Alaska Airlines – a Partner of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group – has started welcoming travellers to a new, cutting-edge space in San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) Harvey Milk Terminal 1, following a two-year relocation project from Terminal 2. This multi-million-dollar investment allows the airline to deliver a premium and enhanced experience at SFO as the largest carrier at Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
The new location will soon be home to the newest and second-largest lounge in the Alaska Airlines network, reflecting its continued commitment to the care and comfort of passengers.
“Our new home in San Francisco International Airport’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1 delivers a world-class experience that our guests will love while supporting our goals of innovation, sustainability and long-term growth,” said Shane Jones, Senior Vice President of Fleet and Real Estate, Alaska Airlines. “We’re excited to make this move for the approximately five million passengers we serve at SFO each year and that this positions us for future growth at our largest hub in California.”
Alaska Airlines is also debuting technology that supports its long-term goal of reducing congestion and long lines in the lobby. It is the first airline at SFO to offer travellers the use of automated bag drops to process checked bags. As soon as passengers enter the lobby, they scan their boarding pass at the bag tag stations to print their bag tags. They then head to the automated bag drop units, which are designed to scan and accept checked baggage.
Meanwhile, starting in July 2024, travellers will be able to relax in Alaska Airlines’ brand-new lounge at SFO. The contemporary space will be 11,000 square feet with 55% more seating, including the airline’s signature loungers for kicking back and San Francisco-inspired touches throughout. An expanded menu will feature fresh local ingredients, a barista-staffed coffee bar and complimentary West Coast wine, spirits and craft brews.
The two-year, $30 million relocation project to Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is part of Alaska Airlines’ larger $3 billion investment in infrastructure to enhance the guest experience at its major hubs along the West Coast. At Portland International Airport, it will be moving into the brand-new, bolder and brighter lobby in August. At Los Angeles International Airport, a complete overhaul of the gates, including new carpet, lighting, seating with power outlets and signage will be complete by the end of July at Terminal 6 where Alaska is the primary airline.
Hear more from Alaska Airlines at FTE Global – the “CES of Aviation” – taking place in Los Angeles on 28-30 October 2024. Natalie Bowman, Managing Director, Product & Digital Experience, Alaska Airlines, is speaking in the ‘FTE AI Symposium’ with a case study titled ‘How will Alaska Airlines use AI to increase productivity, transform customer experiences, streamline operations, remove manual toll and drive revenues, and what can it learn from those efforts?’
Meanwhile, Amanda Matlock, Principal Product Manager for Accessibility, Alaska Airlines, is participating in the ‘FTE Accessibility Symposium’.