Alaska Airlines Overview

Alaska Airlines is an American Airline that merged with Virgin America in the year 2018, January 11.  Prior to its merger with Virgin America, Alaska Airlines operates an all-Boeing 737 mainline fleet beginning from August 25, 2008, until its merging date.  

Alaska Airlines started from a humble beginning, however, today, the company has grown massively to become a significant figure to reckon with in the Airline industry. With its fleet harboring fleet of aircraft,  Alaska Airlines fly over 200 million passengers in a given year to over several destinations across the globe. Having its port scattered across major parts of the United States, creating its presence in cities, the company is proud to be enlisted on the 2022 Fortune 500 list, ranking in the 514th position, a feat indicating the company to be one of the most successful and largest corporations in the entire United States. In its entirety,  Alaska Airlines controls over 21, 000 employees in its workforce globally, and as a result, the company leverages this vast work of human capital to deliver exceptional and seamless air travel services to its customers. The company avails its passengers, of several flight options to select from ranging from first class to business class, to the main cabin, as well as economic class.

 

Founding Year: Alaska Airlines was founded in the year 1932 approximately 90+ years in existence

Industrial Ranking: Alaska Airlines is ranked on the 2022 Fortune list, taking the 514th position, a feat indicating the company is one of the largest corporations based on revenue generation in the United States.  

Company Type: A Public Corporation (PLC)   

Industry Type: Airline Industry 

Trading Type: Alaska Airlines is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market under the ticker symbol, ALK  

Workforce Strength: Alaska Airlines controls over 21, 000 employees in its workforce globally.    

Founded in the early years of the 1930s, specifically, 1932, Alaska Airlines since its inception has gone through several transitions and evolution, a transition which in turn had changed operations and overall modus-operandi. However, in this section, you will be shown an extensive review, phase by phase, detailing how this company had transited overtime since its founding year up to this date.

1930s

In the year 1932, Alaska Airline was founded when  McGee Airways was painted on the side of a three-passenger designed Stinson by Linious Mac McGee and began flying out of Anchorage, and Wesley “Earl” Dunke, a mine owner loaned money to pilots Charlie Ruttan, Steve Mills, and Jack Waterworth to begin Star Air Service. In the year 1934, McGee merged and partnered with Star Air Service, hence creating and forming a formidable team, becoming one of the largest airlines in Alaska with a total number of 22 aircraft. During that period, there was nothing like a flight schedule, as such, flight typically takes off once the cabin was full, regardless of whether it was being filled with humans, groceries, or furs. Finances in those days were tight, nonetheless, perseverance was the order of the day. Alaska Airlines extends into 37 countries sequel to the purchase of Alaska Interior Airlines. Lately after,  McGee leased off Star Air Service to a group company led by one of his previous pilots, Don Goodman, who rebranded the carrier name.

1940s

In the year 1943, Star Air Lines which was by then operating as Alaska Star Airlines bought Mirow Air Service, Lavery Airways, Pollack Airlines as well as Alaska Airmotive until it eventually changed its name to Alaska Airlines in the year 1944. Despite the shortage of workers during the war and feuds with the civil Aeronautics Board, as well as the money skirmish that led to employees paying for fuels from their personal savings, the company continued to grow and evolve against all odds. In the late 1940s, charter operations overseas scheduled service, and during this period, Alaska emerges as the largest charter operator across the globe, utilizing surplus military aircraft to transit food in the Berlin Airlift as well as refugees for Israel reconciliation.

1950s

Alaska Airlines extends extensively in the year 1950 as a result of its acquisition of two mini-Alaskan carriers. However, the major dream of the company came through in the year 1951 when it received the authority and license to fly from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Seattle and Portland.  Shortly after, the CAB compelled what it believed to be a business-saving change in management, as a result of this management restructuring, the company’s financial standing was refueled, although not substantial as at the time Charlie Willis was appointed as the former CEO and Chairman of the company in the year 1957.

1960s

During the 60s, when the marketing age was in full stride, Alaska Airlines emerges as the foremost commercial carrier to fly the Lockheed Hercules, by hauling drilling rigs to Alaska’s oil-rich North Slope, and thereafter to the jungles of Ecuador. The Boeing 727 which was the company’s signature for 25 years came aboard and joined the fleet in the mid-1960s.

1970s

Alaska Airlines witness a tough time in the 70s and got on the brink of closure when the board of directors recommended a change in management in the year 1972. The company’s helm of affairs was taken over by a team led by Ron Cosgrave. The team helped reshaped and reinstated back the company to its right position, by striving to improve its customer service, specifically, its turnaround time. During this period, Alaska Airlines only served 10 cities in Alaska as well as one in the lower 48 (Seattle). The company’s overall fleet comprises only ten aircraft at that time.

1980s

Alaska Airlines expanded exponentially in the 80s, and sequel to its operation services extending to San Francisco and Portland in the year 19790, Alaska Airlines extends to Southern California, San Jose, Boise, Phoenix, Spokane, Oakland, as well as Tucson. Consequently, this expansion increased the company’s revenue and net income (profit) exponentially. And in the year 1985, the company formed Alaska Air Group which serves as a holding company for the airline. A year later, the corporation bought Air Jet America Airlines. And in the late 80s, the corporation extends to Mexico.

1990s – 2010s

The growing success of low-fare/low-cost carriers in the airline industry led to the change of the company’s fundamental principles in the 190s. Consequently, the company adopted a new mantra with the phrase “For the same price, you just get more” to pull more customers to itself, and the mantra resonate well with them. In the 2000s, the company stretches its wings to the cities like Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Newark, Florida, as well as Washington DC. And finally, since 2010, with the creation of its customer innovation department, the company has launched mobile apps across all digital platforms, hence reducing its pilot’s paperwork. The company was also the first airline company to accept Google Wallet. Additionally, the company also has Biometric Identification in its airport lounges, and it is committed to carrying its long-shot history of leading the industry.

Bookings & Reservations

Flights

Deals

Group Travel

Flight Pass

 Trip Planner

Hotels

Cars

Rides

Travel Insurance

Travel Credits

Credit Certificates

Gift Certificates

Wallet Funds

Check Certificate Balance

Destinations

Route Map

New Routes

Hawaii

Flight Schedules

First Class

Premium Class

Main Cabin

Saver Fare (Economic)

Revenue: 6. 176 Billion USD ( Fortune 2022)

Net Income: 478 Million USD (Fortune 2022)

Total Assets: 7. 314 Billion USD (Fortune 2022)

Total Equity: 3. 801 Billion USD (Fortune 2021)

According to reviews by employees on Glassdoor, as well as a critical study of the company below are the outlined pros and cons of Alaska Airlines

Covers and Flies a Broad Range of Destinations

Multiple Ticket Options

Competitive remuneration 

Freedom of work schedule 

There is a Work/Life Balance

Amazing Corporation Social Responsibility initiatives 

Lack of Feedback 

Strict Management

In a nutshell, although Alaska Airlines has been in the airline industry for quite a number of years like its counterparts, nonetheless, the milestones and achievements of this company as proven the company to be an industrial colossus, and on the off chance that it keeps its pace, it would remain a leader in the airline industry and by extension, remain an example to other aspiring airline companies. That being said, I trust you are able to absorb all the relevant information presented in this piece and that it would aid your rationality in whatever decision you would have to make as regards the Fortune 500 company, Alaska Airlines.