# Ben Minicucci

> Ben Minicucci is president and CEO of Alaska Air Group and CEO of Alaska Airlines. A Montreal-born mechanical engineer and Canadian Armed Forces veteran, he joined Alaska in 2004, led its Seattle operations turnaround and the Virgin America integration, and became CEO in 2021. His leadership combines operational discipline with a stated emphasis on employee judgment and care. He is now overseeing the Hawaiian Airlines combination and an expanding international network from Seattle.

- **Role:** President and CEO of Alaska Air Group; CEO of Alaska Airlines
- **Organizations:** Alaska Air Group, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, Virgin America (former CEO), Air Canada (former executive), Canadian Armed Forces (former service member), Lyft (board member), Washington Roundtable, Challenge Seattle, University of Washington Center for Leadership & Strategic Thinking
- **From:** Montreal, Canada
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Advanced Management Program (executive education), Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Implemented the turn timeline during the Seattle operations turnaround., Oversaw the integration of Virgin America’s operations, processes and work groups., Named to AFAR’s 2019 Travel Vanguard.

## Career timeline

- **Before Air Canada** — Served in the Canadian Armed Forces; Alaska’s biography records 14 years of military service.
- **Before 2004** — Worked in Air Canada technical operations, eventually as vice president of heavy maintenance.
- **2004** — Joined Alaska Airlines as staff vice president of maintenance.
- **2007** — Became vice president of Seattle operations and implemented the turn timeline.
- **2009** — Promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer, as dated in Alaska’s current biography.
- **2016** — Became Alaska Airlines president and, after the acquisition in December, CEO of Virgin America.
- **2018** — Alaska and Virgin America achieved a single operating certificate in January.
- **2021** — Succeeded Brad Tilden as CEO on March 31.
- **2024** — Led Alaska Air Group through the completed Hawaiian Airlines acquisition on September 18.
- **2026** — Joined Lyft’s board effective July 23 while continuing to lead Alaska Air Group.

## Achievements

- Implemented the turn timeline during the Seattle operations turnaround.
- Oversaw the integration of Virgin America’s operations, processes and work groups.
- Named to AFAR’s 2019 Travel Vanguard.
- Led Alaska Air Group through its 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
- Named Executive of the Year – North America at FlightGlobal’s 2026 Airline Strategy Awards.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 20, Alaska announced Seattle–Osaka and Seattle–Papeete service planned for spring 2027, subject to government approval.
- **2026-10** — October 20 quarterly results reported a $147 million GAAP net loss for the third quarter; Minicucci said the company was not satisfied with the result.
- **2026-09** — At September 29 Investor Day, Alaska outlined the next phase of Alaska Accelerate, including a target of at least 15 Seattle intercontinental destinations by 2030.
- **2026-07** — Joined Lyft’s board effective July 23 and received FlightGlobal’s North America executive award.
- **2026-06** — Published a first-person Rome travel essay connecting the airline’s new route with his Italian family heritage.

## Links

- Website: https://news.alaskaair.com/leadership/ben-minicucci/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benminicucci

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ben-minicucci
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21