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At Alaska Airlines, our purpose is creating an airline people love. For me personally, I…
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Alaska Airlines at Wings Club NY: Now is the time to innovate to drive step changes in ATC
Alaska Airlines at Wings Club NY: Now is the time to innovate to drive step changes in ATC
ATC and AI were a topic at The Wings Club luncheon March 27 in N.Y.
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Ben Minicucci shared thisI think you're going to like what's next. Over the past two years, we've brought Alaska and Hawaiian together, launched Atmos Rewards™ and expanded our global network, all while running the most on-time airline in the U.S. Today, we're unveiling the next chapter in our plan. For Alaska Airlines, it’s Aurora – our highest expression of the brand and an end-to-end premium experience spanning private check-in, Lounges, dining and lie-flat Suites. We’re bringing Aurora Suites to our 787s and, for the first time, a true suite-style experience to transcontinental flying on at least 25 new 737-10s. For Hawaiian Airlines, it’s Leihōkū – the most elevated expression of the Hawaiian Airlines brand. Guests will have dedicated check-in and access to a new Lounge in Honolulu, redesigned cabins on our entire A330 fleet including new lie-flat Leihōkū Suites, plus dining and amenities. There’s much more in today’s announcements, including Premium Reserve, new Lounges and more ways to engage with Atmos Rewards. We plan to raise the experience no matter which seat you are in – through the care our teams provide, the food we serve, the technology we offer and all the details that add up along the way. It’s a transformational moment, and I’m incredibly proud of our teams who are building it and delivering it.
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Ben Minicucci reposted thisBen Minicucci reposted thisWe continue to mourn those who were lost in the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, including 23 members of the American Airlines family. I was humbled to join the commemoration today at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and also visit the Pentagon yesterday to honor our #AATeam and the thousands of family members, friends, colleagues and loved ones lost 25 years ago today. We will never forget.
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Ben Minicucci reposted thisBen Minicucci reposted thisSan Diego has been part of the Alaska Airlines story for 40 years. Today we announced our 50th nonstop destination from SAN with service to Loreto, Mexico starting in December. This route is the most recent example of our long-term investments in San Diego: We offer more nonstop destinations than any other carrier. We serve all four major Hawaiian Islands nonstop. We're the leading carrier between San Diego and Mexico. And we're continuing to invest in the guest experience with plans for one of the largest airline lounges in San Diego. Thank you, San Diego, for 40 incredible years!!
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Ben Minicucci shared thisYou had me at meatballs.Ben Minicucci shared thisCheers to 45 years! 🍝 Yesterday, our CEO Ben Minicucci celebrated with Horizon Air’s CEO Andy Schneider and the iconic “Meatball” livery.
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Ben Minicucci shared thisWe're celebrating 45 years of Horizon Air and the people behind its success. Thank you to everyone who has helped shape Horizon's story.
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Ben Minicucci shared this"I enjoyed trying to make the whole better ... I just wanted to be like, 'We should come out here and do this as good as we can and have fun doing it.'" – it turns out that Shane Tackett's early approach to sports also translates very well into growing a global airline.Ben Minicucci shared thisWhy Alaska Airlines' president may owe his career to his wife >> bit.ly/4xaFpfO
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Ben Minicucci shared thisYou are among the first to know: We'll serve Paris and Athens nonstop from Seattle starting in spring. We fly where our guests aspire to go, and Paris and Athens have been high on that list for years. As Alaska Airlines builds to more than 12 international long-haul routes from Seattle in the coming years, we're giving travelers more ways to connect to the world and more opportunities to use Atmos Rewards. This global growth is only possible because of the people across our airline who take care of our guests and deliver safe and reliable operations. I'm so proud of what we're building together.
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Ben Minicucci reposted thisBen Minicucci reposted thisLast week, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci and I had a chance to visit together with teams on Maui and in Honolulu to talk story about our journey as a growing global airline and the new opportunities we’re creating together at Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines while keeping our roots deep in the special places we call home. We heard what people are proud of, including the privilege to fly for Hawai‘i, to keep our guests coming back again and again, to work with truly incredible people who “do the right thing” for our guests and communities. And we connected with team members over local flavors from Chef Sheldon and Chef Keaka. Since then, the strength and spirit of our team was on display in another way, navigating through Hurricane Lala with a focus on safety and care. Mahalo to all who showed up for one another and our guests through the storm and got us quickly back to full action once it passed. Grateful to be on the journey with this team! 🛫
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Ben Minicucci reposted thisBen Minicucci reposted thisWe’re making two big investments in the long-term strength of our business: First, we’ll add four 737-800 freighters to the cargo fleet in the first half of 2027. This will give us greater cargo capacity, schedule quality and reliability in Alaska and Hawai‘i. Second, Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s will replace Hawaiian's retiring 717 fleet on Neighbor Island service, as part of a phased transition. These moves position us for the future, and they're possible because of the teams across all of our companies who continue to deliver for the people who depend on us.
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisBen Minicucci reacted on thisApparently the best way to unwind after Investor Day is to sit in the hot seat with Brett, Jon and Brian for The Air Show’s first live event, in front of an audience packed with aviation experts. They came armed with plenty of tough questions and weren’t shy about using them. Thanks to everyone who came out for the show, thanks to Boeing for hosting, and thanks to producer Leo for making it all come together. Apple: https://lnkd.in/ggGvBvsj Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gvhMdsq4
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Ben Minicucci liked thisBen Minicucci liked thisThanks to Alaska Airlines President Shane Tackett for joining us for The Air Show's live taping in Seattle. We were tough on him despite his mid-show bribe - a cheese plate for all three of us. The show is up already. Apple: https://lnkd.in/ggGvBvsj Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gvhMdsq4
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisBen Minicucci reacted on this40+ interviews (including 20+ day-of!) 83 reporters representing 6 countries 115+ unique articles Nearly 1 billion impressions 1 live podcast taping (The Air Show!) .....And thats just day 1 results! As our anthem video says, "We going to bring the heat" and that we did! The coverage reflects the scale of what was announced at Alaska Accelerate 2026 and the momentum behind where Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are headed. As one reporter said to me, "you are the little mouse who roars." For a Seattle-area native who grew up flying Alaska, I couldn't have agreed more. I never imagined we would see the day where our tail would be flying to Europe and Asia -- let alone lie-flat seats on a domestic aircraft! It's been so rewarding to see so many thoughtful stories that dug into not only what we announced, but why it matters for our guests, employees, investors and the future of aviation - and to tell our story as an airline who is punching way above its weight as the nation's 4th largest global airlines. None of this happens without an incredible team. I'm grateful to be part of a communications team led by the incomparable Alexa McCann Rudin and to work alongside a phenomenal External Communications team (Ray Lane, Cameron Greenberg, Tricia Bruckbauer, Sarah Lasky, Cole Cosgrove, Alex Da Silva, Marissa V., Tara Shimooka, Maria Cid Medina) that spent months planning, preparing, coordinating and executing against an ambitious vision. I'm equally thankful for our PR agency partners around the world who helped amplify these stories and extend our reach into key markets. Investor & Media Day may have lasted a few hours, but the impact of these announcements and the team behind them will be felt for a long time to come. Proud of what we accomplished together. And we've only just begun 💜✈️💙 https://lnkd.in/gDRMCiAKIntroducing new premium flagship experiences across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian AirlinesIntroducing new premium flagship experiences across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisBen Minicucci reacted on thisI visited our Horizon Air Operations Team at SeaTac bright and early this morning. The team’s shift started at 4:30am and already they were resolving conflicts and ensuring every part of our Seattle operation was running smoothly. Running an airline is complex and I am humbled by the many people who get it done every day! My thanks this morning to Matt Anderson, Ground Operations Manager and Demetrius, Katie, and Brooklyn who showed me what it takes to make it all happen!
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisBen Minicucci reacted on thisThis has been a huge week for my team. Yesterday, we unveiled the biggest product overhaul in our history. It’s been years in the making and I couldn’t be prouder of my team’s work. Product reveal team: - Evan raising the bar with our widebody fleet. - Christopher developing an industry-leading narrow-body business class suite. Plus, our behind the scenes accomplices: - Ryan bringing the tech to the fleet with beautiful 4K screens. - Ryan developing our first-ever Premium Economy product. You guys rock!
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisBen Minicucci reacted on thisNow introducing Aurora Suites and Premium Reserve! Years in the making, but I’m so excited to finally have this work out in the world. Translating the Alaska Airlines brand into a global premium cabin interior has been one of the greatest challenges, honors, and a career bucket list body of work. So much of this would not have been possible without the talented work of ACLA Studio who have been on this design journey with us from start. When we set out on this project, the goal was to create something respectfully new that showcased honest materials, natural textures, elevated finishes, and truly Alaska Airlines. Across our new products you’ll see modern nods to our PNW roots. Whether it’s our Sitka Spruce Wood providing guests a warm welcome, Bering Blue leather bringing a warm elevated evolution of our Midnight Blue, the Emerald accents that evoke the dancing greens of the Aurora Borealis, or the brass sconce lights popularized in our Alaska lounges, a handcrafted cabin experience awaits. Looking to rolling these changes out late next year on our 787-9s, and in 2028 on our 787-10s, and my personal favorite, the Transcon 737-10 MAX.
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisA little peek at what’s next. ✈️ Really proud to have Mogg Media edit this piece for Alaska Air Group’s Investor Day, helping bring together a preview of what’s ahead for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. There was a lot of story to pack into two minutes — two iconic brands, nearly 100 years of history, and a pretty ambitious vision for what comes next. Projects like this are always a fun creative challenge: take a huge amount of information, find the emotion and story underneath it, and turn it into something that makes people excited about the future. Grateful to the Alaska team Ingrid Barrentine Maxwell Eastman for continuing to trust us with moments like these. The next chapter looks pretty exciting!!
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Ben Minicucci reacted on thisBen Minicucci reacted on thisI just got off the stage where we announced the very latest investments in the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines guest experiences. We unveiled Aurora and Leihōkū, we introduced Premium Reserve, we showcased brand new Lounges and we outlined our fleet wide upgrades and enhancements to Atmos Rewards. This is a transformational moment for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. It’s a moment to remember for our employees. And if (when) you fly Alaska or Hawaiian, get ready for what’s to come! Beginning in 2028, that means new lie-flat Aurora Suites on our 787 Dreamliners for international flying — and, for the first time in Alaska’s history, those Suites can be found on select 737-10 MAX aircraft for transcontinental flying. It also means a more seamless premium journey at our Seattle global gateway, including a dedicated premium check-in and concierge service, chef-led dining and premium amenities. New York and East Coast friends, this means a brand new premium product with Suites coming your way when you want to get to the West Coast. And with Hawaiian Airlines, this premium expression continues through Leihōkū, bringing our airport, lounge and onboard moments together making every part of the journey feel more thoughtful and comfortable while being rooted in Hawai‘i and Hawaiian hospitality. Get a feel for what’s to come: https://lnkd.in/g_j66bkaIntroducing new premium flagship experiences across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian AirlinesIntroducing new premium flagship experiences across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
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