Howard S. Wright to Deliver Renovations for Alaska Airlines’ New Training Facility

August 30, 2024

RENTON, WASH. - Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company, has been selected to renovate Alaska Airlines' new training facility in Renton, Washington. In partnership with Alaska Airlines, Seneca Group and design partner, NBBJ, Howard S. Wright will renovate the North Building on the Longacres campus for the airline to centralize its operations and world-class training programs for flight attendants, pilots, customer service agents and more.

"We're thrilled to invest in our Puget Sound home," said Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, revenue products and real estate at Alaska Airlines. "The growth opportunity this purchase provides us cannot be overstated, and it really feels like a perfect match. Having access to a facility that was purpose built for aviation training that we then get to customize was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. As Longacres continues to be built out, our employees will have access to amenities that will truly make this a world class training experience."

Alaska Airlines purchased 19 acres of the Longacres property from Unico Properties which includes the North Building that Howard S. Wright will renovate for Alaska Airlines' new facility. Howard S. Wright will work with its industry partners to deliver an approximately 600,000-square-foot, three-story training center to house full-motion flight simulators, mock aircraft for inflight simulations, classrooms, an auditorium, a production studio and significant office space.

"Howard S. Wright along with our industry partners look forward to our continued partnership with Alaska Airlines, Seneca Group and NBBJ in delivering this amazing new space," said Will Colby, Howard S. Wright vice president. "Providing timely and seamless construction operations is what we do best. In partnership with this team, we will leverage ongoing collaboration, innovation and our extensive renovation expertise to bring this world class training facility to life for hundreds of airline personnel."

Howard S. Wright leverages long-standing client relationships with Alaska Airlines, Seneca Group and NBBJ and has delivered buildings including corporate office projects as well as service work at the airline's existing Flight Training Center. Most recently, the team delivered 'The Hub', the Alaska Airline's Class A office space in SeaTac which accommodates approximately 600 employees and houses its 24/7 operations facility and other functions.

Renovations to Alaska Airline's new training facility are expected to commence in August 2024. While the airline's pilots already train on the campus, other employee groups will begin moving into the facility following the renovations towards the end of 2025.