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Written by Virginia Fritz, MEC Scheduling Vice Chairperson—PBS

We often hear: “Don’t they just have to click a button?”

Well, yes, they click the button. But there is a lot of happening after that.

When bids close at 9am PT on the 10th, Crew Planning pulls the most up-to-date information from Crew Access so NAVBLUE is working with the information needed to process the following month and build legal schedules. Once that’s complete, that’s when the AFA Joint PBS Committee gets to work and start processing our bid awards.

Pairing lines are processed first, in Seniority Order

NAVBLUE reads each Flight Attendant’s bid and works through the preferences that were actually submitted. As it processes an award, it is:

  • Reading and evaluating the Flight Attendant’s bid and preferences.
  • Looking at available pairings that fit those preferences and their legalities
  • Looking at coverage needs and determining how much coverage is truly needed so flying isn’t unnecessarily left for coverage when it could be awarded through the seniority-based process.
  • Using denial mode when a bid cannot be fully awarded, going back through the bid to determine what can be awarded.
  • Using trip substitution to find another pairing within the Flight Attendant’s bid preferences when possible.
  • Working through different combinations to find the best possible solution.
  • Using SLG (Secondary Line Generation) if needed to complete a legal line if one cannot complete after all iterations have been exhausted.

The program is given millions of iterations (attempts) to work through different possibilities. It can try many combinations of pairings and preferences rather than simply taking the first solution it finds.

Why does one run take so long?

The size of the base makes a big difference. At a base of around 500 Flight Attendants, a pairing run might take approximately 3 to 10 minutes. At a base of around 2,700 Flight Attendants, a run can take approximately 2 to 12 hours.

And one run does not necessarily produce a legal or acceptable result. The line average may not be within the required range, or the minimum and maximum line values may not fall within the contractual windows. When that happens, our Joint AFA PBS Committee adjusts parameters and launches a new run.

For the October Bid Month, the first SEA PBS run took 11 hours and 5 minutes and produced only 436 of the 510 reserves needed for the operation. Even if the company wanted 74 fewer reserves, the run still wasn’t legal. The ALV was 77.4 TFP, with windows of 70 TFP Minimum, 80 TFP Threshold, and 90 TFP Maximum. Based on the ALV, the legal maximum was 87.4 TFP making the 90 TFP Maximum 2.6 TFP too high.

Then reserve awards are processed

Once an acceptable solution is determined for line holders pairings, reserve awards are processed. Reserve processing can also require multiple runs to find an acceptable and legal solution.

October was particularly challenging because of Junior Vacation and Junior Recurrent already pre-planned on the schedule, leaving the program less flexibility to work around those activities while finding legal line solutions while it already had less pairings to potentially award.

The number of runs and the amount of time each run takes don’t necessarily go together. The summer months generally had shorter run times, even though some months required more runs.

Bidding Timeline

Bid packets and bidding timelines is covered in §10.J of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. After bids close at 9am PT of the 10th of the month prior to the bid period, bid awards are required to be available to all Flight Attendants by 9am PT of the 13th of the month prior to the bid month, per §10.J.8.

We understand the importance of getting Flight Attendants their schedules and our AFA Joint PBS committee works very hard to make them available as soon as possible. For the bid months of 2026, bid awards have consistently been published well ahead of the deadline averaging 1 day, 18 hours and 37 minutes early. The earliest bid awards were published in 2026 was for the February 2026 bid month which was published on Sunday, January 11 at 10:30am – 1 day, 22 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the contractual deadline. The latest 2026 published to date was for June 2026 bid month which was published on Monday, May 11 around 5:40 pm – 1 day, 15 hours and 20 minutes earlier than the contractual deadline.

AFA vs. Management Goals

The company’s operational goals include estimated reserve needs, open time, and coverage of dates where flying is needed. From AFA’s perspective, we are looking at staying within contractual parameters, reducing coverage, reducing SLG, and maintaining the best possible options for Flight Attendants within the available flying.

So when we are waiting for PBS awards, there isn’t necessarily one calculation running once and then the awards are ready. There can be many runs, with the program working through different possibilities each time.

So, do they just click a button? Yes, that is one of the steps in the process.

Then NAVBLUE starts working through millions of possible combinations: reading bids, checking legality and coverage, using denial mode when needed, looking for trip substitutions within the Flight Attendant’s preferences, and working through different combinations.

And sometimes it has to do that more than once, many more times.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

A Look at the November Pairings for LAX & SEA

The November Bid Packet is out, and Council 47 has reviewed the flying designated for both LAX and SEA. With several significant changes to our flying this month, we’ve put together a recap of what members can expect, along with additional information gathered during our meeting with Crew Planning.

If you have specific questions about the bid packet, please submit a PBS Inquiry Form. Any other questions or comments, please email your officers. 

In Solidarity,

Josh, Paul and Beth
Council 47 Officers
47@afahawaiian.org

SEA Pulse Form (anonymous)
LAX Pulse Form (anonymous)
Council 47 SEA Committee Contact Roster

Greg Wickstrom and Patrick Smith
PBS Committee
PBS Inquiry

Greg Wickstrom and Patrick Smith
PBS Committee
PBS Inquiry

👀TL;DR👀

🌴 LAX: November brings flying on all 31 days of the bid period. Members will see 15 single-day turns, increased SAN and SMF layovers, and 50 pairing occurrences totaling approximately 961 credit hours. Council 47 remains committed to advocating for more consistent flying and improved scheduling opportunities for LAX.

⛰️ SEA: November brings 43 HNL pairings, a significant increase from October, while FCO flying ends and LHR and NRT remain consistent. Members will see 127 pairing occurrences totaling approximately 2,223 credit hours, including more two-day trips and a new UW Football Charter. ICN flying decreases slightly, but international long-haul flying still represents approximately 65% of SEA pairings.

🌴 Los Angeles 🌴

WHAT’S CHANGING IN NOVEMBER?

LAX HAS FLYING EVERY DAY OF THE NOVEMBER BID MONTH

During AFA’s review of the preliminary November bid packet (prior to the published bid packet), we identified November 18 as a day without an LAX pairing.

As we shared in our October update, ensuring consistent flying opportunities remains a priority for your leadership. For November, we again worked directly with Crew Planning to address the gap and requested that flying be added for November 18.

We are happy to report that our efforts were successful! A three-day SAN pairing was added for November 18, meaning LAX has flying on all 31 days of the November bid month which includes December 1!

We appreciate Crew Planning’s willingness to work collaboratively with AFA to address this concern and provide consistent flying opportunities for our members.

MORE SINGLE-DAY TURNS IN NOVEMBER

One of the most noticeable changes is the increase in single-day turns. November includes 15 single-day pairing occurrences, compared to just two in October.

The majority are A330 turns operating LAX-OGG-LAX and LAX-HNL-LAX, generally crediting between 11:02 and 11:25.

These additional turns provide more opportunities for members who prefer flying without an overnight layover.

SAN BECOMES THE PRIMARY LAX LAYOVER

November brings a significant change in our layover destinations. While OAK dominated the October packet, SAN becomes our most frequent layover destination in November, with 18 pairing occurrences.

The primary pairing operates LAX-LIH-SAN / SAN-LIH-LAX, providing approximately 35 hours in San Diego.

These three-day pairings generally credit between 23:19 and 23:37, making them some of the highest-credit pairings available in November.

MORE SACRAMENTO FLYING

SMF also sees an increase in November, with 11 pairing occurrences, compared to three in October. Most of these are two-day A321 pairings operating LAX-KOA-SMF / SMF-KOA-LAX. They provide a 12:38 layover in Sacramento and credit 21:55.

There is also a three-day SMF pairing beginning November 30, providing a longer 35:48 layover and crediting 22:08.

This provides members with both shorter and longer layover options.

LONG SEA LAYOVERS CONTINUE

LAX retains A330 three-day pairings with long SEA layovers, although there are fewer than in October. November includes five SEA pairing occurrences, compared to 12 in October.

These trips operate LAX-OGG-SEA / SEA-OGG-LAX, provide approximately 35 hours in Seattle, and credit 22:57.

While the number of SEA pairings decreases, the longer layover construction remains available.

CREW REST SEATS ON A321 DUTY DAYS OVER 14 HOURS

Members will also notice that the longer A321neo pairings continue to be staffed with 5 Flight Attendants rather than the standard 4 when scheduled duty periods exceed 14 hours due to FAR requirments.

We want to remind LAX Flight Attendants of the contractual crew-rest seat protections outlined in the Los Angeles Domicile Letter of Agreement (LOA 34-26, 1.d).

For applicable A321neo flying scheduled over 14 hours of duty, Row 46 AB must be hard-blocked for Flight Attendant crew rest. A hard block means these seats cannot be assigned to passengers and must remain protected for contractual crew rest breaks.

When working these pairings, we strongly encourage the FFA to have a conversation with the gate agent before boarding begins on each applicable flight leg to verify that the required seats are properly hard-blocked.

Do not assume that because the seats were protected on one leg, they will automatically be protected on the next. Having these conversations before boarding helps ensure that the working crew and gate agents are clearly aware of our contractual provisions and can avoid confusion or unnecessary issues once boarding begins.

These protections were negotiated for a reason, and it is important that we remain diligent in ensuring they are honored.

CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE FOR LAX FLYING

We recognize the importance of maintaining sufficient flying opportunities for our LAX members. While November offers more single-day turns and additional variety, total published pairing credit remains relatively similar to October.

Our success in securing flying for November 18 highlights the value of AFA’s continued engagement with Crew Planning. We remain committed to protecting our LAX domicile, advocating for consistent flying opportunities, and ensuring our contractual provisions are respected.

BY THE NUMBERS

50 pairing occurrences
~961 hours of total pairing credit
~19:14 average credit per pairing

TRIP LENGTH

Of the 50 LAX pairing occurrences in the November bid packet:

  • 15 | 1-Day Trips
  • 11 | 2-Day Trips
  • 24 | 3-Day Trips

Approximately 70% of November’s pairings include a layover, compared to nearly 96% in the previously reported October figures.

The increase in single-day turns is one of the most significant changes in November’s flying.

WHERE ARE WE LAYING OVER?

OOf the 35 November pairings with a layover:

  • 18 | SAN
  • 11 | SMF
  • 5 | SEA
  • 1 | HNL

SAN represents just over half of all LAX layover pairings in November.

AIRCRAFT MIX

Of the 50 November pairing occurrences:

  • 32 | A321
  • 18 | A330

Approximately 64% of the LAX pairings are A321neo flying, with the remaining 36% operating on the A330.

This represents an increase in A330 pairing opportunities compared to the previously reported October figures.

⛰️ SEATTLE ⛰️

WHAT’S CHANGING IN NOVEMBER?

FCO FLYING ENDS

One of the biggest changes is the elimination of FCO flying from the November bid packet.

October included 21 FCO pairing occurrences, while November has none. This removes Rome as a layover destination and reduces the variety of European flying available from SEA.

MORE HNL FLYING

November brings a significant increase in HNL flying, with 43 pairing occurrences compared to 12 in October.

Members will notice a wider variety of HNL pairings, including different departure times, deadhead constructions, and layovers ranging from approximately 13 to 36 hours. Most of these are two-day pairings crediting approximately 12 hours, providing more scheduling options for members who prefer shorter trips.

LHR AND NRT FLYING REMAIN CONSISTENT

Both LHR and NRT continue to operate daily throughout the November bid month.

  • LHR: 31 three-day pairings, crediting 19:50, with a 24:40 layover.
  • NRT: 31 three-day pairings, crediting 19:20, with a 24:15 layover.

These continue to provide consistent international flying opportunities for SEA.

ICN FLYING DECREASES SLIGHTLY

ICN decreases from 23 pairing occurrences in October to 21 in November. The longer Sunday ICN pairings remain available, offering a 72:40 layover in Seoul and crediting 24:30 over five days.

The remaining ICN pairings are three-day trips, generally crediting 21:50, with a 24:40 layover.

UW FOOTBALL CHARTER ADDED

November includes a University of Washington (UW) Football Charter beginning November 12, operating SEA-BFI-LAN / LAN-BFI-SEA.

This four-day A330 pairing provides a 46:25 layover, credits 16:40, and is staffed with eight Flight Attendants.

Some may be familiar with Charter Flying, but Charter Flying is a new type of flying at our SEA base. And while these flights operate differently from our regularly scheduled service, published charter pairings are subject to the same applicable contractual duty limitations, legal rest requirements, staffing provisions, and pay protections as our regularly scheduled flying.

Service and Catering Guidelines: Once the crew has been finalized, the Company will contact the assigned Flight Attendants directly to provide information regarding the service expectations and catering guidelines specific to this charter.

Important Reminder About Trip Trades: Under Section 12.A of our Agreement, charter pairings may only be traded for other charter pairings. This means you cannot ordinarily trade a charter for an Extended Range (ER) pairing or a single-day turn. An exception applies when the grouping has been posted for a drop in accordance with Section 12.O.

We encourage members to keep these restrictions in mind when bidding, particularly if you anticipate needing flexibility to trade your awarded trip.

BY THE NUMBERS

127 pairing occurrences
~2,223 hours of total pairing credit
17:30 average credit per pairing

Approximately 65% of all SEA pairings are international long-haul flying.

While November has 9 additional pairing occurrences (+7.6%) from last month, total published pairing credit decreases by approximately 124 hours (−5.3%). This reflects the shift from longer international flying, particularly FCO, to shorter HNL pairings.

TRIP LENGTH

November offers significantly more two-day flying, primarily through the increase in HNL pairings.

  • 0 | 1-Day Trips
  • 41 | 2-Day Trips
  • 80 | 3-Day Trips
  • 1 | 4-Day Trip
  • 5 | 5-Day Trips

Three-day pairings continue to make up the majority of SEA flying, while the additional two-day options provide greater scheduling flexibility.

WHERE ARE WE FLYING?

Of the 127 November pairing occurrences:

  • 43 | HNL / OGG combinations
  • 31 | LHR
  • 31 | NRT
  • 21 | ICN
  • 1 | LAN (UW Football Charter)

HNL becomes SEA’s most frequent layover destination in November, followed by LHR and NRT.

In This Edition

  • Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026
  • Reserve Survey Now Open
  • Shared on Social
  • Next Week’s Events

Scheduling Meeting Recap

Originally posted October 5, 2026

Pre-Merger Alaska

On September 29, our pre-merger Alaska Scheduling Committee met with management to review operational data and address ongoing scheduling concerns. Key findings show an operation pushing the limits, with SEA Reserve utilization reaching 97.7% and systemwide YTD absences up 20%—leading to elevated reassignment rates and premium pay.

Read More

Reserve Survey Now Open

Originally posted October 6, 2026

Our JNC encourages all members to participate in the Reserve survey, regardless of your current Reserve status. Whether you are on Reserve now, pick up Reserve days occasionally, or have not been on Reserve recently, your input is valuable. The survey will be open until Tuesday, October 20 at Noon PT.

Read More

Next Week’s Events

Monday, October 12Monthly Hotel Committee Meeting
See the MEC Event Calendar

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

  • Reserve Survey now open, survey will close on Tuesday, October 20 at Noon PT

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is asking for your input as we get ready to draft a proposal for the Reserve Section of the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). We have worked with our MEC Reserve Chairpersons to put together a survey and helpful resources for you.

The Reserve sections in our two contracts are similar in some ways, but there are also key differences, including the terms we use. To help explain these differences, we have a 10-minute video, a Reserve Quick Reference Guide, and a Reserve Full Reference Guide. Please check out the links below before you take the survey.

We hope everyone will take part, even if you are not currently on Reserve, only pick up Reserve days occasionally, or have not been on Reserve in a while. When you fill out the survey, please answer as if you are a full-time Reserve line holder unless the question says something different.

To Access the Survey

  • For pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants, enter your PeopleSoft Number with 3-leading zeros, as an example 0001234567
  • For pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, enter your Employee Number (without leading zeros)

Some important notes:

  • Once the survey is submitted, your responses cannot be edited. Please ensure your selections are final before hitting ‘Submit’.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey, staying involved in negotiations, and making sure your voice is heard. The survey will stay open until Noon PT on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, September 29, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), Jaqui Bellenie (SFO), Kanako Yamado (LAX), and Kitty Cohen (SAN). MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS Virginia Fritz, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative Julie Thornton, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director of Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling Terrance Chariandy, Manager of Inflight Crew Scheduling Goose Hlaingmyint, Managing Director of Operations Staffing and Resource Management Brittany Audette, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Crew Planning Colin Beard, ITS Technical Product Owner Nathan McFerren, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), and payroll.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 27.

General Overview

  • System Pressure: Systemwide absences reached a two-year high in August, up 20% year-over-year.
  • Reserve Exhaustion: Reserve utilization remained above 93% for the third consecutive month, while SEA operates in a state of near-total reserve saturation (97.7%).
  • Cascading Impact: Extremely tight reserve coverage is directly causing higher Open Time, reassignment spikes, deadhead conversions, and elevated premium pay reliance.
  • Committee Action: Our Scheduling Committee is actively pushing management for increased reserve buffers, faster pay and fatigue audit processing, and strict contractual adherence heading into the fourth quarter.

Crew Scheduling & Operational Health (August 2026 Data)

  • Systemwide Reserve Utilization: Averaged 94.5% in August, marking the fifth consecutive month in the mid-90% range (94.7% in June, 93.8% in July).
    • SEA: Reached 97.7%. SEA has remained above 97.5% since June, leaving no reserve buffer and converting unexpected absences directly into Open Time, reassignments, and premium pay
    • ANC: 93.8%
    • SFO: 90.1
    • SAN: 89.0%
  • Systemwide Sick Leave: Overall rate was 13.7%. Lineholders averaged ~14.0% and Reserves averaged ~13.2%. Sick-on-line calls caused 14 flight cancellations during the month.
  • Absence Volume: Total absences reached 76,000 year-to-date through August (a 20% increase from ~63,400 during the same period last year).
    • Reserve absences jumped 39% (from 12,600 to 17,500).
    • Lineholder absences increased 15% (from 50,800 to 58,500).
    • August was the highest single month recorded, with 11,832 total absences (including 9,045 lineholder absences).
  • Sick-on-Line Trends (Jan–Sep): 890 total calls (~100 per month), peaking at 119 in June and dropping to 89 in February.
    • Lineholders accounted for 60% of calls; Reserves accounted for 40% (meaning reserves become sick away from base at a disproportionately high rate).
    • 517 calls occurred away from domicile during an overnight; 371 calls occurred at domicile.
  • Premium Pay Usage: Reached 87.1% in August (up from 84.2% in July and 77.9% in June), heavily driven by thunderstorms and constrained reserve levels.
  • Reassignments & Conversions: Recorded 1203 total reassignments and 538 deadhead-to-working conversions.
  • Fatigue Calls: 49 fatigue reports were submitted in August, reflecting ongoing concern regarding workload and schedule sustainability.
  • Scheduling Staffing: New schedulers are transitioning to the floor, targeting a total complement of 47 schedulers by the end of 2026.

Crew Planning Parameters (November 2026 Projections)

  • Block Hours: Projected at approximately 313,749 TFP, slightly lower than recent monthly totals.
  • Line Value & Reserve Allocation: Systemwide average line value is targeted at ~80 TFP, with reserve levels set near 22%.
  • LBO / SAL: No Low-Bid Option (LBO) or Staffing Adjustment Leaves (SAL) are offered.
  • Holiday Schedule A: Begins November 20, introducing greater pairing variety but reducing schedule pattern consistency.
  • Commuter Challenges: November 2026 vs. November 2025 trip distribution reviews show PDX and SFO remain the most challenging bases for commuting.
  • Base Red-Eye Flying:
    • SAN: 26%
    • SEA: 24%
    • ANC: 21%
    • SFO: 15%
    • PDX: 13%
    • LAX: 11%

Technology, Systems & Automation Update

  • AICS Crew Bid System Launch: Scheduled to launch during the fourth quarter. AICS is set to replace current legacy processes for vacancy bids, transfer bids, and temporary base trades. A system demonstration is currently underway, and a formal implementation timeline and communication plan will be provided.
  • Open-Time Trading Performance: Processed 89,618 legal and illegal trades. Approximately 98.3% completed in under 1 second, showing strong processing speed.
  • Open-Time Monitoring: No active issues identified during September monitoring. System memory improvements have been made, with further updates coming in November.
  • JCTE & Crew Access Upgrades: JCTE release 10.2 MR25 is anticipated in late October, with Crew Access testing targeted for implementation on October 21.
  • PBS & NAVBLUE System Performance:
    • October bid awards experienced long run times and high system workload. A ticket was opened with NAVBLUE, and recommendations are being reviewed with Crew Planning.
    • NAVBLUE Release 26.3.1043 testing is complete; release 26.3 is undergoing user-acceptance testing. Upgrades will be avoided during holiday bid periods unless strictly necessary.
    • Crew Planning added new support staff experienced with NAVBLUE and contract rules.
  • AI Pairing Tool Development: Crew Planning is evaluating an early-stage AI tool to test pairing options. Planners are also evaluating hard-locking 4k pairings prior to launch, subject to further testing.

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

Seattle (SEA)

  • Pay & PPP Questions: High call volume regarding Standard of Pay and PPP calculations when trips are reassigned, removed, or altered.
  • Fatigue Processing Delays: Fatigue Review Board processing takes several weeks up to a month to evaluate reports, determine pay, and issue responses.
  • Contractual Clarifications: Seeking clear definitions for 8.S turns vs. 10.R reassignments and compensation. Additional inquiries remain open regarding Neighbor Island TFP, vacation rules, ISA provisions, commuter recovery, open-time drops, B2B refresh bugs, and California state-law notifications for base swaps.

Portland (PDX)

  • Charter Flying Issue: Unresolved issues remain regarding double-out rest and denial scenarios.
  • Deadhead Automation Bugs: Deadhead seating continues to be impacted by system automation; specific examples were submitted for investigation.

San Diego (SAN)

  • California Timekeeping: Requesting operational details regarding timekeeping procedures effective October 1, 2026.
  • 8.S Pairings: Seeking clarification on deadhead assignments on 8.S pairings regarding seating, duty limits, and pay.

Anchorage (ANC)

  • Schedule Options: Flight Attendants report a shortage of morning Seattle turns.
  • Pay Inquiry Delays: Pay audit responses are frequently delayed, with tracking notes entered but formal responses arriving after pay period closure.
  • Hotel Concerns: Following up on hotel wait times, ticket compensation, and delay procedures prior to transport/hotel assignment.

Los Angeles (LAX)

  • Month-End Trades: Out-of-domicile trades overlapping the 17th processing deadline required manual post-deadline handling.
  • Passport Processing Policy: A Flight Attendant with a full passport book was classified as Flight-Illegal (FIL) while awaiting new pages; the Committee requested clarification on protocols for passport processing delays.

San Francisco (SFO)

  • Hotel Transportation Procedures: Clarifying expectations and reporting requirements when Flight Attendants do not utilize company-provided hotel transport.

Pay Audits & Irregular Operations Mitigations

  • Flight Attendant Crew Pay Audit Results: 2,058 inquiries were resolved in August. Approximately 753 inquiries were filed earlier than required and would have been captured in standard audits. AFA and management are working to clarify filing timelines.
  • Summer IROP Mitigations: Management detailed operational fixes used during summer disruptions:
    • Adjusted start-of-duty times in SAN for transcontinental flights due to airport construction.
    • Increased EWR layovers to 12:00 for air traffic control delays, with adjusted morning departure duty times to PDX/SEA.
    • Extended crew-connect times in ANC, PDX, SEA, and SFO.
    • Increased PHX and LAS layovers to 11:00 (and early PHX rest to 11:30) for rest protection.
    • Adjusted duty times for LAS–ANC, SFO–JFK, and ANC arrivals from DLG/AKN.
    • Flight Attendant and Pilot teaming will continue through February 2027 to improve operational alignment.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. 2027 Meeting Scheduling: Scheduling 2027 dates on the calendar for next year’s committee meetings and activities.
  2. Vacation Bidding & Awarding: Assisting Flight Attendants with questions and concerns regarding accruals, bidding, and trading for 2027. Vacation trading for 2027 officially begins on October 28. If you feel there was an error in your accrual or award, please contact FA.crewpay@alaskaair.com for assistance.
  3. Crew Access Update: Anticipating and actively testing the JCTE update for implementation scheduled for October 21. The committee will provide full updates on system changes once testing is completed.

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have feedback for the Committee, concerns to share, or items you’d like brought up with management – don’t hesitate to let us know. Your Local Scheduling Committee is here to be your voice to management. You can easily open a support ticket on the AFA Alaska Online Support Center or directly contact us using the information provided on the Scheduling Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Seattle Based Flight Attendants

REMINDER: NGP Open Enrollment Visits

Aloha Hawaiian SEA Flight Attendants,

Just a reminder that National Group Protection (NGP) will be onsite in the SEA Crew Lounge today, October 5–7 for Supplemental Benefits Open Enrollment.

NGP representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information about supplemental benefits, including Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, Short-Term Disability, and Whole Life Insurance.

Onsite Hours:

  • Monday, October 5: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 6: 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, October 7: 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Unable to attend in person? Hawaiian members who are unable to enroll during an onsite enrollment session can call NGP at (800) 344-9016. An NGP representative can review the available plans with you and assist with enrollment if you choose to enroll.

If you have questions about your supplemental benefit options, please stop by the Crew Lounge or contact NGP directly.

Click on the flyer below to see more details about plans offered…

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Reminder: New Hire & Reserve Webinar – October 8

New to Reserve? Have questions? Or maybe you’ve been flying Reserve for a while and still find yourself asking…

Join your Council 47 Reserve Committee for our New Hire & Reserve Webinar as we break down Reserve, answer your questions, and help you better understand your contractual rights and responsibilities.

New Hire & Reserve Webinar
📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026
⏰ 3:30 PM Pacific Time
REGISTRATION LINK

While this webinar is especially geared toward our new hires and Reserve Flight Attendants, all Council 47 members are welcome to attend.

The webinar will also be recorded for those who are unable to join us live.

Whether you’re brand new to Reserve or just need a refresher, we hope you’ll join us!

In Solidarity,

Zach and Megan
Reserve Chairs Council 47 (LAX/SEA)
47.reserve.chair@afahawaiian.org

In This Edition

  • FlightPAC: Building Our Collective Influence
  • Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21
  • Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026
  • MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026
  • Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026
  • That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!
  • Shared on Social
  • Next Week’s Events

FlightPAC: Building Our Collective Influence

Originally posted September 28, 2026

As part of our Government Affairs Focus Month, Seattle-based Alaska Flight Attendant and Council 19 Government Affairs Chairperson Andrew Stinson breaks down FlightPAC. Discover how voluntary contributions give Flight Attendants a seat at the table in Washington, D.C., and why keeping political advocacy separate from union dues is required by federal law.

Read More

Register Now: Reserve Webinar – Wednesday, October 21

Originally posted September 28, 2026

Pre-Merger Alaska

Join our pre-merger Alaska Reserve Committee on Wednesday, October 21 for “Is This Legal?”, the second installment in our three-part Reserve Webinar series breaking down contractual language surrounding reserve assignments based on your questions. Protect your rights and

Read More

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

Originally posted September 29, 2026

This month, our Hotel Committee participated in its monthly standing meeting with Crew Hotels and a Quarterly Business Review (QBR) with hotel procurement vendor API. Key updates include expanded API account management support for Alaska operations, ongoing virtual credit card audits for ad-hoc international properties, and work to resolve hotel-provided transportation sign-in sheet timing discrepancies.

Read More

MEC Town Hall Video and Q&A Recap – September 23, 2026

Originally posted October 1, 2026

The full recording of our September 23 MEC Town Hall is now available—stay informed with the latest on JCBA negotiations, the latest grievance news and discipline trends, and the Q&A session. Save the date for our next MEC Town Hall on Tuesday, December 8.

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Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 3rd Quarter 2026

Originally posted October 1, 2026

Our Human Rights & Equity Committee continues to advocate for initiatives that honor our diverse workgroup and safeguard Flight Attendants on duty. Read the full recap from this quarter’s meeting with management for updates on ICE operational guidance, work on optional uniform pronoun wings, and efforts to improve cultural representation in our workplace.

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That’s a Wrap on Government Affairs Focus Month!

Originally posted October 2, 2026

As Government Affairs Focus Month comes to a close, thank you to everyone who tuned in and engaged throughout September. Watch our Focus Month wrap up video featuring MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Bruni Agosto-Pinal and review our four-step game plan for Election Day to help protect our jobs, contract, and shared future.

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Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted September 30, 2026

Next Week’s Events

Thursday, October 8Council 30 (ANC) Local Council Meeting
Thursday, October 8Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) (pmAS)
See the MEC Event Calendar

As Government Affairs Committee Focus Month comes to a close, we want to sincerely thank everyone who tuned in, asked insightful questions, and shared resources throughout September. Whether you watched a quick video on the van or started a conversation about voting in the crew lounge, your engagement made a difference.

We started this month with a simple goal: to show how what happens in Washington, D.C., directly impacts our everyday work on the aircraft.

4 Key Takeaways From September

If you didn’t get a chance to catch every video this month, here’s a quick recap of what we covered:

  1. Federal Laws Create Our Baseline: When safety and rest rules are written into federal law, we can focus on contractual gains rather than having to protect those basics during negotiations.
  2. Voting Protects Our Work Environment: The lawmakers we elect make key decisions on aviation oversight, cabin safety standards, and labor rights.
  3. FlightPAC Gives Us a Seat at the Table: Funded strictly by voluntary Member donations—not union dues—FlightPAC helps us build non-partisan relationships with lawmakers who support Flight Attendant issues.
  4. We’re Stronger Together: The coming together of Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants gives us a louder, more effective voice when standing up for our profession.

Watch: Government Affairs Focus Month Wrap-Up

Don’t miss the final video in our Focus Month series! MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson Bruni Agosto-Pinal wraps up the month, thanks everyone for their participation, and shares a look at what’s ahead.

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

Game Plan for Election Day

With elections just around the corner, now is the perfect time to put what we covered into action. Here are four simple steps to make sure your voice is heard:

  1. Verify Your Registration: State rules and deadlines change often. Double-check that your address and registration details are up to date today. Check out vote411.org/afacwa for easy-to-use resources.
  2. Plan Around Your Schedule: Layovers, delays, and last-minute reroutes happen. If there’s any chance you’ll be on a trip on Election Day, request a mail-in or absentee ballot right away.
  3. Check Candidate Labor Records: Take a quick look at where candidates stand on key issues like aviation safety, worker protections, and union rights before filling out your ballot.
  4. Get Involved: Want to contribute? Consider signing up to contribute to FlightPAC or joining your Local Government Affairs Committee. Get started by reading more at afaalaska.org/governmentaffairs.

By staying informed and voting, we protect our jobs, our contract, and our shared future. Thank you for all that you do!

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, our AFA Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairpersons met for their regular quarterly meeting to advance ongoing activism, promote workplace equity, and champion meaningful policy improvements across our workplace. Your representatives attending the meeting were Nyachan Chuar (ANC), Soon Kim (HNL), Bruni Agosto-Pinal (pmHA LAX/SEA), Aaron Miller (PDX), Erika Daniel (SAN), Andrew Stinson (pmAS SEA), Trista Vanta (SFO), and MEC Human Rights & Equity Committee Chairperson Chip Hestle II. 

Our Committee met directly with management representatives from inflight operations and corporate security, including Managing Director of Inflight Operations Michaela Littman, Seattle Director of Inflight Base Operations Jenny Bookert, California Director of Inflight Base Operations Benito Pasia-Garcia, Director of Culture & Belonging Steve Nelson, Manager of Security Operations David Stewart, and Director of Security Fermin Navarrette.

The Committee’s next meeting with management is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9.

Topics of Discussion

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

  • Upcoming Management Bulletin on ICE Interactions: At the direct recommendation of our Human Rights & Equity Committee, inflight management will issue an official must read bulletin providing operational guidance and defining procedures for interactions between Flight Attendants and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
  • ICE Incident Reporting Form: To track law enforcement interactions and protect Flight Attendant safety and rights on duty, please report any ICE-related incidents or concerns using our confidential AFA ICE Incident/Concern Reporting Form.
  • Enhanced Employee Recognition & Heritage Celebrations: Management’s Culture & Belonging Department is updating its employee recognition program while continuing to recognize and celebrate heritage months through Team AAG. The Committee is advocating to ensure these recognition efforts broadly reflect and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our workgroup.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Optional Pronouns on Uniform 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. Progress is being tracked alongside ongoing merger integration, as final rollout may align with a new standardized wing design across both airlines.
  2. Land Acknowledgment Signage in Workplace Locations: To acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities on whose traditional territories we live and work, our Committee is working to establish permanent land acknowledgment signage in Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines workplace locations. Land acknowledgments formally recognize the enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.
  3. Uniform Policy Allowance for Traditional Batok Tattoos: The Committee is tracking a proposal that would permit Flight Attendants to display visible traditional Batok tattoos while in uniform. Batok is an ancient form of tattooing practiced by Indigenous communities in the Philippines and holds deep cultural significance. Management has not made a final decision on the policy, and our Committee continues to advocate for approval.
  4. Transition to Joint Drug & Alcohol Support BRG/ERG: The Alaska Airlines Drug and Alcohol Infinity Group is transitioning into a combined Business Resource Group (BRG) and Employee Resource Group (ERG). The group offers resources, peer support, and educational programs for Flight Attendants and fellow employees navigating substance use issues, focusing on prevention, recovery, and reducing workplace stigma surrounding addiction.

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.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – October 2026

On Monday, October 12, our AFA Hotel Committee Chairpersons met remotely to receive an update on current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (pmAS SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (pmAS LAX), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt […]

Reserve Survey Closing Soon

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working to secure the best reserve provisions for our Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). We want to hear from you about which parts of the reserve experience matter most, so we can better meet your needs. The survey […]

Join The Picket Line: Support Horizon Flight Attendants this Wednesday, October 14

This Wednesday, October 14, Horizon Air Flight Attendants will take to the picket line to demand the fair contract they rightfully deserve. During our own contract fight, Horizon Flight Attendants never hesitated. They showed up for us on our picket lines, stood shoulder to shoulder with us at every rally, and proved what true solidarity […]

Reserve Survey Now Open

Our JNC encourages all members to participate in the Reserve survey, regardless of your current Reserve status. Whether you are on Reserve now, pick up Reserve days occasionally, or have not been on Reserve recently, your input is valuable. The survey will be open until Tuesday, October 20 at Noon PT.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – September 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, September 29, our pre-merger Alaska AFA Scheduling Committee Chairpersons and Representatives met virtually to discuss their ongoing work to represent our Flight Attendants and push for improvements in our workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Rebekah Olds (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

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