News

Love is in the Air: easyJet Captain and crew assist with on board proposal at 30,000ft

Love is in the Air: Watch as passenger pops the question to unsuspecting girlfriend
easyJet Captain and crew assist with on board proposal at 30,000ft. Newly released footage reveals how Matthew Hedges (32) from Marlow, Bucks pops the question to his girlfriend of 2 years, Zosia Katnik (30) mid-way through their easyJet flight from London Luton to Palma, Majorca on July 10th.

Matthew had planned the romantic event with a little help from the Captain and cabin crew of flight EZY2277 to create his perfect proposal.

Beginning with a Captain’s announcement who identified Zosia by her seat number and name during his mid-flight update, he went on to tell her and the rest of the passengers that they were going to make this flight a really memorable one. Beckoned to the front, Matthew and the cabin crew organised themselves and returned to aisle 10, where he addressed the rest of the passengers, and then his bride-to-be with his proposal.

Cabin crew members positioned themselves along the aisle and held up three cards, together reading the question ‘Will. You. Marry Him?’ Getting down on one knee, Matthew then revealed the engagement ring and asked the all-important question. Needless to say she took no hesitation with a YES answer!

The couple were given a celebratory bottle of champagne on the house, and also enjoyed a visit to the cockpit once their flight had landed. They plan to revisit Majorca next year to plan their wedding and will return again to tie the knot in 2018.

Matthew said: “We are both really happy. Zosia always finds the Captain’s voice reassuring to know she is in good hands so I wanted the crew to be part of the proposal. After quite some time in the planning it couldn’t have gone better. And she said YES!”

An easyJet spokesman said: “We were excited to be asked to be involved in the couple’s big moment and would like to congratulate them on their on board engagement.”

Airlines

Alaska Airlines Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) jointly announced today the execution of a definitive agreement, signifying Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines at a cash price of $18.00 per share. The total transaction value stands at approximately $1.9 billion, encompassing Hawaiian Airlines’ net debt of $0.9 billion.

The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks

This strategic union is poised to open up an array of additional destinations, providing consumers with increased choices in crucial air service options across the Pacific region, Continental United States, and globally.

The transaction is anticipated to establish a robust platform for growth and competition in the U.S., offering enduring employment opportunities, ongoing community investments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Key Points:

Acquisition Overview:
- Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Holdings for $18.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
- Combined company aims to maintain the strong, high-quality brands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Fleet Expansion and Network Reach:
- Creates the fifth-largest U.S. airline with a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes.
- Enables access to 138 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations via the oneworld Alliance.
Hub Development and Connectivity:
- Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded services to the Continental U.S., Asia, and the Pacific.
- Tripling the number of destinations from Hawai‘i to North America, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service.
Commitment to Hawai‘i:
- Strong commitment to Hawai‘i, ensuring robust Neighbor Island air service.
- Aiming for a more competitive platform supporting growth, job opportunities, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
Employee and Union Commitment:
- Commitment to maintaining and growing the union-represented workforce in Hawai‘i.
- Immediate value creation with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
Investor Call and Timeline:
- Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
- Anticipated closing of the transaction within 12-18 months.
Strategic and Financial Rationale:
- Complementary networks to enhance competition and provide greater choice for consumers.
- Preservation of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ brands on a single operating platform.
- Expected to deliver high single-digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years.
Community and Sustainability Commitment:
- Focus on growth in union-represented jobs and strong operational presence in Hawai‘i.
- Commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040.
Synergies and Accretion:
- Expected run-rate synergies of at least $235 million.
- Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
Conditions to Close:

Approval by regulatory authorities and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders.
Expected to close in 12-18 months, with the combined organization based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.