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Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

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On Monday, October 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update on current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (pmAS SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (pmAS LAX), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, November 9.

Topics of Discussion

  • City-Specific Issues (pmAS):
    • LIH: Our incumbent hotel was significantly damaged during recent weather events. As a result, our crews have experienced temporary relocations, which are expected to last through the end of October. 
    • HNL: We recently began staying at a new hotel in HNL. Since moving properties, we have received almost daily noise complaints.  We have asked that Crew Hotels escalate this with the property and place crew rooms away from public areas and events to mitigate noise disturbances.
    • PDX: We addressed downtown PDX van times, which were increased due to road construction. Construction is no longer a factor, and the ask was made to readjust the van times.
    • JFK: Was recently visited to find a new long-stay property. As part of this visit, our short-stay property was also visited. We have received a number of complaints about the travel time to the short-stay hotel, and we are exploring other options in this market.
    • MIA: We have received valuable feedback regarding the cost and availability of food at our long stay hotel. Crew Hotels has worked diligently with the hotel to develop a special crew menu with discounted options (not combinable with F&B discount). Please refer to the Hotel Hotline or MyCrewCare for details.     
  • Flight Attendant Hotel Survey: Our collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) set the minimum hotel requirements acceptable to our Flight Attendants. However, many hotel amenities are absent from the CBA. Our Hotel Committee strives to exceed these minimum standards in any way that we can. We know that Flight Attendants care about certain hotel amenities (such as coffee makers, minifridges, water refill stations, etc.), but we’d like to get more insight into how important these items are to you. For example, how important is an iron and ironing board over a steamer? We have discussed developing a survey so you can tell us exactly this, so we can keep it in mind when we inspect and select our top hotels in each market.    
  • JFK Ground Transportation (pmHA): If you experience a long wait in JFK for your ground transportation, please send us CrewCare feedback so that it can be documented and addressed. We’ve been having problems with our GT vendor that is dispatching only one shuttle. The shuttle is scheduled so that the outbound crew is picked up at the hotel, dropped off at the airport, then picks up the inbound crew. Recently, the inbound crew has been arriving early and forced to wait for the shuttle that brings the departing crew to the airport. This will only get worse when winter arrives, as flight times from HNL to JFK are much shorter during this period. 
  • Hotel Committee Support Representatives (pmAS + pmHA): We’d like to remind everyone of the support that is available if you experience an issue with your hotel or ground transportation.  Although the Hotel Committee officially merged in October 2025, certain hotel operations are being handled separately until we ratify a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. If you need to escalate any item, please reach out to your Local Hotel Committee Chairperson (​​https://afaalaska.org/hotel) for assistance. For pmHA support, Le’a Tupola was appointed the Local Chairperson for Council 47 (LAX/SEA) in May.  If you are a Hawaiian Flight Attendant from one of those bases, Le’a will be your primary point of contact if any issues arise. Matt Mitchell supports the HNL base for Council 43.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

  • Pre-Merger Alaska: The scheduled site visits through the rest of 2026 are:
    • Oct: JFK (Long/Mid), TUS (Short), PHX (Short), OAK (Short/Long), YVR (Long)
    • Nov: IND, RDU (Long), SEA (Training Hotels)
    • Dec: PVR, SEA (Mid), TPA (Long)
    • TBD: ADQ
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through January 2027 are:
    • Dec: ATH
    • Jan: CDG

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There are no new updates to share on the Hotel Gainshare program this month. Negotiations remain paused as management continues to express concerns about potential federal tax implications. AFA International has already submitted a detailed legal counterargument to the company’s Vice President of Tax and their outside counsel. However, the company’s attorney continues to advise against moving forward, citing tax law concerns. The next step remains to secure an independent review from a tax attorney. We know there is strong interest in this program and will continue to provide updates as soon as there is progress.

We Want to Hear From You!

Your feedback is essential to our work. Please use CrewCare to report your experience with layover hotels or ground transportation, whether your feedback is positive or highlights problems or areas that need improvement. CrewCare is the official channel for addressing your concerns and ensures they are promptly reviewed by the Committee. We are unable to monitor social media, so submitting through CrewCare is the best way to make your voice heard.

Each CrewCare feedback submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures that quick action can be taken to correct the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. You can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any additional feedback you would like to share with the Committee, or any specific items you would like us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

In September, our Hotel Committee participated in two meetings: the standing monthly meeting with Crew Hotels on September 14, and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA) in Seattle.  Representing you at these meetings were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem and Barry Spitzer (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.  

Additionally, API representatives provided statistics on our hotel and transportation portfolio, an update on the hotel environment, and an open forum where our Committee raised several Flight Attendant concerns. 

Topics of Discussion

  • API Support Update (pmAS): Although Crew Hotels manages both Alaska and Hawaiian hotel operations, API maintains two separate accounts, each specializing in supporting its respective airline’s operations. Given the size of the pmAS hotel operation, API recently increased support for the Alaska account. A new Director of Client Delivery was added, as well as an additional Account Director. This brings our total Account Directors to three. Account Directors assist with managing hotel sourcing, contracts, and hotel relationships. Operationally, Alaska has four onsite representatives who sit with Alaska Crew Scheduling in Seattle. During significant IROPs events, Alaska has the support of two offshore representatives in the Philippines.
  • Process Improvements (pmAS): Over the past year, the Committee has raised frustrations and suggestions regarding hotel processes. API provided an update on past concerns, and an open forum was used to bring forward new ones.   
    • Pre-Paid Virtual Cards: When non-contracted hotels are used (such as hotels on our ad hoc list), payment is sent via a one-time-use virtual card. This is done to prevent fraud. Earlier this year, during a major IROP event in Mexico, it was discovered that a hotel on the ad hoc list could not accept virtual cards. We have not seen this domestically. API informed us that an audit of virtual card usage was conducted on our ad hoc hotels in CUN, and that a similar audit is being conducted in SJO and LIR, with completion slated for November. Contingency plans are being developed as an alternative.
    • Hotel Provided Transportation (Sign-in Sheets): API’s systems are programmed to display the recommended departure time from the property on the sign-in sheet. This has posed a problem for hotels that provide transportation, as van times are set in specific departure increments (e.g., every 15 minutes on the quarter hour), which typically do not align with the recommended departure time. The Committee has been asking for months for a solution to display accurate van times. The API product team has been tasked with identifying a solution and testing workarounds. 
    • Site Visit Sourcing Calendar: Starting in 2027, Crew Hotels and API will align on the sourcing timeline for all markets. Historically, we have had hotel contracts expire in batches at various times throughout the year. For example, we may have 12 hotels whose contracts expire on December 31st of 2026, 2027, etc., and we know we can’t source them all at the same time. Going forward, all new contracts will move to a rolling calendar year, so the sourcing cadence will be even and consistent. Given that our contracts are typically 2-3 years in duration, we should have all hotel contracts on this cadence by the end of 2028.  
      • Sourcing Timeline (For Reference): These are all the steps involved, in subsequent order, in selecting a new crew hotel. Pre-sourcing ➔ Long List (all the hotels that fall into pre-sourcing criteria) ➔Request for Proposal (RFP – hotel bids on crew business) ➔ Destination Presentation (hotels that are interested are placed in a packet) ➔ Short List (AFA narrows down the choices to most viable options) ➔ Site Itinerary (schedule for site visit is determined) ➔ Site Visit, Report Writing (by AFA, ALPA, Crew Hotels) ➔ Best and Final Negotiations, Supplier Selected, Contracting, Executed Contract (we want a contract in place ideally 2 months prior to business)
    • Other Miscellaneous Improvements: Digitized contracts, tightened up the TBD process in bid packets, moved to a different platform for invoicing, and tightened the ad hoc list. 
  • Market Specific Information (pmAS): A few months ago, management selected a new hotel in MIA. Although the hotel is stunning, the negative feedback received has centered on the isolation and the cost of on-site food. The hotel values crew business and has developed a discounted crew menu and a welcome letter to better illustrate the amenities offered to crew, which includes information on the complimentary South Beach Trolley shuttle.   

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

  • Pre-Merger Alaska: The scheduled site visits through the rest of 2026 are:
    • Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover), ORD (Long)
    • Oct: JFK (Long/Mid), TUS (Short), OAK (Short/Long)
    • Nov: IND, RDU (Long)
    • Dec: SEA (Mid), TPA (Long)
    • TBD: PHX (Short), YVR (Long), ADQ, PVR
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through January 2027 are:
    • Dec: ATH
    • Jan: CDG

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There are no new updates to share on the Hotel Gainshare program this month. Negotiations remain paused as management continues to express concerns about potential federal tax implications. AFA International has already submitted a detailed legal counterargument to the company’s Vice President of Tax and their outside counsel. However, the company’s attorney continues to advise against moving forward, citing tax law concerns. The next step remains to secure an independent review from a tax attorney. We know there is strong interest in this program and will continue to provide updates as soon as there is progress.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee doesn’t monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Staying Safe On Layovers

A joint message from our AFA Hotel Committee; Air Safety, Health & Security Committee (ASHSC); and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee.

Your safety matters to us—and we want you to come home from every trip safe and well. Most layovers go smoothly, and you can keep it that way by staying aware and trusting your instincts. If something feels off, step away. Your vigilance is your best protection on the road. Here are some practical reminders to help you stay safe, whether you’re overnighting in Anchorage, Honolulu, New York City, or anywhere else your flying takes you.

If a situation ever feels unsafe, whether on a layover or in transit, call local emergency services first (911 in the U.S.). Next, contact Crew Scheduling—they can connect you with an Inflight Supervisor or an AFA Representative if you need additional support.

Around The Hotel

  • Maintain a low profile. Don’t share that you’re a crewmember or which airline you work for, and never say your room number out loud—remember, you never know who may be listening.
  • Stick to well-lit, main areas and use the main entrance, especially at night. Skip back stairwells and dark corners around the property.
  • Know where the exits are.
  • If you feel like you’re being followed or watched anywhere in the hotel, head straight to the front desk and stay there until staff can assist you.
  • Don’t flash cash or jewelry, and lock valuables in the hotel safe. See something suspicious? Tell the front desk or a hotel staff member.

In Your Room

  • When you first walk in, check the closet, bathroom, and windows, and confirm every lock works, including sliding doors, windows, and any connecting-room door.
  • Keep the door locked the entire time you’re inside, and use every locking device provided.
  • When possible, perform room checks in pairs with another crew member outside the room with the door propped open while you check your room.
  • Find your nearest exit and count the doors between it and your room, noting which side of the hall it’s on. In a dark or smoke-filled hallway, that count may be how you find your way out.
  • Keep your key, ID, and other must-grab items on the nightstand so you can leave fast if you have to.
  • Don’t open your door to anyone you can’t verify. If someone says they’re hotel staff, call the front desk to confirm before letting them in. Never invite strangers into your room.
  • Keep your key on you, don’t display it in public, and tell the front desk immediately if it goes missing.

When You Head Out

  • Use the buddy system. Walk in pairs at night on nearby streets and in parking lots.
  • Going out alone? Tell a crewmember where you’re headed and when you expect to be back. If you’re not staying at the crew hotel, leave your contact info and location with someone.
  • Never assume an unfamiliar area is safe to walk or run. Wear practical shoes, skip the earbuds, and keep your head up—stay aware of your surroundings.

Getting To And From The Hotel

  • Your assigned transportation provider is listed in your trip information.
  • Buckle up if the van or shuttle has seat belts, and mind your footing when getting in and out. If you need a hand, ask a fellow crewmember.

Watch Your Drink

Drink spiking or slipping a drug into someone’s beverage or food is a real risk, and the substances used are often colorless, odorless, and tasteless. A few habits go a long way towards stopping this from happening:

  • Order directly from the bartender or server, and watch your drink being made when you can.
  • Never leave a drink or food unattended. If you walk away from it, get a fresh one.
  • Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know well.
  • Know your limits. The more you drink, the harder it becomes to recognize if something isn’t right.
  • If it looks, smells, or tastes off, don’t finish it.
  • Stay with your crew and look out for one another.
  • For added safety, drink covers as well as GHB and Rohypnol detection test kits are available for purchase online. These products can provide an additional layer of protection when attending bars, clubs, concerts, or other social events where beverages may be left unattended.

Take it seriously if you suddenly feel far more impaired than what you drank would explain: sudden dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, extreme drowsiness, nausea, or gaps in your memory. If you think your drink was spiked, tell someone you trust right away, get to a safe place, don’t try to drive, and seek medical care quickly. Some drugs clear the body within hours. If you believe a crime occurred, report it to the local police.

If Something Happens

For any safety concern involving your hotel or crew transportation, file a report through the MyCrewCare (API) app on your IMD and complete a Safety Report. That documentation is what lets us hold hotel properties and transportation vendors accountable and push for change.

And you don’t have to carry a bad experience alone. Our AFA EAP Committee offers confidential support, resources, and referrals. You can reach the AFA EAP helpline anytime at (949) 470-0493 or (800) 424-2406.

Trust your instincts, look out for one another, and don’t hesitate to act if something doesn’t feel right. Safe travels!

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – August 2026

On Monday, August 10, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, September 14. The Committee will also meet with the company’s hotel procurement vendor, API, for their Quarterly Business Review (QBR) on September 23 (pmAS) and September 24 (pmHA). If you have any topics or concerns you’d like addressed, please reach out to your Local Hotel Committee Chairperson. Your input is always valued and helps us advocate effectively on your behalf.

Topics of Discussion

  • LIR Update (pmAS): We’ve been actively seeking alternative options in LIR to ease the burden of long van transit times for our crews. In early June, we conducted a site inspection and identified a promising hotel. Unfortunately, another airline was also negotiating with the property at the same time. Due to delays in API’s engagement, that airline secured the last available crew inventory before we could finalize arrangements. We’ve escalated this issue with API management to ensure it doesn’t occur again, as our crews should never be disadvantaged by such oversights. The Committee considers the current transit time unacceptable and believes it violates section 34.A.2.a.2.b.2 (Long Stay transportation allowance) of the collective bargaining agreement. We’ve referred this matter to the Grievance Committee to pursue potential remedies for our Flight Attendants.
  • Rooms Unavailable Upon Arrival (pmAS): In recent weeks, we’ve seen several instances of rooms not being available after redeye arrivals, especially in BOS. To address this, Crew Hotels management promptly coordinated with API and hotel management. The root cause was that the hotel had not held rooms aside the night before, leaving rooms unavailable upon crew arrival. The hotel has now implemented a solution, and the Committee is closely monitoring the situation. If issues persist, we will withdraw approval from the property and advocate for a more reliable hotel. Additionally, there has been an increase in Flight Attendants being asked to share rooms due to booking errors by Crew Scheduling and API. While the CBA provides compensation in these cases, our priority is to ensure that every crew member has a guaranteed room. Compensation should be the rare exception, not the norm. Please continue to report any room availability concerns so the Committee can follow up and seek a resolution.
  • Desert Coach (pmAS): We’ve received reports in several cities that Desert Coach has been combining crew shuttles and delaying departures to wait for additional crews. Crew Hotels management has already followed up and reminded Desert Coach that crews must not be delayed or shuttles combined. This practice not only inconveniences our crews but also raises concerns about potential double-billing when only one shuttle is provided. Management is currently auditing ground transportation billing to ensure accuracy. If these issues are not resolved, the Committee will advocate for alternative ground transportation providers to better serve our Flight Attendants.
  • 2027 Training Hotels in SEA (pmAS): Next year, training for all frontline workgroups (Inflight, Pilots, and CSAs) will be centralized at the Global Training Center (GTC) in Seattle. This will significantly increase the company’s hotel needs in the area. We are working closely with our Inflight Training Committee to inspect and secure additional hotel properties to ensure our Flight Attendants have comfortable, reliable accommodations during training.
  • Construction Disturbances in SEA (pmHA): We’ve received reports of construction disturbances outside the SEA crew hotel for pmHA crews. To prioritize your comfort and rest, crews have been temporarily relocated to an alternate property. The Committee will continue to monitor the situation.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

  • Pre-Merger Alaska: The scheduled site visits through the rest of 2026 are:
    • Aug: OGG, MCI (Short), CHS (Long)
    • Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover), ORD (Long)
    • Oct: JFK (Long/Mid), TUS (Short), OAK (Short/Long)
    • Nov: IND, RDU (Long)
    • Dec: SEA (Mid), TPA (Long)
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:
    • Aug: HNL, OGG
    • Sept: SMF

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): At this time, there are no new developments to report on the Hotel Gainshare program. Negotiations remain paused as management continues to express concerns about potential federal tax implications. In response, AFA International submitted a thorough legal counterargument to the company’s Vice President of Tax and their outside tax counsel. Despite our efforts, the company’s attorney maintains that a hotel gainshare program would violate tax laws and has repeatedly advised them not to move forward. Our next step is to retain a tax attorney to provide an independent review of these concerns. Our goal is to reach a collaborative consensus and finalize negotiations of the program. We recognize the strong interest in this program and will continue to keep you updated as we move forward.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee doesn’t monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

On Monday, July 13, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in-person to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA pmAS), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA pmHA), Brian Sherill (LAX pmAS), and Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL), with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Hotel and Administration Diane Szubert, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner, and Crew Hotel Support Specialist LaFay Williams.

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, August 10.

Topics of Discussion

  • Guests in Ground Transportation (pmHA): The Hotel Committee advocated for alignment on guest policies in ground transportation. Previously, pmHA Flight Attendants could not have guests accompany them in crew transportation, whereas pmAS Flight Attendants could. Effective immediately, guests of pmHA Flight Attendants are allowed to ride in crew shuttles, except in locations where only crew are permitted on the shuttles. Working crew remains the priority, and there must be room for them and their bags. Guests must never cause delay, inconvenience, or displace crew during transport. If there is insufficient room for your guest, please be prepared to make other transportation arrangements.
  • Ad Hoc List Update (pmAS): Management uses a list of Hotel Committee-approved properties for relocations from our contracted crew hotels when necessary. Maintaining the list is no small task. The list is constantly evolving as properties are added (after site visits) and deleted (labor disputes, crew feedback, etc.). Previously, a single list was shared by both AFA and ALPA, but it has now been separated so that each union can elect the order of hotels they prefer. The Committee will update the list to incorporate the markets that were visited this year, then have the list posted to the Flight Attendant Website, as called for in CBA §34.A.6.b  
  • Hotel Contractual Terms (pmAS): We continue to notice that items discussed with hotel management during on-site visits are not being incorporated into final hotel contracts. There are a variety of reasons why this has happened: the hotel overpromised during a site visit and didn’t follow through, API negotiated away offered amenities (free breakfast, F&B discount, etc.) to secure a lower rate for the company, etc. The Hotel Committee has been actively monitoring these discrepancies, as our final hotel decisions are based on what was presented as a complete package during the site visit. To put this into context, we recently conducted a JFK site visit to find a new short-stay hotel. A hotel was selected on the premise that the hotel-provided shuttle would run on demand for crew, instead of the published 30-minute schedule. The hotel backtracked on the on-demand shuttle, which caused us to break with that property and utilize an on-airport property instead. If you notice any discrepancy in a crew amenity that is published in MyCrewCare or the Hotel Hotline, please ensure you write a CrewCare report and contact your Local Hotel Committee if necessary.  
  • City-Specific Issues/Updates:
    • RDU: There have been several recent write-ups regarding HVAC, noise, and the property’s condition. This market is up for renewal next year, but the Committee has asked that sourcing be expedited to find a suitable replacement.
    • BOS: There have been numerous reports of rooms not being ready for redeye arrivals, resulting in excessive wait times. This is unacceptable, as rooms should be taken out of service the night prior.  This has been escalated to Crew Hotels for follow-up.
    • SJO: We are still waiting for a final hotel decision in SJO. We have been told an update will be coming soon.
    • LIR: We are still investigating viable solutions to cut down on the transit time. We conducted another site visit to the market in June, but our top choice withdrew their bid shortly after the visit.  
  • Ground Transportation Live Tracking (pmAS): Instructions for tracking ground transportation with participating providers have been posted in the July Informational Bulletin on TeamAAG. Additionally, it has been requested that this information be displayed in Crew Access and posted to Comply365 on the IMD. This should help Flight Attendants track their ride.    

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: Our Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants. Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  

  • Pre-Merger Alaska: The Committee is evaluating the need for additional site visits in 2026 and is getting a jump-start on the plan for 2027. The scheduled site visits through September 2026 are:
    • July: BZE, LGB (New Layover), BWI (Short), DEN (Short)
    • Aug: MCI (Short), CHS (Long)
    • Sept: YYC (New Layover), YEG (New Layover)
    • Oct: TUS (Short), OAK (Short/Long)
    • TBD: OGG
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:
    • Aug: HNL, OGG
    • Sept: SMF

2. Hotel Gainshare Update (pmAS): There continues to be no update on the Hotel Gainshare program, same as last month. Negotiations remain stalled due to management’s concerns about federal tax implications. AFA International has provided a legal counterargument, and we are still waiting for coordination between AFA International and Alaska Airlines Labor Relations management. Our goal remains to reach a consensus and finalize program negotiations. We know many Members are interested in this program and will continue to keep you informed.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.

Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

On Monday, October 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update on current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (pmAS SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (pmAS LAX), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt […]

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This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working to secure the best reserve provisions for our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). We want to hear from you about which parts of the reserve experience matter most, so we can better meet your needs. The survey […]

Join The Picket Line: Support Horizon Flight Attendants this Wednesday, October 14

This Wednesday, October 14, Horizon Air Flight Attendants will take to the picket line to demand the fair contract they rightfully deserve. During our own contract fight, Horizon Flight Attendants never hesitated. They showed up for us on our picket lines, stood shoulder to shoulder with us at every rally, and proved what true solidarity […]

Reserve Survey Now Open

Our JNC encourages all members to participate in the Reserve survey, regardless of your current Reserve status. Whether you are on Reserve now, pick up Reserve days occasionally, or have not been on Reserve recently, your input is valuable. The survey will be open until Tuesday, October 20 at Noon PT.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 29, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

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