alaska airlines

Alaska Airlines
Having enjoyed a lifelong fascination with the vast and rugged North Country and the Alaska-Yukon area in particular, the story of Alaska Airlines is particularly intriguing. It is as romantic as any profile of energy, initiative and the rewards of following one's dream. As it affects the lives of those who lived in Northwestern Canada and the USA, the modern age of exploration started with the famous bush pilots, who pioneered the Air Highways, carrying every type of cargo imaginable, often performing daring deeds of rescue. Several of this illustrious group started their own airlines and became living legends. Watch this space for our version of the Alaska Airlines Story, plus constant updates on its current services along with news about its sister company, Horizon Airlines. You can get the full story, including some excellent destination profiles on the following web site: http://www.alaskaair.com

ALASKA AIRLINES

Alaska Airlines wins on-time performance award three years in a row

SEATTLE, Wash. - FlightStats.com has named Alaska Airlines the No. 1 on-time major carrier in North America for the third year in a row. Alaska's average on-time rate for 2012 was 87.26. The average on-time performance was 79.62 percent among North American carriers.

"This award is a credit to the more than 12,000 Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees who continue to meet our core promise to customers of getting them to their destination safely and on time," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' chief operating officer and executive vice president. "Winning this award for the third time is a credit to the caliber of our employees and their relentless focus on robust operational processes, all while keeping safety and customer service at the forefront of everything we do."

FlightStats' on-time rate for Alaska Airlines differs from the Department of Transportation number of 87.52 percent because it relies on more sources for information.

"Alaska airlines has won the FlightStats On-time Performance Service Award for three years in a row in the North America Major category," said FlightStats' President Jeff Kennedy. "It is truly a testament to their ongoing commitment of providing exceptional service to their customers."

Larger, more-advanced passenger-cargo aircraft part of airline's $100 million investment in cargo service

Alaska Airlines today introduced two Boeing 737-400 "combi" aircraft to its fleet to improve passenger and cargo service in the state of Alaska. The larger airplanes -- converted to transport passengers in the back and main-deck cargo in the front -- have more cargo capacity, more-advanced flight-guidance capabilities and more-comfortable passenger cabins than the 737-200 combis they replace.

The aircraft are part of Alaska Airlines' $100 million plan to upgrade its cargo fleet and infrastructure. The airline will add two more 737-400 ombis to its fleet by the end of 2007. These converted aircraft and an all-cargo freighter introduced in June 2006 will provide about 20 percent more cargo capacity and passenger seats than the fleet of 737-200 aircraft they replace.

"These combis - the first of their kind in the world -- are uniquely designed to meet the needs of both cargo customers and passengers throughout the state of Alaska," said Bill MacKay, Alaska Airlines' senior vice president for the state of Alaska. "By upgrading the fleet and modernizing cargo infrastructure, we are providing more cargo capacity, a more comfortable passenger experience and a more reliable flight schedule."

The combis are the first 737-400 aircraft in the world to be converted from all-passenger to combination cargo-passenger configurations. The 737-400s' fixed configurations, which accommodate four cargo pallets and 72 passengers, improve cargo service by guaranteeing consistent cargo capacity on each flight. The 737-200 combis they replace had adjustable configurations, which allowed Alaska to change the number of passenger seats and cargo-pallet positions for each flight, but prevented the airline from guaranteeing consistent cargo capacity. The 737-400 combis offer improved fuel efficiency, more-advanced flight-guidance systems and upgraded passenger amenities. They are equipped with Required Navigation Performance systems designed to reduce the frequency of weather-related schedule disruptions. The passenger cabins also feature leather seats and larger, standard-sized overhead luggage bins.

The first two aircraft, scheduled to enter commercial service Feb. 2 and 3, will be routed throughout the state of Alaska with an emphasis on serving the northern and western Alaska points of Prudhoe Bay, Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome and Bethel. The 737-400 freighter directly supports the cargo needs of the state's seafood industry by flying routes in Southeast Alaska as well as between Anchorage and Seattle. Introduced to Alaska Airlines' fleet as passenger aircraft in 1992, the combis were retrofitted by Pemco World Air Services. Pemco also retrofitted the 737-400 freighter and is in the process of retrofitting the two additional combis slated for delivery later this year. Alaska Airlines also maintains options with Pemco to convert a second freighter and fifth combiaircraft.

In mid-February Alaska Airlines also will introduce a new $3 million cargo shipment-management and accounting system. Using a centralized database, the system will provide more detailed cargo tracking information, automate customer billing and allow customers to make flight-specific cargo reservations.

Transporting more than 150 million pounds of cargo annually, including seafood, mail and freight, Alaska Airlines operates the most extensive air Cargo operation on the U.S. West Coast of any passenger airline. The airline's cargo operation transports about 30 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood each year from Alaska to Seattle, the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 89 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada And Mexico. This year Alaska Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking the airline's growth from a single-aircraft operation in 1932 to one of the largest U.S. carriers. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com.

For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Pemco World Air Services is a subsidiary of Pemco Aviation Group, Inc., which performs maintenance and modification of aircraft for the U.S. Government and foreign and domestic commercial customers. The company also provides aircraft parts and support and engineering services and develops and manufactures aircraft cargo systems, rocket vehicles, control systems and components.

Alaska Airlines is a listed US airline, with bases at Seattle, Anchorage, Portland and Los Angeles International airports. Alaska Airlines started as a small regional airline, and today serves over 60 cities across the US, Canada and Mexico. The airline's operations are based largely on the West Coast of America, with transcontinental and international service operating from its West Coast hubs. It is not currently a member of a global alliance, but has bilateral codeshare agreements with carriers straddling the major groupings, includingQantas, American, LAN and Cathay Pacific (oneworld), Air France-KLM and Delta (SkyTeam) and Air New Zealand (Star)