This March, two magical passengers arrived in Seattle on board an Alaska Air Cargo freighter. Tuktu and Kodiak, young reindeer from Palmer, Alaska, were headed to their new home at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm — bringing the Central Washington farm’s herd to a total of 48. 

The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm’s story began in 2014 when owners Kari and Hans Andersen visited Norway, where they observed reindeer herds and fell in love with the animals. They decided to bring reindeer to their family farm in Leavenworth after consulting with Dr. Greg Finstead of the Reindeer Research Program at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Finstead pointed out that Leavenworth sits at the same latitude as places like Mongolia, where some of the world’s healthiest reindeer herds thrive. 

Tuktu and Kodiak settle in at their new home.The Andersens got in touch with the largest reindeer farm in the United States, located in Palmer. Because of travel restrictions on live animals through Canada, their first six reindeer traveled on a boat from Whittier, Alaska, to Bellingham, Washington, in 2016. 

Knowing there had to be a better way to move these special animals, they reached out to airlines. Alaska Air Cargo, with decades of experience flying animals from the state of Alaska, was ready to create a reindeer-sized shipping solution. 

In 2016, Alaska Air Cargo carried three female reindeer — the first of many flying reindeer that would eventually go to live on the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. 

To make the journey from Anchorage (ANC) to Seattle (SEA), reindeer travel in custom crates with air holes and dimensions that snugly fit the contour of their body. Each crate weighs around 350 pounds with the reindeer inside. With a door at each end, the reindeer walks itself into the crate guided by the handler. Crates are loaded onto a flat board and secured in place with cargo straps and netting to hold them in place. They’re loaded onto the upper deck of the Alaska Air Cargo 737 freighter and locked in place for transport. (Alaska Airlines is the only U.S. passenger airline with dedicated freighters linking 19 communities across the state of Alaska with the lower 48.) 

Upon arrival into Seattle, the crates are taken off the freighter and loaded into a trailer for the drive to Leavenworth. 

A Christmas invitation — and a reindeer farm flourishes 

The Andersens weren’t necessarily planning to open their farm to visitors. However, in 2016, Leavenworth’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony brought thousands of visitors to town. Traffic was so backed up, Google and Apple maps were directing visitors to town via North Road, near Peshastin, Washington, passing the Andersens’ farm.  

Knowing there were families with children in the cars, many who probably needed a break, the Andersens put a sign in their driveway that said, “Meet the Reindeer.” More than 300 guests took them up on their offer, and the Andersens decided to open their farm to visitors. 

By 2019, the Andersens had opened the farm year-round and by 2021, more than half a million visitors had experienced the magic. Today, more than 100,000 people visit the farm annually. Three generations of the Andersen family work together on the farm year-round. 

Since 2016, Alaska Air Cargo has flown several reindeer to Seattle en route to their home on the farm.  

“Alaska Airlines proved that reindeer really can fly,” said Erika Bowie, Leavenworth Reindeer Farm general manager and the Andersens’ daughter. 

(Photos by Dianne McGinness, Alaska Airlines)

 Learn more

Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is at the forefront of education and conservation, working with both the Caribou Conservation Alliance and the Reindeer Farmers Association. If you’d like to learn more about the work the Andersens do or plan your own visit (you need a reservation), check out the farm’s official website.

Our Pet Connect Animal Travel service provides quality care for transporting live animals, including beloved pets. Check out our animal-shipping guidelines. 

 About Alaska Air Cargo and Hawaiian Air Cargo 

Together, Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo reach 110-plus cargo destinations around the world, including cities across Asia and the South Pacific – and coming in spring 2026, Rome and London! With more than 90 years of experience carrying vital shipments to remote communities, our air cargo teams share deep connections to the communities where we live, work and fly.