Alaska Airlines sets historical record with third quarter operational performance SEATTLE, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported September operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines (Alaska) and Horizon Air (Horizon). ALASKA AIRLINES Alaska reported an increase in load factor to 77.9 percent in September 2009, compared to 75.8 percent in September 2008, on a 1.4 percent decline in available seat miles (ASMs) compared to the prior-year period. Alaska also reported that 90.0 percent of its flights arrived on time in September 2009, capping off the strongest third quarter operational performance in the airline's history. The following tables show the operational results for September 2009 and for the first nine months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods: September Year-to-Date --------- ------------ 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Revenue passenger miles RPMs (000,000) 1,450 1,430 1.4% 13,812 14,410 (4.1)% Available seat miles ASMs (000,000) 1,862 1,888 (1.4)% 17,469 18,628 (6.2)% Passenger load factor 77.9% 75.8% 2.1pts 79.1% 77.4% 1.7pts Revenue passengers (000) 1,235 1,295 (4.7)% 11,796 13,037 (9.5)% On-time arrivals as reported to U.S. DOT 90.0% 87.8% 2.2pts 81.9% 79.3% 2.6pts ----------- ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ HORIZON AIR Horizon reported an increase in load factor to 73.7 percent in September 2009, compared to 72.6 percent in September 2008, on a 2.6 percent decline in capacity compared to the prior-year period. Horizon reported that 91.3 percent of its flights arrived on time in September 2009, a 0.3-point decrease compared to the 91.6 percent reported in September 2008. The following tables show the operational results for September 2009 and for the first nine months of 2009, compared to the prior-year periods: September Year-to-Date --------- ------------ 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ RPMs (000,000) 199 201 (1.1)% 1,799 2,074 (13.3)% ASMs (000,000) 270 277 (2.6)% 2,470 2,831 (12.8)% Passenger load factor 73.7% 72.6% 1.1pts 72.8% 73.3% (0.5)pts Revenue passengers (000) 556 584 (4.9)% 5,055 5,754 (12.1)% On-time arrivals 91.3% 91.6% (0.3)pts 86.4% 85.1% 1.3pts ---------------- ---- ---- -------- ---- ---- ------ Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), 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. DATASOURCE: Alaska Air Group CONTACT: Media, Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, +1-206-392-5134, or Investors, Shannon Alberts, Managing Director of Investor Relations, +-1-206-392-5218, both of Alaska Airlines Web Site: http://alaskaair.com/

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