Alaska Airlines has just debuted its first safety video in its 94 year history, and there are some noteworthy things about it (thanks to Lester for flagging this)…
In this post:
Alaska’s new Boeing 787 safety video now screening
In recent times, we’ve seen Alaska Airlines commence long haul flights out of Seattle (SEA), which is made possible by Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Specifically, Alaska is acquiring Boeing 787s (some from Hawaiian, and some new), with the goal of serving a dozen global destinations out of Seattle by 2030.
Up until recently, Alaska only operated narrow body planes, and none of those have seat back TVs. Therefore in its entire history, the airline never had a safety video on its own branded aircraft… until now.
Alaska’s new safety video is now being shown on seat back TVs on all 787 flights. The video has a global theme and features over 100 Alaska employees, highlighting Seattle, as well as the destinations the airline flies to, which is a common direction airlines take with safety videos nowadays.
That’s not all, though. On long haul flights out of Seattle, Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci is now featured in a welcome video. This is specifically about the 787 and Alaska’s global growth ambitions, so it’s not quite as much of a pep talk as you’ll get from Delta CEO Ed Bastian, about how you’re in the presence of greatness when you step onboard a Delta plane.
Did Alaska hint at a new destination in the safety video?
As you can see, the safety video cuts between showcasing Seattle, and promoting global destinations. The video features London, Rome, Japan (not Tokyo, but Mount Fuji), Seoul, and… Sydney?!
One of those isn’t like the other one, as Alaska doesn’t actually fly to Sydney (Hawaiian does, but that’s not relevant to this). Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I have a hard time imagining that Alaska is just adding random cities to the video, and instead, I suspect this reflects that this will be one of the carrier’s next long haul destinations out of Seattle.
That’s not terribly surprising, though Seattle doesn’t have the same advantageous geography for flights across the South Pacific as it does for flights across the North Pacific, especially when you consider where people are connecting from. But still, it seems not at all surprising that Sydney would be in the pipeline.
Make of it what you will, but in an Alaska Air Group Investor Day presentation in 2024, the airline highlighted some long haul destinations it’s most likely to add, and you can find that below.
Bottom line
Alaska Airlines has just released its first safety video, which is being screened on Boeing 787 flights out of Seattle. The video promotes Seattle and the carrier’s long haul destinations, and I think it’s well done and pleasant, without being anything too memorable. To me, the most interesting thing is how it features Sydney, a destination Alaska doesn’t fly to… yet.
What do you make of Alaska’s new Boeing 787 safety video?
@timdunn--You mentioned the possibility of DL operating SEA-SYD flights should AS do so. That move would certainly be in the same spirit as DL's addition of BCN and FCO flights from SEA in response to AS's FCO flights. However, there is a big difference in adding SYD: it would cannibalize DL's schedule to Australia from LAX in that SEA passengers have connected via LAX for decades. While we have seen a lot of moves from...
@timdunn--You mentioned the possibility of DL operating SEA-SYD flights should AS do so. That move would certainly be in the same spirit as DL's addition of BCN and FCO flights from SEA in response to AS's FCO flights. However, there is a big difference in adding SYD: it would cannibalize DL's schedule to Australia from LAX in that SEA passengers have connected via LAX for decades. While we have seen a lot of moves from DL to defend its turf in the Battle of Seattle, SEA-SYD on DL seems more like a kamikaze mission than a battle plan, particularly if AS gets into the oneworld JV. It seems like DL might do better to push its multiple Oz destinations nonstop from LAX, available with one stop from SEA and elsewhere. Of course, QF has many more nonstop destinations from SYD, but if memory serves, the domestic and international terminals at SYD are on opposite sides of the airfield and connections there might not be as convenient as at LAX--or ar least no more convenient.
SEA-AKL!!! Now that would be something
Considering the VX DNA and their ground breaking safety videos (yes plural) of years gone by, AS couldn't have gone down a more predictable, staid route with their first attempt. Disappointing!
The safety dance video was a safety video, wasn't it?
Safe to dance... Well, it's safe to dance... Yes, it's safe to dance...
Sort of
It was more of an intro to oneworld (well. The interesting one was) and a YouTube video reminding people to wear masks.
Alaska didn’t have any aircraft with seatback TVs so it wasn’t a real safety video and the video didn’t meet faa requirements for a safety video anyway
Cool one though
wow... just wow.
Imagine waking up and finding that you have been the subject of multiple people's dreams during the time you slept.
I clearly have infiltrated social media to such an extent that some can't participate without thinking about me.
As for the actual subject of this article, it is relevant that HA flies to SYD and forms part of AS' world.
The notion that the HA brand and the extra cost...
wow... just wow.
Imagine waking up and finding that you have been the subject of multiple people's dreams during the time you slept.
I clearly have infiltrated social media to such an extent that some can't participate without thinking about me.
As for the actual subject of this article, it is relevant that HA flies to SYD and forms part of AS' world.
The notion that the HA brand and the extra cost of marketing the HA brand will last very much longer is nothing more than a pinky promise.
It would be a whole lot easier just to just slap "Hawaaian, part of Alaska Air" and be done with another round of duplicate costs.
As expected, AS (who foots the bills for HA) is paying the industry's highest costs for jet fuel now that SIN is no longer a cheap place to buy fuel. AS' fuel costs are off the charts not in the realm of allowing AS to be profitable as long as this little game of thrones goes on in the Middle East.
and SEA-SYD is what does make sense as AS will likely join the AA/oneworld JVs in time. the only question is whether DL (since they got mentioned by Ben and in a number of replies) decides to launch SEA-SYD as well.
it was notable that AS was quick to point out that SEA-NRT is profitable but can't say the same about SEA-ICN. as much as some have dreamed about AS being turned into a global hub controlled by AS, I suspect that we will see AS and DL split the global markets just as we have seen them split the domestic market with both claiming "wins"
"Imagine waking up and finding that you have been the subject of multiple people's dreams during the time you slept."
Imagine waking up and finding out the entire world thinks you're a delta fanboy loser that has finally lost all sense of reality.
If you're flattered by this, Wow.... just wow.
you of all people are the one that should hold their head in shame. You just waited to grab Ben's red meat and run with it because, despite the fact that you have posted some pretty rational takes of late, you are clearly fixated with me.
You desperately want the attention and have said you don't want me to have it = which makes YOU, not me, a loser.
now tell us again your thoughts...
you of all people are the one that should hold their head in shame. You just waited to grab Ben's red meat and run with it because, despite the fact that you have posted some pretty rational takes of late, you are clearly fixated with me.
You desperately want the attention and have said you don't want me to have it = which makes YOU, not me, a loser.
now tell us again your thoughts of AS and its safety video including its service to SYD even if it isn't "yet" under the AS name
“You desperately want the attention and have said you don't want me to have it = which makes YOU, not me, a loser.”
Would love for you to find where I’ve EVER said this lol
I’ve said the exact opposite many many times. No one except you has the desire to be the industry laughing stock and synonymous with being an idiot.
“you are clearly fixated with me.”
News to me. Was that supposed...
“You desperately want the attention and have said you don't want me to have it = which makes YOU, not me, a loser.”
Would love for you to find where I’ve EVER said this lol
I’ve said the exact opposite many many times. No one except you has the desire to be the industry laughing stock and synonymous with being an idiot.
“you are clearly fixated with me.”
News to me. Was that supposed to be an insult? Try harder lol. You don’t disappoint with the good laughs even when you think you’re insulting others
God, you’re such a loser
Max, Tim is as much a 'loser' as we all are for taking time to comment regularly on these sites. I presume we're all here because we want to be, and enjoy it.
The fact that Hawaiian has already flown to SYD from HNL for a while now isn't anything new; if Alaska were to route new 787s on SEA-SYD, I think that'd be pretty cool, actually; more options; more connectivity; perhaps additional cargo...
Max, Tim is as much a 'loser' as we all are for taking time to comment regularly on these sites. I presume we're all here because we want to be, and enjoy it.
The fact that Hawaiian has already flown to SYD from HNL for a while now isn't anything new; if Alaska were to route new 787s on SEA-SYD, I think that'd be pretty cool, actually; more options; more connectivity; perhaps additional cargo may assist with any 'load factor' issues. Air Canada and Qantas operate nonstop nearby on YVR-SYD/BNE (772LR, 789).
I don’t think they’ve exactly “split” the domestic market, the pax share is pretty lopsided
and DL has the advantage of being a global carrier with multiple other hubs. THAT is why DL has made as many gains in SEA - because there are passengers and companies where SEA IS JUST another market and DL is larger on a global basis.
SEA is a very poor place to have as your only hub serving Europe or Latin America. AS could probably do well with a few flights to Asia...
and DL has the advantage of being a global carrier with multiple other hubs. THAT is why DL has made as many gains in SEA - because there are passengers and companies where SEA IS JUST another market and DL is larger on a global basis.
SEA is a very poor place to have as your only hub serving Europe or Latin America. AS could probably do well with a few flights to Asia or even Australia but they will never achieve parity with DL in the international market if they don't also serve Europe. DL and UA and AA (if it chooses to do so) can pick off Europe traffic pretty easily from other more easterly hubs.
As hard as it is for some to accept, DL exists because they can make SEA work as part of its global network and AS is incapable of duplicating that - even if they get a full systemwide JV with AA, which won't happen
Except to Asia on its own metal, so "Global" is relative.
Based on Crankyfiler's analysis, AS has 55% market share in SEA, while DL is hovering around 20%. If you have to connect to Atlanta to get to anywhere "Global" from a designated hub outside of the handful of cities, that's not a hub.
and, again, SEA is a part of DL's network and is the only one of its hub airports where it is not the largest.
You and others can't grasp that DL manages to co-exist just fine w/ AS even if on a smaller scale at SEA because DL brings things to the table that AS can't duplicate even though they are trying to close that gap.
AS would love to have hubs outside of...
and, again, SEA is a part of DL's network and is the only one of its hub airports where it is not the largest.
You and others can't grasp that DL manages to co-exist just fine w/ AS even if on a smaller scale at SEA because DL brings things to the table that AS can't duplicate even though they are trying to close that gap.
AS would love to have hubs outside of the PNW that connect to the rest of the US; much of the PNW and west coast is well connected to the world via DL's SLC and MSP hubs even before getting to ATL, DTW, NYC and BOS - and LAX does have some advantages to DL that AS can't duplicate.
AS and DL are rational players and each wants to gain their own advantages - but they have also learned that trying to hurt the other often hurts "you" as much if not more.
@The Other Jack
Tim, is that you? have you finally completely lost all your marbles?
I'm gonna put my new Grassy Knoll knowledge right up there in the "he died 60 years ago and we can probably move on..." Shelf
Now SEA-SYD? That's pretty cool stuff...
LOL.
It's always a conspiracy theory until it's not. In the JFK files released last year was a file from the CIA on one of their operatives. It wasn't included in the Warren Commission investigation because the file's index card used the operative's code name and the operative's real name -- there was no indication of any connection. The operative's name was Lee Harvey Oswald. Look it up. YET, NO ONE CARES. And, sadly, no one will remember Ben's speculation about Alaska.
As for the grassy knoll, long-time CIA operative and member of the assassinations unit wrote in him memoir and stated in an interview that he had been informed that there had been three shooters, all members of the Corsican Mafia and one of whom was on the grassy knoll dressed as a police officer. As of this is consistent with a statement made by a Corsican Mafia member who described the shooting . . ....
As for the grassy knoll, long-time CIA operative and member of the assassinations unit wrote in him memoir and stated in an interview that he had been informed that there had been three shooters, all members of the Corsican Mafia and one of whom was on the grassy knoll dressed as a police officer. As of this is consistent with a statement made by a Corsican Mafia member who described the shooting . . . and what witnesses reported. So, I think Ben is right about Alaska.
They should add Milan MXP.
ROYAL JORDANIAN RULES!!!!
LOL…
Fun Fact: We're sure to get ANOTHER Scott Kirby 'article' really soon.
Because a day without KDS (Kirby Derangement Syndrome) at OMAAT is like a day without Dim Tunn or TravelinPenis popping up (an impossibility).
I hope so. We need hot-goss. More is more.
Hm. I did see a routing tagged as "New Alaska 787" for SEA-SYD in the fall (August), but it was just an AS 787 connecting to an A330 in HNL. Wonder if that's just a holdover while this work is still in progress...
Fun fact: Tim Dunn does the voiceover for Ed Bastian in Delta’s safety video
I wish. It would be entertaining. “Welcome to Delta Air Lines, the world’s BEST!! and MOST PROFITABLE!! PREMIUM!! airline, for ever and for always… on today’s flight you’ll experience SUPERIOR service, or ELSE!!”
SYD is almost certainly next up, and it would make a ton of sense for Alaska to start it in the fall when their seasonal FCO service winds down. JV or not, they have a strong partnership with Qantas and already carry lots of connecting passengers over LAX and SFO. SEA is the glaring hole in the TPAC route network there. Wouldn't be surprised if it's announced tomorrow alongside the Europe inaugural
Having been born and brought up (mostly) in Alaska (hence the frozen half of the kiwi name)… I’m really disappointed that ALASKA airlines didn’t showcase one Alaskan destination. I know the 787 won’t be flying via ANC, but still… it’s in the name!
There are Alaska Airlines billboards all over Seattle, showing kangaroos. They've been up for months. Not exactly a secret for anyone paying attention and with two brain cells to rub together.
You are over thinking it.
The video works but was very milquetoast. I miss Virgin.
All that dancing and rapping gets tiresome, not to mention the international image that Alaska is trying to portray.
Besides, AS has a FA drill team that dances live in parades - some of them were featured in the COVID promo video.
I can't get past the grammatical error in that slide title. What exactly are they trying to say with "than SFO and LAX"? Ugh.
Alaska at their investor day said they aim for 12 long haul destinations by 2030. This map shows 10. So any guesses yet on the other 2?
Based on imagery I've seen used in Alaska marketing materials, I suspect Bali is one of them. Ssshhhhh.
That would be way cool.
Could the addition of Sydney cannibalize some of the thru-HNL traffic that Hawaiian has?
They likely need to fly there from the mainland if they want to join the AA/QF JV. If you recall from years and years ago, AA and QF tried a Joint Venture before AA flew to Australia (at the time) and the DOT basically said "why do you need this? AA doesn't even fly to Australia".
Hawaii is already carved out of the AA/QF JV and likely will remain so in the future since...
They likely need to fly there from the mainland if they want to join the AA/QF JV. If you recall from years and years ago, AA and QF tried a Joint Venture before AA flew to Australia (at the time) and the DOT basically said "why do you need this? AA doesn't even fly to Australia".
Hawaii is already carved out of the AA/QF JV and likely will remain so in the future since there's no competition between Hawaii and Australia except HA/AS and QF owned carriers and since it would make adding a carrier even more incrementally difficult to also add a new geography to the JV.
I really enjoyed my daytime flight on HNL-Australia in the past, but I'm likely in the minority in terms of customer preference.
"so it’s not quite as much of a pep-talk as you’ll get from Delta CEO Ed Bastian, about how you’re in the presence of greatness when you step onboard a Delta plane."
lol. This was a good laugh
It seems Ben can't help himself anymore. Any chance to take a swipe at Delta or Bastian, he seems compelled to do it. Twice already this week. What is Ben's problem with Delta? I'd really like to know!
I don't think he has a problem with Delta, it's just too easy to take amusing swipes at the world's biggest Delta fanboy who has no sense of reality when it comes to a public company and their unrequited feelings towards him.
And it's also too easy to take amusing swipes at the strange Delta hubris that is little more than a marketing gimmick. Delta has a good airline, makes a very good profit, and...
I don't think he has a problem with Delta, it's just too easy to take amusing swipes at the world's biggest Delta fanboy who has no sense of reality when it comes to a public company and their unrequited feelings towards him.
And it's also too easy to take amusing swipes at the strange Delta hubris that is little more than a marketing gimmick. Delta has a good airline, makes a very good profit, and has many pros going for it, but the unusual sense of hubris emanating from every former and current Delta employee? It's funny to many of us that pay attention to various product pros and cons of the industry.
Delta is probably the most inconsistent airline for product of the US3 but you'd think every plane is an SQ A350 all-J configuration from their ardent supporters. They've earned their jokes
Why is this author such a Richard? I mean could he be any more biased? Are you brooding because certain airlines don’t see you as worthy of any perks?
Jeez. Pathetic
They probably refused to upgrade the poor, entitled thing.