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Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2025

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on February 20 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Thursday, February 20, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Kelly Kochanek (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett, MEC Vice President-elect Brice McGee, and MEC Vice President Brian Palmer were also in attendance.

The committee met with Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Products Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Planning Systems Manager Gayatri Watwe, F&B Planning Systems Manager Andrea Carns, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Service Strategy Product Manager Jesse Starmer, and Marketing/Sales, IT Contractors Chris Pettigrew and Chris Daniels, and Ann McCurties. Management guests from Hawaiian Airlines included Senior Manager of Inflight Service & Mobile Technology Wendy Kong and Food & Beverage Planning System Manager Kanoe Yama, who are both a part of the Alaska Air Group Product and Planning Team. 

The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 15.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Redesigned Coffee Brew Baskets: Several members of the Inflight Service Committee tested the redesigned coffee brew baskets during regularly scheduled flights. There were no issues with the new brew baskets during the testing process. A Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) has been completed, and the new brew baskets will be installed on Classic and Endura coffee makers starting in late April 2025.
  • Morning Beverage Snack for First Class: Based on Flight Attendant feedback, the Committee requested that management implement a morning beverage snack for First Class passengers. Management will add a warm pastry on premium long-haul flights (including Hawaii). Passengers will receive a Biscoff cookie with their first beverage on long-haul and medium-haul flights.
  • Improvement of Galley Loading: The Committee will continue to work with management to improve galley loading opportunities. Catering has already implemented a request for a change in the loading of pre-departure beverage items, and they are receiving favorable feedback from Flight Attendants. Additionally, a design change for wine cans, featuring a different-colored can top as recommended by the Committee, will be adopted to facilitate easier loading by catering and use by Flight Attendants.
  • Introduction of Thermal Ice Bags: Thermal ice bags have been designed and manufactured to address concerns related to improving ice quality throughout the network. They have been tested and found to adequately insulate ice for return flight segments. Loading at downline stations will continue throughout the rollout of the new bags. Information regarding catering and clarification on using the bags will be communicated to all Flight Attendants. Management intends to use the new bags on all main cabin 5-cart galley configurations.
  • Increase in Pre-Departure Beverage Orange Juice: Management inquired about the use of the pre-departure beverage orange juice product. The Committee responded that supplies need to be increased for pre-departure use.
  • Service Levels Review: Management will soon conduct a comprehensive system-wide review of current service levels.
  • POG Brand Change: The POG brand is changing to Aloha Maid, which is currently served on Hawaiian Airlines.
  • Catering Operations Team Coordination: The Catering Operations Teams from Alaska and Hawaiian are coordinating to work as a unified team.
  • Catering Operations Focus Areas: Alaska Catering Operations currently has three focus areas: kitchen audits, engaging Flight Attendants through the Block2Block (B2B) Flight Attendant comment system, and implementing an ice plan for the warmer months. Kitchen audits are now underway. Catering Operations encourages Flight Attendants to use the B2B Flight Attendant comments to report issues, which will help find solutions. An ice plan is in place for almost all stations during the summer months.
  • Flight Attendant Comments Tool Upgrade: The Flight Attendant Comments reporting tool is being upgraded, and the Committee has requested to be included in the Flight Attendant-facing portion of this project.
  • Standard Process for Aircraft Swaps: The Committee is advocating for a standardized process for aircraft swaps system-wide.
  • Fleet Refresh Project: The Fleet Refresh Project is ongoing and aims to standardize the first-class cabin to 16 seats on all Boeing 737-800, -900, MAX-8, and MAX-9 aircraft. Placarding for the MAX lavatory trash bins should be installed soon.
  • MAX 10 Galley Options: New galley options may be available for the MAX 10, and work on galley planning will soon commence.
  • Tech Updates: The Committee initiated a discussion about the status of updates for B2B and resolving issues related to flight information becoming unavailable when a tech stop occurs. Management shared a prototype of the next version of B2B, which is currently in development. The Committee believes the proposed B2B updates will be intuitive. The issue of information loss during tech stops is recognized and is being addressed. A joint platform for Alaska and Hawaiian is being developed to provide easily updated service flow information, eliminating the need to rely on the onboard service handbook (OSH) for some service flow data.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Enhanced Packaging for Onboard Products: The Committee looks forward to working with management on new onboard products. It’s essential for the Committee that discussions include considerations of safety, packaging, sustainability, ease of use, and acceptance by both Flight Attendants and passengers.
  2. Improved Beverage Cart Loading: The Committee is actively seeking creative solutions for effective space utilization and will prioritize safety when recommending additional products, loading strategies, and service changes.
  3. Addressing Flight Attendant Concerns with Management: The primary goal of the Inflight Service Committee is to enhance the service tools available to all Flight Attendants.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2024

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on November 12 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Tuesday, November 12, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present.

The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Planning Manager Gayatri Watwe, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Senior Product Manager of Guest Products Megan Low, and Vice President of Guest Products & Experience Todd Traynor-Corey.

The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2025, with the specific date yet to be determined.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Management shared new amenities with the Committee, including Salt & Stone, a natural body care products company based in Los Angeles, and First Class blankets by Filson, a Seattle-based company.
  • New beverages will soon be introduced, featuring an updated selection of wines and Hoppy Refresher, a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage made with hops and other flavorings from Lagunitas Brewery in California.
  • Management is continuing to search for the ideal coffee carafe for serving.
  • Management continues to actively seek out an improved coffee carafe for service.
  • Reports indicate that passengers appreciate the specially designed First Class menu items created by San Francisco Chef Jew for the SFO-JFK-SFO route.
  • The menu cycle has recently changed, and passengers are now being served new meal options.
  • With the holidays approaching, we can expect to see holiday-themed cups and napkins on our flights soon.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Onboard Service Handbook (OSH) Revisions. Necessary revisions to our Onboard Service Handbook in particular appendices A and B  for clarity of information.
  2. Morning Beverage Snack For First Class. The committee formulated a request for an improved First Class service opportunity of a morning beverage snack. 
  3. Testing New Coffee Maker Brew Basket. Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons will be testing a newly designed brew basket for our coffee makers on their regularly scheduled flights.
  4. Working On Galley Loading Improvements. The Inflight Service Committee and management will jointly work on galley loading to accommodate new service initiatives.
  5. Addressing Flight Attendant Comments and Concerns. The Inflight Service Committee Members continue to bring concerns from their peers to management. IT concerns are particularly important. 
  6. Discussing Service Needs On Long Stage Length Flights. As we continue to add longer flights, discussions are taking place to make sure we will meet passenger needs

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2024

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on September 17 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Thursday, September 17, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present.

The committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Systems Manger Andrea Lockett, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Managing Director of Guest Products and Team Todd Traynor-Corey, Senior Product Manager of Guest Products Megan Low, Inflight Product & Experience Director David Scotland, and IT Vendor Christopher Pettigrew.

The next scheduled Inflight Service Committee meeting is Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Flight Attendant door opening procedures for catering/fleet.
  • Planned packing changes for single catered flights.  
  • The impact on service due to unavailability of products and equipment.
  • Work continues with the goal to improve our coffee product ranging from the brewing pillow packs to the service carafes. 
  • How best to deliver improved products to our guests
  • The refresh of the 800 fleet, 24 aircraft are complete. Work continues on the 900ER fleet. Interior placarding reminders are scheduled to be completed by Q4 2024.
  • New service equipment was examined, including carafes and beer bins.
  • Service for ultra long-haul flights was discussed
  • Flight Attendant comments are very appreciated by catering; pictures and specific information about reported items helps the operation.
  • Management reported on upcoming Block2Block (B2B) updates, including Block2Block 3.0 which will be released in phases. The Committee previewed portions of the update.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Reviewing proposed new guest products with Food & Beverage. New beverage options are planned for early November. There are some very exciting products we will be serving our guests.
  2. Enhanced service opportunities.
  3. Continuously bringing concerns and comments from our flying partners to management.
  4. Increasing retail product availability, in particular in the Latin America markets.
  5. Striving to ensure service levels are appropriate for our ultra long-haul flights.
  6. Monitoring Block2Block updates as “early adopters” and making suggestions for new features.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Inflight Service Committee

  • Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met on May 21 to represent Flight Attendants’ interests related to catering and onboard service/sales.
  • The Committee met with management to discuss and receive updates on issues and problems faced by Flight Attendants onboard.
  • The Committee continues to work with management to address catering concerns and improve processes in the future. Please report catering issues through Block2Block and safety-related issues through ReportIt!

On Tuesday, May 21, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX), and Chase Vandergrift (SAN). MEC Inflight Committee Chairperson Stephanie Garnett was also present. 

The Committee met with Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Principal Cabin Product and Experience Manager Chris Dela Rosa, Director of Food and Beverage Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Food and Beverage Systems Manger Andrea Lockett, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Managing Director of Guest Products Todd Traynor-Corey, Senior Product Manager of Guest Products Megan Low, Food and Beverage Planning Systems Manager Gayatri Watwe, and IT Vendor Christopher Pettigrew. 

The next scheduled Inflight Service Committee meeting is Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The Committee discussed several topics during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some of the items included:

  • Packaging for Main Cabin meals, including hot meals and their labeling.
  • The impact on service due to temporary product substitutions.
  • Progress on updating older aircraft furnishings and current enhancements for the cabins, addressing issues with lavatory trash, and placing mirrors from the aft jump seat.
  • Ensuring the safety of future coffee brewing, which included discussing modifications to the brew basket.
  • Discussion with Catering Operations to ensure plans for summer ice loading are in place and that new seasonal routes are correctly catered.
  • Management reported on upcoming Block2Block (B2B) updates, and glitches were discussed. The Committee received updates on B2B functions, including a new training mode, tap-to-pay issues, and screen switching for payment processing.
  • Discussion and review of catering issues causing crew confusion.
  • Email notifications to passengers regarding the ability to pre-order are improving the process and increasing pre-order counts.
  • The overall service flow and process were discussed.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Correct product labeling. The Committee is working with catering to ensure that meals are clearly labeled, especially the new Main Cabin hot meal options for long-haul, medium-haul, and short-haul flights.
  2. Adjusting product levels. Committee Members are working with management to modify product quantities to enhance service and reduce waste.
  3. Working with management on Block2Block (B2B). Committee Members have been informed that a new version of B2B will soon be available and are looking forward to pre-testing it. The Committee is actively involved in suggesting improvements.
  4. Enhancing snack basket contents. Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons will work with management to update the contents.

We Want to Hear from You!

Please continue to report any catering issues or problems with onboard service using the catering feedback function in Block2Block. If you’ve experienced a safety-related issue, please submit a report through ReportIt! Your reports provide the Committee with the data needed to continue pushing management for meaningful improvements in our workplace.

Do you have other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Inflight Service Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Inflight Service Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

After Relentless AFA Advocacy, Alaska Management Finally Takes Initial Step To Protect Against Injuries From Dangerous Coffee Makers

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • Alaska Airlines management has directed that older-style B/E Aerospace coffee makers must not be used without a Brew Shield.
  • The action follows months of advocacy by the AFA ASHSC, Inflight Service Committee, and MEC, highlighting ongoing injuries to Flight Attendants from the coffee makers.
  • Our Committees and MEC continue to call for a complete suspension of the older coffee makers until the issue is fully resolved to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and passengers.

After months of relentless advocacy by our AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Inflight Service Committee, and Master Executive Council (MEC), Alaska Airlines management has finally taken the first step towards meaningful action to protect crewmembers and passengers from injuries related to scalding hot coffee and grounds spewing from the brew basket of older-style B/E Aerospace coffee makers. Effective immediately, management has directed that older-style B/E Aerospace coffee makers must not be used to brew coffee under any circumstances if a Brew Shield is unavailable. In such cases, alternate coffee makers must be used to brew coffee; if no other coffee makers are available, coffee will not be served. If a Brew Shield is available, it must be installed and used. Flight Attendants should refer to Special Edition Bulletin #2024-0045 (April 17, 2024) for specific procedures, instructions for reporting missing Brew Shields, and other essential information.

Note: Management refers to the older-style B/E Aerospace coffee maker as the “B/E Classic Coffee Maker,” also identified as Coffee Maker #1 in the FAM. It has five square buttons that include the “COLD WATER” option and does not have a paddle on the hot water spigot.

Management’s recent action is a step in the right direction, but it should have been taken long ago when our ASHSC first raised this issue. It’s unacceptable that several months have passed, and more Flight Attendant injuries have occurred due to the continued use of older-style B/E Aerospace coffee makers. Our AFA ASHSC and Inflight Service Committee have been vigilant in putting management on notice that they were knowingly placing the physical safety and well-being of employees and passengers at risk by continuing to allow the use of these coffee makers. We have advised management that the temporary procedures implemented to mitigate the hazards are inadequate and unrealistic given the working environment that Flight Attendants face onboard the aircraft. The ineffectiveness of management’s mitigations has become increasingly evident as Flight Attendants continue to be injured by coffee makers spewing scalding hot coffee and grounds. 

Management’s action may have been overdue and necessary, but it still does not address the root cause of the hazard through physical mitigation. Our ASHSC, Inflight Service Committee, and MEC firmly believe that the only responsible action for management to take is to completely suspend the use of the older B/E Aerospace coffee makers until the issue is resolved. We continue to call on management to “own safety” by removing these coffee makers from service immediately. The safety of both Flight Attendants and passengers must not be compromised. It’s our right to work in a safe environment, and we demand that this right be upheld.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, December 16, 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Melinda Jorge (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, December 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present […]

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

On Thursday, December 4, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

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