Alaska Air Group Reports Second Quarter Results

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today reported second quarter net income of $55.5 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, compared to $17.4 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2005....

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today reported second quarter net income of $55.5 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, compared to $17.4 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2005. The 2006 results include a restructuring charge of $3.8 million ($2.4 million, after tax, or $0.06 per share) resulting from an offer of voluntary severance to Alaska’s flight attendants as part of the recently ratified contract. Both periods include mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting gains and losses, and the second quarter of 2005 includes restructuring charges that also impact the comparability of the periods. Excluding the impact of the items noted above, the company would have reported net income in the second quarter of 2006 of $60.3 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, compared to $24.7 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2005.

"We are extremely pleased with this quarter’s earnings, which were the result of a combination of revenue gains and cost improvements," said Bill Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer. "It’s gratifying to see everyone’s hard work pay off, and I would like to thank and congratulate our employees on an outstanding quarter."

Alaska Airlines’ passenger traffic in the second quarter increased 7.2 percent on a capacity increase of 5.2 percent. Alaska’s load factor increased 1.4 percentage points to 79.3 percent, compared to the same period in 2005. Alaska’s operating revenue per available seat mile (ASM) increased 9.5 percent, while its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel and restructuring charges and adjustments decreased 2.1 percent. Alaska’s pretax income for the quarter was $72.5 million, compared to $22.1 million in 2005. Excluding the items noted above, Alaska would have reported pretax income of $79.6 million for the quarter, compared to $34.2 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Horizon Air’s passenger traffic in the second quarter increased 11.3 percent on a 6.1 percent capacity increase. Horizon’s load factor increased by 3.6 percentage points to 76.6 percent, compared to the same period in 2005. Horizon’s operating revenue per ASM increased 9.0 percent, and its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel increased 9.8 percent. Horizon’s pretax income for the quarter was $9.7 million, compared to $11.1 million in 2005. Excluding the mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, Horizon’s pretax income would have been $10.2 million for the quarter, compared to $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Alaska Air Group had cash and short-term investments at June 30, 2006, of approximately $1.1 billion compared to $983 million at Dec. 31, 2005. The company’s debt-to-capital ratio, assuming aircraft operating leases are capitalized at seven times annualized rent, was 69 percent as of June 30, 2006, compared to 73 percent as of Dec. 31, 2005. The decrease from Dec. 31, 2005, is primarily due to the conversion to equity of the company’s senior convertible notes in April 2006, partially offset by the $23.6 million net loss for the six months, coupled with an increase in the company’s outstanding debt resulting from new aircraft-secured debt arrangements in the first six months of 2006.

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 on pages 6 through 10.

A conference call regarding the second quarter 2006 results will be simulcast via the Internet at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time on July 25, 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/investors.

This report contains forward-looking statements that are intended to be 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 or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different from those indicated by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward- looking statements by terminology such as "forecast," "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "believe," "potential" or other similar words indicating future events or contingencies. 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; the implementation of our growth strategy; the timing of the MD-80 fleet disposal, and the amounts of potential lease termination payments with lessors and sublease payments from sub lessees; 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 Item 1A of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 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 alaskaair.com/newsroom.

                          ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.

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

                                        Three Months        Six Months
                                        Ended June 30      Ended June 30

                                       2006     2005      2006       2005

  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger                           $807.4   $697.5   $1,486.9   $1,284.5
  Freight and mail                      26.7     24.9       48.1       45.2
  Other - net                           38.9     34.1       73.4       69.3
  Total Operating Revenues             873.0    756.5    1,608.4    1,399.0

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits                   234.4    224.3      457.6      464.9
  Variable incentive pay                10.6      3.0       19.1        7.1
  Contracted services                   39.6     34.8       76.7       65.4
  Aircraft fuel, including hedging
   gains and losses                    199.8    147.7      362.9      186.2
  Aircraft maintenance                  57.8     58.2      119.0      119.4
  Aircraft rent                         46.1     47.0       92.7       93.1
  Food and beverage service             12.5     12.1       24.0       23.6
  Selling expenses                      46.4     39.2       87.9       77.9
  Depreciation and amortization         36.7     35.3       73.6      69.5
  Landing fees and other rentals        52.0     50.5       99.5      101.4
  Other                                 53.2     53.1      105.6      104.5
  Impairment of aircraft                  --       --      131.1         --
  Restructuring charges and
   adjustments                           3.8     14.7        3.8       22.1
  Total Operating Expenses             792.9    719.9    1,653.5    1,335.1
  Operating Income (Loss)               80.1     36.6      (45.1)      63.9

  Nonoperating Income (Expense):
  Interest income                       14.1      7.1       25.2       13.0
  Interest expense                     (18.1)   (15.3)     (37.2)     (29.4)
  Interest capitalized                   5.8      1.3       10.5        2.1
  Other - net                           (0.8)      --       (1.7)      (2.9)
                                         1.0     (6.9)      (3.2)     (17.2)
  Income (loss) before income tax
   and accounting change                81.1     29.7      (48.3)      46.7
  Income tax expense (benefit)          25.6     12.3      (24.7)      19.4
  Income (loss) before accounting
   change                              $55.5    $17.4     $(23.6)     $27.3
  Cumulative effect of accounting
   change, net of tax                     --       --         --      (90.4)
  Net Income (Loss)                    $55.5    $17.4     $(23.6)    $(63.1)
  Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
    Income (loss) before accounting
     change                            $1.46    $0.64     $(0.66)     $1.01
    Cumulative effect of accounting
     change                               NA       NA         NA      (3.33)
    Net Income (Loss) Per Share        $1.46    $0.64     $(0.66)    $(2.32)
  Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
    Income (loss) before accounting
     change                            $1.38    $0.56     $(0.66)     $0.90
    Cumulative effect of accounting
     change                               NA       NA         NA      (2.72)
    Net Income (Loss) Per Share        $1.38    $0.56     $(0.66)    $(1.82)
  Shares Used for Computation:
  Basic                               38.028   27.200     35.759     27.173
  Diluted                             40.076   33.273     35.759     33.256


                          Alaska Air Group, Inc.

  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

                                                      June 30,  December 31,
  (In Millions)                                         2006        2005

  Cash and marketable securities                       $1,103       $983

  Total current assets                                 $1,732     $1,540
  Property and equipment - net                          2,131      2,032
  Other assets                                            229        220
  Total assets                                         $4,092     $3,792

  Current liabilities                                  $1,423     $1,165
  Long-term debt                                          889        969
  Other liabilities and credits                           806        830
  Shareholders' equity                                    974        828
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity           $4,092     $3,792


              Alaska Airlines Financial and Statistical Data

                       Three Months Ended June 30   Six Months Ended June 30
  Financial Data
   (in millions):       2006     2005    % Change   2006      2005  % Change
  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger            $647.3   $561.2     15.3   $1,184.1  $1,032.5   14.7
  Freight and mail       25.6     23.9      7.1       46.1      43.2    6.7
  Other - net            37.5     31.2     20.2       70.2      63.9    9.9
  Total Operating
   Revenues             710.4    616.3     15.3    1,300.4   1,139.6   14.1

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits    186.9    180.1      3.8      362.6     377.0   (3.8)
  Variable incentive
   pay                    7.6      1.9    300.0       14.0       4.7  197.9
  Contracted services    34.2     31.6      8.2       66.1      59.4   11.3
  Aircraft fuel,
   including hedging
   gains and losses     173.7    127.6     36.1      315.7     161.8   95.1
  Aircraft maintenance   41.9     50.2    (16.5)      86.2     100.3  (14.1)
  Aircraft rent          28.9     29.3     (1.4)      58.2      57.7    0.9
  Food and beverage
   service               11.9     11.5      3.5       22.7      22.4    1.3
  Selling expenses       38.5     32.6     17.9       73.2      66.6    9.9
  Depreciation and
   amortization          32.2     30.7      4.9       64.4      61.0    5.6
  Landing fees and
   other rentals         40.5     39.1      3.6       77.4      78.4   (1.3)
  Other                  39.4     41.5     (5.1)      78.4      79.9   (1.9)
  Impairment of aircraft   --       --       NM      131.1        --     NM
  Restructuring charges
   and adjustments        3.8     14.7       NM        3.8      22.1     NM
  Total Operating
   Expenses             639.5    590.8      8.2    1,353.8   1,091.3   24.1

  Operating Income
   (Loss)                70.9     25.5       NM      (53.4)     48.3     NM

  Interest income        14.8      7.6                26.6      13.9
  Interest expense      (17.8)   (12.4)              (33.6)    (23.9)
  Interest capitalized    5.1      1.2                 9.4       1.9
  Other - net            (0.5)     0.2                (1.2)     (2.7)
                          1.6     (3.4)                1.2     (10.8)

  Income (Loss) Before
   Income Tax and
   Accounting Change    $72.5    $22.1       NM    $(52.2)     $37.5     NM

  Operating Statistics:
  Revenue passengers
   (000)                4,443    4,232      5.0     8,348      8,083    3.3
  RPMs (000,000)
   "traffic"            4,626    4,317      7.2     8,706      8,214    6.0
  ASMs (000,000)
   "capacity"           5,834    5,543      5.2    11,373     10,913    4.2
  Passenger load factor 79.3%    77.9%   1.4pts     76.5%      75.3% 1.2pts
  Yield per passenger
   mile (in cents)      13.99    13.00      7.6     13.60      12.57    8.2
  Operating revenue
   per ASM (in cents)   12.18    11.12      9.5     11.43      10.44    9.5
  Operating expenses
   per ASM(a) (in
   cents)               10.96    10.66      2.8     11.90      10.00   19.0
  Operating expense
   per ASM excluding
   fuel, impairment
   of aircraft, and
   restructuring
   charges and
   adjustments(a)
   (in cents)            7.92     8.09     (2.1)    7.94        8.31   (4.4)
  GAAP fuel cost per
   gallon(a)            $1.96    $1.48     32.1    $1.82       $0.95   91.6
  Economic fuel cost
   per gallon(a)        $1.92    $1.51     27.0    $1.80       $1.42   26.4
  Fuel gallons
   (000,000)             88.8     86.2      3.0    173.3       170.4    1.7
  Average number of
   full-time equivalent
   employees            9,347    9,144      2.2    9,168       9,180   (0.1)
  Aircraft utilization
   (blk hrs/day)         11.0     10.7      2.8     11.0        10.3    6.8
  Average aircraft
   stage length (miles)   920      903      1.9      921         900    2.3
  Operating fleet at
   period-end             113      109      3.7      113         109    3.7

  NM = Not Meaningful

  (a) See Note A on page 8.


                Horizon Air Financial and Statistical Data

                     Three Months Ended June 30     Six Months Ended June 30
  Financial Data
   (in millions):      2006     2005   % Change   2006       2005   % Change

  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger           $160.4   $136.9     17.2   $304.2      $254.6    19.5
  Freight and mail       1.1      0.9     22.2      2.0         1.9     5.3
  Other - net            1.2      2.8    (57.1)     2.7         5.3   (49.1)
  Total Operating
   Revenues            162.7    140.6     15.7    308.9       261.8    18.0

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits    46.5     42.0     10.7     93.0        83.9    10.8
  Variable incentive
   pay                   3.0      1.1    172.7      5.1         2.4   112.5
  Contracted services    6.9      6.1     13.1     13.4        11.6    15.5
  Aircraft fuel,
   including hedging
   gains and losses     26.1     20.1     29.9     47.2        24.4    93.4
  Aircraft maintenance  15.9      8.1     96.3     32.8        19.2    70.8
  Aircraft rent         17.2     17.6     (2.3)    34.5        35.3    (2.3)
  Food and beverage
   service               0.6      0.6      --       1.3         1.2     8.3
  Selling expenses       8.3      7.3    13.7      16.4        14.0    17.1
  Depreciation and
   amortization          4.3      4.3      --       8.7         7.9    10.1
  Landing fees and
   other rentals        11.7     11.7      --      22.6        23.5    (3.8)
  Other                 12.0      9.6    25.0      23.4        20.9    12.0
  Total Operating
   Expenses            152.5    128.5    18.7     298.4       244.3    22.1

  Operating Income      10.2     12.1      NM      10.5        17.5      NM

  Interest income        1.0      0.4               1.7         0.7
  Interest expense      (2.2)    (1.5)             (4.0)       (2.7)
  Interest capitalized   0.7      0.1               1.1         0.2
  Other - net             --       --                --          --
                        (0.5)    (1.0)             (1.2)       (1.8)

  Income Before Income
   Tax and Accounting
   Change               $9.7    $11.1      NM      $9.3       $15.7      NM

  Operating Statistics:
  Revenue passengers
   (000)               1,745    1,638     6.5     3,339       3,113     7.3
  RPMs (000,000)
   "traffic"             690      620    11.3     1,310       1,160    12.9
  ASMs (000,000)
   "capacity"            901      849     6.1     1,778       1,631     9.0
  Passenger load
   factor              76.6%    73.0%  3.6pts     73.7%       71.1%  2.6pts
  Yield per passenger
   mile (in cents)     23.25    22.08     5.3     23.22       21.95     5.8
  Operating revenue
   per ASM (in cents)  18.06    16.57     9.0     17.37       16.05     8.2
  Operating expenses
   per ASM(a) (in
   cents)              16.93    15.14    11.8     16.78       14.98    12.0
  Operating expense
   per ASM excluding
   fuel(a) (in cents)  14.03    12.78     9.8     14.13       13.48     4.8
  GAAP fuel cost per
   gallon(a)           $1.98    $1.56    26.9     $1.81       $0.98    84.5
  Economic fuel cost
   per gallon(a)       $1.94    $1.59    22.0     $1.84       $1.49    23.2
  Fuel gallons
   (000,000)            13.2     12.9     2.3      26.1        24.9     4.8
  Average number of
   full-time
   equivalent
   employees           3,531    3,414     3.4     3,535       3,389     4.3
  Aircraft utilization
   (blk hrs/day)         8.8      8.5     3.5       8.8         8.4     4.8
  Operating fleet at
   period-end             69       65     6.2        69          65     6.2

  NM = Not Meaningful

  (a) See Note A on page 8.

  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), aircraft impairment charges, and restructuring charges and adjustments. 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.:            Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
  ($ in millions)                        June 30,             June 30,

  Unit cost reconciliations:          2006      2005      2006       2005
  Operating expenses                 $639.5    $590.8   $1,353.8   $1,091.3
  ASMs (000,000)                      5,834     5,543     11,373     10,913
  Operating expenses per ASM (in
   cents)                             10.96     10.66      11.90      10.00

  Operating expenses                 $639.5    $590.8   $1,353.8   $1,091.3
  Less: aircraft fuel                (173.7)   (127.6)    (315.7)    (161.8)
  Less: impairment of aircraft           --        --     (131.1)        --
  Less: restructuring charges and
   adjustments                         (3.8)    (14.7)      (3.8)     (22.1)
  Operating expenses excluding fuel,
   impairment of aircraft, and
   restructuring charges and
   adjustments                       $462.0    $448.5     $903.2     $907.4
  ASMs (000,000)                      5,834     5,543     11,373     10,913
  Operating expenses per ASM
   excluding fuel, impairment of
   aircraft, and restructuring
   charges and adjustments (in
   cents)                              7.92     8.09        7.94       8.31

  Reconciliation to GAAP income
   (loss) before taxes and
   accounting change:
  Income (loss) before taxes and
   accounting change, excluding
   mark-to-market hedging gains
   (losses), impairment of aircraft,
   and restructuring charges
    and adjustments                  $79.6     $34.2       $87.2     $(20.7)
  Mark-to-market hedging gains
   (losses) included in aircraft
   fuel                               (3.3)      2.6        (4.5)      80.3
  Less: impairment of aircraft          --        --      (131.1)        --
  Less: restructuring charges and
   adjustments                        (3.8)    (14.7)       (3.8)     (22.1)
  GAAP income (loss) before
   taxes and accounting change
   as reported                       $72.5     $22.1      $(52.2)     $37.5

  Aircraft fuel reconciliations:*
  ($ in millions except per
   gallon amounts)                            Three Months Ended June 30,
                                             2006             2005
                                                    Cost/Gal        Cost/Gal
  Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost             $200.0   $2.25   $154.7   $1.79
  Less: gains on settled hedges              (29.6)  (0.33)   (24.5)  (0.28)
  Economic fuel expense*                    $170.4   $1.92   $130.2   $1.51
  Less: mark-to-market gains or losses
   related to hedges that settle in
   future periods, net of the
   reclassification of previously
   recorded mark-to-market gains on
   settled hedges                              3.3    0.04    (2.6)   (0.03)
  GAAP fuel expense*                        $173.7   $1.96  $127.6    $1.48
  Fuel gallons (000,000)                      88.8            86.2


                                                Six Months Ended June 30,
                                             2006             2005
                                                    Cost/Gal        Cost/Gal
  Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost             $366.6   $2.12  $285.7    $1.68
  Less: gains on settled hedges              (55.4)  (0.32)  (43.6)   (0.26)
  Economic fuel expense*                    $311.2   $1.80  $242.1    $1.42
  Less: mark-to-market gains or losses
   related to hedges that settle in
   future periods, net of the
   reclassification of previously
   recorded mark-to-market gains on
   settled hedges                              4.5    0.02   (80.3)   (0.47)
  GAAP fuel expense*                        $315.7   $1.82  $161.8    $0.95
  Fuel gallons (000,000)                     173.3           170.4

* Beginning in the first quarter of 2006, the Company records all fuel hedging activity, including mark-to-market gains and losses, in aircraft fuel expense. Prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency.

  Horizon Air Industries, Inc.          Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
   ($ in millions)                            June 30,          June 30,

  Unit cost reconciliations:                2006    2005     2006     2005
  Operating expenses                       $152.5  $128.5   $298.4   $244.3
  ASMs (000,000)                              901     849    1,778    1,631
  Operating expenses per ASM (in cents)     16.93   15.14    16.78    14.98

  Operating expenses                       $152.5  $128.5   $298.4   $244.3
  Less: aircraft fuel                       (26.1)  (20.1)   (47.2)   (24.4)
  Operating expenses excluding fuel        $126.4  $108.4   $251.2   $219.9
  ASMs (000,000)                              901     849    1,778    1,631
  Operating expenses per ASM excluding
   fuel (in cents)                          14.03   12.78    14.13    13.48

  Reconciliation to GAAP income before
   taxes and accounting change:
  Income before taxes and accounting
   change, excluding mark-to-market
   hedging gains (losses)                  $10.2    $10.7     $8.6     $3.0
  Mark-to-market hedging gains (losses)
   included in aircraft fuel                (0.5)     0.4      0.7     12.7
  GAAP income before taxes and accounting
   change as reported                       $9.7    $11.1     $9.3    $15.7

  Aircraft fuel reconciliations:*
  ($ in millions except per gallon amounts)  Three Months Ended June 30,
                                            2006              2005
                                                   Cost/Gal         Cost/Gal
  Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost            $30.4    $2.30    $24.2    $1.88
  Less: gains on settled hedges             (4.8)   (0.36)    (3.7)   (0.29)
  Economic fuel expense*                   $25.6    $1.94    $20.5    $1.59
  Less: mark-to-market gains or losses
   related to hedges that settle in
   future periods, net of the
   reclassification of previously
   recorded mark-to-market gains on
   settled hedges                            0.5     0.04    (0.4)    (0.03)
  GAAP fuel expense*                       $26.1    $1.98   $20.1     $1.56
  Fuel gallons (000,000)                    13.2             12.9

                                              Six Months Ended June 30,
                                             2006              2005
                                                   Cost/Gal         Cost/Gal
  Raw or "into-plane" fuel cost            $56.9    $2.18   $43.6     $1.75
  Less: gains on settled hedges             (9.0)   (0.34)   (6.5)    (0.26)
  Economic fuel expense*                   $47.9    $1.84   $37.1     $1.49
  Less: mark-to-market gains or losses
   related to hedges that settle in
   future periods, net of the
   reclassification of previously
   recorded mark-to-market gains on
   settled hedges                           (0.7)   (0.03)  (12.7)    (0.51)
  GAAP fuel expense*                       $47.2    $1.81   $24.4     $0.98
  Fuel gallons (000,000)                    26.1             24.9

* Beginning in the first quarter of 2006, the Company records all fuel hedging activity, including mark-to-market gains and losses, in aircraft fuel expense. Prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency.

Air Group Net Income (Loss) and EPS Reconciliation:

The following table summarizes Alaska Air Group, Inc.’s net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share during 2006 and 2005 excluding the cumulative effect of the accounting change, mark-to-market hedging gains (losses) net of related reclassifications, impairment of aircraft, and restructuring charges and adjustments, as reported in accordance with GAAP (in millions except per share amounts):

                                      Three Months Ended June 30,
                                      2006                    2005
                               Dollars   Diluted EPS   Dollars   Diluted EPS
  Net income and diluted EPS
   excluding the cumulative
   effect of the accounting
   change, mark-to-market
   hedging gains (losses),
   impairment of aircraft
   and restructuring charges
   and adjustments*            $60.3        $1.50       $24.7       $0.78
  Mark-to-market hedging
   gains (losses), net of tax   (2.4)       (0.06)        1.9        0.06
  Restructuring charges and
   adjustments, net of tax      (2.4)       (0.06)       (9.2)      (0.28)
  Reported GAAP amounts        $55.5        $1.38       $17.4       $0.56

                                         Six Months Ended June 30,
                                      2006                   2005
                               Dollars   Diluted EPS   Dollars   Diluted EPS
  Net income (loss) and
   diluted EPS excluding
   the cumulative effect
   of the accounting change,
   mark-to-market hedging
   gains (losses), impairment
   of aircraft and
   restructuring charges
   and adjustments*            $63.1        $1.77     $(17.0)     $(0.63)
  Effect of dilutive shares
   and interest on
   convertible bonds*             --           --         NA        0.19
  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change, net
   of tax                         --           --      (90.4)      (2.72)
  Mark-to-market hedging
   gains (losses), net of
   tax                          (2.4)       (0.07)      58.1        1.75
  Impairment of aircraft,
   net of tax                  (81.9)       (2.29)        --          --
  Restructuring charges and
   adjustments, net of tax      (2.4)       (0.07)     (13.8)      (0.41)
  Reported GAAP amounts       $(23.6)      $(0.66)    $(63.1)     $(1.82)

  * Diluted loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2005, excluding
    the impact of the accounting change, mark to market gains on fuel
    hedges, and restructuring charges and adjustments has been calculated
    using the weighted average number of shares outstanding (27.2 million at
    June 30, 2005). This share count excludes the dilutive impact of stock
    awards and the contingently convertible senior notes as the impact would
    have been antidilutive (and thus excluded) if calculated based on a net
    loss of $17.0 million.

    In order to reconcile the diluted loss per share to the GAAP loss per
    share for the six months ended June 30, 2005, the table above includes
    $0.19 per share, which represents the impact of the additional shares
    that were used in the GAAP loss per share as well as $2.5 million of
    interest, net of tax, on the contingently convertible senior notes, that
    were outstanding at the time, added back to earnings in order to derive
    the loss per share in accordance with GAAP.

    The per share impact of the change in accounting, mark-to-market gain on
    fuel hedges, restructuring and impairment charges have been presented in
    the table above assuming 33.3 million fully diluted shares outstanding.


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  Six Months Ended
                                              June 30,          June 30,
                                           2006     2005    2006      2005

  Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
  Income (loss) before accounting change   $55.5   $17.4   $(23.6)    $27.3
  Weighted average shares outstanding     38.028  27.200   35.759    27.173
    Income (loss) per share before
     accounting change                     $1.46   $0.64   $(0.66)    $1.01

  Cumulative effect of accounting
   change, net of tax                         NA      NA       NA    $(90.4)
  Weighted average shares outstanding         NA      NA       NA    27.173
    Per share cumulative effect of
     accounting change                        NA      NA       NA    $(3.33)

  Net income (loss)                        $55.5   $17.4   $(23.6)   $(63.1)
  Weighted average shares outstanding     38.028  27.200   35.759    27.173
    Net income (loss) per share            $1.46   $0.64   $(0.66)   $(2.32)

  Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
  Income (loss) before accounting change   $55.5   $17.4   $(23.6)    $27.3
  Interest on convertible notes, net of
   tax                                        NA     1.3       NA       2.5
  Income (loss) before accounting change
   for diluted calculation                 $55.5   $18.7   $(23.6)    $29.8
  Weighted average shares outstanding     40.076  33.273   35.759    33.256
    Income (loss) per share before
     accounting change                     $1.38   $0.56   $(0.66)    $0.90

  Cumulative effect of accounting change,
   net of tax                                 NA     NA        NA    $(90.4)
  Weighted average shares outstanding         NA     NA        NA    33.256
    Per share cumulative effect of
     accounting change                        NA     NA        NA    $(2.72)

  Net income (loss)                        $55.5  $17.4    $(23.6)   $(63.1)
  Interest on convertible notes, net of
   tax                                        NA    1.3        NA       2.5
  Net income (loss) for diluted
   calculation                             $55.5  $18.7    $(23.6)   $(60.6)
  Weighted average shares outstanding     40.076 33.273    35.759    33.256
    Net income (loss) per share            $1.38  $0.56    $(0.66)   $(1.82)


  Forecasted Financial Measures

During our quarterly earnings conference call, we expect to discuss forward-looking forecasted unit cost information for the remainder of 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              Horizon Air

                  Fore-   Fore-   Fore-    Fore-   Fore-   Fore-    Fore-
                  cast    cast    cast     cast    cast    cast     cast
                  of      of      of       of      of      of       of
                  cost    fuel    impair-  total   cost    fuel     total
                  per     cost    ment     oper-   per     cost     oper-
                  avail-  per     charge   ating   avail-  per      ating
                  able    avail-  per      cost    able    avail-   cost
                  seat    able    avail-   per     seat    able     per
                  mile,   seat    able     avail-  mile,   seat     avail-
                  exclu-  mile    seat     able    exclu-  mile     able
                  ding    (cents) mile     seat    ding    (See     seat
                  fuel    (See    (cents)  mile,   fuel    Note 1)  mile,
                  and     Note 1)          as      (cents)          as
                  impair-                  report-                  report-
                  ment                     ed                       ed on
                  charges                  on a                     a GAAP
                  (cents)                  GAAP                     basis
                                           basis                    (cents)
                                           (cents)
                                           (See
                                           Note 2)


  Third quarter
   2006            7.4      3.2     --     10.6     13.9    3.3     17.2
  Fourth quarter
   2006            7.6      3.4     --     11.0     14.7    3.4     18.1

  Full year 2006   7.7      3.0    0.6     11.3     14.2    3.1     17.3


Note 1: Our forecast of fuel costs is based on anticipated gallons consumed and estimated fuel cost per gallon. The estimate also includes the expected benefit from settled hedges. Given the volatility of fuel prices and the mark-to-market adjustments on our fuel hedge portfolio, readers should be cautioned that actual fuel expense will likely differ from the forecast above.

Note 2: The Company has excluded from the forecast of GAAP operating cost per available seat mile any impact resulting from the possible buyout of five MD-80 aircraft leases and the restructuring charges that will result from the severance package offered as part of the recently ratified contract with Alaska employees represented by the IAM. These items are further discussed in the 8-K filed today.

SOURCE: Alaska Air Group, Inc.

CONTACT: Brad Tilden, +1-206-392-5362, or Amanda Tobin Bielawski,
+1-206-392-5134, both of Alaska Air Group, Inc.

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