With "Our Commitment" aircraft, Alaska is honoring its value of doing the right thing, taking the conversation around education, equity and belonging to the skies. The aircraft features the profiles of 14 children, grandchildren and mentees of Alaska employees, along with two quotes that have inspired the airline’s diversity, equity and inclusion work.
"The time is always right to do what is right." – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world." – Nelson Mandela
The typography on the aircraft was created by Adé Hogue, a Chicago-based artist and designer, who found inspiration in Civil Rights Movement-era imagery. The profile design was created by an Alaska Airlines employee, whose child is one of the feature profiles.
The plane is a Boeing 737-900ER, and commercial service on the aircraft began April 27 with an inaugural flight to Washington, D.C. Onboard, guests can expect a special greeting when they board that explains the vision and purpose of the aircraft. They will also be able to learn more through a custom seatback card and digital resources featuring bios of the children on the aircraft, details on Alaska’s commitments to diversity and equity, and information on UNCF and HBCUs, including how to donate to the organization.
Faces of Alaska Airlines
The 14 students featured on the plane represent the next generation of leaders, and the diverse voices and faces in the Alaska Airlines family. Some of the students include:
- Shilah, daughter of Shirah, a Los Angeles-based flight attendant for Alaska. Shilah is in 11th grade and aspires to have a career in STEM. She loves computer science, art and crocheting. She plays golf and soccer, and likes to go thrift shopping with her mom.
- Arthur, son of Macara, a training delivery specialist for Alaska in Seattle. Arthur is in 8th grade and was recently accepted to Raisbeck Aviation High School in Tukwila, Wash. His greatest love is aeronautics and space exploration. He also enjoys creating models using his 3D printer and plays the bass guitar and piano.
- Jade, daughter of Sarah, an Alaska Airlines Lounge manager in Seattle. Jade is a student at the University of Washington, majoring in Linguistics. She has studied Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. In addition to her native English, she is fluent in German.
- Jonathan and Alexis, children of John-Antony, ITS senior test manager for Alaska. Jonathan is a freshman at the University of Washington, majoring in communications. He loves coordinating events and jazz music. He also speaks French and Spanish. Alexis is a sophomore at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. She’s majoring in International Studies and French, with aspirations of going into law. She also loves poetry and roller-skating.