<P> On December 14, 2016, Alaska Air Group completed its acquisition of Virgin America . </P> <P> As the first A321neo was delivered on 20 April 2017 to Virgin America configured with 184 seats and LEAP engines, Alaska Airlines haven't determined if two fleet types should be kept and if its five orders should be received in 2018 over the five deliveries in 2017, all leased from GECAS . </P> <P> As of November 2014, Alaska Airlines has 12,998 employees . Alaska's pilot group consists of approximately 1,550 pilots represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International and its over 4,100 flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants . </P> <P> Since May 2005 (2005 - 05), the airline's baggage - handling operations have been outsourced to Menzies Aviation . This was in response to rejection of a contract between IAM (the union which represented the baggage handlers), and Alaska Airlines . It also allowed the airline to save an estimated $13 million a year . </P>

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