SEATTLE, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In
anticipation of Veterans Day, Alaska
Airlines today unveiled the newest aircraft in its fleet featuring
a patriotic special paint theme titled "Honoring Those Who Serve."
The 737-900ER is dedicated to the brave men and women of the U.S.
military, as well as veterans of the armed forces and their
families. Its unique exterior paint scheme, conceived by a small
group of Alaska maintenance
technicians, was designed to symbolize remembrance, pride, and
appreciation.
"All of us at Alaska greatly
value the bravery and sacrifices of our servicemen and women and
their families. We are extraordinarily proud to have this symbol of
appreciation that our customers will see and fly on every day,"
said Alaska Airlines CEO Brad
Tilden. "A lot of individuals worked hard to make this
airplane a reality. I want to give a special thank you to the
members of our Fallen Soldier program for their continued passion
and dedication. Because of them, we have this opportunity to honor
those who serve."
More than 250 airline employees were joined by veterans and
current members of the military for a special dedication of the
airplane in Alaska's Seattle maintenance hangar today. In the days
leading up to Veterans Day, the plane
will fly to cities near military bases, including Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska; San Diego, and Washington D.C.
"Alaska Airlines employs more than 1,400 veterans who remind us
every day about the dedication and sacrifices our men and women in
the military make for our great nation. This plane is a tribute for
these employees and veterans throughout our country, thanking them
for their service," said Joe
Sprague, the airline's senior vice president of
communications and external relations.
As part of its ongoing support of the military, Alaska partners with many nonprofit
organizations including Hiring Our Heroes and Camo2Commerce, both
of which help transition veterans into civilian jobs. The company
also supports Hero Miles, which provides free travel to injured or
ill service members and their loved ones. Since 2014, Alaska customers and employees donated more
than 7.4 million miles – the equivalent of 300 trips around the
globe.
Ashley Hence, a veteran and
customer-care representative for the company, got a foot in the
door at Alaska, thanks to
Camo2Commerce.
"I spent three years serving in the U.S. Army and leaving was a
big decision," Hence said. "My husband and I are thankful and
blessed to have been given this opportunity and did not worry if my
skills would translate to the civilian workforce."
Other Alaska employees learned
how to fly planes in the military. Col. Garin Tentschert, an Alaska captain and Seattle pilot base chief, learned many
leadership lessons along the way from his more than 26 years of
service in the U.S. Air Force and Reserves.
"When I look at this aircraft, I am thankful for the reminder
that there are those still active in the military fighting every
day for my freedom," said Col. Garin
Tentschert, Alaska Airlines captain and Seattle base chief pilot. "I'm humbled to be a
part of a company that values military service to the point of
allowing me to excel in not only my civilian job, but also my
military duties, all while understanding that my family is also
important."
About the new plane
What first started as an idea on a napkin with a small group of
passionate Alaska maintenance
employees three years ago, has now become a tribute in the sky.
The key elements of the design include:
- A red stripe and blue body of the aircraft incorporate elements
of the American flag.
- The phrase "Honoring Those Who Serve," boldly displayed on the
fuselage as a symbol of remembrance, pride and appreciation.
- A symbolic crest representing the Alaska Airlines Fallen
Soldier Program to the right of the cargo door. The program ensures
a fallen soldiers remains are treated with respect and dignity
while being transported on company aircraft.
- An "Alaska Airlines Salutes" medallion, featured on the right
of the boarding door, near the nose of the aircraft. The medallion
has five stars representing the five branches of the U.S. Armed
Forces: Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
- A President Calvin Coolidge
quote to the left of the rear cargo door reads, "No person was ever
honored for what they received. Honor has been the reward for what
they gave."
The special livery was created in partnership with Boeing, which
shares an appreciation for the value that military personnel bring
to the workplace. The companies collaborated throughout the
painting and delivery process.
"Boeing employees are proud to deliver an airplane that will
serve as a flying tribute to all veterans," said Brad McMullen, vice president of North America and Leasing Sales, Boeing
Commercial Airplanes. "Over 20,000 veterans are employed at Boeing,
bringing leadership skills and a strong work ethic cultivated
through their military experience. We're incredibly fortunate to
have so many veterans and military family members on our team."
The new "Honoring Those Who Serve" plane, tail number N265AK,
will fly throughout Alaska's route
network starting Friday.
Available for download at 1
p.m.:
- Time-lapse video of the plane being painted:
https://vimeo.com/188074231/a182e3a8b0
- Photo of the plane
- Blog
post: http://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/alaskacares/military-livery/
Multimedia assets from today's dedication ceremony will be
posted to the Alaska Newsroom by
5 p.m. including event photos and
b-roll.
Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32
million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of
970 daily flights throughout the United
States, Canada,
Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. With Alaska's global airline partners, customers
can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide.
Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight
with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming
entertainment direct to their device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food
and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines
ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers
in North America" in the J.D.
Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine
consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty
Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program
Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska
Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn
more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir,
facebook.com/alaskaairlines and
linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.
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SOURCE Alaska Airlines