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Alaska Flight 1282 and MAX 9 Aircraft FAA Action Update

Master Executive Council (MEC)

The Flight Attendants and Pilots of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 are true heroes who displayed quick thinking and bravery during an explosive decompression incident that occurred during takeoff from PDX last night. Thanks to their exceptional skills, all passengers and crew were able to reach the ground safely. We proudly commend the entire crew for their outstanding performance, and our union fully supports them. Our Master Executive Council (MEC) and other AFA Representatives were privileged to sit in on a debrief today with these brave Flight Attendants.

AFA Officers and Representatives have been in constant meetings with management starting last night, continually advocating for transparency and timely communication with our workgroup. Although we fully acknowledge the constantly evolving situation, we are beyond disappointed that it took most of the day to receive detailed communication from management. Management must do better! 

We are diligently and rigorously monitoring the situation to ensure that no aircraft are returned to service until they are deemed completely safe. AFA is taking an active and robust role in the NTSB investigation, and we stand fully behind the process for obtaining comprehensive safety findings and implementing necessary actions. We realize that you may have questions about the incident, and many of these may only be answered once the NTSB has completed its investigation and issued its report.

The MAX 9’s temporary grounding has caused some flight cancellations and reassignments. Flight Attendants should refer to the relevant sections of the contract for clear instructions on reassignment, hotel bookings, and return to base requirements.

Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders — trained for emergencies, and we work every flight for aviation safety first and foremost. We fly only when it’s safe.

AFA EAP is always available to support any Flight Attendant in need at (949) 470-0493.

AFA Alaska Statement on Alaska Airlines Decision To Temporarily Ground 737-9 MAX Fleet

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Alaska Airlines has announced the temporary grounding of the Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft fleet after the recent incident on Alaska Flight 1282. Our Union strongly believes this decision is a prudent and necessary step toward ensuring the utmost safety of all crewmembers and passengers. We will closely monitor the maintenance and safety inspection process by management to ensure that aircraft are not returned to service until they are deemed safe for all.

The temporary grounding of the 737-9 MAX fleet will inevitably lead to flight cancellations, reassignments, and strandings. Flight Attendants should review sections 10.S (Pre-Cancellations) and 10.R (Reassignments) of our contract, as well as the Pre-Cancellation and Reassignment flowcharts available on the AFA Alaska website, to understand your obligations and options in these situations. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

AFA EAP is always available to offer support to any Flight Attendant in need at (800) 424-2406.

AFA Alaska Statement on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Our Union is taking immediate action and providing support to the Flight Attendants on board Alaska Flight 1282 at PDX. Flight Attendants described the decompression as explosive, and one Flight Attendant sustained minor injuries. The situation could have turned catastrophic without the exceptional skills and professionalism of the working Flight Attendants and pilots. We commend the entire crew for their outstanding work under such trying circumstances.

We are working closely with AFA Safety and EAP and have already established contact with the NTSB and the FAA. As this is a serious incident, Alaska Airlines management must take all necessary and immediate action required to ensure the safety of crew members and passengers in light of today’s events. Our Union will closely monitor management’s response and ensure their actions live up to the company’s value of “owning safety.”

We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the heroic actions of the Alaska Flight Attendants in handling the situation with utmost bravery and composure. We will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available. AFA EAP is always available to offer support to any Flight Attendant in need at (800) 424-2406.

AFA Alaska News in Review – January 5, 2024

In This Edition

Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action – Tuesday, February 13

Originally posted January 3, 2024

Flight Attendants across the industry are fighting to raise the standards for our career. More than two-thirds of the U.S. Flight Attendants are in contract negotiations right now, including red-hot contract fights at Alaska, Air Wisconsin, United, Omni, American, Southwest, Frontier, PSA, Mesa and more. 

Plan to bid the day off and join us on Tuesday, February 13, at more than 30 airports for a worldwide day of action and picketing event. It’s our turn.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Ballots Are In The Mail

Ballots were mailed today in preparation for our Strike Vote, which begins Monday, January 8 at 9 AM PT. Our MEC and Negotiating Committee urge you to vote FOR the Strike Authorization and send a unified message to management. Pay us or CHAOS™!

Read more here >

Unpaid

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants show up for a lot of unpaid work – it’s time to change that! Alaska management exploits our labor with an outdated pay structure. We deserve compensation for every minute of work. Pay us or CHAOS™!

Watch Our Instagram Reel >

Next Week’s Events

Monday, January 8Strike Vote Opens @ 9 AM PT
Tuesday, January 9 – Wednesday, January 10Regular MEC Meeting
Thursday, January 11Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Thursday, January 11Scheduling Review Board (SRB)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

Find Us on Social Media

You can find the most up-to-date official information on our AFA Alaska social media accounts.  Click below and follow so you can stay connected!

ANC Council 30 January 2024 Updates

In This Edition:

  • ANC Mobilization Chair, Rebecca Owens
  • AFA Alaska Strike Vote
  • SIDA Badge Privileges 
  • AFA Text Messaging from AFA Alaska MEC

ANC Mobilization Chair

A very warm welcome to Rebecca Owens, who recently accepted the role of Mobilization Chair for our ANC flight attendants. We are excited for Rebecca’s enthusiastic approach to union work and we look forward to her representing our Mobilization Committee.

A special thank you to Rebekah Olds, for stepping in and becoming our interim Mobilization Chair and organizing our group for the December 2023 picket! And thank you to Thresia Raynor and Lindsay Raber-Adams for their previous work on the committee. 

If you are interested in becoming a Mobilization Committee volunteer, please visit https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/mobilization/volunteer/signup/ or email anc.mobilization.chair@afaalaska.org. 

AFA Alaska MEC Authorizes Strike Vote 

For over a year, we have fought at the bargaining table for a contract that recognizes our value as Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines. Your Master Executive Council (MEC), in coordination with AFA International, has decided it’s time to take the next step in our fight for a new contract. That step is a strike vote.

The proposed merger with Hawaiian Airlines will not distract or delay our fight for our contract. Now more than ever, we must raise the standard for our careers prior to any merger. We will be strategic and use our leverage in this merger to secure an industry leading agreement. Management’s actions have made it abundantly clear that they have the money.

It’s time to Pay Us or CHAOS™.

Video message on the Strike Authorization Vote from Jeffrey Peterson, AFA Alaska MEC President and Chairperson of the Negotiating Committee. 


Ballots will be mailed January, 3, 2024. Please remember that flight attendants must be in good standing with AFA to vote. Contact ANC LEC Secretary, Annie Madsen, to check your status. 


For the most up to date strike vote info, visit https://contract2022.afaalaska.org/strikevote/.

ANC SIDA Badge Privileges 

Anchorage flight attendants are in the unique position of being allowed SIDA badge privileges to gain access to secure areas of the airport. Please take a moment to refresh your knowledge of when you can and cannot use your badge. 

  • SIDA is ONLY to be used when working a flight in uniform.
  • SIDA CANNOT be used while deadheading whether in uniform or not. KCM or regular security must be used instead.
  • SIDA CANNOT be used for personal travel, this includes commuting.
  • If you SEE someone bypassing security call airport police IMMEDIATELY and then contact any leader. If this is not followed, the person witnessing the event can also have their SIDA suspended.
  • If you are assigned airport standby you may use your SIDA to access the C5 elevator to preboard and/or work a flight.
  • Once you scan your SIDA badge into a secure area, you are REQUIRED to follow ALL TSA directions. This includes bag searches and body pat downs. Failure or refusal to do so may be considered breach of security and may result in disciplinary action. 

Important Text Messages from AFA MEC

We are excited to announce a new way to receive messages from the MEC. You can now sign up for text message updates from AFA Alaska. Initially, these will only be messages being sent from the MEC level. We are looking at ways to utilize this from the local level and more information will come soon. We will not flood your phones with messages. AFA Alaska text messages will only be sent for significant events and time-sensitive alerts. You can visit the sign-up page to enroll. 

In Solidarity,

LeiLauni, Heather and Annie

Go In-Depth with Our AFA Membership Engagement Committee Chairperson

Building on the momentum of our Membership Engagement Committee introduction video and this week’s look at the committee’s history, we’re excited to introduce the next feature of our July Committee Focus Month. Today, we’re launching an in-depth interview that offers an inside look at the mission and people powering the Membership Engagement Committee. What You’ll […]

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Thursday, August 6

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants As a follow-up to our June 23 save-the-date announcement, we’re excited to share full details and open registration for our August pre-merger Alaska Reserve Webinar! If you’ve ever wondered, “Can they do that?” when Crew Scheduling calls with a reserve assignment or schedule change—whether you’re a Reserve Flight […]

AFA Committee Focus Month: Membership Engagement

July marks our latest AFA Committee Focus Month, and we’re excited to spotlight our Membership Engagement Committee. In May, we kicked off this initiative by showcasing the exceptional work of our EAP/Professional Standards Committee—illustrating how our committees serve and support us every day. Our Membership Engagement Committee is here to make sure every Member feels genuinely […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 16 – July 2026

The JNC has been actively negotiating key sections of the contract, focusing on vacation, sick leave, and temporary duty assignments. A tentative agreement was reached on Section 37 (Temporary Duty Assignments), ensuring financial protections and fair treatment for Flight Attendants during temporary assignments. These ongoing discussions demonstrate a commitment to integrating the best benefits from both Alaska and Hawaiian CBAs for all members.

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

On Wednesday, June 24, 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 were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Yan Yan Teague (SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Trista Vanta (SFO), Louise Borras (LAX-pmAS), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX-pmHA), […]

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