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AFA News in Review – October 17, 2025

In This Edition

  • Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025
  • U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement
  • Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results
  • Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results
  • ICYMI: Stand Up for Our Rights October 18
  • Next Week’s Events

Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025

Originally posted October 15, 2025

Stay informed with the latest Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee updates, including changes to the Boeing 787-9 SEA-ICN and SEA-NRT service and the transition of Extra Comfort to “Premium Class.” Read on for details about catering, pre-recorded announcements, and important safety reminders as we head into the winter season.

Read More >

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement

Originally posted October 15, 2025

Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to the rules surrounding how airlines report information about passengers and crew before flights using a system called Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). Going forward, APIS will only accept “M” for male or “F” for female in the gender field, and airlines will need to choose one of these options even if a traveler’s document shows a different gender indicator or none at all.

Read More >

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

Originally posted October 17, 2025

This week, our MEC announced the newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives who will lead the way for our next group of merged MEC committees. Learn about the Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairpersons and Representatives who are set to begin their roles on November 1.

Read More >

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

Originally posted October 17, 2025 | Pre-Merger Alaska

We’re excited to announce the results of the elections for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions for the upcoming MEC Officer term. Congratulations to the newly elected Flight Attendants who will serve as part our Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Reserve Committee, and Scheduling Committee starting January 1, 2026.

Read More >

ICYMI: Stand Up for Our Rights October 18

When our rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!

In our workplaces, across the country, and around the world, our rights are under attack. Due process is being denied. Freedom of expression is under attack. And Flight Attendants at non-union carriers are being fired for protected speech expressed in off hours and outside connection to the workplace.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, October 21 – Thursday, October 23Joint Contract Negotiations
Wednesday, October 22Monthly Communications Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 23SAN Base Safety Meeting

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Election Results

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee positions to be elected for the upcoming MEC Officer term. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) LOSA Representative: David Lake
MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) ASAP Primary Representative: Brad Young
MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) ASAP Alternate Representative: Ronda Ruderman
MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) FRB Primary Representative: Brad Young
MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson: Julie Thornton
MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson: Jake Jones
MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – Pairing Construction: Karen Ferrell
MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS: Virginia Fritz
MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Members: Adam Clarey, Melodie Anderes, and Krystal Kehrli
MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Primary Representative: Bianca Dew
MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Alternate Representative: Russel Rivinius

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives will carry out their respective roles specific to our six pre-merger Alaska Local Councils as we continue to navigate the merger process. They’ll begin the transition into their roles over the next few months, with their official term beginning on January 1, 2026. They will serve for the upcoming MEC Officer election cycle from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

If you have any questions about the pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

Merged MEC Committee Chairperson Election Results

During this week’s MEC Meeting, our MEC held interviews for the next group of merged MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives. We want to thank everyone who expressed interest in the available positions and their willingness to serve. After careful consideration and deliberation, the following candidates have been elected:

MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson: Seth Heiple
MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairpersons: Brad Young and Kerri Ruiz
MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Air Quality Representative: Deb Wallstrom

These newly elected MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives will coordinate the activities of their respective merged committees across both airlines. They’ll support the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils—both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian. Their official term will begin on November 1, 2025. They’ll serve for the remainder of the current MEC Officer election cycle (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025), as well as for the upcoming cycle (January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028).

If you have any questions about the MEC Committee Chairperson elections, please reach out to your LEC President.

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Gender Code Requirement

Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes to the rules surrounding how airlines report information about passengers and crew before flights. This system is called the Advance Passenger Information System, or APIS. These changes are in response to a Presidential Executive Order.

What is APIS?

APIS is a system that airlines are legally required to use to send information about passengers and crew members to CBP before an international flight departs. This includes details like a person’s name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and passport number. The information is cross-referenced against law enforcement databases for potential risks or problems before travelers arrive in the United States. The goal is to enhance national security by identifying inadmissible individuals before they arrive in the United States, while also speeding up the process for legitimate travelers.

It’s important to note that Flight Attendants do not handle APIS information directly. Instead, Customer Service Agents (CSAs) are responsible for entering the required data into the Passenger Service System, which transmits to APIS.

What Has Changed?

Currently, APIS allows entries of “M” for male and “F” for female to indicate gender. Previously, it also accepted other letters without causing issues. Starting October 13, 2025, the system will only accept “M” or “F” in the gender field. If an airline tries to submit anything else, APIS will return an error, meaning they will have to fix the entry. If a traveler’s document shows a different gender indicator or none at all, the airline or the traveler will need to choose either “M” or “F.”

How Will This Work At Alaska and Hawaiian?

This change will affect Flight Attendants who are operating, deadheading, and traveling for pleasure on international flights to or from the United States. We have reached out to management to find out how they plan to address situations where a passenger’s documents don’t match the new requirements. We are still waiting for their response.

Hawaiian Brand Inflight Service Committee Update – 3rd Quarter 2025

Our AFA Inflight Service Committee holds regular meetings and discussions with management to receive updates, address Flight Attendant concerns, and advocate for improvements in our workplace. Although our Inflight Service Committee has now merged, meetings with management continue to focus primarily on the Alaska or Hawaiian brands individually. This particular update is centered on the Hawaiian brand.

As we move forward, the Committee remains dedicated to providing comprehensive updates on service for both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands. We aim to present this information in ways that reflect the distinct work being done for each brand, whether individually or collectively.

Representing you in conversations with management is MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson—Hawaiian Brand Bianca McKee. Representing management are Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Wendy Kong and Principal Product Manager Service Strategy Jesse Starmer.

Development of the Boeing 787-9 Service

The company put together a Medium Haul and Long Haul Focus Group to develop the inflight service prior to putting the 787 into service. Flight Attendant volunteers and AFA Representatives worked to evaluate and provide feedback to marketing and inflight service management. This included testing the service and catering to identify core issues and areas for improvement. The company Focus Groups continue to meet periodically to address continuing issues and to improve the effectiveness of the service. The Committee is actively involved in the Focus Groups while also meeting on a regular basis to address new and ongoing concerns.

Key Highlights for 787-9 SEA International Service

SEA-ICN

  • “Zone” to “Train”: To account for the standard crew of nine Flight Attendants, the main cabin is left with five Flight Attendants to complete main cabin service. The feedback we received was that servicing with an odd number of Flight Attendants resulted in lengthy service times, lopsided delivery, heavy Flight Attendant workload, and overly complicated cart set-up and breakdown. We have worked with management from servicing specific zones to serving from front-to-back in a train-style method. Train service was launched with the inaugural of SEA-ICN. We’ve since found areas for improvement, updates to the service flow are expected to be implemented on October 15. Please check the IFS website SEA-NRT/ICN Onboard Service for updates (HA login required).
  • Main Cabin Mid-Flight Sandwich Service: The Committee was unsuccessful at eliminating this service entirely. We were able to find a compromise with management by removing beverage refills on both SEA-ICN and ICN-SEA to allow for mid-flight service on the SEA-ICN leg. The mid-flight cold sandwich service will only occur on daytime operated departures. Diurnal (red eye) departures will have cold sandwich offerings available in the aft galley upon request.
  • Mid-Flight Sandwich Options: The Committee advocated for a one-option sandwich choice. Similar to our North America Medium Haul Service, vegetarian options are to be served upon request only.
  • Meal Service: Meal carts include racks for entree loading and meals will no longer need to be loaded on to individual TSUs.
  • Main Cabin 1st Meal Service: Starting October 15, TSUs will no longer be double stacked.
  • Main Cabin 2nd Meal Service: We have received numerous reports regarding the ineffectiveness of the quarter-meal tray. The negative feedback included flimsy trays, difficulty to load and reach, did not link to each other, and would get stuck on the cart stabilizer. The Committee has suggested transitioning back to a “bagged” meal service or to source a more effective tray. Management is working with their supplier to source new trays with a delivery date of early 2026.

SEA-NRT

  • Transition from the A330 to 787: Zone-style service will continue on the A330 until the route transitions to the 787 in January (subject to change).
  • Main Cabin 1st Meal Service: Despite evaluating several other options, we were unable to eliminate the double-stacked TSU’s. Primarily due to space constraints.
  • Mid-Flight Ice Cream Service: The ice cream service was moved to mid-flight on daytime operated departures to align with SEA-ICN service flow. In alignment with SEA-ICN, beverage refills were removed.
  • Main Cabin 2nd Meal Service: Parallel to the SEA-ICN, management is working to source a new quarter-meal tray with a delivery date of early 2026. Meal carts include racks for entree loading to alleviate set up time. Meals will no longer need to be loaded on to individual TSU’s.
  • Diurnal (red-eye) Service Flow (NRT-SEA only): With the elimination of the first beverage service, the first meal service is to commence after take-off followed by hand delivered ice cream.

Other Service Updates

Hawaiian Catering to migrate to the Alaska IFX System

  • Catering Change Requests: On hold until February 1, 2026, unless service flow changes are deemed necessary or a safety concern is identified.
  • December Domestic & South Pacific Menu Change: On hold. The current menu will run until January 31, 2026.
  • New Cart Diagram & Carrier Tags: Will go live on November 5 for domestic flights and December 10 for international flights. Please follow the IFS website Catering and Service for details (HA login required).

Pre-Recorded Announcements (PRAM)

  • 787 Pre-Recorded Announcements: in progress, target date early 2026
  • Digital Agriculture Form Announcement: in progress

Extra Comfort to change to “Premium Class”

  • Premium Class: Seats previously designated Extra Comfort will be sold as “Premium Class” starting on October 14. Please follow the IFS website for details.
  • Headrest: All HA metal Extra Comfort headrests will be replaced with a Premium Class headrest.
  • Retrofit Chart: The Committee has requested to have a retrofit chart posted on the Aircraft Initiatives page on the FS website once retrofit begins (HA login required).
  • Premium Class: To launch on HA flights in April 2026. Information has been shared to the public on Alaska Air News Hub and on the IFS website (HA login required).

Beverage Updates

  • Mai Tai Predeparture Box: Options are being explored to have pre-departure mai tais available in a larger format as opposed to individual mini bottles. 
  • Juice Boxes: Will be returning in early 2026.

Turbulence Awareness

  • Safety First: As we enter the winter season, please feel empowered to put your safety first. No onboard service should be held above Flight Attendant safety. Continue to Intelex service deviations and safety concerns.

Continued Discussion with Management

The Committee meets with management monthly to discuss ongoing concerns and new developments. We are actively engaging in conversations with management to address staffing issues, which have been identified as a primary concern by Flight Attendants. 

As we navigate through challenging transitions under new management, it becomes increasingly important to drive changes through reporting. Please continue to submit Intelex Reports regarding any service issues.  Issues with catering can be submitted by email to ha.catering@hawaiianair.com. 

The Committee is committed to advocating for Flight Attendants by driving positive change for inflight services. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your LEC Officers and our Inflight Service Committee at inflightservice@afaalaska.org.

MEC Officer Election Results

With the current Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers’ term ending on December 31, 2025, our MEC held elections this week for the next term. According to the AFA-CWA Constitution and Bylaws, each of the eight Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents casts one vote for each officer position. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected […]

Sick Leave Survey Deadline Extended

Our JNC has received reports that some Flight Attendants may not have received the Sick Leave Survey email due to technical issues. Please check your spam or junk folder. The survey deadline has been extended to Friday, November 21, at Noon PT, allowing everyone to participate.

Sick Leave Survey Closing Soon

There’s just 1 DAY LEFT to complete the Sick Leave Survey that will help shape future provisions. Our JNC is eager to hear your thoughts on which elements of our paid sick leave policy are most meaningful to you, as we strive to improve our support for your needs. The survey is currently open and will remain available until Tuesday, November 11 at Noon PT.

Council 30 (ANC) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 30 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Anchorage. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: LeiLauni ScheidemanLEC Vice President: Heather ReierLEC Secretary: Anne Madsen View the certified election results here >> These newly elected officers […]

Apps To Help You Save Money On Food

Our AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee recognizes that Flight Attendants may be facing increasing challenges when it comes to accessing affordable food, whether on the road or at home. We want you to know that you are not alone. In response to these difficulties, we have compiled a list of apps to help […]

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