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Airlines + Airports
Alaska Airlines
Founded in 1932 as McGee Airways in Anchorage, Alaska, Alaska Airlines changed its name and moved its base of operations to Seattle in the 1940s. With hubs in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Anchorage, Alaska Airlines still carries more passengers between Alaska and the lower 48 than any other airline. With over 100 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico, Alaska Airlines also operates out of focus cities San Diego and San Jose. Alaska is not a member of any major airline alliance (such as OneWorld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam), though it does have codeshare agreements with individual airlines in both OneWorld and Skyteam. Alaska Airlines serves more than 17 million passengers a year.The airline’s first flights were piloted by founder Linious “Mac” McGee, who took his three-seat Stinson between Anchorage and Bristol Bay. Without a set schedule, McGee would depart if and when people or cargo appeared, which sometimes resulted in round-the-clock flights during busy times.After World War II, the company (now called Alaska Airlines) used surplus military aircraft to branch into charter flights, participating in both the 1948 Berlin Airlift, which brought crucial supplies into blockaded West Berlin, as well as the 1949 Operation Magic Carpet, which transported nearly 50,000 Jewish passengers from Yemen to the new state of Israel.
In 2000, Alaska Airlines began to expand its service to the Midwest and East Coast, with flights to Chicago in 2000, to Washington, D.C. in 2001, to Newark in 2002, and to both Orlando and Boston in 2003.Alaska Airline’s frequent flyer program is Mileage Plan. In 2011, the airline announced a new program called Club 49, a Mileage Plan program uniquely designed for Alaska state residents. As members of Club 49 (which costs nothing to join), Alaskans enjoy free checked baggage as well as notifications about fare sales and discounts.
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Points + Miles
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Alaska Airlines Is Launching a New Electronic Device to Make Checking Bags Easier
Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Restrictions: What You Need to Know
A Breakdown of Every Major U.S. Airline's Face Mask Policy
Alaska Airlines' Star Wars-themed Plane Will Take You to a Galaxy Far, Far Away in Time for May the Fourth
Alaska Airlines Is Offering $29 Flights — but You Have to Book Today
Everything You Need to Know About Alaska Airlines' Baggage Fees
How to Get Wi-Fi on Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Will Issue a Yellow Warning Card to Passengers Who Don't Wear a Mask
Alaska Airlines Is Offering Free Ski Passes to a Dozen Resorts With Winter Flights
All the U.S. Airlines That Are Flying to Cuba
These Are the Most Watched In-flight Movies on U.S. Airlines In 2019, Report Shows
Alaska Airline's Cyber Monday Sale Has Flights for $29
Alaska Airlines Is Eliminating All Plastic Water Bottles, Cups on Its Flights
Alaska Airlines Is Having a Major 30% off Sale — but You'll Have to Book Today
Alaska Airlines Is Having a Mega Sale With $39 Fares — but It Won't Last Long
Alaska Airlines Is Expanding Its In-flight Food and Beverage Options
Alaska Airlines Is Giving Away 100 Flights to Reunite Couples Separated by the Pandemic
The Last Remaining Virgin America Plane Is Being Painted — Marking the End of the Airline
Saying Goodbye to Virgin America on the Airline's Final Flight (Video)
This Airline Is About to Shrink the Size of Carry-on Bags Allowed on Board
Alaska Airlines' Latest Sale Has Flights for 21% Off — but for a Limited Time Only
California Residents Can Get $15 Alaska Airlines Flights Right Now — but They'll Have to Act Fast
Passengers Can Score a Whole Row for the Price of One Seat on Alaska Airlines in Latest Sale — Act Fast
Alaska Airlines Parodies 1980s Song 'Safety Dance' for Hilariously Amazing Music Video
Alaska Airlines Offering Preflight COVID-19 Tests for Travelers Heading to Hawaii
Alaska Airlines to Require Passengers on Washington, D.C. Flights to Remain Seated for an Hour After Takeoff and Before Landing
Alaska Airlines Bans 14 Passengers for Not Wearing Masks
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