Inside the Post-Merger IT Overhaul at Alaska Airlines
CIO, Friday, August 7th, 2026
Alaska Airlines completed a complex 18-month passenger service system migration after acquiring Hawaiian Airlines.
Alaska Airlines CIO Charu Jain led the integration of two separate passenger service systems into a single platform while maintaining distinct brand experiences for both airlines.
The project involved migrating millions of bookings and passenger records using a phased deployment, with new bookings directed to the new Sabre-based system starting in October 2025.
Alaska conducted five mock flight rehearsals simulating real operations including check-in, security, baggage handling, and passenger services.
The transition completed in April 2026, delivering unified mobile applications and seamless cross-brand passenger experiences while preserving each airline's identity.