Breaking News

Syrians begin piecing their lives back together a week after rebels overthrow Assad

News Wrap: Displaced Gazans struggle to escape fighting between Israel and Hamas

What caused the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan? Here's what we know so far

Plane crash probe in Kazakhstan underway as speculation mounts about possible Russian involvement

Google Maps helps solve murder mystery by capturing moment a person put suspected corpse into car in Spain

France rushes aid to Mayotte, with hundreds feared dead and hunger rising after Cyclone Chido

Germany’s Chancellor Scholz loses a confidence vote, setting up an early election in February

Gaza death toll tops 45,000 from Israel-Hamas war, health officials say

2024-12-22

460 Read.

Alaska Airlines Unveils New Premium Offerings, Adds Asia Routes

Alaska Airlines is adding premium offerings and routes to Asia after merging with Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion acquisition.

The upgrades are part of the company's "Alaska Accelerate," plan which will provide Hawaiian Airlines with $1 billion to enhance airport lobbies and lounges in their hubs, provide more premium seats in the cabin and unveil new routes to Tokyo and Seoul, said Alaska Air Group, Inc.

Ben Minicucci, the chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group said the measures will bring "competitive advantages."

"We have built a winning business model that has enabled us to outperform the industry over the past two decades," he said.

The plan includes a new loyalty program and a premium credit card offering.

According to Shane Tackett, the chief financial officer, these measures will help the company "win in our industry" by driving "substantial financial results that will continue to set us apart from our competitors."

Hawaiian Airlines
A Hawaiian Airlines jet taxies out to the runway at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

"The combination with Hawaiian gives us the scale to be stronger than either of us could have been on our own--giving guests what they want, where and when they want it," Tackett said.

Once the "Alaska Accelerate" plan is launched and completed, it's forecasted to earn the company an estimated $800 million in revenue in the next three years, an earnings report released Tuesday reports.

"We expect an unprecedented level of revenue growth at Alaska over the next three years," Andrew Harrison, chief commercial officer said.

Other forecast targets for 2027 include $1 billion in profit, an earning per share of at least $10, and a profit margin between 11 and 13 percent.

Harrison said the company who once offered free flights to view a solar eclipse is focused on "strengthening the commercial levers that drive guest satisfaction."

Alaska Air Group, Inc. will begin offering new nonstop flights to Asia, connecting Seattle to Tokyo Narita in Japan beginning May 2025 and to Seoul Incheon in South Korea starting October 2025.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. acquired Virgin Airlines in an auction, is based in Seattle and its other subsidiaries includes Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and McGee Air Services.

Its stock was up more than 12% on Tuesday due to the strong earnings report.

Read moreAir Travelers Now Have A Huge New Protection: What You Need To KnowUltra-Low Airfare Frontier Airlines To Launch First Class SeatingSpirit Airlines Files For Bankruptcy: What It Means For FliersSingapore Airlines Spending Nearly $1B To Revamp Cabins, Add First Class Seats For Longest Flights