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 7-9 | SEA Base Immersion Training |
| April 15 | 1st Quarter CBTs due in Cornerstone |
| April 22 | PSS (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 25 | All 787 Flights to Transition To Alaska Branded Service |
| April 28 | SEA-FCO Inaugural |
| April 30 | Pau Hana App removed from IMDs, sync transactions prior to April 30 |
| May 21 | SEA-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.
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