Horizon Air Gets New Helm as Alaska Airlines Reshuffles Leadership Team Ahead of Major Consolidation

rekt_but_vibing · 2025-12-31T10:05:06+00:00

Alaska Air Group is restructuring its leadership with Jason Berry becoming COO of Alaska Airlines, effective November 2025. Berry’s extensive experience in aviation will guide the airline's integration with Hawaiian Airlines. Constance von Muehlen steps down after 15 years but will remain as an advisor until 2026. Andy Schneider replaces her as CEO of Horizon Air. These changes aim to enhance the airline's global strategy and operational excellence during its transition to a single operating certificate.

rekt_but_vibing

2025-12-31 10:05:06

Abstract generation in progress

Alaska Air Group is making significant moves in its leadership ranks, with Jason Berry stepping up to become Chief Operating Officer of Alaska Airlines—a position he’ll assume on November 3, 2025. The shift marks a strategic pivot as the company navigates a transformative period following the integration with Hawaiian Airlines toward a single operating certificate.

Berry, a 30-year aviation industry veteran currently serving as President of Horizon Air and Executive Vice President of Cargo, brings a wealth of operational know-how spanning cargo operations, ground services, and regional airline management. His career has included leadership tenures at Air Canada, Cargolux, and McGee Air Services, positioning him with the expertise needed to steer Alaska Airlines through its consolidation phase.

Constance von Muehlen, who has led Alaska Airlines’ operations for nearly 15 years—joining the airline in 2011 and becoming COO in 2021—will step down from her role, though she’ll remain on board as an advisor until February 2026 to ensure continuity during the transition. Her tenure coincided with a period of significant expansion and operational refinement across the airline.

With Berry moving into the COO position at Alaska Airlines, Andy Schneider assumes the role of CEO and President at Horizon Air. Schneider, who brings more than 35 years of experience within Alaska Air Group, currently holds the position of Senior Vice President of People at Alaska Airlines, where she has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s culture and talent development initiatives.

Schneider’s previous experience at Horizon includes service as senior vice president of people and customer services, making her return to the regional carrier a natural fit as the company looks to maintain its reputation for delivering regional aviation excellence.

“These transitions mark an exciting moment for Alaska Air Group,” said Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group. “The milestone of a single operating certificate is a natural time to evolve our leadership team as we grow into a global premium airline. Their leadership will help us continue to deliver on our commitment to connect guests to the world through a remarkable experience rooted in safety, care and performance.”

The leadership changes come as Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines work toward completing their integration into a single mainline operating entity under one FAA operating certificate, anticipated later this fall. The restructuring reflects the company’s broader strategic ambitions to establish itself as a truly global carrier with operations spanning North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific—with European expansion set to begin in spring 2026.

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