Alaska Airlines History: From McGee Airways to Today – Airline Employee Shop

Alaska Airlines History

Alaska Airlines began with one small plane in Anchorage in 1932 and grew into a major West Coast airline that now includes Hawaiian Airlines. Here's a short history of Alaska, plus the Alaska Airlines collection that celebrates it.

Bush flying beginnings (1932-1944)

On April 14, 1932, Linious "Mac" McGee started McGee Airways in Anchorage, flying a three-passenger Stinson. In 1934 McGee merged with Star Air Service, creating what was then Alaska's largest airline with 22 aircraft. Operating as Alaska Star Airlines, the company bought several smaller carriers in 1943, and it adopted the name Alaska Airlines on May 2, 1944.

Airlifts and jets (1945-1970)

After the war, Alaska's surplus military aircraft carried food in the Berlin Airlift. In 1949 the airline was a major part of the effort to fly Yemenite Jews to Israel, known as Operation Magic Carpet. Alaska introduced jet service with the Convair 880 in 1961. Charlie Willis, a decorated World War II pilot who became chairman and CEO in 1957, brought in-flight movies to the airline. In the mid-1960s the Boeing 727 joined the fleet and served as the airline's signature aircraft for 25 years.

New leadership and new partners (1971-2016)

Ronald Cosgrave took over in the early 1970s, and Bruce Kennedy became CEO in 1979, the year US airlines were deregulated. Alaska Air Group was formed in 1985 as a holding company. It acquired Horizon Air in 1986 and Jet America in 1987. In 1995 Alaska became the first US airline to sell tickets on the internet.

Oneworld and Hawaiian (2021-today)

Alaska officially joined the oneworld alliance on March 31, 2021. On September 18, 2024, Alaska Air Group completed its merger with Hawaiian Airlines. The airline is headquartered in SeaTac, Washington.

A few things collectors love

  • The smiling face of an Alaska Native man on the tail arrived in the early 1970s. Nobody knows for sure who he is, though some believe it is Chester Seveck or Oliver Amouak.
  • The "Golden Nugget" service offered a saloon and piano on board Alaska's DC-6s.
  • Alaska was the first airline in the world to combine GPS with an enhanced ground proximity warning system, on its 737-400s by April 1999.

Shop Alaska Airlines

Browse Alaska Airlines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Alaska Airlines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the frequent flyer in your life.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Alaska Airlines.