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Alaska Air Group
Alaska Air Group
Alaska Air Group
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Alaska Air Group, Inc. is an American airline holding company based in SeaTac, Washington, United States. The group owns two mainline carriers, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, along with a regional airline, Horizon Air.[3] Alaska Airlines in turn wholly owns an aircraft ground handling company, McGee Air Services.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Alaska Air Group was formed in 1985 as a holding company for Alaska Airlines, and a year later it acquired Horizon Air and Jet America Airlines. Jet America Airlines was merged into Alaska Airlines in 1987.[4]

In 2011, Alaska Air Group replaced the AMR Corporation in the Dow Jones Transportation Average following AMR's filing for bankruptcy.[5]

On March 29, 2016, Alaska Airlines announced that it would form a wholly owned subsidiary called McGee Air Services, a dedicated airline services company. McGee competes with other companies to provide ground handling, aircraft cleaning and wheelchair services to Alaska Airlines.[6]

On April 4, 2016, Alaska Air Group announced plans to acquire Virgin America, pending approval from US government regulators and Virgin America shareholders;[7] the acquisition was completed on December 14, 2016.[8] The total price was approximately $2.6 billion. Until 2018, Alaska Air Group continued to operate Alaska Airlines and Virgin America as separate airlines and continued to honor both Alaska's Mileage Plan and Virgin America's Elevate loyalty programs.[9] Following the acquisition of Virgin America, the actual number of Alaska Air Group employees had increased from 15,143 at the end of 2015 to 19,112 (12,224 at Alaska Airlines, 3,616 at Horizon Air, and 3,252 at Virgin America) by the end of 2016.[10]

On March 22, 2017, the company announced that Alaska Air Group would merge Virgin America and Alaska Airlines, with the combined airline to operate under the Alaska Airlines brand. The merger was largely completed on April 25, 2018 and the Virgin America brand was fully retired by June 2, 2019.[11]

On December 3, 2023, Alaska Air Group announced that it planned to purchase Hawaiian Airlines in a deal worth approximately $1.9 billion. The deal would retain both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines as separate brands.[12][13] On August 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice completed its regulatory antitrust review of the proposed acquisition and declined to file a lawsuit to block it.[14] The merger received the approval of the U.S. Department of Transportation on September 17, 2024 with the merger closing the following day.[15][16][17]

Corporate affairs

[edit]
[edit]

The key trends for Alaska Air Group are shown below (as at year ending December 31):[18]

Year Revenue
(in million US$) 		Net income
(in million US$) 		Employees
(FTE) 		Passengers
(in millions) 		Load factor
(%) 		Aircraft Notes/
references
2009 3,400 122 12,223 15.5 79.3 115 [19]
2010 3,832 251 11,696 23.3 82.4 114 [20]
2011 4,318 245 11,840 24.8 84.5 117 [21]
2012 4,657 316 11,955 25.9 85.9 124 [22]
2013 5,156 508 12,163 27.4 85.6 190 [23]
2014 5,368 605 12,739 29.3 85.1 196 [24]
2015 5,598 848 13,858 31.9 84.1 212 [25]
2016 5,931 814 14,760 41.9 84.1 285 [26]
2017 7,933 1,028 23,156 44.0 84.3 304 [27]
2018 8,264 437 21,641 45.8 83.7 330 [28]
2019 8,781 769 22,126 46.7 84.1 332 [29]
2020 3,566 −1,324 17,596 17.9 55.2 291 [a][30]
2021 6,176 478 19,375 32.4 73.6 311 [31]
2022 9,646 58 22,564 41.5 84.5 311 [32]
2023 10,426 235 26,043 44.6 83.7 314 [33]
2024 11,735 395 33,941 44.6 83.9 392 [2]
  1. ^ Activities and income in 2020 were severely reduced by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic

Headquarters

[edit]
Alaska Air Group headquarters in SeaTac, Washington

The Alaska Air Group headquarters is located at 19300 International Boulevard, SeaTac, Washington, United States.

On May 3, 2018, Alaska Airlines unveiled plans to construct a 128,000-square-foot building near Sea-Tac Airport to provide office space for its growing workforce. The new building will be across the street from Alaska's Corporate Headquarters and adjacent to its Flight Training Center. Construction was expected to be completed by early 2020.[34]

Operations

[edit]

Fleet

[edit]

Alaska Air Group operates a mix of Airbus, Boeing and Embraer aircraft through its subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air.

As of September 2024, Alaska Airlines' fleet consists of about 235 Boeing 737 aircraft, Hawaiian Airlines' fleet consists of about 18 Airbus A321neo, 24 Airbus A330, 19 Boeing 717 and 4 Boeing 787 aircraft, and Horizon Air's fleet consists of about 44 Embraer 175 aircraft, with the combined fleet under Alaska Air Group's management numbering 342 aircraft.

Alaska Air Group has created a new branding identity for its Horizon Air subsidiary and other independently owned and separately directed affiliate regional airlines it chooses to contract to do regional flying business into markets too limited to be flown only on Alaska Airlines mainline equipment. Among the other airlines now sub-contracted to do additional flying for the Alaska Air Group is SkyWest Airlines, who has about 40 Embraer 175 aircraft dedicated to providing service for the Alaska Airlines are painted in a very similar manner to Horizon's. SkyWest's fleet however, is branded Alaska SkyWest to differentiate that airline's aircraft from those of Horizon Air.[35]

Route network

[edit]

Through Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, Alaska Air Group services the passenger and cargo markets of the Pacific Northwest with its extensive route network hub through Seattle–Tacoma in Washington state and Portland in Oregon, and the state of Alaska in Anchorage. After the demise of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines in 2008, Alaska Air Group expanded heavily centering on Hawaii and other non-airline hub secondary mainland cities and airports, including San Diego and San Jose.[36] After the acquisition of Virgin America in 2016, Alaska Air Group further expanded into California through Virgin America's hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles.[37] After the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, Alaska Air Group is expanding into Hawaii through Hawaiian Airlines' hub in Honolulu, making it the second largest hub behind Seattle–Tacoma.[38]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alaska Air Group

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from Grokipedia
Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) is an American airline holding company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, that owns and operates the mainline carrier , the regional airline , ground-handling provider , and following its acquisition in 2024. Incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1985, the company traces its roots to , founded in 1932 as in . The group operates a fleet of 407 aircraft and serves over 140 destinations in more than 40 U.S. states, as well as international routes to Central America, Asia, and the Pacific, with major hubs in Seattle, Anchorage, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Honolulu (as of November 2025). In 2024, it averaged about 1,500 daily flights and employed 33,941 people, positioning it as one of the largest airlines by market capitalization outside the "Big Four" U.S. carriers. Under the leadership of President and CEO Ben Minicucci, Alaska Air Group emphasizes safety, customer service, operational efficiency, and sustainability, while pursuing growth through alliances like its 2021 entry into the oneworld global network (with Hawaiian Airlines scheduled to join in spring 2026), which expands access to over 1,000 destinations via partners. The 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. for $1.9 billion enhanced its West Coast and transpacific presence, integrating Hawaiian's iconic brand and routes while committing to substantial employee benefits and community investments.

History

Formation and early development

Alaska Air Group's origins trace back to the founding of in 1932 by Linious "Mac" McGee in , where it operated as a mail and passenger service using a single three-seat Stinson aircraft to navigate the region's rugged terrain. McGee, an experienced bush pilot, initially partnered with Harvey Barnhill to offer charter flights, focusing on essential connectivity in 's remote areas amid the . In 1934, McGee sold the airline to Star Air Service, a competitor established in 1932 that had expanded through acquisitions like Alaska Interior Airlines in 1937, leading to its incorporation as Star Air Lines. Through a series of mergers, including with other regional operators, Star Air Service rebranded as Alaska Star Airlines in 1942 and then adopted the name in 1944, marking a pivotal unification of early Alaskan efforts under a single entity. This renaming reflected the airline's growing focus on serving 's vast interior and coastal routes, solidifying its role as a key transporter of passengers, mail, and cargo in the territory. By the end of , had emerged as a dominant player in the state's sector, benefiting from surplus and increased demand for civilian travel. In the post-war era, the airline expanded aggressively by incorporating the reliable into its fleet, which enabled more efficient operations on gravel airstrips and over challenging weather conditions, transporting miners, fishermen, and supplies across . This period of growth extended into the during the 1950s and , with the introduction of advanced aircraft like the CV-880 in 1961 for faster inter- flights and the in 1966 to reach lower mainland destinations. By the late and early , also leased Boeing 707s for charter services, including routes to , enhancing its capacity for long-haul operations amid rising and resource extraction in the region. The 1970s brought significant economic challenges for , exacerbated by high fuel costs, labor disputes, and mounting debt that reached nearly $22 million by 1972, prompting route adjustments and operational streamlining to avoid . The of 1978 further intensified competition by removing federal controls on fares and routes, though supported the legislation, viewing it as an opportunity to expand beyond its intrastate focus while adapting to new market pressures through cost-cutting measures. To facilitate structured growth and oversight of its operations, established as a in 1985, incorporating in to manage the parent airline alongside emerging subsidiaries. This reorganization positioned the group to integrate regional carriers like , which was acquired in 1986 to bolster short-haul feeder services in the .

Expansion through acquisitions

Alaska Air Group's expansion strategy in the late relied heavily on strategic acquisitions to bolster its regional and national footprint. In 1986, the company acquired , a Seattle-based regional carrier founded in 1981, for approximately $68 million in cash, integrating it as a key feeder service for in the . This move enhanced connectivity to smaller communities in Washington, , , and , allowing Alaska Air Group to leverage Horizon's fleet for short-haul routes that complemented its mainline jet operations. The following year, in 1987, Alaska Air Group completed the acquisition of Jet America Airlines, a California-based carrier operating McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets, for $14 million, which added vital East Coast and Midwest routes from and other West Coast hubs. Jet America's integration into Alaska Airlines expanded the group's network eastward, introducing non-stop services to cities like , , and New York, and diversifying its route portfolio beyond the West Coast and Alaska. These early acquisitions were approved with minimal regulatory hurdles under the deregulated airline environment of the time, rapid network synergies such as shared facilities and coordinated scheduling to improve overall . A significant milestone came in 2016 when Alaska Air Group acquired , a San Francisco-based , for $2.6 billion, including $57 per share in cash plus assumed debt and leases. This deal, which closed on December 14, 2016, after approvals from the U.S. (DOT) and Department of Justice (DOJ), dramatically strengthened Alaska's West Coast dominance by incorporating Virgin's premium transcontinental routes to New York and , as well as its modern A320 fleet of about 60 aircraft. The merger created operational synergies, including combined slot access at high-demand airports like LaGuardia and SFO, and allowed for fleet modernization while phasing out Virgin's brand by 2019, ultimately positioning Alaska Air Group as the fifth-largest U.S. carrier by . The DOJ's approval emphasized benefits, such as maintained on key routes, while the settlement required Alaska to scale back its with and protect Virgin's existing gates and slots from transfer to competitors.

Recent mergers and developments

In December 2023, Alaska Air Group announced its acquisition of in a cash transaction valued at approximately $1.9 billion, aiming to expand its West Coast and Hawaii-focused network. The deal received regulatory approvals, including from the , and was completed on September 18, 2024, marking a significant consolidation in the U.S. airline industry. Following the merger, the companies began integrating operations, with operating as a under Alaska Air Group. A key milestone in the integration occurred on October 29, 2025, when the granted and a Single Operating Certificate, enabling them to conduct unified flight operations under shared safety and maintenance standards. This certification allows for streamlined procedures, such as joint crew training and , while preserving Hawaiian's brand and routes. To support customer loyalty amid the merger, launched the Atmos Rewards program on August 20, 2025, combining elements of the former Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles programs into a unified system offering enhanced earning and redemption options across both carriers' networks. The program emphasizes tiered benefits, including priority boarding and lounge access, with full HawaiianMiles transitions completed by October 1, 2025. Initial post-merger integration has presented challenges, particularly in harmonizing IT systems and employee structures. In July 2025, Alaska Air Group announced layoffs affecting 252 primarily non-union employees across and mainland locations to eliminate redundancies. Employee concerns over and cultural differences have persisted, with Hawaiian staff expressing uncertainty about future roles within the larger organization. On the IT front, reported disruptions in October 2025, prompting investments in system resiliency to prevent operational delays during the transition to integrated platforms. A major milestone toward IT integration was achieved on October 15, 2025, with progress on combining reservation systems, though full cutover is planned for April 2026. Seniority integration for flight attendants advanced through a committee process, with challenges to proposed lists resolved by late August 2025. In November 2025, Alaska Air Group announced expanded transpacific operations, including daily Seattle-Rome flights starting April 28, 2026, utilizing acquired from . On January 7, 2026, Alaska Air Group announced its largest-ever aircraft order with Boeing, consisting of 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and 5 Boeing 787-10s, with options for 35 additional 737 MAX 10s, in the presence of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. This order enhances the group's global expansion following the Hawaiian Airlines merger by securing deliveries through 2035 and supporting new international routes. Safety developments have also shaped recent operations, building on historical lessons from the January 31, 2000, crash of , a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 that resulted in 88 fatalities due to a horizontal stabilizer failure. The investigation led to FAA-mandated reforms, including enhanced maintenance protocols and increased oversight of maintenance practices, which remain integral to Alaska's and were reaffirmed in responses to later incidents. More recently, on August 10, 2018, a Bombardier Q400 was involved in an unauthorized takeoff by a 29-year-old ground service employee from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, culminating in a deliberate crash on Ketron Island with no other injuries. The FBI investigation classified it as a , prompting Alaska Air Group to implement stricter employee access controls and support programs. A prominent 2024 incident occurred on January 5, when Flight 1282, a en route from Portland to , suffered an in-flight separation of a mid-cabin door plug at 16,000 feet, causing rapid decompression but no serious injuries among the 177 occupants. The event led the FAA to ground all 171 737 MAX 9 aircraft with door plugs for inspections, revealing missing bolts on multiple planes and exposing manufacturing quality issues at . conducted extensive fleet checks, resuming operations after FAA recertification, and the incident reinforced ongoing safety reforms influenced by prior events like Flight 261.

Corporate affairs

Headquarters and leadership

Alaska Air Group's headquarters is located at 19300 International Boulevard in , adjacent to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a site that has served as the base for its primary operations since the early 1970s. The company, formed in 1985 as a holding entity for , has since expanded its facilities in the area to accommodate growth, including the completion of a 128,000-square-foot office building in early 2020 designed to house approximately 600 employees and support modern work needs. The executive of Alaska Air Group is headed by President and , who has held the role since April 2021. Minicucci joined in 2004 as staff vice president of maintenance and engineering, advancing through key operational positions including vice president of and executive vice president of operations before assuming the top role. Other prominent executives include Executive Vice President and Shane Tackett, who oversees the group's financial strategy and reporting, and Senior Vice President of Safety and Audit Programs Brooke Vatheuer, responsible for managing safety protocols and compliance across operations. In November 2025, the board announced promotions for four senior executives to support integration and growth. The comprises 10 members, including the CEO, with a strong emphasis on expertise in , , and related fields to guide strategic decisions. Four directors bring direct and transportation experience, such as James A. Beer, a former executive with safety and financial acumen, and Raymond L. Conner, ex-president and CEO of ; meanwhile, four others hold and backgrounds, including Patricia M. Bedient and Eric K. Yeaman, both seasoned in governance. As of December 31, 2024, Alaska Air Group employed 33,941 people across its subsidiaries, reflecting its scale as a major U.S. .

Governance

Alaska Air Group, Inc. was incorporated in the state of in 1985 as a for its subsidiaries. The company has been publicly listed on the under the ticker symbol ALK since its in 1985. The company's corporate governance is guided by formal principles adopted by its Board of Directors, which emphasize enhancing long-term stockholder value while upholding ethical standards, legal compliance, and consideration for employees, customers, and communities. The Board consists of 9 to 15 members, with at least 75% required to be independent under NYSE rules, and it maintains standing committees to oversee key functions. These include the Audit Committee, responsible for financial reporting and internal controls with all independent members and a financial expert chair; the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee, which handles executive compensation and succession planning; the Safety Committee, focused on aviation safety practices; and the Governance, Nominating and Corporate Responsibility Committee, which addresses board composition, corporate responsibility, and environmental sustainability. Alaska Air Group demonstrates a commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles through integrated oversight by its Board committees and dedicated initiatives. The Governance, Nominating and Corporate Responsibility Committee evaluates climate impacts and strategies as part of its mandate. A key example is the company's efforts, including its participation in the alliance's goal to achieve 10% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage across member airlines by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions. Broader ESG actions encompass a five-part path to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, involving operational efficiencies, fleet modernization, SAF adoption, emerging technologies, and carbon offsets. As an , Alaska Air Group operates under regulatory oversight from multiple U.S. federal agencies. The (FAA) enforces safety and operational standards, including the issuance of a single operating certificate in October 2025 to integrate and post-merger. The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates economic aspects such as route authorities and merger conditions, granting final approval for the acquisition in September 2024 with commitments to labor protections and community service. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires compliance with financial disclosures and governance reporting, as detailed in annual proxy statements and merger filings. These agencies ensure ongoing adherence to post-merger integration requirements for the Hawaiian acquisition, focusing on safety, competition, and transparency.

Financial performance

Alaska Air Group achieved record annual revenue of $11.7 billion in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous year, driven by strong passenger demand and contributions from its . This performance reflected a pretax margin of 4.6% and adjusted (EPS) of $4.87, underscoring operational resilience amid industry challenges. In 2025, revenue trends continued upward, with third-quarter operating revenue reaching $3.8 billion, a 23% year-over-year increase, fueled by a 21% rise in passenger revenue to $3.4 billion and expanded capacity from the integration. However, profitability faced headwinds, as adjusted EPS declined to $1.05 in the third quarter from $2.25 in the prior-year period, primarily due to elevated merger-related costs and operational pressures, despite a projected full-year capacity growth of approximately 2%. net income for the quarter fell to $73 million, or $0.62 per share, reflecting a 69% drop year-over-year. Key operational metrics highlighted cost dynamics in 2025. Unit costs, excluding fuel, freighter operations, and special items (commonly referred to as CASM-ex), rose 8.6% year-over-year in the third quarter, at the upper end of prior guidance, due to lower and summer operational disruptions. Operating expenses increased in tandem with revenue growth, reaching approximately $3.7 billion for the quarter, while the company pursued debt financing strategies to support fleet expansion, including a senior secured term loan in August 2025 from Natixis Corporate & for acquiring 8 and 787-9 aircraft. This financing aligned with broader efforts to modernize the fleet amid rising demand. The 2024 acquisition of significantly influenced 2025 finances, incorporating Hawaiian's results into consolidated figures and introducing one-time integration expenses, such as employee-related and legal costs, which pressured margins in the first three quarters. These expenses contributed to the adjusted pretax margin contracting to 4.6% in the third quarter, though anticipates cost synergies to emerge in subsequent periods, targeting $1 billion in additional profits by 2027 through enhanced network efficiencies. Overall, these factors positioned Alaska Air Group for moderated growth in the latter half of 2025, with fourth-quarter unit costs expected to rise in the low single digits. For the full year 2025, Alaska Air Group generated $1.2 billion in operating cash flow. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.44 (excluding special items), compared to GAAP earnings per share of $0.83. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company reported revenue of $3.6 billion, adjusted EPS of $0.43 (beating expectations of approximately $0.10), GAAP EPS of $0.18, and an adjusted pretax margin of 1.8%. Hawaiian Airlines reported a pre-tax loss of $60 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 (up from $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2024), including $39 million in merger-related integration costs as special items; integration synergies remain on track, and a single operating certificate was achieved. Following the release of these results on January 22, 2026, the company provided 2026 guidance, including an adjusted EPS loss of $1.50 to $0.50 for the first quarter and an adjusted EPS range of $3.50 to $6.50 for the full year, along with expected full-year capacity growth of 2% to 3%.

Subsidiaries

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines, the flagship carrier of Alaska Air Group, was established in 1944 as a rebranding of Alaska Airways, tracing its origins to early bush pilots serving remote Alaskan communities since 1932. Operating primarily from its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the airline maintains a strong emphasis on the West Coast, intrastate Alaska routes, and connections to Hawaii, providing essential connectivity for passengers in these regions. As the group's mainline subsidiary, it handles the majority of long-haul and high-capacity flights, distinguishing itself through a customer-centric approach that prioritizes reliability and regional accessibility. In 2023, prior to the full integration with , served more than 120 destinations across and select international points, transporting approximately 35 million mainline revenue passengers annually. This volume underscores its scale as one of the largest U.S. carriers focused on the , with operations optimized for efficient service to coastal and island destinations. The airline's branding highlights enhanced onboard experiences, including Premium Class seating—which offers four additional inches of legroom compared to standard economy—rebranded from the former Extra Comfort in April 2025 to enhance its onboard seating options. Alaska Airlines' loyalty program, originally launched as Mileage Plan, transitioned to Atmos Rewards in August 2025 following the merger, integrating benefits from HawaiianMiles to create a unified rewards ecosystem with earning opportunities across a broad partner network. This program emphasizes flexible point redemption and elite status perks, such as complimentary upgrades and priority boarding, aligning with the airline's reputation for high . Post-merger with , completed on September 18, 2024, has assumed a pivotal role in expanding trans-Pacific connectivity, leveraging Hawaiian's widebody fleet for long-haul international routes starting in 2026 while maintaining its core domestic focus. This integration enhances the group's overall network, enabling seamless travel from West Coast gateways to and beyond.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines, established on January 30, 1929, as Inter-Island Airways, was acquired by Alaska Air Group on September 18, 2024, for $1.9 billion, marking a significant expansion into Pacific routes. Originally focused on inter-island service within using , the evolved into a major carrier specializing in Hawaii-interisland flights and long-haul transpacific routes to destinations in , , and the South Pacific. Its operations emphasize seamless connectivity for leisure and business travelers, leveraging as a key hub for over 20 international and domestic gateways. Following the acquisition, ' fleet is undergoing a structured transition to integrate with Alaska Air Group's predominantly Boeing-based operations while retaining its widebody aircraft for long-haul Pacific services. The A330-200 fleet, comprising around 24 , will continue in service with planned interior retrofits to align with group standards, ensuring continuity for high-demand routes like to and . This hybrid approach allows Hawaiian to maintain its narrowbody for inter-island and U.S. mainland flights alongside Alaska's 737s, optimizing efficiency across the combined network without immediate full fleet standardization. Post-merger integration efforts include the rollout of a unified booking platform in April 2026, enabling seamless reservations across both brands under a single passenger service system. Concurrently, the HawaiianMiles loyalty program's Buy & Fly option, which allowed hybrid cash-and-miles redemptions, was discontinued on October 1, 2025, as part of the migration to the new Atmos Rewards program shared with Alaska Mileage Plan members. These changes aim to enhance customer benefits, such as reciprocal elite status and mileage earning on all flights, while preserving Hawaiian's operational independence until full system convergence. Employee and cultural integration has been prioritized through joint labor agreements and transition protocols to foster unity while honoring Hawaiian's "aloha spirit." Key efforts include the October 2024 Merger Transition Protocol between unions like IAM and the airlines, outlining orderly seniority integration and contract harmonization. Negotiations for a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) commenced in February 2025, involving pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance staff, with commitments to no involuntary furloughs and cultural training programs to blend workforces. By October 2025, the issuance of a single operating certificate by the FAA facilitated shared operations, including joint staffing on routes, while emphasizing retention of Hawaiian's unique island hospitality ethos.

Horizon Air and affiliates

Horizon Air, a regional airline and wholly owned subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, was founded in 1981 by Milt Kuolt and began operations on September 1 of that year with a single Fokker F27 flight from Seattle to Yakima, Washington. Acquired by Alaska Air Group in 1986 for $9.50 per share, it has since served as a key feeder carrier, enhancing connectivity from Pacific Northwest hubs such as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Portland International Airport. The airline focuses on short-haul routes, operating under a capacity purchase agreement with Alaska Airlines that allows the parent carrier to control scheduling, pricing, and marketing while Horizon manages aircraft, crew, and maintenance. This arrangement, detailed in Alaska Air Group's 2025 annual filings, ensures seamless regional integration, with Horizon flights codeshared under Alaska's "AS" designator to provide passengers with unified booking and mileage accrual. As of 2025, Horizon Air operates an all-jet fleet consisting of 47 Embraer E175 aircraft, averaging 5.5 years in age, configured in a 76-seat layout to support efficient regional service. These jets enable flights to approximately 50 destinations across the western United States, including cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, and Nevada, as well as select routes to Mexico such as Loreto. By prioritizing fuel-efficient operations from key hubs, Horizon contributes to Alaska Air Group's domestic network, handling over 300 daily departures that connect smaller communities to larger airports without overlapping mainline services. Complementing Horizon's air operations, McGee Air Services functions as another critical affiliate, established in 2016 as a wholly owned of to handle ground support functions. Drawing from historical roots tracing to via founder Linious "Mac" McGee's early ventures, the company provides comprehensive services including baggage handling, cleaning, ramp operations, check-in assistance, and mobility support at major airports like Seattle-Tacoma and Portland. Operating independently while aligned with Alaska Air Group's standards for safety and efficiency, McGee competes for contracts beyond its parent but primarily supports and Horizon Air to streamline turnaround times and enhance on-ground reliability.

Operations

Fleet

As of November 2025, Alaska Air Group operates a fleet of 409 across its subsidiaries, with an overall average age of 9.9 years. This inventory reflects the integration of Hawaiian Airlines following their 2024 merger, combining narrowbody, widebody, and regional jets to support domestic, transcontinental, and international operations. The fleet emphasizes fuel-efficient models to align with goals, while ongoing deliveries and retirements shape future composition. The mainline fleet of Alaska Airlines consists exclusively of Boeing 737 variants, totaling 244 aircraft. This includes 78 (average age 3.1 years), 11 (average age 0.9 years), 76 (average age 9.8 years), 58 (average age 17.6 years), and 13 (average age 25.4 years). Hawaiian Airlines adds diversity with 34 widebodies—comprising 24 A330-200 (average age 12.5 years) and 10 A330-300 (average age 12.0 years)—along with 18 Airbus A321-200neo and 19 . The group also operates 4 (average age 1.9 years). On January 7, 2026, the first of these aircraft, N784HA, was unveiled at Boeing Field (KBFI) in a new Global Livery during a ceremony, hand-painted using advanced technology over nearly 1,000 hours in 13 days; this design, inspired by the Aurora Borealis, replaces previous tail designs like the Eskimo motif and will be applied to the entire widebody fleet to support international operations. The group has orders for additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners to enhance long-haul capabilities, with the unveiling coinciding with the announcement of an order for 5 more 787s as part of its largest-ever aircraft purchase. This order, made in the presence of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, also includes 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s with options for 35 additional units, extending deliveries through 2035 to facilitate global expansion from Seattle to at least 12 long-haul international destinations by 2030. Regional services are provided by 47 Embraer E175 aircraft operated by (average age 5.5 years), supplemented by partner-operated E175s for a total of approximately 89 in the Alaska-branded network. In 2025, the group took delivery of 17 aircraft for , consisting of 9 MAX 8s and 8 MAX 9s, supporting network growth amid Boeing production ramp-ups. Sustainability initiatives include a continued shift to an all- narrowbody fleet for , a strategy solidified post-2016 Virgin America integration, which eliminated narrowbodies from the mainline operations. Widebody additions like the 787 fleet enable more efficient global routes, contributing to the group's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2040 through fleet modernization and reduced fuel burn. Older aircraft are being phased out, with the remaining Boeing 737-700s scheduled for retirement by 2026 to further improve efficiency.
Aircraft TypeOperatorIn ServiceAverage Age (Years)
Boeing 737-700Alaska Airlines1325.4
Boeing 737-800Alaska Airlines5817.6
Boeing 737-900ERAlaska Airlines769.8
Boeing 737-8 MAXAlaska Airlines110.9
Boeing 737-9 MAXAlaska Airlines783.1
Airbus A330-200Hawaiian Airlines2412.5
Airbus A330-300Hawaiian Airlines1012.0
Boeing 787-9Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Airlines41.9
Airbus A321-200neoHawaiian Airlines186.9
Boeing 717-200Hawaiian Airlines1923.5
Embraer E175Horizon Air & partners896.5

Route network

Alaska Air Group's route network encompasses over 140 destinations across , , , and the Pacific, providing extensive connectivity through its subsidiaries following the 2024 merger with . This integrated system serves more than 139 locations as of November 2025, with plans to reach 142 by 2026, emphasizing seamless travel between the U.S. mainland, , and international points. The primary hub is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which handles the majority of operations and serves as the core for transcontinental and international flights. Additional key hubs include (PDX), (ANC), and (HNL) in , the latter integrated post-merger to strengthen Pacific routes. These hubs facilitate efficient connections, with SEA acting as the largest gateway for ' long-haul services. Key routes highlight high-frequency service from West Coast cities to , offering daily flights from major hubs like , Portland, , , and to destinations such as , Kahului, Kona, and Līhuʻe. This network underscores the group's dominance in the U.S.- market, with multiple daily departures enhancing reliability for leisure and . Looking ahead, the route network is expanding with new international services in 2026, including nonstop flights from to Heathrow and Reykjavik, alongside routes to , , and to bolster trans-Pacific and transatlantic presence. Capacity is projected to grow by 2 to 3% in 2025, driven by a strategic emphasis on premium transcontinental routes—such as enhanced East Coast connections—and further international development to capture growing demand.

Partnerships and alliances

Alaska Air Group, through its primary subsidiary Alaska Airlines, is a member of the oneworld alliance since March 2021, enabling seamless connectivity with fellow members such as and . This membership provides passengers with reciprocal elite benefits, shared lounge access, and coordinated schedules across a global network serving over 1,000 destinations. Hawaiian Airlines, another key subsidiary, is scheduled to join oneworld in spring 2026, further expanding the group's alliance footprint and integrating its Pacific routes into the alliance structure. To enhance its international reach, maintains several codeshare agreements focused on and expansion. In , codeshares with allow passengers to book through connections from U.S. gateways to destinations across and the , leveraging 's transatlantic operations. Similarly, a bilateral codeshare with , expanded in September 2025, facilitates single-ticket travel from and Portland to Reykjavik and onward to over 20 cities, including , , and . For routes, partners with for earn-and-redeem mileage reciprocity, supporting connections from West Coast hubs to and beyond, though full codeshare operations have evolved toward loyalty-focused collaboration. Loyalty program synergies within the group emphasize integrated rewards across partnerships. The Atmos Rewards program, launched in August 2025, merges Alaska's former Mileage Plan and Hawaiian's HawaiianMiles into a unified platform, allowing members to earn and redeem points on flights and select partner airlines like and . This structure enhances value for frequent flyers by offering status matching with partners, including priority boarding and upgrades on and services. Following the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, legacy interline and joint business arrangements with transitioned, with Hawaiian's partnership ending on June 30, 2025, to align with Alaska's commitments. This shift redirects interline traffic toward alliance partners, streamlining operations for transpacific and domestic connections without overlapping prior Delta routes.

References

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