Diana Birkett Rakow named first female CEO of Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Air Group announced that Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, will become CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, effective Oct. 29.

Birkett Rakow, Hawaiian Airline’s first female CEO, succeeds Joe Sprague, who will retire after a distinguished career in aviation.

Sprague was named CEO to guide Hawaiian Airlines through the process of obtaining with Alaska Airlines a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. A single operating certificate is issued when an airline has fully merged with another.

With that milestone on track to be completed next month, Birkett Rakow will take the helm.

Birkett Rakow will be based in Honolulu, the company’s second largest hub after Seattle,
and will be responsible for the long-term performance and advancement of the Hawaiian
Airlines brand and Alaska Air Group’s business in Hawai‘i.

She will support the company’s passengers and more than 6,600 employees across the islands. She also will head the company’s Honolulu leadership team, which includes
many long-time Hawaiian Airlines leaders.

Birkett Rakow will continue to report to Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air Group, and remain on the company’s Executive Committee. Birkett Rakow’s role will also continue to include oversight of company-wide sustainability and venture investment strategies.

“As Diana steps into this role, she brings a proven record of building strong teams, delivering results, and caring deeply about people and culture,” Minicucci said in a press release. “I know she will be a tireless advocate for the Hawaiian Airlines brand and people, and I’m confident she will lead with authenticity, purpose, and vision.”

Sprague started with Alaska more than 25 years ago and held several executive positions at the airline before becoming president of regional subsidiary Horizon Air in 2019. He became
CEO of Hawaiian Airlines when the combination with Alaska was made official in
September 2024.

Sprague will remain a member oof the Hawaiian Airlines board once his CEO role concludes.

In a related move, Kyle Levine, currently Alaska Air Group’s senior vice president, legal, general counsel and corporate secretary, will be promoted to executive vice president, corporate and public affairs, chief legal officer and corporate secretary.

In this role, Levine will assume responsibility for public and government affairs, including the company’s corporate philanthropy and sales and community marketing for the state of Alaska, in addition to his current responsibilities overseeing legal, compliance and corporate governance functions.

Levine has held the chief legal post for 10 years and led the legal functions for the Virgin American and Hawaiian Airlines acquisitions. He also serves on the Executive Committee and has held various legal roles within Air Group since joining the company in 2006.