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Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

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This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, January 27, 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 Heather Reier (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—PBS Subcommittee Member Adam Clarey, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Flight Crew System Support Sue Rawlings, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on Tuesday, February 24.

Topics of Discussion

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

Upcoming Meetings

  • Monthly MEC Scheduling Committee Meetings are planned for February 24, March 24, April 21 (in-person), and additional dates through December 2026.
  • Scheduling Review Board (SRB) is scheduled through the end of 2026. These meetings are held monthly and address unresolved issues related to Crew Scheduling, Crew Planning, Crew Pay, and ITS. Issues not resolved in SRB are escalated to ADR. 
  • Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR): This meeting is facilitated by the Grievance Committee, with the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson participating as a stakeholder. ADR meeting dates are scheduled throughout the end of the year and are generally held every other week. 
  • AI Crew Solutions: Kicked off with a meeting on November 4, 2025, focused on improving vacation awards processing and unbid slots. Implementation of the system is expected throughout 2026, with a follow-up scheduled for March 12, 2026.

MEC Committee Chairperson Report

  • Crew Backlog Review: Scheduled for February 4, 2026. Discussions will center around addressing the backlog and optimizing crew utilization.
  • Crew Bi-Monthly Review with ALPA: Set for March 4, 2026, to discuss known Crew Access issues and solutions.
  • Rainmaker Crew Pay System: Meetings scheduled for February 18, May 20, August 19, and November 18, 2026, to focus on updates and resolve discrepancies in pay calculations.
  • Fatigue Review Board (FRB): Ongoing meetings throughout 2026, with a focus on evaluating crew fatigue management and necessary policy adjustments.
  • NAVBLUE Monthly Call: Regular updates to discuss system performance, with a focus on enhancing user experience and resolving technical issues.
  • Pyramiding Pay Dispute: Ongoing discussions regarding compensation for over-duty situations and related contractual obligations.

Local Chairperson Reports

  • ANC:
    • Addressed missed audits for flying on days off and concerns about compensation for pre-board situations.
  • LAX:
    • Reports of inadequate hotel arrangements for crews in LIR and CUN, leading to situations where crews had to utilize contractual self-help. 
    • Ongoing discussions regarding compensation for wait times at hotels due to scheduling errors.
  • PDX :
    • Issues regarding hotel assignments during irregular operations, specifically for crews during long layovers. A follow-up discussion with Labor Relations is planned.
  • SAN:
    • Reports of missed updates in the Rainmaker system affecting pay calculations, leading to discrepancies in PPP blocks. 
    • Compensation request for a Flight Attendant who was due a jumpseat premium for December 1, 2025. 
  • SEA:
    • Concerns about negative vacation balances and reassignments affecting pay. Requests for clearer communication regarding these issues for year-end. Please refer to the Rainmaker Pay Guide as well for additional resources. 
    • Discussions on fatigue calls and layover management, emphasizing the need for better protocols.
  • SFO:
    • Multiple pay questions and situations
    • Concerns about Crew Scheduling moving crews on layovers.

Crew Systems/JCTE Update:

  • NAVBLUE testing new releases, with updates to automated test cases and system enhancements expected by late February.
  • Emphasis on improving TFP calculators and addressing security issues within the system.

Crew Scheduling Operational Insights:

  • Acknowledgment of increased sick leave rates impacting crew availability, leading to operational challenges at the start of January.
  • Discussions on the necessity of accurate hotel assignments and the implications of poor communication regarding crew accommodations.

Quality of Life Survey:

  • Ongoing internal discussions regarding the potential for a Quality of Life survey to better understand and manage crew expectations and experiences.

General Discussion Points

  • Multiple Pay-Related Questions:
    • Significant inquiries about Rainmaker’s accuracy, with Flight Attendants expressing confusion about pay calculations and audit processes.
    • Management acknowledged the need for clearer, more consistent responses to Flight Attendants’ queries.
  • Hotel Arrangements:
    • Persistent issues with hotel assignments and crew accommodations during layovers were extensively discussed.
    • Management is committed to reviewing policies to ensure compliance with contractual obligations regarding layover accommodations.
  • Compensation Issues:
    • Ongoing discussions about the handling of compensation for wait times and the impact of scheduling decisions on crew wellbeing.
    • Emphasis on the importance of adherence to contractual agreements regarding pay and working conditions.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Crew Access Issues: Addressing challenges affecting operations and Flight Attendant satisfaction. Meetings with Jeppesen management and internal/external debriefs regarding a recent outage are scheduled. A recent update to Crew Access was installed on December 8, 2025. We are asking crew members to familiarize themselves with the changes. Our next installation is scheduled for February 2026. 
  2. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. 
  3. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2.  We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. Our next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2026. 
  4. Ground Commuting: The Committee wants to remind Flight Attendants that contractual provisions are available for review under Section 37.B.  
  5. Flow Charts: The Committee is internally reviewing flow charts with management and will update once the parties agree. Stay tuned for an update soon. 
  6. Block2Block (B2B) Contactability – Implemented on February 1, 2026. Please familiarize yourself with the contractual language and bulletin bundle.
  7. Chime (Microsoft Teams) – Implemented on February 9, 2026. This will allow Flight Attendants to contact Crew Scheduling for additional resources. Please refer to the letter of agreement and bulletin bundle. 

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 website.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

On Monday, January 12, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Kelly Hepworth (PDX), Hilary Streem (SFO), Brian Sherill (LAX-pmAS), Kanani Vallot (SAN), and Matt Mitchell (HNL) with MEC Hotel Committee Chairperson James Bozanich facilitating the meeting.

The Committee met with Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Senior Crew Hotels Support Specialist Nichole Turner and Crew Hotels Support Specialist LaFay Williams. 

Our next monthly meeting with management is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026. API, the company’s hotel accommodations vendor, will also host their first quarterly business review (QBR) meeting of 2026 in January, with the pre-merger Alaska meeting on January 21 and the pre-merger Hawaiian meeting on January 22.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during the meeting with management, most of which focused on hotel decisions and challenges in our layover markets. Some items discussed include:

Hotel and Ground Transportation Issues (pmAS):

Most of our meeting time was devoted to a few high-profile events that occurred over the holiday period.  

  • FAI: Crews have reported a number of issues with our Fairbanks hotel, including unresponsive front desk staff, HVAC issues (heating/cooling), and water temperature and drainage issues. These have gone on for far too long, and we made it clear that we need a safe and dependable property in FAI. We have asked that API conduct an emergency market sourcing for an alternative option. Given the smaller size of cities in Alaska, options are unfortunately limited. 
  • CUN: Cancun experienced significant compression the first weekend of January due to the Caribbean airspace being shut down. In hotel terms, compression refers to a situation where the demand for hotel rooms is extremely high, leaving few or no available rooms in the area. This often leads to higher room rates and limited options for securing accommodations. As a result of this compression event, there was a sellout, with API struggling for hours to secure rooms for a cancelled Alaska flight. When rooms were finally secured, the hotel still refused to accept payment, despite being sent via three different avenues. This significantly delayed crews from getting into their rooms. Ultimately, a pilot paid out of pocket. This topic has been added to the QBR agenda for further discussion and future contingencies.
  • LIR: A crew arrived at our long-stay property after a redeye flight to find they did not have a hotel reservation. This was the result of an API mistake during the hotel reassignment period. As a reminder, during the planning process, if hotels cannot accommodate hotel rooms over the contracted maximum cap, pairings are entered as “TBD”, which is what we, as a Hotel Committee, have asked for. This adds greater transparency to the bid as you are bidding for a pairing without a known hotel. API has a process that flags all TBDs to ensure rooms are booked for these pairings. Unfortunately, due to human error, this particular overnight was missed. To prevent this from happening again, API will rerun the reassignment report on the last day of the month to ensure all TBDs have been processed and rooms assigned for the upcoming month.

Reminders About Self-Help (pmAS)

  • Hotel Rooms: If you have not received a hotel room key within ninety (90) minutes after arriving at your hotel, you may be able to arrange your own room and be reimbursed up to $400 per Flight Attendant, per night. Before making your own arrangements, you must obtain approval from Crew Scheduling by phone (or from Base Management if Crew Scheduling is unavailable). To request reimbursement, keep your receipt and submit it according to the steps in section 34.D.2 of the contract.  
  • Late Transportation: Section 34.B.7 of the contract allows you to arrange and submit for reimbursement the actual cost of alternative transportation to/from the airport if transportation is not provided within thirty-five (35) minutes of block-in or within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled departure from the hotel. To be reimbursed, keep your receipt and submit it as outlined in the contract. Alternatively, you may ask Crew Scheduling to arrange transportation at the thirty-five-minute mark if you do not want to pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement.   
  • Wait Times: If you decide to wait for a hotel room or late transportation, you will be paid if the wait time requirements are met and you follow the reporting steps in section 34.D of the contract.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Conducting Hotel Site Visits: The Hotel Committee conducts site visits on hotels under consideration by management to ensure that the selected options provide the safest and most comfortable layover experience for Flight Attendants.  Market reviews are triggered by factors such as contract expirations, crew complaints, and cost-saving opportunities.  
  • Pre-Merger Alaska: We have been provided the site visit schedule for 2026, and it’s quite extensive. Additional site visits may be added due to the conditions listed above. The scheduled site visits through June 2026 are:
    • January: LAX
    • February: CVG, PHL, KEF
    • March: PSP, MKE, CLE, MIA
    • April: LIR, DFW, KOA, JFK
    • May: BOS, PHX, ATL
    • June: OGG, RNO
  • Pre-Merger Hawaiian: The following site visits are confirmed for 2026 so far:
    • January: SFO
    • February:  FCO, SMF
    • March: LHR, SJC
  1. Hotel Gainshare Update: There is no new update at this time. We are still awaiting further information from our AFA International legal department regarding the tax implications raised by management. We will provide additional details as soon as they are available.

We Want to Hear From You!

Our Hotel Committee relies on your feedback, whether positive or negative. Please report via CrewCare (pmAS) or the FA Crew Accommodations Feedback form (pmHA), which ensures your experience with a layover hotel or ground transportation is addressed. These are the only official way to report issues, as the Committee does not monitor social media channels.

Each CrewCare and feedback form submission is forwarded to our AFA Hotel Committee, Crew Hotels (Alaska/Hawaiian management), API, and the hotel or ground transportation provider. This ensures quick action can be taken to correct or fix the issue for the next crew member. It also allows us to monitor hotel and transportation trends. Pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants can quickly file a CrewCare report using the web app on your IMD home screen or by clicking here.Do you have any other feedback you would like to share with the Committee or any specific items you want us to bring up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Hotel Committee is here to represent you and ensure management hears your voice. You can find our contact information on the Hotel Committee page of the AFA Alaska + Hawaiian website.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – December 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

On Tuesday, December 16, 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Melinda Jorge (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, and MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson Jake Jones were also present.

The Committee met with Managing Director Inflight Performance & Crew Scheduling Sara Cook, Crew Scheduling Supervisor Matthew Trujillo, Director of Crew Planning Trisha Bennett, Manager of Flight Crew System Support Sue Rawlings, Manager of Crew Pay Debbie Bakke, and other management representatives from Crew Planning, Crew Scheduling, information technology (ITS), payroll, and inflight performance.

The Committee is next scheduled to meet on January 27, 2026.

Topics of Discussion

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

Local Committee Chairperson Reports

PDX:

  • Deadhead Seating Issues: Flight Attendants are bringing forward concerns regarding seat assignments, involuntary and voluntary jumpseat assignments, and would like clarification. The Committee is working on programming and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Alaska management. 
  • Crew Pay Resources: Crew pay charts are accessible online for submitting queries, which were also shared during base sit meetings. This aims to streamline the process for Flight Attendants when addressing pay issues.

SAN:

  • Flight Cancellations and Pay Concerns: A Flight Attendant’s first leg from SAN to ORD was canceled before 8 PM. Despite following guidelines, they faced issues with Crew Scheduling, who suggested a callback for pay discussions. The Committee is investigating the calls and working with management to resolve any potential violations. 

ANC:

  • Year-End Scheduling Queries: Year-end questions about the 480 TFP and PPP were raised.
  • Two Flight Attendants schedules were not uploaded into Crew Access, leading to concerns about data accuracy and reporting. Discussions were initiated to improve the upload process and prevent future errors.
  • Increased TSA and agricultural scrutiny at KOA was reported, affecting operations.
  • There were questions regarding which base would operate flights to Iceland, with reminders about the first three months of the schedule being locked in. The Committee inquired with management about the construction of future trips. 

LAX:

  • Reassignment Pay Issues: Concerns were raised about pairings and the lack of reassignment pay when showing the same city pairings with different times. This resulted in a call to clarify how Flight Duty Time (FDTY) is recorded. The Committee is working with payroll on a dispute regarding reassignment pay. If you believe you are due reassignment compensation and were denied or didn’t receive the pay, then please file a ticket through the AFA Online Support Center. 
  • Flight Attendants reported that Customer Service Agents were incorrectly citing late arrival to the gate under the 5-minute-early push program, creating further confusion.

SFO:

  • Questions arose regarding pay for deadhead releases, particularly in relation to delays, sit times, and how the trip appears at the time of release. 

SEA:

  • Pay Queries and Education Needs: A significant volume of tickets relating to pay questions was noted. Flight Attendants are asking about what they should be paid, and should review the contract prior to contacting the Committee for assistance. 

PBS Update

  • Bidding and Awards: The January bidding process was reported to be smooth, with a lot of education regarding coverage requirements and legalities that are unique to January Bidding
  • Protests: We had valid protests related to 11.B.3.c violations. A fix for this is in the newest accepted release for NAVBLUE.
  • Meetings: Many extra meetings with management were conducted to prepare for the newest NAVBLUE Release
  • Releases:
    • Release 25.5.574 will go live for Flight Attendants on 12/17, including updates on password and offline mode changes. 
    • Release 25.7 is expected to enter testing soon with final TA2 updates.
    • Company Plans to move NAVBLUE access to AAG SSO in March

ITS Update

  • NAVBLUE testing has completed pre-production evaluations, achieving approximately 94% automation for IOS and web applications. 
  • A bulletin will be issued to instruct Flight Attendants on necessary password resets and cache clearing, ensuring a smoother user experience with our new update.
  • We are awaiting statistics for Flight Attendant to Flight Attendant trading and Open Time for December, but we were unable to discuss them during the meeting. 

Payroll Update

  • In November, 2731 queries were logged, with 1778 categorized as manageable. Ongoing discussions highlighted the need to address irregular operations from October, comparing historical data to current trends.
  • Adjustments in holiday pay protocols were discussed, particularly concerning early arrivals and their implications for compensation. 
  • Security testing for TFP calculators remains pending, with an update expected in 2026.
  • The Committee is reviewing the payroll checklist for reports and queries. Please note that each pay analyst pulls weekly reports and has the flexibility to do them in the order they choose. 

Crew Planning Update

  • The introduction of a Pairing Analytics Dashboard aims to enhance data visualization for both the Committee and management. This tool breaks down pairings by month, year, and base, offering detailed insights into trip details, commutable trips, and deadhead statistics.
  • The need for AFA access to these analytics was emphasized for better transparency and collaboration. Management agrees that AFA should have access to review the data. 
  • Pairing selection is scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, for the February bid month. There was no PowerPoint presentation from Crew Planning due to the timing of  the monthly meeting and pairing selection. 

Crew Scheduling Update

  • Sick Leave Trends: Year-over-year data shows lineholder and reserve sick leave at 10.7%, with a slight increase in attendance noted. An uptick in sick calls was observed during the year-end period, particularly among Flight Attendants attempting to complete their trips.
  • Monitoring Resources: Concerns about the clarity of state sick leave versus CBA sick leave were discussed extensively, with requests for more precise resources to aid Flight Attendants in understanding their options and bank balances in Rainmaker.
  • December Operations: Reserve utilization is projected at 89.7% for December, with an expected increase in block hours and schedules due to holiday travel. A significant spike in charter flights for upcoming bowl games was anticipated, necessitating careful management of resources and staffing.

Key Takeaways

  • Urgent Need for Clarity: Addressing pay discrepancies and scheduling errors is crucial for maintaining accurate compensation and operational efficiency.
  • System Improvements: Ongoing technological enhancements are vital to streamline processes and improve communication channels. The Committee and management continually review technology and automated practices to enhance efficiency and improve user experiences.
  • Education and Resources: There is a pressing need for Flight Attendants to become more familiar with their contracts and available resources to mitigate confusion and empower self-advocacy.

What The Committee Is Working On

  1. Crew Access Issues: Addressing challenges affecting operations and Flight Attendant satisfaction. Meetings with Jeppesen management and internal/external debriefs regarding a recent outage are scheduled. A recent update to Crew Access was installed on December 8, 2025. We are asking crew members to familiarize themselves with the changes. Our next installation is scheduled for February 2026. 
  2. Resolving Pyramiding Pay Disputes: Discussions are ongoing through the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to clarify payment rules for over-duty pay and day-off violations. Our Grievance Committee is filing grievances regarding several concerns with pyramid pay. 
  3. Vacation Bidding: Representatives from the Committee met with management to discuss the new vendor, AI Crew Solutions. It was determined that when a Flight Attendant either doesn’t hold a bid or forgets to bid, they will be allowed to bid in the 2nd round of vacation. The current process assigns slot 1 and slot 2.  We will provide educational material and information when bidding begins next year on the new platforms. 
  4. Ground Commuting: The Committee wants to remind Flight Attendants that contractual provisions are available for review under Section 37.B.  
  5. Flow Charts: The Committee is internally reviewing flow charts with management and will update once the parties agree. Stay tuned for an update soon. 

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 website.

Reserve Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

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.

Inflight Service Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025

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.

Scheduling Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Tuesday, January 27, 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 Heather Reier (ANC), Rita Tillou (SEA), Melodie Anderes (PDX), […]

Celebrating Black History Month

February 1 marks the start of Black History Month in the United States—a vibrant celebration with roots dating back to 1925, when acclaimed historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced “Negro History Week” to highlight the remarkable achievements of Black individuals. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded it to Black History Month, calling on all […]

Never Forget: Honoring Alaska Airlines Flight 261—January 31, 2000 

On this day, we pause to remember and honor the anniversary of the tragic loss of Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which occurred on January 31, 2000. This heartbreaking event claimed the lives of all 88 passengers and crew on board, leaving an enduring impact on all of us. As we reflect on this tragic day, […]

Joint Contract Negotiations Session 11 – January 2026

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) continues to make steady progress in collective bargaining sessions with management. Recent meetings have focused on refining contract Section 15 (Leaves of Absence). The JNC continues to incorporate the strongest language from both Alaska and Hawaiian agreements.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – January 2026

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

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