Alaska Air Group Announces Leadership Transition at Hawaiian Airlines and Executive Promotion at Alaska Airlines

Rhea-AI Summary

Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK) announced key leadership changes, with Diana Birkett Rakow appointed as CEO of Hawaiian Airlines effective October 29, 2025, succeeding retiring Joe Sprague. Birkett Rakow, currently SVP of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, will oversee Hawaiian Airlines' operations and Alaska Air Group's business in Hawaii while maintaining oversight of company-wide sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Kyle Levine has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. The leadership transition comes as the company approaches completion of its single operating certificate (SOC) from the FAA, expected in fall 2025, following the Alaska-Hawaiian merger completed in September 2024.

Positive

• Strategic leadership continuity with experienced executive Diana Birkett Rakow taking helm of Hawaiian Airlines
• Progress toward single operating certificate (SOC) completion expected fall 2025
• Successful integration milestones including new routes and combined loyalty program Atmos Rewards
• Retention of key leadership expertise with Joe Sprague remaining on Hawaiian Airlines board

Negative

• Potential integration challenges during leadership transition period
• Loss of experienced CEO Joe Sprague through retirement

Insights

Corporate Governance Analyst

Leadership changes at Alaska Air Group show strategic integration of Hawaiian Airlines acquisition with minimal disruption to operations.

The leadership transition at Hawaiian Airlines comes at a critical juncture as Alaska Air Group approaches the final regulatory milestone in its acquisition - obtaining a single operating certificate (SOC) from the FAA. Diana Birkett Rakow's appointment as CEO of Hawaiian Airlines represents a calculated succession strategy that balances continuity with fresh leadership.

What's notable is the timing - this transition occurs precisely when the integration reaches a natural inflection point, with the SOC expected this fall. This suggests a well-orchestrated leadership handover rather than unexpected disruption. Joe Sprague's retirement after completing the critical integration phase from deal close through SOC approval indicates the planned nature of this succession.

Birkett Rakow's background reveals strategic intent - her dual expertise in sustainability and public affairs signals Alaska Air Group's prioritization of Hawaiian's brand preservation and environmental commitments. Her previous board membership at Hawaiian Airlines ensures familiarity with operations before assuming the CEO role. The decision to keep her reporting directly to Ben Minicucci, Alaska Air Group CEO, while maintaining her position on the Executive Committee, demonstrates the parent company's intention to keep Hawaiian Airlines tightly integrated within the group's strategic decision-making.

Kyle Levine's expanded role consolidating legal and public affairs functions into a single executive position further indicates a streamlining of corporate functions post-merger. These leadership moves reflect standard post-acquisition integration strategies aimed at operational efficiency while preserving brand differentiation, particularly critical given Hawaiian Airlines' cultural significance and market position in Hawaii.

• Diana Birkett Rakow to be named CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, succeeding Joe Sprague who will retire this Fall after a distinguished career in aviation.

• Kyle Levine to be promoted to Executive Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary and assume responsibility for Public and Government Affairs.

SEATTLE and HONOLULU, Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Air Group today announced that Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, will become CEO of Hawaiian Airlines effective Oct. 29, succeeding Joe Sprague who will retire after a long career at Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Hawaiian Airlines.

Birkett Rakow will be based in Honolulu, the company's second largest hub after Seattle, and will be responsible for the long-term performance and advancement of the Hawaiian Airlines brand and Alaska Air Group's business in Hawai'i, supporting the company's guests and over 6,600 employees across the Islands. She will continue to report to Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group, and remain on the company's Executive Committee. Birkett Rakow's role will also continue to include oversight of company-wide sustainability and venture investment strategies.

"Hawai'i and the Hawaiian Airlines brand are critical to Alaska Air Group's future and key to our vision of connecting the world to a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance," said Minicucci. "Diana has proven herself over an established career as a leader who builds strong teams, delivers results and cares deeply about people and culture. She will be a tireless advocate for the Hawaiian Airlines brand and for Hawai'i, and I'm confident she will lead with authenticity and vision."

"I'm deeply grateful to Joe for his tremendous contributions to Alaska Air Group over the past 25 years. Joe has served Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and most recently Hawaiian Airlines, by prioritizing culture and creating deep connections with employees and communities, while driving results," added Minicucci. "All those who know Joe, know that he is all-in for the people and purpose of Air Group – and I especially appreciate how he has brought that spirit to his time in Hawai'i, ensuring that Hawaiian Airlines – its people and its brand – is set up as a strong and enduring part of our team and company."

During her eight years at Alaska, Birkett Rakow has led the company's sustainability and corporate impact efforts, government affairs, communications, community and cultural relations, sales and customer engagement in Hawai'i and Alaska, and the airline's venture investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures. Over the last year, she has also served on the board of Hawaiian Airlines. Prior to joining Alaska, she held senior executive roles at Group Health and Kaiser Permanente, and earlier in her career was a health policy advisor for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. Birkett Rakow holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Harvard University and master's degrees in public health and public administration from the University of Washington. She is actively engaged in her community as a board director for Puget Sound Energy and serves on several international councils to advance sustainability and clean energy.

Over the last year, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines teams have worked together to build and execute the plan to become a single mainline operating carrier under a single operating certificate (SOC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is anticipated later this fall. As the company moves forward as one team with two beloved brands, we have also taken big steps to deliver on our vision – announcing new routes that enable our customers to travel to new regions of the world on our airlines, launching a new combined loyalty program, Atmos™ Rewards, with enhanced benefits, and making investments in the guest experience across our fleet and airport spaces. 

Sprague, who has been responsible for leading all aspects of Hawaiian Airlines' operations from deal close though SOC, will remain engaged through the transition to ensure continuity and support for employees and guests. Sprague started with Alaska over 25 years ago and held several executive positions at the airline before becoming president of regional subsidiary Horizon Air in 2019.  He became CEO of Hawaiian Airlines when the combination with Alaska was made official in September 2024. He will also remain a member of the Hawaiian Airlines board.

"It has been an honor to serve Hawaiian Airlines and its incredible team," said Sprague. "We accomplished a lot together over the past year and, with a single operating certificate imminent, we are at a natural transition point.  Diana is the right person to guide Hawaiian Airlines into a new chapter."

In a related move, Kyle Levine, currently Alaska Air Group's senior vice president, legal, general counsel and corporate secretary, will be promoted to executive vice president, corporate and public affairs, chief legal officer and corporate secretary. In this role, Levine will assume responsibility for public and government affairs, including the company's corporate philanthropy and sales and community marketing for the state of Alaska, in addition to his current responsibilities overseeing legal, compliance and corporate governance functions. Levine has held the chief legal post for 10 years and led the legal functions for the Virgin American and Hawaiian Airlines acquisitions. He also serves on the Executive Committee and has held various legal roles within Air Group since joining the company in 2006.

"Kyle's deep commitment to our values makes him a fitting leader to support the important efforts of our public and government affairs teams, and to ensure that our company remains deeply connected to local communities and key stakeholders," said Minicucci. "His thoughtful leadership and deep understanding of our business make him a vital part of our executive team."

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, and McGee Air Services is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. We are a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. We deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. We'll serve Europe beginning in spring 2026. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Alaska is a member of oneworld, with Hawaiian scheduled to join the alliance in spring 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem points for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations with Atmos™ Rewards. Learn more about what's happening at Alaska and Hawaiian at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as "ALK."

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines

FAQ

Who is the new CEO of Hawaiian Airlines under Alaska Air Group?

Diana Birkett Rakow will become CEO of Hawaiian Airlines effective October 29, 2025. She currently serves as senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines.

When will Alaska Air Group complete the single operating certificate (SOC) integration with Hawaiian Airlines?

The single operating certificate (SOC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is anticipated later in fall 2025.

What changes has Alaska Air Group implemented since acquiring Hawaiian Airlines?

Since the September 2024 acquisition, Alaska Air Group has launched new routes, introduced the combined Atmos Rewards loyalty program, and invested in fleet and airport improvements.

Who is Kyle Levine and what is his new role at Alaska Air Group?

Kyle Levine has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. He previously served as senior vice president, legal, general counsel and corporate secretary for 10 years.

Why is Joe Sprague leaving Hawaiian Airlines?

Joe Sprague is retiring after a 25-year career with Alaska Air Group companies, including roles at Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and most recently as CEO of Hawaiian Airlines following the merger.