Alaska Airlines names John Kirby Vice President of Capacity Planning

SEATTLE — John Kirby today joins Alaska Airlines as vice president of capacity planning, overseeing Alaska Air Group’s mainline and regional networks and its scheduling and schedule distribution team.

“John brings a tremendous depth of experience to the table,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ senior vice president of planning and revenue management. “His vast airline industry knowledge will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Alaska Air Group network.”

Kirby has worked at six different airlines over his 31-year career, with experience working at carriers of all sizes, both international and domestic, low-cost and legacy. He joins Alaska from Southwest Airlines, where he served as senior director of international business management. Previously, he was Southwest’s senior director of domestic and international planning.

“I’m excited to join an industry leading carrier,” said Kirby. “From the outside looking in, Alaska Airlines is knocking it out of the park, both commercially and operationally.”

Kirby holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from Montclair State University.