The retirement of Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden after a 30-year career with the company 鈥斅燼t least in one way 鈥� had the 天美影视传媒 written all over it.
The team at Alaska鈥檚 sister airline, Horizon Air, recently unveiled a special Huskies-themed livery on a Q400 (tail number #N435QX) in honor of Tilden, who earned his MBA at the UW and has maintained a strong partnership with the University for several years. Tilden officially retired March 31.
鈥淕iven Brad鈥檚 strong connection to the 天美影视传媒, this felt like a wonderful way Horizon could celebrate him,鈥� Horizon President Joe Sprague said. 鈥淏rad always recognized the strong connection these special liveries made with our employees and guests so these seemed like an especially fitting way to honor him and his contributions to the company. Thank you for everything, Brad. Go Dawgs!鈥�
The UW livery was originally painted in Spokane in 2012 and was updated at the same site. The updates include the replacement of the 鈥淲鈥� on the side of the fuselage with 鈥淕o Dawgs!鈥�; engine covers are now white with purple and gold stripes, and updated Alaska and Horizon logos are on the sides of the fuselage. Inside the plane is a special plaque recognizing Tilden and his support for both the UW and Horizon Air.
Alaska and Horizon are part of a 10-year agreement with the university. Alaska has naming rights of Alaska Airlines Fields at Husky Stadium and Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
(Note: The information and quote in this story were provided and reproduced with permission from the communications team at Alaska Airlines.)