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AFA News in Review – April 3, 2026

In This Edition

  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026
  • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026
  • Next Week’s Events

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Originally posted March 30, 2026 | Pre-Merger Hawaiian

Pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants are set to experience a significant transition as the next major milestone in the merger process approaches. The cutover to the single Passenger Service System, the launch of the Block2Block app, and the shift of all 787 flights to Alaska-branded service will directly reshape our daily routines and the service we deliver onboard.

Read More >

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

Originally posted April 2, 2026

Curious about how our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee is working to create a safer, more supportive workplace? Learn about guidance and reporting tools for interacting with ICE agents, and about the Committee’s ongoing advocacy for cultural tattoos and accessible layover accommodations.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

No events scheduled 

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing activism to raise awareness and create positive change within our workplace and community. Your representatives attending the meeting included Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Nyachan Chuar (ANC), and Yan Yan Teague (SEA). MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II and MEC Vice President Brice McGee were also present. 

The Committee met with several members of management, including Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, California Director of Inflight Base Operations Benito Pasia-Garcia Jr., Director Culture & Belonging Steve Nelson, and Senior Culture Partner Sarah Keimig.

The Committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include: 

  • Interaction With ICE Agents: The Committee requested that inflight Management provide guidance on what to do whenapproached by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Committee and inflight management agree that Flight Attendants should contact an inflight supervisor immediately. The committee also suggested contacting Alaska Corporate Security. Management will reach out to Corporate Security to establish a clear process for the Flight Attendant to follow.  
  • AFA ICE Report Form: Flight Attendants are encouraged to use the ICE report form to document interactions or issues involving ICE agents. This form can be found on the AFA International website: afacwa.org/icereport.
  • Flight Crew Verification of Employment (VOE) Letter: This documentation would be similar to the COVID-19 letter that was issued by management to all Flight Attendants. The letter would identify the Flight Attendant as an Alaska Airlines employee if approached while on duty, internationally or domestically. As of now, management asks that Flight Attendants keep a copy of their passport on their person or as a photo on their cell phone. 
  • Reminder of Crew Safety: Management issued a reminder in the December 11, 2024, bulletin “Layover And Crew Transportation Safety Reminders.” The committee requests that the reminder be republished for Flight Attendants
  • Cultural Tattoos: Continued discussion surrounding Cultural tattoos. Management hasn’t finalized a decision on this policy. As of now, each pre-merger airline’s policy remains in place.
  • Culture & Belonging: The Culture & Belonging department is developing within. More interaction for and with employees, more recognition programs, and resources. Resources for hosting/suggesting events within or outside of the company, as well as continuing to keep employees updated on events and Heritage months on Team AAG.
  • CSM (Customer Service Manual) Jumpseat Dress Code Verbiage: Verbiage has been updated to reflect gender-neutral language. 
  • SEA Village Inclusivity For SEA-Based Hawaiian Flight Attendants: Asking management to ensure the SEA Village is more welcoming for our SEA-based Hawaiian Flight Attendants with the opening of the new domicile.
  • Transition of Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group to a New Alaska BRG / Hawaiian ERG: The Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group is becoming an Alaska BRG/Hawaiian ERG. Its mission is to help employees who are struggling with drug or alcohol issues by offering resources, peer support, and educational programs. The group will focus on prevention, recovery, and reducing the stigma around addiction in the workplace. The Committee is reaching out to Culture & Belonging management to discuss this possibility.
  • Optional ADA Rooms: These rooms would be available to those who self-disclose their disability in PeopleSoft. Management’s stance is that if the Flight Attendant has self-disclosed via PeopleSoft, at the time of check-in at the hotel, the hotel must accommodate the Flight Attendant with an ADA-accessible room. This gives the Flight Attendant with disabilities the ability to request ADA-compliant hotel rooms during layovers. Once signed into PeopleSoft, click “Personal Details” then navigate to “Disability” to complete the form.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Wings: The Committee is tracking efforts to allow Flight Attendants to choose to display their personal pronouns (such as she/her, he/him, or they/them) on their uniform wings. The next steps depend on the progress of the merger, which might result in a completely new wing design for everyone.
  2. Land Acknowledgment Signage: The Committee is working to place signs in Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines workplace locations that acknowledge and honor the indigenous communities whose land these workplaces are on. Land acknowledgments are statements that recognize the long-standing relationship between indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.
  3. Batok Tattoos Visible While In Uniform: The Committee is tracking a proposal that would permit Flight Attendants to display traditional Batok tattoos while in uniform. Batok is an ancient form of tattooing practiced by indigenous communities in the Philippine and holds deep cultural significance. Management hasn’t made a final decision on the policy.  
  4. Transition of Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group to a New Alaska BRG / Hawaiian ERG: The Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group is becoming an Alaska BRG/Hawaiian ERG. Its mission is to help employees who are struggling with drug or alcohol issues by offering resources, peer support, and educational programs. The group will focus on prevention, recovery, and reducing the stigma around addiction in the workplace.

We Want to Hear From You!

Do you have feedback for the Committee, concerns you’d like to share, or items you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee is your voice to management. You can find our contact information on the Human Rights & Equity Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Pre-Merger Hawaiian Inflight Service Committee Update – March 2026

Editor’s Note: Our MEC Inflight Service Committee now represents both pre-merger airlines, but management still makes service decisions that affect each group of Flight Attendants differently. This update covers changes for both Hawaiian- and Alaska-branded flying, but is specific to aircraft flown by pre-merger Hawaiian Airlines crews.

As the work of the merger progresses, we are nearing a monumental milestone. The operation cutover to PSS (Single Passenger Service System) occurs on 4/22. From the perspective of Inflight Service, PSS signifies the beginning of change for our Inflight work routines. Your Inflight Service Committee has been working diligently to represent your interests over the last several months to prepare for the changes that you will begin to see onboard the aircraft.

Who makes up our AFA Inflight Service Committee?

Master Executive Council (MEC) – deals with issues at a combined carrier level

  • Bianca McKee, Chairperson – Hawaiian Brand
  • Chase Vandergrift, Chairperson – Alaska Brand

Local Council – deals with issues at a local (or base) level

  • Thalia Adachi, Chairperson for Council 43 (HNL)
  • Gary Mano’i, Chairperson for Council 47 (LAX & SEA pmHA)

What has the Committee been working on?

  • 787 International – HA Brand
  • 787 International & Domestic – AS Brand
  • SEA Base Immersion Training
  • The Future of Hawaiian Branded Service
  • B2B App & Early Adopter Group
  • Service Resource Update
  • Safety Risk Assessments
  • Cabin Interior Projects

787 International – HA Brand

  • Main Cabin Delivery & TSU Collection Procedures have been updated following Flight Attendant feedback
  • All 787 flights will transition to Alaska Branded Service starting April 25

787 International & Domestic – AS Brand

Starting April 25, all flights operated on the 787 will launch with Alaska branded service.

Planning for these service changes began in late 2025. Management called on the HA Service Team for their onboard expertise to assist in building service procedures that meet the company’s competitive service goals. Our AFA Inflight Service Committee was also included in discussions. The HA Service Team members currently include Kahea Ching, Corynn St. Marie, Joyce Foley, George Thronas, Chason Yamaguchi, Bianca Mckee (AFA), Thalia Adachi (AFA), and Gary Mano’i (AFA).

Details around 787 service changes will be shared in depth at SEA Base Immersion Training. Service resources are being developed by management to be made available to all Flight Attendants.

International:

Four service test flights on SEA-ICN were operated by the service team and AFA Inflight Service Committee for the service model to be used for SEA-FCO/LHR/ICN/NRT. These test flights helped to determine deliverability & service flow.

The Committee continues to express concerns over staffing and heavy Flight Attendant workload. It is important to note that at this time the Committee has not given its full agreement to service changes that management plans to implement. Updates will be shared as we continue to advocate for a manageable workload onboard the aircraft.

Domestic:

Domestic 787 flights will mirror current day Alaska Airlines Premium Long-Haul Service. The Committee has requested that meal options be limited at launch to allow Flight Attendants time to learn the new process.

A brief overview of the 787 Domestic Alaska Brand Service:

  • First Class Pre-Ordered Meals
  • No complimentary main cabin meal
  • Premium Class Snack Basket
  • Limited pre-ordered fresh meal options available for purchase in the main cabin
  • Shelf-stable meal options over boarded to be made available for purchase

Immersion Training for SEA-Based Flight Attendants

On Friday, March 20, Vice President of Inflight Allen Thieman sent a SEA Domicile Update to Flight Attendants including the following information about SEA base Immersion Training:

“The Alaska Global Immersion is an in-person experience at our Global Training Center for our new Seattle domiciled Flight Attendants that is designed to:

  • Set our HA SEA Flight Attendants up for success delivering our global experience from our Seattle gateway
  • Align service flow expectations, onboard service, and guest experience standards
  • Give Flight Attendants direct access to leaders, partners, products, and the broader vision for Seattle as a global gateway”

Immersion training for SEA-based Flight Attendants, who were awarded bids on March 10, will take place from April 7 through 9. Our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons will attend all three days of this training to represent you.

The Future of Hawaiian Branded Service

The Committee is in discussion with management as they look to redesign the Hawaiian Brand service model.

For many, our inflight service is the foundation of our identity and who we are as Hawaiian Airlines. Protecting our brand remains paramount as we navigate forward.

Block2Block (B2B) App & Early Adopter Group

The new inflight app Block2Block (B2B) launches April 22. The Committee has been included in the Early Adopter group to provide feedback to management and the app development team. B2B should already be downloaded on your IMDs. Early Adopters will be distributing new card readers in base CROs throughout the rest of March. Roadshows will continue through April for card reader distribution and in person guidance on Status Recognition and Premium Class Offerings. Please complete your 1st Quarter CBT in Cornerstone prior to April 15. Reference the “Q1 2026 CBT” email for details.

Service Resources Update

Service In-Flight Planning Communications are now available for offline viewing on your IMD:

Content App > All Files > 5. Onboard Service > 0. Latest Updates

Safety Risk Assessments

The MEC Inflight Service Committee has been actively engaged in management’s process to analyze safety risks and corresponding mitigations. Data utilized for Safety Risk Assessments are sourced directly from Intelex. Please continue to document any unsafe work practices, experiences, and/or onboard events within the Intelex system.

Cabin Interior Projects

The MEC Inflight Service Committee has established a consistent and collaborative relationship with the planning teams responsible for future aircraft model acquisitions and scheduled retrofit projects. This proactive engagement ensures that the perspectives and needs of our Members are integrated into the decision-making process at the earliest stages.

Important Dates

April 7-9SEA Base Immersion Training
April 151st Quarter CBTs due in Cornerstone
April 22PSS (Single Passenger Service System)
– B2B goes live, New Credit Card Readers to be used with B2B
– Status Recognition begins
– Extra Comfort turns to Premium Class, Premium Class offering begins
April 25All 787 Flights to Transition To Alaska Branded Service
April 28SEA-FCO Inaugural
April 30Pau Hana App removed from IMDs, sync transactions prior to April 30
May 21SEA-LHR Inaugural

Other Updates

Catering Reports

Due to the HA emailing sunsetting on April 23, catering reports will need to be submitted as follows:

  • March 23 – April 21: Flight Attendants are directed to submit catering reports via Intelex
  • April 22: B2B goes live. Flight Attendants will be directed to submit catering reports via the “catering and service feedback” tab found under your selected flight.

AFA Inflight Service Committee Lounge Sits

We’d like to hear from you! Please visit our AFA Inflight Service Committee in the HNL CRO from 9 AM to 1 PM on the following dates: April 14,15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 28.

*Lounge Sits for pmHA LAX and SEA will take place at a later date.

AFA News in Review – March 27, 2026

In This Edition

  • 2025-2028 CBA Final Document
  • Hawaiian Seattle Domicile Council 43 and Council 47 Meeting Recap
  • Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026
  • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026
  • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026
  • Next Week’s Events

2025-2028 CBA Final Document

Originally posted March 24, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

The final 2025-2028 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) document is complete and has been sent for printing. Be on the lookout for information from your Local Council if you are interested in a printed copy of the CBA. The final 2025-2028 CBA hyperlinked document is also complete and loaded on the IMD and online.

Read More >

Hawaiian Seattle Domicile Council 43 and Council 47 Meeting Recap

Originally posted March 25, 2026 | Pre-Merger Hawaiian

Our SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee continues to advocate for clear and consistent guidelines regarding moving expenses and reimbursement for Flight Attendants. The committee remains committed to addressing members’ concerns and ensuring contractual compliance. As the grievance process moves forward, Flight Attendants are encouraged to document their interactions and stay engaged in upcoming opportunities to seek clarification from management.

Read More >

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

Originally posted March 26, 2026

From recurring fume events on the A330 and A321 to proposals for streamlined emergency procedures, this month’s Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) meeting tackled significant safety and operational challenges. Read on for highlights such as new exit row safety initiatives, service cart injury risks, and the rollout of European flying validation flights and updated reporting tools.

Read More >

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – March 2026

Originally posted March 27, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Stay informed with the latest updates on pay, scheduling, fatigue, and technology—each impacting your experience as a Flight Attendant. This month’s pre-merger Alaska Scheduling Committee meeting highlights offer a look at what’s happening behind the scenes with PBS, Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, and more.

Read More >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

Originally posted March 27, 2026

Our JNC met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC focused on clarifying questions about moving expenses and presented a proposal for Sick Leave, using feedback from Flight Attendants to guide improvements. The Committee is working to incorporate the strongest elements from both contracts to ensure better support for all Members.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Wednesday, April 1LEC Officer Elections: Nominations Open –Council 19 (SEA pmAS), Council 39 (PDX), Council 43 (HNL)
Wednesday, April 1Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 13 – March 2026

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • Our JNC met with management this week on March 24 to March 26 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for April 28 to April 30
  • Our JNC continued to focus on improving Sections 15 (Leaves of Absence) and 28 (Domiciles), working to clarify issues and provide better support for Flight Attendants
  • A new Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments) and the first proposal for Section 16 (Sick Leave) was presented to management, based on member feedback from the sick leave survey

Negotiations Update

Our AFA Alaska + Hawaiian Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management. The JNC met with management on March 24 to March 26 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants  Representing Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberJoe Wonderly, Vice President, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Heather Reier, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberMike Link, Labor Relations Program Manager, Alaska
Paula Mastrangelo, AFA Senior Staff NegotiatorKaren Themelis, Senior Labor Relations Business Partner, Alaska
Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee ChairpersonBrittany Audette, Managing Director Operations Staffing and Resource Management
 Rich Hendrickson, Finance Process Manager

In this session, we continued to focus on the concerns identified in Section 15 (Leaves of Absence) and Section 28 (Domiciles). We also presented our first proposal for Section 16 (Sick Leave) to management that captures important Alaska provisions and brings in the benefits of the Hawaiian sick leave program. Your feedback on the survey helped the Committee understand what matters most to Flight Attendants, and we are pushing for more improvements to address all of our needs going forward.

A new Section was also proposed as Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments). We modeled our proposal on the Hawaiian CBA, along with provisions from other global carriers. Jake Jones, AFA’s MEC Scheduling Chairperson, together with Brittany Audette and Rich Hendrickson from management, joined us to talk through creating the framework and process for programming the buddy bidding process for company-required training. We discussed possible scenarios, important questions, and the steps needed to match operational needs with bidding preferences so we can successfully automate buddy bidding into the training process.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA is being used as the basis of the joint contract for language purposes. Each section and provision from both contracts will be reviewed individually to incorporate and amend the strongest elements from each agreement.

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • Sick Leave (AS CBA Section 16 and HA CBA Section 19)
  • Domiciles (AS CBA Section 28 and HA CBA Section 5, 14, and 27)
  • 🆕 Temporary Duty Assignments (AS CBA does not address these provisions and HA CBA 15)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)
  • Commuter Policy (AS CBA Section 26 and HA CBA Section 34-28)
  • Training (AS CBA Section 30 and HA CBA Section 26)

Sections listed below are on hold until discussions regarding future sections, which affect specific provisions, take place.

  • Seniority (AS CBA Section 6 and HA CBA Section 9)
  • Grievance Procedures (AS CBA Section 19 and HA CBA Section 23)
  • Charters (AS CBA Section 33 and HA CBA Section 12)

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for April 28 to April 30.

System Board of Adjustment Interviews – June 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Our Master Executive Council (MEC) will be conducting interviews for one (1) Member to serve on the pre-merger Alaska AFA System Board of Adjustment. Scope Members are to serve on the System Board of Adjustment for the purpose of arbitrating any disputes or grievances that may arise […]

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Update – May 2026

With three domiciles now operated by pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, the Seattle Domicile Negotiating Committee would like to clarify how out-of-domicile pickups and trades work. Trips in the ETCH folder must be cleared in their home domicile before they are available for pickup or trade by Flight Attendants from other bases. Additionally, if you wish to pick up a SEA 787-9 pairing but are not based in SEA, you must order the Dreamliner uniform through Affinity Apparel.

AFA Committee Focus Month: EAP/Professional Standards

We’re excited to launch our first AFA Committee Focus Month this month. This program will help you get to know the different AFA Committees, all made up of volunteer Flight Attendants, the work they do for us, and the resources available to you. We’re starting by highlighting our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee, which lines […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 14 – April 2026

The JNC continued its thorough review of both the Alaska and Hawaiian vacation systems, engaging in productive discussions with key company stakeholders. A collaborative approach was proposed to address the complex provisions, ensuring that all parties’ needs are considered. Looking ahead, the committee is preparing to gather feedback through a Crew Meal Survey and anticipates further sessions with management from June 2 to June 4.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States—a time to celebrate the vibrant stories, achievements, and enduring impact of these communities. Their cultures, traditions, and innovations have enriched every facet of American life, from art and science to activism and public service. What started in 1978 as a weeklong observance […]

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