Don’t Just Fly Alaska Airlines, Wear Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is collaborating with Mariclaro to upcycle used plane seats into stylish carry-on bags.

Alaska Airlines’ Green Team has saved about 18,000 pounds of leather from the landfill. The airline has been updating its fleet of Boeing 737-800s and -900s to new seats with power outlets, and in the process, stripping the leather off the old seats destined for the garbage. Now, through a partnership with Mariclaro, a bag company that uses sustainable material, that leather is finding new life as carry-on bags, purses and laptop bags. Some even have the iconic airplane seatbelt buckle.

“This collaboration is a fun example of how our airline is living our mission of sustainability and really making a difference in the world,” said Greg Mays, Alaska’s vice president of maintenance and engineering. “By partnering with these innovative designers, we’re not only diverting waste from local landfills, but we’re giving people a chance to own a piece of Alaska’s history. It’s not often that people can own a bag that has already traveled more miles than they have.”

The bags are currently on sale through Mariclaro’s online store, and also at the Alaska Airlines company store at SeaTac. Seven styles are available for either $159 or $199.

This is Alaska’s latest effort in a long history of sustainable practices. The airline already recycles items on every flight, leads initiatives in cutting greenhouse gases and improving fuel efficiency, and uses electric vehicles for daily business at SeaTac. In 2013, Alaska was ranked number one for fuel efficiency among U.S domestic airlines.

[Photo: Mariclaro]