Alaska Airlines denounces child separation policy

In this June 11, 2009 file photo, an Alaska Airlines airliner is pushed away from a gate at SeaTac Airport in SeaTac, Wash. (Associated Press file)

In this June 11, 2009 file photo, an Alaska Airlines airliner is pushed away from a gate at SeaTac Airport in SeaTac, Wash. (Associated Press file)

Alaska Airlines joined several other national air carriers Wednesday by asking the Trump administration to not use their flights to carry migrant children who have been separated from their parents by immigration authorities.

“At Alaska Airlines, our values guide us to do the right thing,” spokesman Ray Lane said by email to the Empire. “Alaska Airlines does not support the recent immigration policy that separated immigrant children from their families. To our knowledge, we haven’t transported any immigrant children who have been separated from their families, and today informed the government that we do not want to do so.”

Lane declined to provide a copy of Alaska Airlines’ letter to the government.

The airline’s statement comes after flight attendants nationwide took to social media to share their experiences aboard flights carrying separated immigrant children.

Hours before Alaska Airlines issued its statement, President Trump recanted his separation policy in an executive order.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.


More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 17

Here’s what to expect this week.

A rainbow appears over downtown as residents check out rows of electric vehicles at Juneau’s EV E-bike Roundup Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Capital city celebrates 10th annual Juneau EV and E-bike Roundup

Juneau’s electric vehicle growth among fastest in the country, organizers say.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, gives a live speech via video from Washington, D.C., to attendees at the annual Southeast Conference meeting in Sitka on Thursday. (Screenshot from video by Southeast Conference)
Murkowski, Sullivan warn of domestic, foreign threats to Southeast Alaska’s economy

Issues from Russian seafood imports to ferry funding cited by senators during Southeast Conference.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

This is a photo of Juneau International Airport. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Email threat to Alaska airports doesn’t appear credible, police say

Heightened presence of officers at Juneau airport planned Friday.

A 2023 municipal election ballot is placed in the drop box at Douglas Library/Fire Hall Community Building. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Number of residents registered to vote ‘nearly identical’ to last year

More than 1,100 ballots counted so far during this municipal election.

Samantha Crain, of the Choctaw Nation, sings to the crowd during a performance Thursday night as part of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
‘It’s pure resiliency’: Áak’w Rock kicks off

The three-day Indigenous music festival attracts full crowds during its first night.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, walks down a hallway Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
With Alaska’s federal judge vacancy nearing 2-year mark, Sullivan breaks from nomination tradition

Murkowski appears skeptical about the switch, saying she’s prepared to advance nominees to Biden

Jordan Creek flows over a portion of a footbridge behind a shopping center Thursday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake until 10 a.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood warning for Jordan Creek, Montana Creek and Auke Lake issued until 10 a.m. Friday

Glacier Highway, structures near Jordan Creek may inundated, according to National Weather Service.

Most Read