Partners in Diversity is proud to spotlight one of our partners, Alaska Airlines. Read about them below!
With Alaska Airlines’ merger with Hawaiian Airlines, how have you worked to center the employee experience while maintaining the inclusive culture both organizations are known for?
As we move forward with Hawaiian Airlines, our priority has been to lead with care—for our people and for the cultures that make each airline unique. Both organizations share a deep commitment to hospitality, respect, and community, and we’ve been intentional about honoring those values throughout the integration process.
Our leaders have focused on listening first, then engaging employees across both airlines through dialogue, feedback sessions, and cultural exchange opportunities. This ensures that we’re not just combining operations, but thoughtfully bringing together two strong cultures in a way that reflects our shared commitment to belonging. Our goal is to create an environment where employees feel seen, heard, and excited about the future we’re building together.
What is a new program or initiative at Alaska Airlines that you would love more people to know about?
Our company strives to create an environment where employees feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive. Business Resource Groups are at the heart of community at Alaska Airlines. These 13 employee‑led groups create spaces where people can connect, feel supported, and bring their full selves to work. They foster belonging, support personal and professional growth, advocate for mental health and wellbeing, and help strengthen our connection to the communities we serve. Along the way, members also share lived experiences and insights that meaningfully influence how we grow and evolve as a company.
Does Alaska Airlines celebrate and promote heritage months, such as AAPI Month? If so, could you share more about these efforts?
Absolutely. Celebrating heritage months is an important way we recognize the unique communities our employees represent. During AAPI Heritage Month and others throughout the year, our Culture & Belonging team and employee-led groups support programming that includes storytelling, cultural education, volunteerism, and community partnerships.
These moments are not only about celebration, they’re opportunities to deepen understanding, elevate voices, and strengthen connections across our workforce. Given our strong ties to the Pacific Northwest and the broader Asia-Pacific region, these celebrations are especially meaningful to our people and our guests.
How has Alaska Airlines embedded a culture of inclusion across the organization?
Inclusion at Alaska Airlines is not a standalone initiative—it’s embedded in how we operate every day. From hiring and development practices to leadership expectations and community engagement, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels they belong.
Our Culture & Belonging team supports employee recognition, events, and listening to ensure our people feel connected, safe, and empowered. They visit employees across the world as part of the Kōlea Connections Culture Tour, and they provide resources to get settled for new and relocating employees through a crowdsourced tool called “Community Compass.” We also invest in training, focus on hiring the best talent for every role, and build partnerships that help us continuously evolve. Ultimately, our culture of care is grounded in our shared values to: own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
