Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have recently opened a new 660,000-square-foot training facility in Seattle, Washington. This state-of-the-art facility will be used to train thousands of employees from multiple workgroups, including flight attendants, pilots, and customer service agents.
According to Jason Berry, the chief operating officer at Alaska Airlines, this new facility is “spectacular” and reflects the company’s commitment to its frontline employees. It is the first time in the airline’s nearly 95-year history that all frontline workgroups will be trained under one roof. This move is part of Alaska’s strategic plan, Alaska Accelerate, which aims to transform the airline into the fourth global airline in the country.
The Global Training Center also includes new technologies to enhance the training experience for employees. This includes five mock bays for flight attendants to practice emergency aircraft scenarios, a fully functional aircraft galley for service training, and virtual reality rooms and a flight simulator for pilot training.
In addition to its advanced technology, the facility also offers a modern and comfortable environment for employees. The design is inspired by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with wood elements and a paint scheme representing mountains, oceans, and forests. The facility also includes a cafeteria, café, and bar, as well as an auditorium for events and a fitness center.
The facility, located in Renton, Washington, was formerly owned by Boeing and was specifically built for aviation training. It was purchased from Unico Properties in 2024 and cost over $200 million. The training center will also be supported by existing facilities in Honolulu.
Some notable features of the Global Training Center include 10 full-motion simulators, 89 classrooms, and three virtual reality training rooms. It also offers amenities such as breakrooms, conference rooms, and a one-mile walking trail. With 550 employees from 14 workgroups working in the building, along with thousands of others cycling through for regular training, it is a bustling hub of activity.
Alaska Air Group, which includes Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, and McGee Air Services, is a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. They serve over 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific. In spring 2026, they will also begin serving Europe. Guests can book travel through their website and earn and redeem points for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations with Atmos Rewards. Alaska is also a member of the one world alliance, and Hawaiian is scheduled to join in spring 2026.
The opening of this new training facility is a significant investment in the future of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. It reflects their commitment to their employees and their goal of providing a premium guest experience as they continue to expand globally.