Core Insights - Alaska Air Group announced its first transatlantic route from Seattle to Rome starting in May 2026 [1] - The Alaska Mileage Plan was recognized as the 1 airline rewards program by U.S. News & World Report for the 11th consecutive year [1] - The company reported earnings per share of $1.42, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.78, exceeding Wall Street expectations and previous guidance [1][4] Financial Performance - Alaska Air Group delivered strong second quarter results with a GAAP pretax margin of 6.4% and a GAAP net income per share of $1.42 [4] - The second quarter record revenue reached $3.7 billion, with a year-over-year RASM decline of 0.6% [6] - Adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter were $1.78, surpassing the high end of previously issued guidance [5][6] Operational Highlights - The company experienced a 28.1% increase in revenue passengers year-over-year, totaling 15,234,000 [30] - The adjusted pretax margin expanded by 11 points for Hawaiian Airlines, surpassing breakeven for the first time since 2019 [5] - Alaska Air Group's capacity (ASMs) increased by approximately 2.7% compared to pro forma 2024 [5] Cost and Revenue Dynamics - Unit costs excluding fuel increased by 6.5% year-over-year, in line with prior guidance [7] - Premium revenue grew by 5% year-over-year, while cargo revenue surged by 34% year-over-year [6] - The economic fuel price per gallon was $2.39, reflecting a decrease from previous quarters [7][30] Future Outlook - The company anticipates a positive inflection in traffic, yield, and revenue intake for both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines [8] - Full year earnings per share are expected to exceed $3.25, with adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter projected between $1.00 and $1.40 [8][10] - Capacity expectations for 2025 have been adjusted to approximately 2% year-over-year growth [8]