The sale runs through January 17 for flights between the Lower 48 and both Fairbanks and Anchorage through February 12. Discounts of up to 35% are being tied to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s aurora forecast.
The more intense the Northern Lights forecast; the more
flyers will save on flights.
“Everyone loves a lighter fare,” said Natalie Bowman,
Alaska Airlines’ managing director, marketing and advertising, “This is just
the start of how we’ll use dynamic data in the future to appeal to our flyers’
passions.”
Here’s how it works:
Alaska Airlines harnesses Northern Lights forecast data for bucket list trip
Through January 17, fares will be discounted daily up to 35% depending on the Kp-index forecast during the travel time period.
Scientists use the Kp-index to help predict how visible the Northern Lights might be. Alaska will discount fares based on aurora intensity:
0 to 3 Kp = 15% off
4 to 5 Kp = 20% off
6 to 7 Kp = 25% off
8 to 9 Kp = 35% off
Want to know more about the Northen Lights before you pack up and go? The University of Fairbanks has an informative webpage on the Aurora seasons that include a real-time Aurora Tracker.
Our story about airports and airlines getting rid of single-use plastics first appeared on CNBC.
Business and leisure travelers concerned about climate
change and “flight shame” may do their part by purchasing carbon offsets and adjusting
the number of trips they take on airplanes.
Airports and airlines are trying to save the planet too with
a wide range of sustainable initiatives that include cutting down the use of
single-use plastics and making reusable water bottles essential travel amenities.
BYOB at SFO Airport
In 2019, San
Francisco International Airport (SFO), launched an ambitious Zero Waste
Concessions Program designed to significantly reduce the amount of single-use
disposable plastics used at the airport.
Noting that in 2018 nearly four million slow-to-biodegrade plastic
water bottles were sold at the airport, in August 2019 SFO became the first
airport in the nation to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.
SFO now actively encourages each passenger to bring their
own reusable water bottle with them to the airport and get free water from one
of the hydration stations in the terminals.
Bottled sodas, teas and juices are currently exempt from the
policy. And bottled water is still being sold, but only in approved packaging made
from recyclable aluminum or glass, or in compostable packaging.
Single-use plastics banned at other airports too
Airports in a growing number of other cities in the United States, and around the world, are getting serious about sustainability projects that are good for the environment and, in some cases, the bottom line.
“Whether through their participation in the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, implementation of more sustainable business practices, or even by the elimination of drinking straws and other single-use plastics, airports are taking a variety of approaches to be good neighbors in their communities,” said Scott Elmore, Vice President, Communications & Marketing for Airports Council International – North America
In February 2019, Glasgow
Airport offered all 5,300 people working in an around the airport free,
reusable bottles.
In September 2019, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
(DFW) announced a campaign to phase out all single-use plastic straws at the
airport.
🥤🐋 Starting today, we're phasing out plastic straws in the Airport. Learn more about the impact single-use plastic straws and this initiative specifically will have on the environment with this short video. pic.twitter.com/0e4sFqHqgN
In October 2019, the Airports
Authority of India (AAI) announced that at least 55 airports in the country
had banned single-use plastic items such as straws, plastic cutlery and plastic
plates.
Over and above 35 AAI airports that were declared 'Single-use Plastic Free,' 20 more AAI airports have joined the crusade. AAI is committed to preserve the environment and do its bit. #AAICarespic.twitter.com/otAHbr5O7R
And January 1, 2020, is the deadline for Dubai’s two airports, Dubai International Airport (DBX) – the world’s busiest airport for international travelers – and Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) to be entirely free of single-use plastics such as plastic cutlery, drinking straws, meal packaging and bags.
“Along with our partners, including
global brands such as McDonalds, Costa Coffee and Starbucks, we are committed
to not only removing single-use plastics but in their place providing
appropriate and importantly sustainable alternatives,” said Eugene Barry, Dubai
Airport’s Executive Vice President – Commercial, in a statement.
Barry says finding
replacements for plastic bottles remains a challenge for the airports, so for
now bottle recycling efforts are being beefed up.
Change is coming. Find out how Dubai Airports and its partners are preparing for the pledge to ban single-use plastics at the world’s busiest international airport,@DXB.🌍 pic.twitter.com/nUqJzBk5Rh
Going forward, a bill passed by the Atlanta City Council and waiting for the mayor’s approval is set to ban single-use plastics in the city and at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) by the end of 2020. Following the new law shouldn’t be too much of a reach: ATL’s guidelines for increased sustainability already seek to divert 90% of the airport’s total waste from landfills.
Not all airports are nixing the plastic water bottles,
though.
In its food court, Portland
International Airport (PDX) eliminates a great deal of plastic with its Green
Plate Program that gives travelers the option of having meals served on
reusable plates with reusable utensils.
But the airport’s environmental team hasn’t pressed to impose
a ban on plastic bottles because “not every traveler chooses to tote around
what can sometimes be a very expensive refillable bottle,” said PDX spokesperson
Kama Simonds, “Further, what if
travelers to our airport were unaware of the ban? This could have unintended
consequences of either leaving folks with less hydration and/or potentially
having a sugary drink as the option, which isn’t healthy.”
Airport vendors and airlines doing their part
HMSHost, which operates dining
venues in more than 120 airports around the world, says it is on track to honor
its commitment to eliminate plastic straws in its North American operations by
the end of 2020.
The company has already eliminated plastic
cocktail stirrers and currently only provides straws on request in its casual
dining restaurants.
In September, Alaska Airlines kicked off a “FillBeforeYouFly”
initiative, asking passengers to help reduce the use of single-use plastic
bottles inflight by bringing their reusable water bottles to the airport and
filling them at airport hydrations stations before their flight.
In November, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) introduced sustainable
meal packaging that includes paper with a coating made of organic
plant-based plastic instead of oil-based plastic as well as cutlery made of
plant-based plastic.
And earlier this year, Air
New Zealand removed individual plastic water bottles
from its Business Premier and Premium Economy cabins and switched to compostable plant-based coffee cups
made from paper and corn instead of plastic.
The airline is encouraging passengers to bring their
own reusable cups on board aircraft and into lounges. And, in a truly tasty
move, ANZ is running a test program to serve coffee and ice-cream in edible,
vanilla-flavored cups made by New Zealand-based twiice.
Alaska Airlines snowflake plane + Starbucks cup promotion
Alaska Airlines has put a snowflake-adorned plane in the air that will keep flying throughout the ski season.
And, through Sunday, November 10, the Seattle-based airline
is also partnering with Starbucks for a “red cup = early boarding” treat.
Show up for your Alaska Airlines flight with a Starbucks drink served in a red holiday cup and you’ll be invited to board the plane in the “espresso lane,” following group B.
Some airport Starbucks, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) are piloting compostable cups. But those airport Starbucks will be serving drinks with a red holiday sleeve and those drinks will qualify for “espresso lane” boarding as well.
And, as a bonus, on some West Coast flights, passengers will be gifted a complimentary reusable Starbucks holiday cup and $5 Starbucks gift card.
Today Alaska Airlines kicks off a campaign aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics.
The secret weapon in
the plan? You.
The airline’s #FillBeforeYouFly
initiative is asking passengers to pitch in to reduce the use of single-use plastics
inflight by bring their own water bottle and filling it up at the airport before
they board.
To kick off the campaign,
today Alaska will be giving out complimentary reusable water bottles in all 7 Alaska Airlines’ lounges and on select flights leaving
Seattle and San Francisco International Airports.
In addition, the airline says it will plant a tree for
every passenger who brings a pre-filled water bottle onto their flight and
posts a photo to social media tagging @AlaskaAir with the hashtag
#FillBeforeYouFly.
“Our ultimate goal is
to work together with our guests and employees to improve the health of our
water by reducing plastic use,” said Diana Birkett
Rakow, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of external relations. ““Land, water, and animals are incredibly
special parts of the places we live and fly – and we’re in this for the long
term.”
Alaska estimates that
if just 10% of its passengers bring their own pre-filled water bottle when they
fly and choose reusables, it could save more than 700,000 plastic water bottles
and 4 million plastic cups per year.
This isn’t Alaska Airline’s
first step towards helping to save the planet: in 2018, Alaska became the first
airline to replace single-use, plastic stir straws and citrus picks with
sustainable alternatives and the airline recently
replaced bottled beer with aluminum cans, which are lighter and easier to
recycle.
Just about two years after acquiring Virgin America, Alaska Airlines is showing off the first retrofitted version of the fleet of Airbus aircraft the Seattle-based carrier inherited in the deal.
The makeover was revealed this week on an Airbus A3121neo (new engine option) airplane during a short demo flight out of San Francisco International Airport. These retrofitted interiors will eventually show up on all of Alaska’s Airbus fleet of A319, A320 and A321aircraft and on its Boeing 737-700s and three new Boeing MAX 9 planes.
Alaska Airlines
The new cabin features include upgraded seats, Alaska blue (not Virgin pink) mood lighting for boarding, a refreshed cabin color palette and space-saving tablet holders at each seat.
Device holders are on the seatbacks of premium and economy seats. Photo Alaska Airlines
Additional
upgrades range from more conveniently positioned power outlets (USB and 110V)
at every seat (no more sharing) and the elimination of those space-hogging electrical
boxes on the floor under the middle seats.
There are also ingenious pull-out cup holders in the tray tables of the premium class seats and, for everyone , Gogo’s faster high-speed satellite Wi-Fi.
And, in a nod to the hip Virgin America brand many customers still miss, the makeover includes an board and de-planing music playlist that Alaska has programmed to have a “cool West Coast vibe thatcomplements the relaxing and modern ambiance.”
Here are some more snaps of the plane’s new features:
photo: Harriet Baskas
Aircraft seat manufacturer Recaro has created first class seats that include memory foam, a 40″ pitch, tray tables with tablet holders and bonus footrests.
Photo – Harriet BaskasMesh pouches on seat backs have an extra elastic to make them easier to use. Photo Harriet BaskasSeatback screens are gone – replaced by device holders and easier to access USB power ports. Photo Harriet Baskas
Joshua Rappaport, Executive Cheft at LSG SkyChefs was on site – and on the plane – sharing details of a new, refreshed menu that leans heavily to healthy, seasonal, West Coast-sourced and fresh.
Seattle-based fashion designer Luly Yang was on site as well, showing off the line of uniforms passengers will soon see on the Alaska Airlines team.
