One partner transporting them from the isolation of illness to the wide-open spaces that previously only existed in their imaginations.

Alaska Airlines has quite literally been the runway connecting wish kids and their families to their dreams. Their commitment and passion for our mission have been bottom-up and top-down thanks to the incredible leadership of Brad Tilden, the recently retired CEO of Alaska Airlines.

“This commitment opened up a world of possibilities for our wish kids and their families as they experience the transformation that wishes and travel uniquely provide.”

Wishes give children a chance to captain their own destiny when critical illness so often forces them out of the driver’s seat of their own lives.

During his tenure at Alaska Airlines, Brad championed his support for wish kids through many ways, including an annual corporate commitment consisting of hundreds of airline vouchers and donating Mileage Plan member miles to be used for wish travel. Under his leadership, Alaska Airlines also sponsored numerous chapter events including our signature Wish Night Gala & Auction which he and his wife personally chaired in the past. Most recently, he helped to grant Tristan’s wish to be an airline pilot. And, the list goes on.

That love and support of the mission runs deep at Alaska Airlines. It can be seen throughout every level of the organization from the ticket agents checking wish kids into their flights to the flight crew giving them the VIP treatment onboard. Brad has been a glowing example that has inspired so many Alaska Airlines employees to roll up their sleeves and personally get involved in delivering an exceptional experience even before the plane’s wheels are up.

“Wishes allow kids to taxi away from reality and immerse themselves into a world of positive distraction that leads to better emotional, and often improved, physical states,” said Arias. “We will forever be grateful to Brad for the immeasurable joy he has helped to cultivate in the lives of so many wish kids and their families. We look forward to continuing that legacy with the help and support of the new Alaska Airlines CEO, Ben Minicucci.”