Alaska Airlines hosted their first-ever “Flyer Forum” in Seattle to engage with Mileage Plan members about upcoming valuable oneworld benefits, new additions to the fleet, and innovations to improve the guest experience.

At the in-person event, hosted by Seattle Kraken Play-by-Play Announcer Everett Fitzhugh, Alaska Airlines' loyal guests heard from the President and CEO Ben Minicucci and a few of Alaska leaders about what’s ahead in 2023 and beyond.  

1. Alaska Airlines is growing with their largest aircraft order, ever. 

2022 was a big year for Alaska and their regional partner, Horizon Air. Alaska Airlines ratified 5 labor deals, announced the transition to a single fleet of aircraft and hired more than 6,000 new employees. By the first quarter of 2023, Alaska Airlines will be back to 2019 flying levels and on-track for sustainable growth.

By 2026, the airline will have a fleet of more than 400 aircraft, and they will have one of the youngest fleets in the industry —the average age of Alaska Airlines' mainline and regional fleet is 9 years as of November 2022. 

2. Alaska Airlines is upgrading the airport experience. 

Over the next 3 years, Alaska Airlines is investing $2.5 billion in overall improvements to enhance the airport experience within Alaska Airlines' hubs and focus cities, including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Alaska.  

3. Alaska Airlines' goal is to get you through the lobby in 5 min or less. 

At Alaska, their goal is to have the guests get through the lobby in 5 min or less through innovative technology and self-serving tools like the electronic bag tag program and mobile app.

Print bag tags faster: Alaska Airlines has launched electronic bag tags! This will allow guests to tag their bags before arriving to the airport by setting it up through the mobile app.  

Automated bag drops: You won’t have to get in line to drop a bag. But Alaska's amazing agents will always be there to help.

Track your checked bags on Alaska Airlines app: This is a feature that many guests have asked for. A lot of other airlines do it, but Alaska Airlines is going to go further, by adding the ability to keep tabs on your bags within the mobile app. Stay tuned!

4. oneworld elite benefits are worth crowing about. And soon you will be able to buy tickets with 10 global airlines on alaskaair.com. 

If you’re a Mileage Plan elite, one of the best things about joining oneworld is that your elite status automatically carries over when you fly on other oneworld partners, a group of world-leading airlines with connections to more than 900 destinations in 170 territories. The more you fly with Alaska, the more benefits you’ll unlock on not only the Alaska Airlines, but internationally. Learn more.

Elite flyers can get priority check-in, access to preferred seating and priority waitlist when on standby, priority boarding, bonus miles and more depending on tier status. oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members can also access partner lounges when traveling outside of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.

Soon, guests will be able to book travel on 10 oneworld airlines using alaskaair.com. 

5. Alaska Airlines is committed to making care count. 

Alaska Airlines has survived and thrived for 90 years by creating value for everyone who depends on them – employees, guests, stakeholders and communities. Connecting with the guests at events like these is just one of the ways Alaska Airlines is demonstrating care and making sure their amazing guests learn what Alaska Airlines is all about and the good work Alaska Airlines' employees are doing.

Care is more than Alaska Airlines' legacy. It’s also the key to Alaska's future. Working in some of the most unforgiving conditions in the world, Alaska Airlines understand what matters most: keeping Alaska Airlines' guests and each other safe, doing what’s right and creating meaningful connections. As Alaska Airlines continues to grow, they are committed to making care count.