Alaska airlines horizon air mac#

In 2001, it set its sights eastward with new service to Washington, D.C., and hasn't looked back since, establishing footholds in other major East Coast and Midwestern cities. At the same time, the airline has grown by leaps and bounds. Alaska is still differentiating itself by providing a superior level of customer service.

And the route map included scheduled service to Mexico and Russia. The airline expanded methodically throughout the West Coast and in 1987 joined forces with two carriers similarly committed to outstanding customer service - Horizon Air and Jet America.īy the end of the 80s, Alaska had tripled in size. For many carriers, this was the end of the road. In 1979, the airline industry was deregulated. And it put the airline on course for what would be a nearly unprecedented record in the industry: 19 straight years of profitability. One break that went their way was the construction of the trans-Alaska Pipeline carrying supplies, equipment and workers gave Alaska a shot in the arm.īottom line, customer service became key in this new era. They won back the trust of creditors and improved on-time performance. They went to work setting goals and bringing people together. When Fairbanks businessmen Ron Cosgrave and Bruce Kennedy came on board in 1972, the airline was in a financial fight for its life. And in some of the coldest days of the Cold War, Alaska made headlines with regular charters to the Soviet Union. Alaska’s world now stretched from Fairbanks south to Ketchikan and down to Seattle.

In the late 1960s, Alaska strengthened its operating base by merging with Alaska Coastal-Ellis and Cordova airlines, legendary Southeast Alaska carriers owned by aviation pioneers Shell Simmons, Bob Ellis and Mudhole Smith. After several more mergers, the name was changed a couple of times-until they found one that stuck: Alaska Airlines.īy the late 1940s, using surplus military aircraft, Alaska had branched into worldwide charter work, including the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and Operation Magic Carpet, the airlift of thousands of Yemenite Jews, to Israel in 1949. Finances were tight, but perseverance ruled the day-Mac and his team often worked round-the-clock, even though the next paycheck might be weeks away.Ī merger with Star Air Service in 1934 created the largest airline in Alaska.

Alaska airlines horizon air mac#

The foundation of this success was laid in 1932, when Mac McGee started flying his three-seat Stinson between Anchorage and Bristol Bay, Alaska. airline recognition from the likes of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines. And its reputation for outstanding service consistently earns best U.S. The Alaska Airlines fleet of Boeing jets is one of the youngest among all major airlines. Carrying more than 17 million customers a year, Alaska's route system spans more than 60 cities and three countries. In the process, Alaska has grown from a small regional airline to one of the most respected in the nation. The result? A long list of aviation milestones, as well as countless stories of people going out of their way to help others - both in the course of business and in support of organizations that makes our communities better places to live. Especially spirit - an Alaskan spirit, born in the land the airline is named after - a place where 'can-do' and 'neighbor-helping-neighbor' are facts of life.

Alaska Airlines Historyįor more than 75 years, Alaska Airlines and its people have been guided through thick and thin by a shared commitment to integrity, caring, resourcefulness, professionalism and spirit. Because of this, we have a natural interest in the welfare of the region and its people, and in doing what we can to help make it an even better place to live and work. It's our home in every sense of the word. To the people of Horizon Air, the Pacific Northwest is far more than a place to do business. Everyday we strive to bring these values to life through behaviors and deeds that go above and beyond the routine or ordinary-what we call 'North of Expected' and 'Alaska Spirit in Action.' That commitment to caring for our customers, our communities, our environment, and each other remains a fundamental part of who we are and what we do.įor over 75 years, at Alaska Airlines, our corporate values of Integrity, Professionalism, Caring, Resourcefulness, and Alaska Spirit have been more than just words. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air were founded on the dreams of visionary individuals who wanted to make a difference within their communities.