US-based Alaska Airlines on Friday officially opened a new state-of-the-art Global Training Center near Seattle, a $200 million investment designed to centralize and expand training for thousands of frontline employees across Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

The 660,000-square-foot facility, located in Renton, Washington, began operations on Friday and will serve as a single hub for training flight attendants, pilots, customer service agents, and other operational staff, Alaska Airlines said in a press release.

“This is the first time in our nearly 95-year history that employees across frontline workgroups will train under the same roof,” said Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer Jason Berry.  He described the center as “worthy of our amazing frontline employees” and said it would strengthen the airline’s culture of safety, performance, and care.

The Global Training Center forms part of the Alaska Accelerate strategic plan, which outlines the airline group’s long-term vision following the combination of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.  The company said the investment reflects a focus on workforce development as the group expands its global network and scales a more premium passenger experience.

Equipped with advanced training technology, the facility includes 10 full-motion flight simulators—one for the Boeing 787 and nine for the 737—as well as virtual-reality training rooms.  Flight attendants will train in five inflight mock bays and a fully functional aircraft galley, while customer service staff will use a mock lobby and gate area and aircraft door trainers to rehearse normal and emergency procedures.

The building, spread across three floors, houses 89 classrooms, 34 conference rooms, and multiple break areas and will accommodate about 550 employees from 14 work groups on a daily basis, with thousands more rotating through for recurrent training.

Designed with Pacific Northwest themes, the center incorporates wood elements and colors inspired by mountains, oceans, and forests.  Alaska Airlines said the renovation reused significant existing materials to reduce landfill waste.  Amenities include a cafeteria, a café and bar styled after Alaska Lounges, an auditorium, a fitness center, bike facilities, and a one-mile walking trail.

The site, about five miles from Alaska Airlines’ headquarters, was previously owned by Boeing and built specifically for aviation training.  Alaska Air Group purchased the property from Unico Properties in 2024.  Training at the new center will complement existing pilot and flight attendant training facilities in Honolulu.

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Horizon Air operate under Alaska Air Group, while McGee Air Services is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines.

Source: Alaska Airlines Press Release.