News

WestJet creates world’s first hi-tech food dispenser..!

CALGARY, April 1, 2016 /CNW/ – In its never-ending quest to deliver the most caring and personalized service to its guests, WestJet announced today the replacement of all standard-issue food and beverage carts with the Robotic Automated Light Food Handler (RALFH). RALFH provides incredible guest service utilizing a powerful memory, a facial-recognition camera and an audio conveyance system that allows it to interact with guests to deliver food and beverage orders in an efficient, personalized and technologically awe-inspiring manner.

“With RALFH, the only thing we’ve changed is everything. As not only a Canadian-airline first, but a global-aviation first, RALFH is a demonstration of WestJet’s innovative thinking and dedication to guest experience,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Marketing Communications. “By using RALFH to order and distribute food and beverages, we have eliminated the need for our flight attendants to push a heavy cart up and down the aisle. We can’t wait for RALFH to start providing an entirely new and fun way to wine and dine our guests.”

The installation of RALFH means that WestJet’s flight attendants now have the ability to provide even more of the caring guest experience that makes WestJet the proud Canadian airline it is today.

Said Bartrem, “The idea behind RALFH started with WestJet’s beloved flight attendants, who always provide remarkable experiences. We have simply evolved and reinvented the flight attendant, resulting in the most beautiful and powerful hi-tech food dispenser in the world. Anyone who wants to order a coke, a sandwich or even just a bottle of water is going to love RALFH.”

RALFH also makes it easy for guests to get up and down the aisles of the plane, which was noted in consumer testing as awesome.

Westjet official press release

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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.