Alaska Air Group Reports 2005 Full Year Results

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today reported full year income of $84.5 million, or $2.65 per diluted share, before the cumulative effect of a maintenance accounting policy change, compared to a loss of...

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today reported full year income of $84.5 million, or $2.65 per diluted share, before the cumulative effect of a maintenance accounting policy change, compared to a loss of $15.3 million, or $0.57 per share in 2004. Both 2005 and 2004 include certain significant items related to mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting, restructuring activities, refunds of navigation fees and impairment charges that impact the comparability of the periods. Excluding the impact of these items, 2005 net income would have been $55.0 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $5.2 million, or $0.19 per share in 2004.

The company reported a fourth quarter net loss of $33.0 million, or $1.15 per share, compared to a net loss of $44.9 million, or $1.66 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2004. Similar to the items noted for the full year, both the 2005 and 2004 quarterly results include mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, restructuring activities and an impairment charge in 2004. Excluding the impact of these items, fourth quarter net income would have been $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share in 2005, compared to a loss of $14.3 million, or $0.53 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004.

"Sacrifices by our employees, strong revenue performance and the benefit of our fuel hedging program enabled us to be one of only a couple of major airlines that posted a significant adjusted profit for 2005," said Bill Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our people should be extremely proud of that. I want to thank our customers for sticking with us and our employees for their hard work. Our job now is to stay the course to secure Alaska Air Group’s position as a leader in this tumultuous industry."

Alaska Airlines’ passenger traffic in the fourth quarter increased 3.2 percent on a capacity increase of 1.9 percent. Alaska’s load factor increased 1.0 percentage point to 73.9 percent, compared to the same period in 2004. Alaska’s operating revenue per available seat mile (ASM) increased 8.4 percent and its operating costs per ASM excluding fuel and restructuring charges increased 0.9 percent. The airline’s pretax loss for the quarter was $46.3 million, compared to a pretax loss of $68.9 million in 2004. Excluding the unusual items referenced above, Alaska’s pretax income was $0.5 million for the quarter, compared to a $22.7 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Horizon Air’s passenger traffic in the fourth quarter increased 11.1 percent on an 8.2 percent capacity increase. Horizon’s load factor increased by 2.0 percentage points to 73.7 percent, compared to the same period in 2004. Horizon’s operating revenue per ASM increased 1.1 percent and its operating costs per ASM excluding fuel and impairment charges increased 1.1 percent. The airline’s pretax loss for the quarter was $6.6 million, compared to a pretax loss of $1.6 million in 2004. Excluding the unusual items referenced above, Horizon’s pretax income was $0.4 million for the quarter, compared to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Alaska Air Group had cash and short-term investments at Dec. 31, 2005, of approximately $983 million, compared to $874 million at Dec. 31, 2004. The company’s debt-to-capital ratio, assuming aircraft operating leases are capitalized at seven times annualized rent, was 73 percent as of Dec. 31, 2005, compared to 78 percent as of Dec. 31, 2004. The company’s cash position and debt-to-capital ratio were positively impacted by Air Group’s recent common stock offering, which raised approximately $200 million in net proceeds.

A summary of financial and statistical data for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, as well as a reconciliation of the reported non-GAAP financial measures, can be found following.

A conference call regarding the fourth quarter and full year 2005 results will be simulcast via the Internet at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 26, 2006. It may be accessed through the company’s Web site at alaskaair.com. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available after the conclusion of the call at alaskaair.com.

This report contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to be materially different from that indicated by any forward- looking statements. Some of the things that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations are: the competitive environment and other trends in our industry; changes in our operating costs including fuel, which can be volatile; our ability to meet our cost reduction goals; our inability to achieve or maintain profitability and fluctuations in our quarterly results; our significant indebtedness; our inability to secure new aircraft financing; the implementation of our growth strategy; possible accelerated retirement of our MD-80 fleet; compliance with our financial covenants; potential downgrades of our credit ratings and the availability of financing; the concentration of our revenue from a few key markets; general economic conditions, as well as economic conditions in the geographic regions we serve; actual or threatened terrorist attacks; global instability and potential U.S. military actions or activities; insurance costs; labor disputes; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; an aircraft accident or incident; liability and other claims asserted against us; operational disruptions; increases in government fees and taxes; changes in laws and regulations; our reliance on automated systems; and our reliance on third-party vendors and partners. For a discussion of these and other risk factors, see the company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement filed on Dec. 12, 2005. All of the forward- looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risk factors discussed therein. These risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Management cannot predict such new risk factors, nor can it assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our business or events described in any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform them to actual results.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air newsroom at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com/ .

                  ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.

  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
  (In Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

                                      Three Months        Twelve Months
                                   Ended December 31    Ended December 31

                                    2005      2004       2005       2004
  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger                       $666.8    $598.6   $2,728.7   $2,497.1
  Freight and mail                  22.8      22.0       94.1       90.3
  Other - net                       41.0      35.7      152.5      136.4
  Total Operating Revenues         730.6     656.3    2,975.3    2,723.8

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits               230.1     230.4      923.6      967.5
  Contracted services               36.2      29.3      132.4      108.4
  Aircraft fuel                    196.8     155.9      722.8      540.7
  Aircraft maintenance              53.9      46.2      228.5      184.1
  Aircraft rent                     47.0      45.9      187.0      187.4
  Food and beverage service         13.1      12.4       50.2       51.9
  Selling expenses                  38.2      33.4      157.7      144.9
  Depreciation and amortization     37.6      36.8      143.4      142.6
  Landing fees and other rentals    51.9      46.6      208.4      185.1
  Other                             51.9      50.4      208.3      197.4
  Restructuring charges            (0.3)      25.9       20.4       53.4
  Impairment of aircraft and
   related spare parts                --       0.6         --       40.2
  Total Operating Expenses         756.4     713.8    2,982.7    2,803.6
  Operating Loss                   (25.8)    (57.5)      (7.4)     (79.8)

  Nonoperating Income (Expense):
  Interest income                    9.3       5.9       30.9       24.5
  Interest expense                 (17.5)    (13.0)     (63.0)     (51.9)
  Interest capitalized               4.0       0.6        8.9        1.7
  Fuel hedging gains (losses)      (24.7)     (7.8)     173.9       85.5
  Other - net                       (1.6)     (1.1)      (6.1)      (0.6)
                                   (30.5)    (15.4)     144.6       59.2
  Income (loss) before income
   tax and accounting change       (56.3)    (72.9)     137.2      (20.6)
  Income tax expense (benefit)     (23.3)    (28.0)      52.7       (5.3)
  Income (loss) before
   accounting change              $(33.0)   $(44.9)     $84.5     $(15.3)
  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change,
   net of tax                         --        --      (90.4)        --
  Net Loss                        $(33.0)   $(44.9)     $(5.9)    $(15.3)
  Basic Earnings Per Share:
   Income (loss) before
    accounting change             $(1.15)   $(1.66)     $3.06     $(0.57)
   Cumulative effect of
    accounting change                 NA        NA      (3.27)        NA
   Net Loss Per Share             $(1.15)   $(1.66)    $(0.21)    $(0.57)
  Diluted Earnings Per Share:
   Income (loss) before
    accounting change             $(1.15)   $(1.66)     $2.65     $(0.57)
   Cumulative effect of
    accounting change                 NA        NA      (2.66)        NA
   Net Loss Per Share             $(1.15)   $(1.66)    $(0.01)    $(0.57)
  Shares Used for Computation:
  Basic                           28.629    26.975     27.609     26.859
  Diluted                         28.629    26.975     33.917     26.859


                            Alaska Air Group, Inc.

              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

                                                 December 31,   December 31,
  (In Millions)                                       2005           2004

  Cash and marketable securities                      $983           $874

  Total current assets                              $1,540         $1,242
  Property and equipment-net                         2,032          1,908
  Other assets                                         220            185
  Total assets                                      $3,792         $3,335

  Current liabilities                               $1,165           $957
  Long-term debt and capital lease obligations         969            990
  Other liabilities and credits                        830            723
  Shareholders' equity                                 828            665
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity        $3,792         $3,335


  Alaska Airlines Financial and Statistical Data

                          Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                              December 31                December 31

  Financial Data
   (in millions):       2005    2004  %Change     2005     2004   %Change
  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger           $526.4   $477.8   10.2  $2,183.0  $2,023.6     7.9
  Freight and mail      21.9     21.1    3.8      90.3      86.4     4.5
  Other - net           38.9     32.4   20.1     142.8     123.0    16.1
  Total Operating
   Revenues            587.2    531.3   10.5   2,416.1   2,233.0     8.2

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits   181.2    187.9   (3.6)    737.4     799.7    (7.8)
  Contracted services   32.9     26.2   25.6     119.9      96.5    24.2
  Aircraft fuel        170.9    135.6   26.0     626.6     472.0    32.8
  Aircraft maintenance  41.7     34.5   20.9     185.2     145.8    27.0
  Aircraft rent         29.6     28.0    5.7     116.8     113.5     2.9
  Food and beverage
   service              12.5     11.9    5.0      47.7      49.8    (4.2)
  Selling expenses      29.0     31.1   (6.8)    126.9     132.2    (4.0)
  Depreciation and
   amortization         32.5     32.9   (1.2)    125.4     128.1    (2.1)
  Landing fees and
   other rentals        40.4     35.9   12.5     161.9     142.0    14.0
  Other                 39.0     38.2    2.1     158.7     148.6     6.8
  Restructuring
   charges              (0.3)    25.9     NM      20.4      53.4      NM
  Impairment of
   aircraft and
   related spare parts    --       --     NM        --      36.8      NM
  Total Operating
   Expenses            609.4    588.1    3.6   2,426.9   2,318.4     4.7

  Operating Loss       (22.2)   (56.8)    NM     (10.8)    (85.4)     NM

  Interest income        9.4      6.2             32.5      26.2
  Interest expense     (14.3)   (11.0)           (51.2)    (44.1)
  Interest capitalized   3.6      0.4              8.1       1.1
  Fuel hedging
   gains (losses)      (21.5)    (6.8)           150.6      75.3
  Other - net           (1.3)    (0.9)            (5.0)     (0.1)
                       (24.1)   (12.1)           135.0      58.4

  Income (Loss)
   Before Income Tax
   and Accounting
   Change             $(46.3)  $(68.9)    NM    $124.2    $(27.0)     NM

  Operating Statistics:
  Revenue passengers
   (000)               4,043    3,998    1.1    16,759    16,295     2.8
  RPMs (000,000)       4,104    3,976    3.2    16,915    16,231     4.2
  ASMs (000,000)       5,556    5,452    1.9    22,292    22,276     0.1
  Passenger load
   factor              73.9%    72.9%    1.0pts  75.9%     72.9%     3.0pts
  Yield per
   passenger mile
   (in cents)          12.83    12.02    6.7     12.91     12.47     3.5
  Operating revenue
   per ASM (in cents)  10.57     9.75    8.4     10.84     10.02     8.2
  Operating expenses
   per ASM (a)
   (in cents)          10.97    10.79    1.7     10.89     10.41     4.6
  Operating expenses
   per ASM excluding
   fuel, navigation
   fee recovery,
   restructuring and
   impairment
   charges (a)
   (in cents)           7.90     7.83    0.9      8.01      7.92     1.1
  Raw fuel cost
   per gallon (a)      $2.02    $1.60   26.3     $1.84     $1.37    34.3
  GAAP fuel cost
   per gallon (a)      $1.99    $1.56   27.6     $1.81     $1.33    36.1
  Economic fuel cost
   per gallon (a)      $1.69    $1.40   20.7     $1.53     $1.26    21.4
  Fuel gallons
   (000,000)            85.7     87.1   (1.6)    346.4     354.7    (2.3)
  Average number
   of employees        8,937    9,433   (5.3)    9,065     9,968    (9.1)
  Aircraft utilization
   (blk hrs/day)        10.8     10.8    0.0      10.8      11.0    (1.8)
  Operating fleet at
   period-end            110      108    1.9       110       108     1.9

  NM = Not Meaningful

  (a) See Note A following


  Horizon Air Financial and Statistical Data

                             Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                                December 31             December 31

  Financial Data
   (in millions):          2005     2004  %Change   2005    2004  %Change
  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger              $138.2   $125.1   10.5  $544.0   $487.3   11.6
  Freight and mail          0.9      0.9    0.0     3.8      3.9   (2.6)
  Other - net               1.8      2.9  (37.9)    8.6     12.0  (28.3)
  Total Operating
   Revenues               140.9    128.9    9.3   556.4    503.2   10.6

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits       46.8     41.4   13.0   178.4    163.5    9.1
  Contracted services       6.1      5.3   15.1    23.8     20.7   15.0
  Aircraft fuel            25.9     20.3   27.6    96.2     68.7   40.0
  Aircraft maintenance     12.2     11.7    4.3    43.3     38.3   13.1
  Aircraft rent            17.4     17.9   (2.8)   70.2     73.9   (5.0)
  Food and beverage
   service                  0.6      0.5   20.0     2.5      2.1   19.0
  Selling expenses          7.0      6.6    6.1    29.1     26.5    9.8
  Depreciation and
   amortization             4.8      3.7   29.7    16.8     13.4   25.4
  Landing fees and
   other rentals           12.0     10.2   17.6    47.7     41.4   15.2
  Other                    11.2     10.8    3.7    42.2     42.0    0.5
  Impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts   --      0.6     NM      --      3.4     NM
  Total Operating
   Expenses               144.0    129.0   11.6   550.2    493.9   11.4

  Operating Income (Loss)  (3.1)    (0.1)    NM     6.2      9.3     NM

  Interest income           0.6      0.2            1.6      1.1
  Interest expense         (1.2)    (0.7)          (5.5)    (3.9)
  Interest capitalized      0.4      0.2            0.8      0.6
  Fuel hedging gains
   (losses)                (3.2)    (1.0)          23.3     10.2
  Other - net              (0.1)    (0.2)            --     (0.2)
                           (3.5)    (1.5)          20.2      7.8

  Income (Loss) Before
   Income Tax and
   Accounting Change      $(6.6)   $(1.6)    NM   $26.4    $17.1     NM

  Operating Statistics:
  Revenue passengers
   (000)                  1,613    1,568    2.9   6,481    5,930    9.3
  RPMs (000,000)            632      569   11.1   2,475    2,155   14.8
  ASMs (000,000)            858      793    8.2   3,400    3,107    9.4
  Passenger load factor   73.7%    71.7%    2.0pts 72.8%   69.3%    3.5pts
  Yield per
   passenger mile
   (in cents)             21.87    21.99   (0.5)  21.98    22.61   (2.8)
  Operating revenue
   per ASM  (in cents)    16.42    16.25    1.1   16.36    16.20    1.0
  Operating expenses
   per ASM (a)
   (in cents)             16.78    16.26    3.2   16.18    15.90    1.8
  Operating expenses
   per ASM excluding
   fuel and impairment
   charges (a)
   (in cents)             13.76    13.62    1.1   13.35    13.58   (1.7)
  Raw fuel cost
   per gallon (a)         $2.06    $1.66   24.1   $1.90    $1.42   33.8
  GAAP fuel cost
   per gallon (a)         $2.04    $1.62   25.9   $1.87    $1.38   35.5
  Economic fuel cost
   per gallon (a)         $1.74    $1.48   17.6   $1.58    $1.31   20.6
  Fuel gallons (000,000)   12.7     12.5    1.6    51.3     49.7    3.2
  Average number
   of employees           3,537    3,493    1.3   3,456    3,423    1.0
  Aircraft utilization
   (blk hrs/day)            8.7      8.5    2.4     8.7      8.3    4.8
  Operating fleet
   at period-end             65       65    0.0      65       65    0.0

  NM = Not Meaningful

  (a) See Note A following


  Note A:

Pursuant to Item 10 of Regulation S-K, we are providing disclosure of the reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. The non-GAAP financial measures provide management the ability to measure and monitor performance both with and without the cost of aircraft fuel (including the gains and losses associated with our fuel hedging program where appropriate), the navigation fee refund, restructuring charges or adjustments thereto, and aircraft impairment charges. Because the cost and availability of aircraft fuel are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control and we record changes in the fair value of our hedge portfolio in our income statement, it is our view that the measurement and monitoring of performance without fuel is important. In addition, we believe the disclosure of financial performance without impairment and restructuring charges is useful to investors. Finally, these non-GAAP financial measures are also more comparable to financial measures reported to the Department of Transportation by other major network airlines.

The following tables reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for both Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc.:

  Alaska Airlines, Inc.:
  ($ in millions)                Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                    December 31,          December 31,

  Unit cost reconciliations:       2005      2004       2005       2004
  Operating expenses             $609.4     $588.1    $2,426.9   $2,318.4
  ASMs (000,000)                  5,556      5,452      22,292     22,276
  Operating expenses per ASM
   (in cents)                     10.97      10.79       10.89      10.41

  Operating expenses             $609.4     $588.1    $2,426.9   $2,318.4
  Less: aircraft fuel            (170.9)    (135.6)     (626.6)    (472.0)
  Less: restructuring charges       0.3      (25.9)      (20.4)     (53.4)
  Add: navigation fee refund         --         --         4.7        7.7
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts           --         --          --      (36.8)
  Operating expenses excluding
   fuel, navigation fee refund,
   restructuring and impairment
   charges                       $438.8     $426.6    $1,784.6   $1,763.9
  ASMs (000,000)                  5,556      5,452      22,292     22,276
  Operating expenses per
   ASM excluding fuel,
   navigation fee refund,
   restructuring and
   impairment charges (in cents)   7.90       7.83        8.01       7.92

  Reconciliation to GAAP income
   (loss) before taxes and
   accounting change:
  Income (loss) before taxes
   and accounting change,
   excluding mark-to-market
   hedging gains (losses),
   navigation fee refund,
   restructuring and
   impairment charges              $0.5     $(22.7)      $85.8       $2.1
  Add: mark-to-market hedging
   gains (losses) included
   in nonoperating income
   (expense)                      (47.1)     (20.3)       53.1       50.1
  Less: restructuring charges       0.3      (25.9)      (20.4)     (53.4)
  Add: navigation fee refund
   and related interest received     --         --         5.7       11.0
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts           --         --          --      (36.8)
  GAAP income (loss) before
   taxes and accounting change
   as reported                   $(46.3)    $(68.9)     $124.2     $(27.0)

  Aircraft fuel reconciliations:
                                      Three Months Ended December 31
                                        2005                   2004
                                 (000s)    Cost/Gal    (000s)   Cost/Gal
  Fuel expense before hedge
   activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)       $172.7      $2.02      $139.3      $1.60
  Less: gains on settled
   hedges included in
   fuel expense                    (1.8)     (0.03)       (3.7)     (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense              $170.9      $1.99      $135.6      $1.56
  Less: gains on settled
   hedges included in
   nonoperating income
   (expense)                      (25.6)     (0.30)      (13.5)     (0.16)
  Economic fuel expense          $145.3      $1.69      $122.1      $1.40
  Fuel gallons (000,000)           85.7                   87.1

  Mark-to-market gains (losses)
   included in non-operating
   income (expense) related to
   hedges that settle in future
   periods, net of the
   reclassification of previously
   recorded mark-to-market gains
   to gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)              $(47.1)                $(20.3)


                                      Twelve Months Ended December 31
                                        2005                   2004
                                 (000s)    Cost/Gal     (000s)    Cost/Gal
  Fuel expense before hedge
   activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)       $637.9      $1.84      $486.6      $1.37
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense       (11.3)     (0.03)      (14.6)     (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense              $626.6      $1.81      $472.0      $1.33
  Less: gains on settled
   hedges included in
   nonoperating income
   (expense)                      (97.5)     (0.28)      (25.2)     (0.07)
  Economic fuel expense          $529.1      $1.53      $446.8      $1.26
  Fuel gallons (000,000)          346.4                  354.7

  Mark-to-market gains included
   in non-operating income
   (expense) related to hedges
   that settle in future periods,
   net of the reclassification
   of previously recorded
   mark-to-market gains to
   gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)               $53.1                  $50.1


  Horizon Air Industries, Inc.
   ($ in millions)                 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
                                      December 31,         December 31,

  Unit cost reconciliations:         2005       2004      2005      2004
  Operating expenses                $144.0     $129.0    $550.2   $493.9
  ASMs (000,000)                       858        793     3,400    3,107
  Operating expenses per ASM
   (in cents)                        16.78      16.26     16.18    15.90

  Operating expenses                $144.0     $129.0    $550.2   $493.9
  Less: aircraft fuel                (25.9)     (20.3)    (96.2)   (68.7)
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts              --       (0.6)       --     (3.4)
  Operating expenses excluding
   fuel and impairment charges      $118.1     $108.1    $454.0   $421.8
  ASMs (000,000)                       858        793     3,400    3,107
  Operating expenses per ASM
   excluding fuel and
   impairment charges (in cents)     13.76      13.62     13.35    13.58

  Reconciliation to GAAP income
   (loss) before taxes
   and accounting change:
  Income before taxes and
   accounting change, excluding
   impairment charges and
   mark-to-market hedging
   gains (losses)                     $0.4       $1.8     $17.8    $13.7
  Add: mark-to-market hedging
   gains (losses) included in
   nonoperating income (expense)      (7.0)      (2.8)      8.6      6.8
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts              --       (0.6)       --     (3.4)
  GAAP income (loss) before
   taxes and accounting change
   as reported                       $(6.6)     $(1.6)    $26.4    $17.1

  Aircraft fuel reconciliations:
                                        Three Months Ended December 31,

                                          2005                 2004
                                    (000s)    Cost/Gal   (000s)  Cost/Gal
  Fuel expense before hedge
   activities ("raw" or
  "into-plane" fuel cost)            $26.1      $2.06     $20.8    $1.66
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense           (0.2)     (0.02)     (0.5)   (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense                  $25.9      $2.04     $20.3    $1.62
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                   (3.8)     (0.30)     (1.8)   (0.14)
  Economic fuel expense              $22.1      $1.74     $18.5    $1.48
  Fuel gallons (000,000)              12.7                 12.5

  Mark-to-market gains (losses)
   included in non-operating
   income (expense) related to
   hedges that settle in future
   periods, net of the
   reclassification of previously
   recorded mark-to-market gains
   to gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                 $(7.0)               $(2.8)


                                       Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                           2005                 2004
                                    (000s)    Cost/Gal   (000s)  Cost/Gal
  Fuel expense before hedge
   activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)           $97.7      $1.90     $70.7    $1.42
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense           (1.5)     (0.03)     (2.0)   (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense                  $96.2      $1.87     $68.7    $1.38
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                  (14.7)     (0.29)     (3.4)   (0.07)
  Economic fuel expense              $81.5      $1.58     $65.3    $1.31
  Fuel gallons (000,000)              51.3                 49.7

  Mark-to-market gains included
   in non-operating income
   (expense) related to hedges
   that settle in future periods,
   net of the reclassification of
   previously recorded mark-to-market
   gains to gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                   $8.6                 $6.8


  Air Group Net Income and EPS Reconciliation:

  The following table reconciles Alaska Air Group, Inc.'s net income (loss)
  and diluted earnings per share during 2005 and 2004 excluding the
  cumulative effect of the accounting change, mark-to-market hedging gains
  (losses) net of related reclassifications, the navigation fee refund, and
  restructuring and impairment charges to the reported GAAP amounts (in
  millions except per share amounts):

                                      Three Months Ended December 31,
                                        2005                  2004
                                  Dollars Diluted EPS Dollars Diluted EPS
  Net income (loss) and diluted
   EPS excluding mark-to-market
   hedging gains (losses),
   restructuring and
   impairment charges              $0.6      $0.02   $(14.3)    $(0.53)
  Mark-to-market hedging gains
   (losses), net of tax           (33.8)     (1.18)   (14.2)     (0.53)
  Restructuring charges,
   net of tax                       0.2       0.01    (16.0)     (0.59)
  Impairment charges,
   net of tax                        --         --     (0.4)     (0.01)
  Reported GAAP amounts          $(33.0)    $(1.15)  $(44.9)    $(1.66)

                                       Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                         2005                   2004
                                 Dollars  Diluted EPS  Dollars  Diluted EPS
  Net income and diluted EPS
   excluding the cumulative
   effect of the accounting
   change, mark-to-market
   hedging gains, navigation
   fee refund, restructuring
   and impairment charges         $55.0       $1.78      $5.2      $0.19
  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change,
   net of tax                     (90.4)      (2.66)       --         --
  Mark-to-market hedging
   gains, net of tax               38.6        1.14      31.7       1.18
  Navigation fee refund,
   net of tax                       3.6        0.10       6.3       0.23
  Restructuring charges,
   net of tax                     (12.7)      (0.37)    (31.8)     (1.18)
  Impairment charges,
   net of tax                        --          --     (26.7)     (0.99)
  Reported GAAP amounts           $(5.9)     $(0.01)   $(15.3)    $(0.57)


  Air Group EPS Calculations:

  The following table summarizes Alaska Air Group, Inc.'s basic and diluted
  per share calculations for income (loss) before the accounting change and
  net income (loss) (in millions except per share amounts):

                                 Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                    December 31,           December 31,
                                   2005        2004       2005      2004

  Basic Earnings Per Share:
  Income (loss) before
   accounting change              $(33.0)     $(44.9)     $84.5    $(15.3)
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding                    28.629      26.975     27.609    26.859
  Income (loss) per share
   before accounting change       $(1.15)     $(1.66)     $3.06    $(0.57)

  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change, net of tax      NA          NA     $(90.4)       NA
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding                        NA          NA     27.609        NA
  Per share cumulative effect
   of accounting change               NA          NA     $(3.27)       NA

  Net loss                        $(33.0)     $(44.9)     $(5.9)   $(15.3)
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding                    28.629      26.975     27.609    26.859
    Net loss per share            $(1.15)     $(1.66)    $(0.21)   $(0.57)


  Diluted Earnings Per Share:
  Income (loss) before
   accounting change              $(33.0)     $(44.9)     $84.5    $(15.3)
  Interest on convertible
   notes, net of tax                  NA          NA        5.5        NA
  Income before accounting change
   for diluted calculation        $(33.0)     $(44.9)     $90.0    $(15.3)
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding                    28.629      26.975     33.917    26.859
  Income (loss) per share
   before accounting change       $(1.15)     $(1.66)     $2.65    $(0.57)

  Cumulative effect of accounting
   change, net of tax                 NA          NA     $(90.4)       NA
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding                        NA          NA     33.917        NA
  Per share cumulative effect
   of accounting change               NA          NA     $(2.66)       NA

  Net loss                        $(33.0)     $(44.9)     $(5.9)   $(15.3)
  Interest on convertible notes,
   net of tax                         NA          NA        5.5        NA
  Net income for diluted
   calculation                    $(33.0)     $(44.9)     $(0.4)   $(15.3)
  Weighted average shares
   outstanding                    28.629      26.975     33.917    26.859
    Net loss per share            $(1.15)     $(1.66)    $(0.01)   $(0.57)


  Forecasted Financial Measures
  During our quarterly earnings conference call, we expect to discuss
  forward-looking forecasted unit cost information for 2006.This forecasted
  unit cost information includes non-GAAP unit cost estimates which are
  summarized in the following table together with the most directly
  comparable GAAP unit cost for both Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air
  Industries, Inc.:

                               Alaska Airlines

                                                       Forecast of total
                                                          operating cost
                          Forecast of      Forecast of     per available
                   cost per available        fuel cost        seat mile,
                           seat mile,    per available    as reported on
                       excluding fuel        seat mile      a GAAP basis
                              (cents)     (See Note 1)           (cents)

  First quarter 2006           8.35             3.05             11.40

  Full year 2006               7.65             3.05             10.70


                                 Horizon Air

                                                       Forecast of total
                                                          operating cost
                          Forecast of      Forecast of     per available
                   cost per available        fuel cost        seat mile,
                           seat mile,    per available    as reported on
                       excluding fuel        seat mile      a GAAP basis
                              (cents)     (See Note 1)           (cents)

  First quarter 2006          14.70             3.10            17.80

  Full year 2006              13.95             3.10            17.05

Note 1: Our forecast of fuel costs is based on anticipated gallons consumed and estimated fuel cost per gallon for both Alaska and Horizon. The estimate also excludes the benefit from settled hedges recorded in other non-operating income as it does not impact our operating cost per available seat mile as presented on a GAAP basis. Given the volatility of fuel prices, readers should be cautioned that actual fuel expense will likely differ from the forecast above.

SOURCE: Alaska Air Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Brad Tilden, +1-206-392-5362, or Caroline Boren,
+1-206-392-5799, both of Alaska Air Group