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This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

If you haven’t had a chance to register yet, here’s a friendly reminder that we’ll be hosting a webinar tomorrow Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00 HST with your LEC 43 Leadership, Martin Gusman and Kela Chong, as we wrap up the year together. We’ll be recapping 2025, sharing our plans for 2026, and talking about what’s ahead for our Honolulu base in our final LEC webinar of the year. We’ll also have time at the end for a Q&A, so feel free to bring your questions.

Please click HERE to register. As a reminder, please use your personal email address that is on file with the union. Any registrations with your company email will be denied. All members must be in good standing and registrations will close at 10:00 am HST (one hour before the webinar begins). Mahalo for your understanding.

Mahalo for staying engaged with your union leadership. We look forward to sharing this space with you. We hope to see you there.

In Solidarity,
LEC 43 Leadership

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Thursday, December 11, representatives from our AFA Local Reserve Committees met to discuss their ongoing work to advocate for Reserve Flight Attendants. Representing you at the meeting were Conner Gallager (SEA), Anthony Eskander (PDX), Meghan Casey (SFO), Kanako Yamada (LAX), and Rebecca Garcia (SAN). Also present were MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Vice Chairperson—New Hire & Probation Jarod McNeill, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones. 

The Committee met with the new Director of Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy, and Interim Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Matthew Trujillo.

The committee is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during both internal AFA-only discussions and meetings with management. Some of the topics discussed include:

  • New Crew Access Errors And How They Affect Reserves: Alaska IT Management is investigating the causes of these errors and exploring solutions to remedy them. These new errors will be added to the known issues document next week. This will provide guidance to Reserve Flight Attendants on what the errors are and how Scheduling can assist with manually processing specific tasks.
  • Out-Of-Order Assignments: If a Reserve Flight Attendant believes they were assigned out of order, they can notify Crew Scheduling. If confirmed by Scheduling, an annotation will be made to pay the out-of-order premium. However, the trip should not be removed and given to another Reserve Flight Attendant, as that also would be a violation of our contract.
  • CBA timeline implementations of outstanding items that will affect Reserves.
  • New update to Crew Access and upcoming updates to Crew Access next year.
  • Crew Scheduling Desk Assignments: A more in-depth explanation of what desks (positions) there are in Scheduling, what duties each desk is responsible for, and staffing updates.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Developing Additional Tools & Resources for Reserve Flight Attendants: Working to update Reserve 101, the Reserve survival guide and flow charts with new CBA provisions.
  2. Assisting Reserve Flight Attendants Through the Reserve Buddy Program: Answering questions from and providing support to Reserve Flight Attendants through an expanded AFA Reserve Buddy program.
  3. Addressing Reserve Contractual Concerns: Researching and investigating reports from Reserve Flight Attendants and actively ensuring that management complies with our contract.

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 Reserve Committee is your voice to management. You can open a support request on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or contact us directly using the information on the Reserve Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.

On Thursday, December 4, our AFA Inflight Service Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work in representing our Flight Attendants and advocating for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Naomi Parcell (ANC), Ross DeJong (SEA), Todd Horn (PDX), Raymond Ramirez (SFO), Johanna Thomas (LAX pmAS), and Andrew Malone (SAN). MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson Chase Vandergrift (Alaska Brand) was also present. This meeting was primarily focused on the Alaska Brand; however, the 2026 meetings will jointly cover both brands. 

The committee met with Senior Inflight Experience Program Manager Matthew Coder, Managing Director Inflight Services Training Randy Katz, Director of Food and Beverage Products Mita Padhi, Manager of Food and Beverage Planning and Programs David Rodriguez, Principal Food and Beverage Programs Manager Gracie Truex, Senior Food and Beverage Product Manager Jessica Johnston, Principal Product Manager of Service Strategy Megan Low, Director of Catering Operations Andrew Moyer, Director of Cabin Experience David Scotland, and other management representatives from marketing and IT.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26.

Topics of Discussion

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

Alaska Brand Food and Beverage Product

  • Premium Class Snack Basket Launch: The Premium Class Snack Basket is scheduled to launch on December 17 on Premium Long Haul flights.
  • Elite Recognition Chocolate: Management is looking at dynamic loading of chocolate as a long-term goal to help alleviate supply issues on high-demand routes.
  • Premium Long Haul (PLH) Pastry Service Ends: Based on Flight Attendant feedback, the standalone pastry service on PLH flights will end on December 17. The pastry will continue to be served on the breakfast tray on select routes, including Hawaii and JFK/EWR, DCA/IAD, but will be eliminated entirely from all other routes. Biscoff Cookies should replace the pastry and be served with the initial beverage in First Class on all other AM PLH flights.
  • Base Plate Changes: Based on Flight Attendant feedback, the following changes will be made on 12/17 on Medium Haul and Long Haul routes:
    • On Medium-Haul Routes, the dessert in the side bowl and white bean dip with crostini on the base plate will be replaced with a vegetable and hummus crudité in the side bowl and a bagged cookie (see heating instructions below), which should be placed on the base plate. 
    • On Long-Haul Routes, the elevated appetizer (roasted carrots or fennel slaw) on the base plate will be removed and replaced with butter and warm bread. 
  • First Class Cookies: Should be provisioned on an oven rack and transferred to meal trays before serving. The cookies should be placed in a warm oven that is switched off a few minutes before serving to remove the chill. The cookies should never be “baked” or heated for any amount of time at 200° or higher. In a cold oven, the cookies may be warmed on the lowest temperature setting for 5 minutes.

Catering Operations

  • New Alaska Brand First Class Mugs: A problem has been identified with some of the First Class mugs, and kitchens will begin testing mug handles to ensure mugs in the system are not defective. Unfortunately, the response to this issue was slow due to a very low number of reports. If you encounter any issues with the mugs, including broken handles, chips, or cracks, it is very important to report these events in Block2Block using the catering feedback tool, every time, every flight. 
  • Facebook Reporting: Out of roughly 36,000 departures in November, broken First Class mugs were reported on only 16 flights. With so few official reports, Management could not see the true scope of the mug issue—despite many Flight Attendants discussing it on Facebook. While Facebook is great for sharing experiences within our community, it doesn’t get problems in front of management decision-makers. If you notice issues like broken mugs, please take a moment to report them using Block2Block or Safety Reporting every single time. Your report is essential—it is the only way our Inflight Service Committee and management can take swift, meaningful action. Let’s work together to turn feedback into real improvements. Your voice matters most when it’s heard through the right channels!
  • New Alaska Brand First Class Trays: Future trays will be ordered with rubber pads underneath to prevent sliding on tray tables. These trays should begin to slowly appear throughout the system and will eventually replace the existing supply.
  • New Alaska Brand Main Cabin Hot Cups: A revised main cabin hot cup has been selected and is expected on board sometime in late April or May. 
  • Seattle Future Kitchen: Alaska has just started construction on what will become the largest catering facility in North America. The facility is expected to be up and running by the end of next year and will bring much-needed improvements to catering operations in Seattle.

Cabin Product and Aircraft Interiors

  • 737 Fleet Update: 
    • The 737-800 Fleet is still undergoing a dual upgrade program. Cabin refurbishment has been completed on 36 aircraft. Of those, 15 also got new seats and the 161-seat reconfiguration. There are still 23 aircraft awaiting new seats, with a forecasted completion date of June 2026.
    • All 737-900ERs have been refreshed with tablet holders and an additional row of premium class in Row 10.
    • 737-800 Fleet Lavatories: All three 737-800s with the reduced 2 aft lavatory configuration have been retrofitted with the new cabin, and the 3rd lavatory has been reinstalled.
  • Exit Rows with Reduced Legroom: Management is aware that many passengers who are used to extra legroom in Row 17 have been disappointed when they board a reconfigured 737-800 with reduced legroom. These seats should no longer be advertised as having extra legroom, as they are included with Rows 11-15 as Main Cabin Preferred seating, which are simply located closer to the front of the cabin. Please continue to utilize passenger recovery tools, such as miles or a refund request, but also report any passenger satisfaction issues using ReportIt!
  • Starlink Updates: Starlink is currently being installed on the first SkyWest E175, with the first 737 installation scheduled sometime in March.
  • 787 Wi-Fi: The deployment timeline indicates that the 787 will not have Wi-Fi in time for next summer’s flying.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Reykjavik (KEF) 737 Service Testing: Service testing has begun for a new Long-Haul International service level launching on SEA-KEF next May. The Committee will continue to monitor these test flights and recommend changes to improve both the service flow and the passenger experience, as well as ensure the service is realistic for Flight Attendants to deliver. 
  2. Long Haul 787 Service: The Committee is actively monitoring the changes management is making to the long-haul 787 service in anticipation of “Alaska-branded” flying launching early next year. We will also continue to advocate for a service model that not only creates a great passenger experience but is also feasible and practical to execute.
  3. Focus on Simplicity: As our service changes and evolves, the Committee will continue to emphasize to management that more steps and more work for the crew does not create an elevated experience. 

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.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

As 2025 draws to a close, I’d like to go over a few important items that have come up since my last update.

On December 1, the SEA Negotiating Committee held its first of three virtual roadshows to answer your questions about the SEA Domicile Agreement. This is an important agreement that secures improvements for everyone, including the elimination of the 787-9 one-way staffing carve out and the lowering of the ER crew-to-load threshold to 85%. The deal secures a right to return to your domicile of origin and protects against involuntary junior-assigning to SEA for 18 months. Please see the note below about the two remaining virtual roadshows.

In late November, we held our Council 43 Committee Chairpersons’ meeting at the LEC Office at Koapaka. The meeting gave our Committee Chairs the chance to meet in person to share committee reports and discuss current and future concerns. In attendance were:

Randy Rivera – Air Safety Health & Security, Mikioi Vericella – Communications, Namahana Lota – Employee Assistance Program, Maria Kahele – Government Affairs, Matt Mitchell – Hotel & Transportation, Jeff Takamine – I Mua Ke Alo, Bianca McKee & Thalia Adachi – In-Flight Service, Rachel Fernandez – Membership & Benefits, Sasha Kahele Manners & Joni Pak – Reserve, Chasity Theno & Patrick Smith – Scheduling Clarification Requests, and Michael Cabilin – Uniforms.

Kela and I have a debt of gratitude to all of the Flight Attendant committee members who give so much of their time – time away from their families – to help us support you. These are people that you work and fly with and who somehow find the time to give back to all of us. Their efforts helped us get through a difficult year and gave us the opportunity to have the shared experience of honoring Pualani and all that she means to us.

Kela and I would also like to acknowledge Gary Ichimura and his team for doing their best to support all of you. The merger has meant a great deal of change that is affecting employees and passengers alike, but Gary and his team have somehow managed to deal with the dizzying amount of change – with fewer people – and have worked with us and to support you. Mahalo nui.

Finally, Kela and I would like to thank each of you. Thank you for your professionalism under difficult circumstances this year, for sharing your concerns with us, and for your engagement with the work that we are doing to secure our future. We are proud to be a part of the Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendant ʻohana, and honored to represent you. May your holidays be bright and merry, and bring you good health, peace, and prosperity.

In Solidarity,
Martin Gusman & Kela Chong

RHRA Retirement Deadline Reminder

The Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (RHRA) is an AFA-negotiated benefit that provides between $10,000 and $30,000 to pay for medical insurance or medical expenses upon retirement (contract Section 34-22). Earlier this year the deadline to secure the RHRA benefit was extended to April 2, 2026. Please note that after January 1, 2026, we are required to give the Company 60 days’ notice to obtain the RHRA benefit. A Flight Attendant retiring on April 2, 2026 will need to notify the Company by February 1, 2026 to obtain the RHRA benefit. These are links to the company’s retirement planning checklist and the required retirement notification form, which may be also found online at HA People.

SEA Domicile Information

The SEA Negotiating Committee’s first virtual roadshow, which was held on Monday, December 1, has been posted and may be viewed here. The committee will be hosting two more virtual roadshows on Thursday, December 18, and Sunday, January 11. The vacancy bid for the SEA domicile closes on Monday, January 12, 2026. A Question & Answer page is available for more information, or you can email your questions directly to the SEA Negotiating Committee at SEA@afahawaiian.org. 

SEA Negotiating Committee Virtual Roadshows

[REGISTER] Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM HST
[REGISTER] Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM HT

Questioning Assignment Legalities

We each have the right to question the legality of a Crew Scheduling assignment. Scheduling Protests – Section 11.E. – defines the process for questioning the legality of a schedule assignment and includes the filing of a Scheduling Clarification Request (SCR). Please keep in mind that if you are questioning the legality of an assignment while on duty, work-related duties such as reporting to the aircraft passenger boarding should continue while the dispute is being worked out.

LQ Service and FFA Positions

As a clarification regarding the service LQ position on flights to Asia, the service position remains a service position if it is traded or vacated after the PBS award. This is true even if the position is traded to a lead-qualified Flight Attendant. Please also keep in mind that a service-qualified Flight Attendant cannot be assigned to work in Business Class unless there are no lead-qualified Flight Attendants on the flight. Regarding the FFA position, please note that when the FFA position is awarded in PBS, if the person awarded the position gets off the trip the FFA position goes away.

787 ICN Main Cabin Meal Service

As a reminder, the meal service in the main cabin on 787 flights between SEA and ICN is a 4-cart service throughout the entire cabin. If the flight is staffed with nine Flight Attendants, FAs 3 and 4 serve meals while FAs 2 and 6 follow with beverages. If the flight is staffed with 10 Flight Attendants, FAs 4 and 5 serve meals while FAs 3, 4, 6, and 7 follow with two-person beverage carts. In January the same service procedures will apply to flights between SEA and NRT on the 787.

A321 Pairings with Repositioning Segments

Beginning on December 17, there are International A321 pairings that include both an international segment and a live, repositioning interisland segment in a single duty period. Please be advised that the maximum scheduled duty time for the A321 with a repositioning interisland segment is 12 hours, and the actual on-duty maximum is 14 hours.

Computer-Based Training Pay

A frequently asked question is “do we get paid for computer-based training?” The answer is “yes.” Section 26.C.4.c. of the contract provides that the Company may use computer-based training (CBT) that is separate from recurrent and requalification training, and that we are paid a minimum of one (1) hour at our hourly pay rate. As a reminder, we were emailed a notice to complete an Annual Compliance Training – 2025 ACT Group 1,  which is due by 12/31/2025.

Council 43 Leadership Webinar

On Tuesday, December 16, the Communications Committee will host their last Webinar of the year – this time hosting your Council 43 Leadership. Council 43 President Martin Gusman and Vice President Kela Chong will give a brief update about what is happening with the Association and the Company, as well as answer your questions. The Webinar begins at 1100 HST and you may click here to register.

Save the Date: Joint Negotiating Committee Meet and Greet on January 15, 2026

Honolulu Council 43 will be hosting the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for a meet and greet on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The meeting will be held at 0900 at the 7th floor conference center of Terminal 1 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. In addition to the JNC, members of the SEA Negotiating Committee and the Alaska + Hawaiian MEC will be in attendance and available to answer your questions. Refreshments and validated parking ($3.50) will be provided. All members in good standing are invited to attend.

December Events

DateEvent
December 1SEA Domicile LOA Virtual Roadshow #1
December 1-2Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Meeting in SEA
December 8-11JCBA Negotiations in SEA
December 12LAX Joint Local Council Meeting & JCBA Meet and Greet
December 15Council 43 Leadership Webinar
December 18SEA Domicile LOA Virtual Roadshow #2
December 25Christmas Day

January Events

DateEvent
January 1New Year’s Day
January 11SEA Domicile LOA Virtual Roadshow #3
January 12SEA Domicile Vacancy Bid Closes
January 12 – 14Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Meeting in HNL
January 14Reserve Webinar
January 15JNC, SEA Negotiating Committee, Alaska + Hawaiian MEC Meet & Greet in HNL
January 27-29JCBA Negotiations in SEA

In This Edition

  • Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives
  • Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairpersons
  • Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile LOA Session #1 Roadshow Recording
  • Staying Balanced During The Holidays
  • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025
  • Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025
  • Next Week’s Events

Meet Our Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons & Representatives

Originally posted December 9, 2025

Get to know our merged MEC Inflight Training Committee Chairperson and Committee Members, who are stepping into their roles on January 1. These dedicated representatives will work together to coordinate the activities of the newly merged Inflight Training Committee, ensuring the voices of both Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants are heard as we move forward with the merger.

Read More >

Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairpersons

Originally posted December 9, 2025 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Get to know our next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons who will begin transitioning into their roles ahead of the official term start date of January 1, 2026. These members of the Benefits, EAP/Professional Standards, and Retirement Committees are committed to supporting their fellow Flight Attendants and addressing the unique challenges faced by our group.

Read More >

Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile LOA Session #1 Roadshow Recording

Originally posted December 9, 2025 | Pre-Merger Hawaiian

The Seattle Domicile Letter of Agreement (SEA LOA) Presentation offers a comprehensive overview of the agreement. Recent updates to the Question-and-Answer post ensure that the latest information and additional queries are addressed.

Read More >

Staying Balanced During The Holidays

Originally posted December 10, 2025

Discover practical strategies for finding balance, joy, and peace during the holiday season as you navigate its unique challenges. Remember, AFA EAP support is always available to help you manage stress and maintain your well-being—reach out anytime for confidential assistance!

Read More >

Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

Originally posted December 12, 2025

Concerns about drug testing protocols, support for Flight Attendants facing ICE encounters, and new efforts to promote cultural belonging took center stage at the latest AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee meeting. Discover highlights of ongoing proposals, such as optional pronoun wings and visible Batok tattoos, that are shaping a more welcoming workplace.

Read More >

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 10 – December 2025

Originally posted December 12, 2025

Our Joint Negotiating Committee met with management this week to continue bargaining sessions in Seattle, WA. Discussions focused on narrowing issues in Leaves of Absence, Association General, and reviewing vacation provisions as part of the joint contract process.

Read More >

Next Week’s Events

Tuesday, December 16Monthly Scheduling Committee Meeting (pmAS)
Wednesday, December 17Monthly Communications Committee Meeting
Thursday, December 18Hawaiian Flight Attendant Seattle Domicile Letter of Agreement Roadshow Session #2
Thursday, December 18Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)

See the MEC Event Calendar >

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

  • Our JNC met with management this week on December 9 to December 11 in Seattle; our next negotiation session is scheduled for January 27 to January 29
  • A Tentative Agreement has been reached for Section 27 (Association General)
  • Our JNC continues to analyze the Vacations Section of both the AS CBA and the HA CBA alongside the vacation survey results

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 December 9 to December 11 in Seattle, WA. At the negotiating table for this session were:

Representing AFA and our Flight AttendantsRepresenting Management
Tim Green, Joint Negotiating Committee ChairpersonAllen Thieman, Vice President of Inflight, Alaska
Martin Gusman, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberCarmen Williams, Managing Director, Labor Relations, Alaska
Jeffrey Fuke, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberKalani Sloat, Senior Director, Labor Relations, Hawaiian
Virginia Fritz, Joint Negotiating Committee MemberNeil Osato, Director, Labor and People 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

During this negotiating session we continued to narrow issues in Section 15 (Leaves of Absence). The JNC also received the company’s first proposal on Section 24 (General and Miscellaneous). We were able to reach a Tentative Agreement (TA) on Section 27 (Association General) and secure additional resources to support our growing Flight Attendant group.

The JNC has also begun the process of meticulously analyzing Section 14 (Vacations). During this process, we are also reexamining the vacation survey results in conjunction with assessing the vacation provisions.

Section by Section Progress

The Alaska CBA will be 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.

Tentative Agreements reached in this session:

  • Association General (AS CBA Section 27 and HA CBA Section 22)

Sections discussed in this session:

  • Leaves of Absence (AS CBA Section 15 and HA CBA Section 17)
  • General and Miscellaneous (AS CBA Section 24 and HA CBA Section 27)

Sections in ongoing discussion:

  • 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)

Sick Leave Survey

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the Sick Leave Survey. We had a total of 3,358 Flight Attendants take part, which is consistent with our previous surveys. Your responses, including partial responses, will be reviewed and taken into consideration during the evaluation process.

Local Council Meetings

Our Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) attended the Joint LAX Local Council Meeting with Council 18 (Alaska LAX) and Council 47 (Hawaiian LAX) on Friday, December 12 in Los Angeles. Our next stop will be in Honolulu during the month of January. Please check your Local Council communications for updates about future meetings.

What’s Upcoming

Our next session with management is scheduled for January 27 to January 29.

On Monday, December 8, 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), Trista Vanta (SFO), 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 Michaela Littman, Managing Director of Inflight Operations; Jenny Bookert, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations; and Benito Pasia-Garcia Jr., California Director of Inflight Base Operations.

The Committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for March 25, 2026.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Concerns regarding female Flight Attendants being alone with a male tester during random drug testing, whether at base or at RON stations, were discussed. 
  • Protections for Flight Attendants on layovers if approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Resources for Flight Attendants if this situation occurs. Communication coming from inflight management regarding this subject. 
  • Self-deportees, or people who are voluntarily leaving the country, are treated the same as any other passenger on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights.
  • Alaska Airlines Business Resource Groups (BRGs), which focus on certain business or identity topics, are merging with Hawaiian Airlines Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which support employees who share similar interests or backgrounds.

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 Acknowledgement 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 acknowledgements 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 Philippines, holding deep cultural significance. The proposal is currently on hold until the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA) is ratified.
  4. Business Resource Group (BRG) Listening Sessions: The company’s BRGs are planning to hold additional listening sessions in 2026. These will be co-facilitated by AFA Local Human Rights Chairpersons and management.
  5. 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.
  6. Optional ADA Rooms: The Committee is developing a proposal that would enable Flight Attendants with disabilities to request ADA-compliant hotel rooms during layovers. These rooms would be available to those who self-disclose their disability in PeopleSoft.

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.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

We hope this holiday season finds you well and surrounded by a little extra joy. Join us on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 11:00 HST with your LEC 43 Leadership, Martin Gusman and Kela Chong as we close out the year together. We will recap 2025, share our plans for 2026, and talk about what’s ahead for our Honolulu base in our final LEC webinar of the year. There will also be time at the end for a Q&A, so bring your questions.

Please click HERE to register. As a reminder, please use your personal email address that is on file with the union. Any registrations with your company email will be denied.

Wishing you and your ʻohana a safe and peaceful holiday season. We hope to see you there.

In Solidarity,
LEC 43 Leadership

Let joy, not pressure, lead the way.

The holiday season is a special time for joy, connection, and celebration. But let’s be honest—it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming, even for the most grounded among us. With family gatherings, work commitments, and financial worries, finding balance isn’t always easy. Here are some practical tips to help you stay centered and truly savor this season.

1. Protect Your Time

Give yourself permission to say “no” when you need to. Not every invitation or request needs your “yes.” It’s okay to protect your time and energy—you deserve it!

2. Keep Healthy Routines

Try to stick with your usual sleep, nutrition, and movement routines as much as possible. Even a short walk or ten minutes of stretching can lift your spirits. Remember, skipping meals or sacrificing rest to “fit everything in” can make things harder—so give yourself permission to pause and recharge.

3. Manage Expectations

Let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday. Plans may change and things might not always go as expected—and that’s okay! Focus on creating little moments of connection, laughter, and meaning, rather than chasing perfection.

4. Budget with Intention

Financial stress is a common holiday challenge. Setting a spending limit ahead of time can help you relax and focus on what matters most. Thoughtful gestures or shared experiences often mean more than costly gifts—and the memories last longer, too!

5. Build in Quiet Moments

Balance your social activities with moments of stillness. Even a few quiet minutes can help you reset and recharge. Remember to show yourself the same kindness and care that you so generously give to others.

6. Reach Out for Support

If this season brings up feelings of sadness, loneliness, or anxiety, please know you’re not alone. Reach out to a friend or someone you trust—it’s always okay to ask for support. Our AFA EAP Committee is here for you with confidential help whenever you need it at (949) 470-0493. You can also connect with your Local EAP Committee Members at afaalaska.org/eap.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

  • The SEA LOA Roadshow Presentation is available for viewing, providing a comprehensive overview of the SEA LOA
  • The SEA LOA Q&A has been updated with the latest information and additional questions

SEA LOA Session #1 Roadshow Presentation

The Negotiating Committee has recorded the Seattle Domicile Letter of Agreement (SEA LOA) Presentation for viewing. This presentation will give a comprehensive overview of the SEA LOA.

Question and Answer Update

The SEA LOA Question and Answer Post on AFA News Now has been updated to reflect the latest information and additional questions have been added.

Register for Additional Roadshow Sessions

  • Session #2 – Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM HT
  • Session #3 – Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 2 PM to 3:30 PM HT

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local leadership or email the SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee at sea@afahawaiian.org.

Crew Meal Survey Now Open

Crew meals are an important aspect of supporting the health and effectiveness of Flight Attendants. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance these provisions, the JNC is collecting feedback from Flight Attendants. Your participation in the Crew Meal Survey will directly influence future meal standards and help ensure that your needs and preferences are represented.

Navigating Recovery: Understanding FADAP and Other Support Options

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with drugs or alcohol, it’s important to know that you are not alone, and support is available. Flight Attendants have treatment options designed to address the unique realities of this career. Note: This video references FAAS (Flight Attendant Addiction Support), which is a program for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants. […]

Go In-Depth with Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairpersons

As we wrap up the first week of EAP/Professional Standards Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to share an open conversation that takes you behind the scenes of our support network built for Flight Attendants. MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer recently sat down with pre-merger Alaska MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson Melanie Buker and Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Dillon to […]

Grievance Committee Update – 2nd Quarter 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants Our Grievance Committee is committed to supporting you by ensuring fair disciplinary procedures and upholding our contractual rights. Our contract guarantees at least 13 arbitration dates each year to address both disciplinary and contractual matters. Termination cases are typically prioritized to help Flight Attendants return to work […]

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 […]

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