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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.

Alaska Management Announces Plan To Operate Boeing 737 Aircraft on Neighbor Island Flights

Earlier today, Alaska Airlines management announced plans to transition the neighbor island 717 fleet to Hawaiian-branded 737 aircraft by 2028. However, buried within that same announcement is a more immediate and concerning development: Alaska Airlines management intends to introduce Alaska-branded 737 aircraft, operated by Alaska Airlines crews, on neighbor island routes, with plans to operate three daily round-trip flights between Honolulu and Maui (HNL-OGG) beginning as early as this October.

This decision by Alaska Airlines management is a profound disappointment and marks a clear break from the core commitments made to Hawaiian Airlines employees and the people of Hawaiʻi at the outset of the merger. At that time, management underscored that preserving the Hawaiian Airlines brand—its unique identity and operational presence—was essential to the merger’s success.

Throughout the merger process, Alaska Airlines management gave unequivocal assurances about a true dual-brand strategy. They insisted there was “no other choice” but to honor the culture and legacy built by Hawaiian Airlines over the past 97 years. Management further justified the merger by pledging it would enable the company to accelerate investments in passenger experience and technology, all while protecting the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Hawaiʻi-based jobs.

By introducing Alaska-branded aircraft to the core of neighbor island service, Alaska Airlines management is abandoning those commitments. This move replaces the iconic Pualani livery—a symbol deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi’s heritage—with an operational shift that overlooks the essential need for a distinct Hawaiian identity. While management has indicated that the Pualani livery will eventually be on these replacement aircraft and that they will be crewed by HNL-based Flight Attendants, these future assurances do not change the here and now of the situation.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants are familiar with the lifeline nature of Arctic flying and the “milk run” within Alaska—routes where isolated communities rely entirely on the consistency of air service for everything from medical care to essential commerce. Neighbor island flying in Hawaiʻi serves that same vital, infrastructure-level purpose. It’s not just a route; it’s the heartbeat of the state.

For Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants, this decision is fundamentally personal. The neighbor island operation is where our airline started, serving as the core of what has been built over the decades. It is our legacy—the place where we learned the unique standard of care that defines our service. Encroaching on this work is not just a business decision; it undermines the history and foundation of the neighbor island operation and jeopardizes the stability of the single-duty-period pairings that enable our Honolulu-based Flight Attendants to serve their communities and return home to their families the same day.

Our MEC is already taking action. Our pre-merger Hawaiian MEC Grievance Committee is actively reviewing all available options under our collective bargaining agreements. We are prepared to pursue every avenue to challenge this encroachment, including filing a formal grievance and seeking all remedies necessary to protect our work and uphold our contracts. We are also in close communication with both the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines ALPA MECs and are aligning our efforts in response to management’s announcement.We stand together in both our disappointment and our resolve. We will hold management accountable for the promises made to our Flight Attendants and the people of Hawaiʻi. Updates will follow as we move forward together.

Need Help? Let Us Show You Where To Find It!

As Flight Attendants, we all experience moments where we need AFA support but might not be entirely sure where to look. Instead of digging through old emails or panic-posting on Facebook, we want to make sure you know exactly how to access our Union resources.

Here’s everything you need to know to navigate our AFA resources with confidence:

  • Find Your Local Reps in Under 30 Seconds: It only takes a moment to connect with the right person. Go to afaalaska.org and click on “Local Councils.” There, you’ll see the Officers and Committees dedicated to your Local Council—fellow Flight Attendants who truly understand your base, concerns, and needs.
  • Rely on Our Specialized Committees: Each Committee is dedicated to a specific area—such as scheduling, inflight service, or membership engagement. If you have a question or sense something is off, start here. It’s never an inconvenience; our dedicated volunteers are here to support you, so you never have to tackle complex issues alone.
  • What to Do When Things Go Sideways: When challenges arise, you have several ways to get the support you need. Submitting reports not only helps resolve your issue but also empowers our Officers to spot trends and advocate for you and our fellow Flight Attendants even more effectively.
    • Pre-Merger Alaska Flight Attendants: Reach out directly to an LEC Officer or open a support ticket through the AFA Alaska Online Support Center. When submitting a ticket, always use your personal email—not your company address—for privacy and security.
    • Pre-Merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants: Contact your LEC Officers directly to report issues and receive support specific to your needs.
  • Why Contacting Us Matters: Our Union is strongest when everyone knows how to use its resources. If you ever have a question or feel uncertain, reach out—we’re here to help.

Watch the Video

Want to see these tips in action? Watch the video below, where SFO-based Flight Attendant and Local Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson Dani Kellogg walks you through the website step by step.

Watch the Video On YouTube ➔

AFA News in Review – July 17, 2026

In This Edition

  • Behind the Scenes: What Goes Into Bringing Our MEC Town Halls to Life
  • Shared on Social
  • Next Week’s Events

Behind the Scenes: What Goes Into Bringing Our MEC Town Halls to Life

Originally posted July 13, 2026

Months of planning, coordination, and rehearsals all go into bringing our MEC Town Halls to life. Go behind the scenes to see how we transform your feedback and questions into a live broadcast event.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted July 17, 2026

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, July 21 – Thursday, July 23Joint Contract Negotiations
Tuesday, July 21Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting (pmAS)
Wednesday, July 22Monthly Benefits Committee Meeting (pmAS)
Wednesday, July 22Monthly Communications Committee Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Behind the Scenes: What Goes Into Bringing Our MEC Town Halls to Life

Since launching our MEC Town Halls in March, we’ve focused on making these sessions a clear and effective way to connect with everyone. In June, we adjusted our approach to a more dynamic, interview-based, and conversational format to make these sessions even more engaging. But what does it take to move from an initial concept to a live broadcast?

We thought it would be fun to take you behind the lens. We’ve been capturing snippets of the production setup to highlight the extensive preparation that happens long before we go live.

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

The Planning & Preparation Process: A Multi-Month Journey

While you see the final product on your screens, each Town Hall is the result of intensive coordination that begins months in advance. Our production doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a layered process of refinement and practice. Here is a look at what goes into bringing these sessions to you:

  • Months of Coordination and Planning: We start months out by listening. We identify key issues—like JCBA negotiations, seniority integration, and domicile-specific changes—that are top-of-mind for you. We work closely with our MEC Officers (Tim Green, Brice McGee, and Paul Ikioka) and MEC Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson Mischelle Fielsch to prioritize your questions and gather the data and visual materials needed to support the conversation.
  • Shared Table Reads: Once topics are chosen, we hold several “table reads”—focused sessions where we shape the flow of discussion. We make sure our updates on JCBA negotiations and other AFA news are presented clearly, accurately, and in ways that speak directly to our daily lives as Flight Attendants.
  • Technical Run-Throughs: We dedicate hours to testing our setup and calibrating our audio and video feeds. This attention to detail ensures a reliable, high-quality viewing experience for everyone tuning in.
  • Final Dress Rehearsals: Before we go live, we conduct full dress rehearsals. These sessions are a complete “dry run” of the show, where we test every detail—from camera angles and microphones to visual aids and graphics—so everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

Designed for You

These Town Halls are made for you. From the first planning meeting to the final microphone check, every decision is made with your engagement in mind, and we’re constantly refining our approach based on your feedback. We want you to feel connected, and more importantly, we want you to feel heard.

Save The Date

Plan now to join us for our next MEC Town Hall on Wednesday, September 23, at 11 AM PT.

If you have a question for our MEC Officers, you can submit it now or at any time using this form. We prioritize questions submitted in advance to ensure we focus on what matters most to you.

Discover The AFA Online Learning Academy

As part of Membership Engagement Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to spotlight one of our core missions: empowering you with knowledge and confidence to participate more fully in our Union. When we understand how our Union works, we strengthen our collective voice and create a more engaged community. To help you on this journey, we’re […]

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, July 21, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met in person at Alaska Global Training Center 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), […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 17 – July 2026

This session, the JNC focused on refining the Reserve survey to ensure a comprehensive representation of member concerns. Significant progress was also made on Section 23 (Insurance Benefits), with proposals aimed at enhancing Flight Attendant protections and securing tailored insurance provisions. Additionally, productive discussions continued on Section 30 (Training). Further improvements are anticipated pending management’s response to our latest proposal.

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – July 2026

On Wednesday, July 15, our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) representatives met virtually to discuss ongoing safety concerns, operational challenges, policy updates, and workplace improvements impacting Flight Attendants across the operation. Representing you at the meeting were Deb Wallstrom (ANC), David Lake (SEA), Kalin Lackey (PDX), Bradley Young (SFO and MEC ASHSC Vice […]

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 […]

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