PRNewswire-FirstCall (November 3, 2009)

ALASKA AIRLINES

Alaska reported an increase in load factor to 77.0 percent in October 2009, compared to 73.6 percent in October 2008, on a 1.6 percent decline in available seat miles (ASMs) compared to the prior-year period. Alaska also reported that 85.8 percent of its flights arrived on time in October 2009, a 1.4-point increase compared to the 84.4 percent reported in October 2008. The following tables show the operational results for October 2009 and for the first ten months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods:

October Year-to-Date ------- ------------ 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Revenue passenger Miles RPMs (000,000) 1,459 1,417 3.0% 15,271 15,827 (3.5)% Available seat Miles ASMs (000,000) 1,894 1,924 (1.6)% 19,363 20,553 (5.8)% Passenger load factor 77.0% 73.6% 3.4pts 78.9% 77.0% 1.9pts Revenue passengers (000) 1,230 1,270 (3.2)% 13,026 14,308 (9.0)% On-time arrivals as reported to U.S. DOT 85.8% 84.4% 1.4pts 82.3% 79.8% 2.5pts HORIZON AIR

Horizon reported an increase in load factor to 73.4 percent in October 2009, compared to 71.1 percent in October 2008. Horizon reported that 87.1 percent of its flights arrived on time in October 2009, a 2.3-point decrease compared to the 89.4 percent reported in October 2008. The following tables show the operational results for October 2009 and for the first ten months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods:

October Year-to-Date ------- ------------ 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ RPMs (000,000) 203 197 3.2% 2,003 2,271 (11.8)% ASMs (000,000) 277 277 0.0% 2,747 3,109 (11.6)% Passenger load factor 73.4% 71.1% 2.3pts 72.9% 73.1% (0.2)pts Revenue passengers (000) 570 579 (1.5)% 5,625 6,333 (11.2)% On-time arrivals 87.1% 89.4% (2.3)pts 86.5% 85.5% 1.0pts ---------------- ---- ---- -------- ---- ---- ------

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group , together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 and 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, +1-206-392-5134,Investors, Shannon Alberts, Managing Director of Investor Relations,+1-206-392-5218, both of Alaska Air Group, Inc.

Web Site: http://alaskaair.com/

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