LIHUE — The Boeing 737-800 bearing the new rebranded look for Alaska Airlines touched down at the Lihue Airport Thursday. It received the warmest of welcomes. “There is only one plane in the 147 Boeing 737 fleet which has the
LIHUE — The Boeing 737-800 bearing the new rebranded look for Alaska Airlines touched down at the Lihue Airport Thursday.
It received the warmest of welcomes.
“There is only one plane in the 147 Boeing 737 fleet which has the new look,” said Kahakuali‘i Kaimina‘au‘ao of Alaska Airlines, Lihue. “Managing the crews and flights to be able to get the plane to as many different locations is tricky, and this is the first time I’ve gotten to see this new look in person. This is exciting; change is good.”
Alaska Airlines recently unveiled its first major brand change in 25 years.
“Our refreshed brand really is an evolution, not a revolution, of Alaska Airlines,” said Sangita Woerner, the airline’s vice president of marketing.
The Eskimo has been Alaska Airlines’ brand beacon since 1972. His profile has been modernized and new vibrant colors added around his parka trim, including Tropical Green and Breeze Blue, reminiscent of the tropical regions Alaska Airlines serves. Atlas Blue is also featured throughout the design.
“The Eskimo will always be there,” said Traci Ihara of the Lihue Alaska Airlines who has been with the Lihue Airport operation for the eight years Alaska has been servicing Lihue. “But now, he’s smiling. He’s more youthful and energetic. The new colors reflect the Northern Lights.”
Kaimina‘au‘ao said the new rebranding will extend to the airport lobby and the gates by the end of the year.
Trishen Ah Quin, one of the Alaska Airlines’ ground crew at Lihue Airport, said the Lihue crew was also excited when the first flight bearing the new look touched down Wednesday night.
“They were going up to the plane and everybody was kissing it,” Ah Quin said. “One guy said he was the first to kiss the plane, and when people doubted him, he went up and kissed it, again.”
Alaska Airlines collaborated for nearly a year with Seattle-based Hornall Anderson, a global branding and design firm.
In the coming months, Alaska Airlines will take delivery of four Boeing 737 airplanes with the new paint theme, and by the end of the year, will have 40 planes in the new livery. All 111 airports Alaska and its regional partners serve will be rebranded by the end of the year.
