Bernadette Berger

Bernadette Berger is a futurist and an airplane nerd. As Alaska Airlines’ director of innovation, she is passionate about defining the future of flight. Berger leads Alaska’s innovation initiatives to improve the guest and employee experience, on the ground and in the sky. Before joining Alaska, she designed airplane architecture including the 787 and 777X, patented new in-flight technology, and taught experience design in the University of Washington MHCID program.

---

Seamless and remarkable future gate vision

The pre-flight experience at the gate is all at once boring and a chaotic rush. Alaska Airlines is looking ahead to a future shaped by seamless automation, advanced machine learning and remarkable personalization. The presentation will share the company's vision for the future gate experience, influenced by immersive retail and premium hospitality, and how the incubator approach pushes thinking, aligns teams to the North Star and accelerates innovation across the organization.

The audience will learn:

• The largest pain points for guests at the gate; what drives negative behavior
• The embedded gate technology that drives guest behavior and a premium perception
• How Alaska Airlines is preparing for growth through gate design and gate technology
• What is an incubator approach; how Alaska Airlines collaborates with airports and startups in its innovation lab
• How AI will reshape the day of travel for guests, and what airlines and airports should prepare for

Panel discussion: Innovation beyond technology

This panel will explore non-technology-driven innovation—creative approaches that transform operations, improve passenger experiences, and drive resilience in an evolving industry. From enhancing customer service and streamlining processes to fostering stronger partnerships and empowering teams, our panelists will share real-world examples of how airports and airlines are leading meaningful change without relying solely on tech. We’ll dive into topics like operational excellence, sustainability initiatives, redefined business models, and community engagement, showcasing the power of human-centered solutions.