Quantcast

Alaska Airlines helps hero donor complete 50-state blood donation journey

DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
2 workers killed, 1 injured in tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines shop in Atlanta
Emirates Will Buy 5 Airbus A380s From Lessor For $200 Million
Delta Air Lines named official airline of the WNBA
Pair Of C-Suite Officials Depart Wheels Up
LAX Receives Final Cars for People Mover Train
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger clears Justice Department hurdle, now faces DOT
Alaska Airlines flight attendants reject new contract, union says there's 'more work to do'
Elliott Investment To Push For 10 New Boardroom Directors At Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Backs JetZero Blended-Wing Design
AI in Aviation Line Maintenance: A Strategic Response to Delays, Satisfaction, and Staffing Challenges
Air taxi service plans for 2026 Los Angeles launch at USC, SoFi and LAX
VistaJet Flight Brings Home Americans in Prisoner Swap
Air Canada Blames Paris Olympics On Decreased Profits
Delta passengers sue airline over refund refusals after CrowdStrike meltdown
Microsoft fires back at Delta after massive outage, says airline declined ‘repeated’ offers for help
Korean Air Confirms A Spacious Lounge Is Coming To The New Terminal One at New York JFK
VAS Aero Services to Acquire an Additional 17 Airbus A320 Airframes, Bringing to 23 the Total Number of A320s Slated for Teardown and Harvested Parts Redistribution
Delta CEO says CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage cost the airline $500 million
Boeing Reports $16.9 Billion In Revenue For 2nd Quarter With 5,400 Commercial Aircraft Backlog
United Airlines says flight attendant in Terrell Davis incident is no longer employed and NFL legend’s ‘no fly’ ban is lifted | CNN
Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating | CNN Business
CrowdStrike Outage Caused 10% Spike in Air Charter
Aircraft Engine Maintenance and Repair to Peak in 2026, Worsening Capacity Shortage for Commercial Aviation, Says Bain & Company
Alaska Airlines helps hero donor complete 50-state blood donation journey
Airports
Webp tx8yjxzuwgxlfmvsyjjapmregioc
Max Tidwell Vice President, Safety and Security, Alaska Airlines | Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is providing Vinton Smith with the 'Gift of Travel' to Hawaii, allowing him to complete his mission of donating blood in all 50 states. This journey began over a decade ago on World Blood Donor Day, June 14. Smith will make his final donation in Honolulu, accompanied by his family, turning this event into a significant personal and communal milestone.

Last summer, Alaska Airlines flew Smith to Anchorage for his 49th state donation at the Blood Bank of Alaska. The airline also contributed $10,000 to support the organization's essential services. Smith's mother, who inspired him to become a donor, will join him in Honolulu as he concludes his mission. His children will also participate by donating blood.

Smith shared his gratitude: “As a young boy, I vividly remember both of my parents donating blood. At 17, I became a donor myself... I’m incredibly grateful to Alaska for offering my family and me the ‘Gift of Travel,’ but also for providing me with a platform to share the powerful message of this life-saving act of kindness."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Daniel Chun from Alaska Airlines expressed admiration for Smith's journey: “Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of joining Vinton on this heartwarming journey... It’s an honor to help him reach this milestone.”

Hawaiian Airlines employees will contribute by donating blood on June 12 when the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i sends a donor vehicle to their headquarters in Honolulu. Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i to ensure regular transport of blood supplies across islands.

Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen from the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i acknowledged Hawaiian Airlines' role: “We are grateful for the vital role Hawaiian Airlines plays in Hawai‘i’s healthcare infrastructure... Mahalo to both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines for their partnership in helping save lives across our state.”

On World Blood Donor Day, June 14, individuals can donate at two fixed locations in Hawaii and receive thank-you gifts while supplies last. To encourage donations leading up to this day, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are offering sweepstakes entries for roundtrip tickets as an incentive.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has announced a new daily nonstop service to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) through Southwest Airlines.

Jun 7, 2025

Lidl workers in Belgium initiated a strike and blockades on June 5, following similar actions in France and Italy.

Jun 6, 2025

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025