Alaska Airlines’ partnership with UP.Labs has resulted in the airline launching Odysee, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that will help optimize its flight scheduling in real time.
Optimizing flight schedules in seconds
In a LinkedIn post, Ben Minicucci, the chief executive officer (CEO) of 
Alaska Airlines
, said that the airline has constantly been innovating to provide its passengers with a better travel experience.
With this in mind, the company has launched an AI-enabled startup focused on schedule optimization, which should help the group, which includes Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines
, and Horizon Air, to improve how more than 1,500 of its daily flights are scheduled.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Minicucci described it as a critical task to ensure that each aircraft was utilized as much as possible and that it was at the right place and time.
“That configuration puzzle is key to operational reliability and to ensure our guests have a smooth and fantastic experience.”
As a result, in partnership with UP.Labs, Alaska Airlines has launched Odysee. The executive said that the solution should optimize operational logistics in real time, starting with flight scheduling.
Assessing the situation in seconds
According to Minicucci, the tool will help Alaska Airlines to assess the situation in seconds. This includes any schedule changes impacting revenue, profitability, and reliability.
Odysee should empower the airline group’s teams to have more information readily available when making complex decisions.
“Our partnership with UP.Labs was established as part of Alaska Star Ventures, Alaska Airlines’ investment arm, and is aligned with our commitment to innovation and sustainability. Over the next three years, the partnership will launch additional startups focused on solving key challenges in aviation and mobility.”
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
Alaska Airlines and UP.Labs announced Airline Venture Lab, a partnership to build startups to solve the carrier’s core strategic challenges at the UP.Summit on October 5, 2023. The two companies outlined their goal to launch their first startup in 2024.
“[…] the new partnership will focus on identifying high-value solutions that address some of the greatest areas of friction within aviation.”
UP.Labs is part of UP.Partners, a venture capital (VC) firm that works with partner companies to explore innovative solutions within transportation, including aviation.
Investment subsidiary
Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines launched Alaska Star Ventures on October 18, 2021. At the time, the group said its goal was to advance emerging technologies to accelerate the airline’s progress toward its net-zero goal.
Photo: EWY Media | Shutterstock
Then, Minicucci said that to live its purpose and create an airline that travelers love, Alaska Airlines must operate by being mindful of people and the environment.
“To do that, we are seeking technologies that will accelerate our mission to build a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.”
The announcement included news about a partnership with the aforementioned UP.Partners, which has now resulted in the two companies launching Odysee.
