of thanking them and a reflection of our growing portfolio of premium guest experiences. We look forward to opening our doors this week and welcoming guests with the signature hospitality and thoughtful touches Alaska is known for.”

Shane Jones

Vice President of Fleet, Products and Guest ExperienceAlaska Airlines

Alaska is the largest carrier serving Portland, operating more flights than any other airline, including more than 100 daily departures. Portland is a critical hub in Alaska and Hawaiian’s network with expanding service to over 60 destinations across North America and beyond. This summer, Alaska will launch year-round service to Everett/Paine Field (PAE) and Pasco–Tri-Cities (PSC), along with seasonal service to Jackson Hole (JAC). Last month, new service began to Baltimore (BWI), Bellingham (BLI), Idaho Falls (IDA), Philadelphia (PHL) and St. Louis (STL). By this fall, Alaska will offer 50% more seats in Portland than just two years ago, reflecting strong demand for travel and the airline’s continued investment in the market.

Alaska and Hawaiian lobby at PDX airport

Our strong partnership with Alaska has helped to elevate the new PDX as a world-class destination that showcases the Pacific Northwest and makes everyone feel at home. We’re thrilled their new PDX Lounge is here for the long haul, offering travelers a stunning spot to relax, recharge, and experience a taste of our region.”

Chris Czarnecki

PDX Business and Properties DirectorPort of Portland

The nearly $18 million investment in the Portland Lounge is part of Alaska’s growing Lounge footprint and broader commitment to enhancing the guest experience as it expands globally. Building on this investment, Alaska just announced its plans to open a landmark, more than 41,000-square-foot lounge in 2027. The Lounge, which will be located in Seattle – home to the airline’s main hub – will be the largest in its network and among the largest airline lounges in the country. The airline is also designing its first Lounge in San Diego (SAN) along with a new, expanded Lounge in Honolulu (HNL), both slated for early 2028.

Alaska Airlines Lounge members can access eight premium lounges across Alaska and Hawaiian’s network, including its largest lounge in Seattle and additional locations at its hubs in Anchorage (ANC), Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). Alaska Lounge+ membership unlocks access to all Alaska Lounges, plus nearly 90 partner lounges worldwide, including select oneworld and partner lounges.

More airline news, airline histories and the latest photos are available on the AG Mothership:

Russian Aviation: Bombardier to build the Q400 in Russia starting in 2015

Bombardier (Montreal) is planning to build the DHC-8-402 (marketed as the Q400) in Ulyanovsk, Russia starting in 2015 according to Russian Aviation. The planned output in Russia is two aircraft per month and will be supervised by Bombardier representatives.

Bombardier has not yet confirmed this report.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

In other news, Bombardier Aerospace and Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) on January 22 celebrated the delivery of the airline’s 51st Q400 turboprop airliner in Portland, Oregon. The aircraft, officially DHC-8-402 N452QX (msn 4459) which is a NextGen model, is the last of three ordered by Horizon Air in June 2013, solidifying the airline’s position as the world’s largest operator of Q400 aircraft.

To recognize the delivery, a Bombardier delegation comprised of key team members who support the Q400 aircraft program, journeyed to Portland to participate in the celebration along with Horizon Air’s employees. The 51st aircraft, which provided a backdrop for the event, bares a special “people-powered” livery that includes the signatures of Horizon Air employees.

Johnson said the three new Q400 NextGen aircraft will allow the airline to begin operations in the state of Alaska on March 3, 2014, with daily flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks, and Anchorage and Kodiak. Horizon Air flies on behalf of Alaska Airlines and is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

Horizon Air’s Q400 aircraft are equipped with Head-up Guidance Systems (HGS) for all-weather operations, Wide Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS) with approach guidance (LPV) for ILS-like landing minima at remote runways and RNP AR 0.3 to fly curved approaches to airports in difficult terrain. The unmatched capability to land and take off on challenging runways in unsettled weather is another benefit of the Q400 aircraft.

Established in 1981, Horizon Air was acquired in 1986 by Alaska Air Group, Inc., the parent company of Alaska Airlines. At its start, the airline operated two aircraft and served three destinations in Washington State.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for 480 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft.

Copyright Photo: Bombardier. DHC-8-402 (Q400) N452QX (msn 4459) was officially handed over to the carrier on December 19, 2013 and wears a special employee signatures color scheme. Alaska Airlines and Alaska Horizon will soon unveil a new livery in 2014.

Alaska Airlines:

Alaska Horizon:

Horizon Air:

Horizon Air and its pilots tentatively agree on a six-year contract extension

Horizon Air (Alaska Horizon) (Seattle/Tacoma) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have announced they have reached tentative agreement to extend the current contract for the carrier’s 610 pilots for six years.

A ratification vote by union members is expected to be completed by mid-December. If ratified, the new contract would become amendable on Dec. 14, 2018. The current contract was ratified in November 2010 and becomes amendable in December 2015.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) N437QX (msn 4240) in the Bronco State Broncos climbs away from Portland, Oregon.

Alaska Horizon:

Alaska Airlines introduces its first Boeing 737-900 logojet (Disneyland II) featuring Pluto for the first time

Copyright Photo: Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) this morning (December 18) introduced its “Spirit of Disneyland II” aircraft at Portland International Airport (PDX). Boeing 737-990 N318AS (msn 30018) is adorned with the faces of Disney’s most recognized characters – Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and, for the first time, Pluto. The new design replaces a previous Disney-themed aircraft retired two weeks ago. Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-900 aircraft made its inaugural flight from Portland to Los Angeles International Airport carrying three Make-A-Wish® children on their way to the Disneyland Resort to have their wishes granted.

Full press release:

finance.yahoo.com/news/Alaska-Airlines-Introduces-prnews-2635717333.html?x=0&.v=1