Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2026

On Thursday, June 11, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met with management to represent our Flight Attendants and advance meaningful improvements in our workplace. Your representatives at the meeting included Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), Gary Manoi (LAX pmHA), Andrew Malone (SAN), and Thalia Adachi (HNL). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons Chase Vandergrift (Alaska Brand) and Bianca McKee (Hawaiian Brand) guided the discussion.

The Committee met with Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Director of Food & Beverage Products Mita Padhi, Manager of Food & Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Principal of Food & Beverage Programs Gracie Truex, Food & Beverage Planning Systems Manager Andrea Carns, Senior Food & Beverage Product Manager Gayatri Watwe, Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Jesse Starmer, Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Wendy Kong, Cabin Product Director Christopher Dela Rosa, Director of Cabin Experience David Scotland, Principal of Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Product Manager Ryan Williams, Principal Product Manager of Inflight Mobile Alyssa Fornek along with other management representatives from the inflight mobile team, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, and Manager of Catering Performance Daniel Lluberes, along with other management representatives of the catering operations team.

While this meeting was originally intended to cover both the Alaska and Hawaiian brands, it primarily focused on the Alaska brand. The Committee strongly advocated for expanding future quarterly meetings to two days to enable more comprehensive dialogue. Although management is not willing to extend the meeting duration at this time, they acknowledge the importance of dedicating more time to these discussions. Historically, the pre-merger Alaska Committee has met quarterly, while the pre-merger Hawaiian Committee has held monthly meetings with management. Until additional time is secured for the Hawaiian brand in the merged quarterly meetings, pre-merger Hawaiian Committee Chairpersons will continue holding their own monthly Committee meetings with management to address projects specific to pre-merger Hawaiian aircraft. Given this meeting structure, this update may not cover every issue relevant to pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, but future communications will provide further details.

The next quarterly committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24.

Topics of Discussion

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

Elite Recognition

• Alaska Legacy Brand: The Committee recognizes and understands the importance of elite recognition, however it’s no secret that the current system is flawed. It’s inconsistent and confusing for both Flight Attendants and passengers, and creates uncomfortable interactions when chocolate bar supplies run short, or they’re requested in first class. Management also recognizes the need for a program overhaul. When elite recognition began, there was a single qualifying elite tier and a single main cabin service level. Since then, three additional elite tiers have been added, along with Premium Class and complimentary meals for top-tier elites. The Committee and management have a shared goal of streamlining this process in the cabin and look forward to sharing upcoming changes as they are developed.
• Hawaiian Brand and Alaska Global Brand: A version of the Elite Recognition Program was launched for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants on April 22 at PSS. Currently, complimentary meal options are not available, chocolates are offered only on 787 domestic flights, and beverage benefits for elites remain unclear. This has created confusion for both crews and passengers. The Committee continues to raise these concerns with management and is advocating for clearer communication and better education moving forward.

Exit Row transition to Premium Class

• Alaska Legacy Brand: Management accelerated the transition with limited notice and without an opportunity to review the service flow. There was not enough time to add key cabin elements such as premium row placards, reserved overhead bin markers, or updated headrest covers. Placard installation will occur from September through December, but headrest updates are not planned. Management acknowledges the onboard service challenges and has committed to testing new options and making adjustments, starting with exploring service flow changes to help crews deliver mid-flight beverage refill service more efficiently on Premium Long Haul flights.
• Hawaiian Brand and Alaska Global Brand: The transition from Hawaiian’s Extra Comfort to Premium Class took place on April 22 at PSS. With the current Premium Class seat configurations, Flight Attendants are often left explaining to disappointed passengers that some perks don’t come with certain seats. Since the launch, there’s also been confusion about the Premium Class beverage policy. On Legacy Alaska Brand flights, passengers are limited to one alcoholic beverage per scheduled service (double if requested) plus one additional beverage upon request. The Committee has asked management to provide clear communication of these policies to the pre-merger Hawaiian workgroup.

Bamboo Cutlery Packs (Alaska Legacy Brand and Alaska Global Brand)

• The new bamboo cutlery packs were ordered with only a knife, fork, and napkin, but lacked a spoon. Originally, spoons were intended to be loaded separately; however, due to the opaque brown paper packaging and lack of labeling, this has proven too challenging for kitchens to execute, leading to frequent reports of missing spoons. Additionally, when these products were used for 787 meal service, they required two separate cutlery packs to be loaded onto each meal tray, and any cart movement after loading caused them to shift and fall off, getting lost in the cart and slowing service.
• New 4-in-1 cutlery packages—including a spoon—have been ordered and will begin appearing systemwide in five to six weeks. On the 787, this transition will be accelerated, so crews may encounter some temporary cutlery substitutions to bridge the gap until the permanent solution arrives.

Large Plastic Lids for Base Plates (Alaska Legacy Brand and Alaska Global Brand)

• The material for these lids has been improved for greater structure and stability, and they should already be onboard or appearing soon as kitchens use up existing supplies. The new lids are designed to stay securely in place. Additionally, packing changes have been requested to keep Saran-wrapped pilot meals separate from dishes with plastic lids, preventing them from sticking together and sliding food off the plates. If you notice ongoing issues with lids or plates, please let your Local Inflight Service Committee know.

SEA-KEF Packing Changes in effect on June 17

• Thank you to those of you who have worked the SEA-KEF service since the Inaugural on May 28 and shared valuable feedback with the committee. Several immediate changes have been implemented for these Reykjavik flights as of June 17:
  • An additional bag of First Class tea (5 Portland Breakfast and 5 Chamomile) will be loaded in the forward beverage cart. Please continue to report any missing varieties or shortages. Unfortunately, all the menus for the season were printed before the Committee received a preview, and the tea numbers were omitted and cannot be added. Management has committed to sending menu previews to the Committee for review prior to final printing in the future.
  • The oven gloves and wine opener will be swapped to align with Alaska Airlines’ standard specs.
  • First Class menus will be shrink-wrapped in packages of 17 to prevent shortages.
  • First Class linens will be increased to 2 packs of 10 each (date TBD).
  • Pilot meals will be moved so the Saran Wrap does not stick to the charcuterie platter plastic lids.
  • The five-piece cutlery roll-up will move off the TSU and instead replace the cutlery served with the charcuterie plate. The linen napkin and unused pieces will be retained for the primary meal service.
  • Tomato juice will be removed from the juice drawers. It was shipped to KEF in error.
• Additional testing will be scheduled to further optimize the service flow. If you have worked these flights and have feedback on the service or suggestions, please send those to mec.inflightservice.chair.as@afaalaska.org so they can be consolidated and forwarded to management. 

Stumptown Coffee Bags (Alaska Legacy Brand and Alaska Global Brand)

We’ve received many reports about Stumptown brew bags breaking on the 787, along with concerns about poor or inconsistent brew quality. The Committee is actively sharing these concerns with management. We also encourage pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants to report any issues with coffee brew bags or quality on the 737. Your feedback helps us advocate for a better, more comprehensive solution.

787 International (Alaska Global Brand)

• The Committee is grateful for the wealth of feedback we’ve received from our 787 crews. Your insights directly shaped the final service proposal, which is still under review. At this quarterly meeting, we discussed the following:
  • Incorrect Inflight Guides (IFG) being loaded on the aircraft: Management is working with fleet support to ensure that only 787-specific IFGs are loaded. 
  • Too Much & Not Enough: The Committee is working through B2B feedback to address where catering adjustments are needed.
  • Wrong Menus Frequently Loaded: Effective 7/1, menus will have printed route identifiers.
  • Main Cabin Cutlery Issues: As previously mentioned, 4-in-1 cutlery to replace individual cutlery packs
  • Boxed Water Size Too Small for Service on the 787: Switch to 1.5L Bottled Water began on June 10

Catering Operations

• Ice quality will continue to be monitored as we move into the hottest months of summer; however, reports in Block2Block are essential to keeping management and our catering partners accountable for poor-quality ice. 
• Alaska Legacy Brand: A reminder to crews to use the ice catered in drawers first before using any ice stocked in coolers. This includes any extra ice stocked in the aft galley empty cart on medium-haul and long-haul flights that do not receive ice replenishment at the outstation. Ice in coolers should be saved for the downline leg on these flights. 

Bonded Alcohol (Hawaiian Brand and Alaska Global Brand, including SEA-KEF)

• The bonded alcohol process began with the introduction of SEA-FCO/LHR/ICN/KEF. Bonded alcohol refers to duty-free alcohol products that are stored securely in kitchens (“in bond”) and are exempt from local taxes and customs duties, provided they remain unopened and secured in designated carts until after takeoff. This process is a collaborative effort between kitchens and Flight Attendants. Kitchens are directed to fill out the starting inventory of bonded alcohol within a cart, while Flight Attendants are to fill out the closing inventory of bonded alcohol within a cart. Numerous reports have been submitted of incomplete and/or inaccurate forms, incorrectly identifying bonding alcohol, missing seals, gray areas with procedures, missing forms/seals, small font size on forms, etc. The Committee continues to advocate for a streamlined process for bonded alcohol. Management intends to improve the program by the end of June. The bonded alcohol program is expected to carry over to Hawaiian Airlines’ international flights on August 1.  

Cabin Configuration and Wi-Fi

• Atmos Rewards verification will begin rolling out on June 10 and should be available on all Starlink-equipped aircraft by mid-July. Login will require last name, seat, and date of birth. Once this information is entered, the passenger will be prompted to join if they are not an Atmos Rewards member.
• Only 2 of 3 fields must match for a successful login, and it should work for seat swaps.
• The path for minors will skip the Atmos Rewards membership requirement and direct them online.
• Alaska Legacy Brand and Alaska Global Brand:
  • Starlink is scheduled to be installed on all 787 aircraft by the end of 2026
  • All 800 NG aircraft are in the 161-seat configuration with new seats. 
  • Three MAX8s remain in the previous configuration and will fly through the summer before the 161-seat reconfiguration in the fall.
  • Calf rests will be retrofitted with a new part to improve functionality. Installation will begin in September.
  • Starlink installation has been paused due to the summer flying schedule but will ramp up in the fall as aircraft availability improves. New deliveries should be able to proceed with Starlink installation prior to entry into service.
  • The existing Wi-Fi network has been experiencing congestion, especially on the East Coast. Please continue to report issues as they arise using the connectivity tool on your IMD.

Upcoming Changes

• Alaska Legacy Brand and Alaska Global Brand:
  • Menu cycle change for domestic First Class and Main Cabin on September 2 
  • Jetsetter’s Jam optimization and testing
  • Stumptown Cold Brew launched on 737s (please report any stock-outs in Block2Block)
  • Pirates Booty Packaging Rebrand: same product, different packaging 
  • Chef Jew Program ending on June 30
  • 787 International Menu Cycle Change October 21
  • SEA-NRT Transition to the 787 and will adopt the 787 SEA-International service on October 25
  • Explore the 12-oz beverage can transition and options to increase retail.
  • IMD iPhone 17 rollout Q3 with a newly designed case
  • Offline tap-to-pay and sunset of card readers target Q1 2027
• Hawaiian Brand:
  • Hawaiian Onboard Service Enhancements launch July 1. The complimentary sandwich will be removed on Domestic Medium-Haul Flights (Hawaii to all mainland destinations, excluding JFK). The service transition will be pre-order only and will only affect the main cabin on the A330 and A321. Pau Hana Cart Items will still be available for purchase. A more elaborate communication to follow.
  • Expansion of the International Business Class wine offering on August 1 
  • Expansion of the International Main Cabin alcohol offering on August 1
  • Inflight guides to be created for the Main Cabin with Starlink Information, Atmos Rewards, Beverage Offerings, and more.
  • Domestic and International Business Class menu cycle change on September 30
    • Featured Chef Keaka Lee on flights departing from Hawaii
    • Chef Del on flights departing to Hawaii
  • Pau Hana Snack Box Changes – Wet Nap will be removed from the snack boxes.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. Elite Recognition Overhaul: We are actively developing a proposal to present to both our MEC and management for a new, streamlined elite recognition program. Our goal is to create a system that is simple, consistent, and easy for Flight Attendants to deliver, ensuring a positive experience for both crew and passengers.
2. Committee Involvement: In recent months, our MEC has not been included in several service changes and product rollouts, primarily due to management workload and turnover. Our Inflight Service Committee Representatives have strongly reiterated the importance of early and frequent Committee involvement in future projects. We remain committed to advocating for our continued participation to provide meaningful insight and feedback to management at every stage of development.

We Want to Hear from You!

Do you have any other feedback for the Committee or items you’d like to bring 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 + Hawaiian website.