Alaska Air Group Reports Third Quarter Results

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today reported third quarter net income of $90.2 million, or $2.71 per diluted share, compared to $74 million, or $2.29 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2004. Both...

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today reported third quarter net income of $90.2 million, or $2.71 per diluted share, compared to $74 million, or $2.29 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2004.

Both the 2005 and 2004 results include certain significant items related to mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments, refunds of navigation fees and restructuring activities that impact the comparability of the quarters. Excluding the impact of these items, net income would have been $71.5 million, or $2.16 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2005, compared to net income of $50.7 million, or $1.58 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2004.

"These numbers show that the hard work of our employees is paying off," said Bill Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our continued progress on the earnings front, combined with an improving operation, give us confidence that we are on the right track."

Alaska Airlines’ passenger traffic in the third quarter increased 0.6 percent on a capacity decrease of 3.2 percent. Alaska’s load factor increased 3 percentage points to 79 percent compared to the same period in 2004. Alaska’s operating revenue per available seat mile (ASM) increased 12.4 percent, while its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel, navigation fee refund and restructuring charges increased 2.4 percent. Alaska’s pretax income for the quarter was $133 million, compared to $97.9 million in the same period of 2004. Excluding the notable items referenced above, Alaska’s pretax income was $106 million for the quarter, compared to $64.1 million in the third quarter of 2004.

Horizon Air’s passenger traffic in the third quarter increased 13.6 percent on a 9.8 percent capacity increase. Horizon’s load factor increased by 2.6 percentage points to 75 percent compared to the same period in 2004. Horizon’s operating revenue per ASM increased 0.5 percent and its operating cost per ASM excluding fuel increased 1.3 percent. Horizon’s pretax income for the quarter was $17.3 million, compared to $24.4 million in the third quarter of 2004. Excluding the notable items referenced above, Horizon’s pretax income was $14.4 million for the quarter, compared to $17.5 million in the same period in 2004.

Alaska Air Group had cash and short-term investments at Sept. 30, 2005, of approximately $746 million, compared to $874 million at Dec. 31, 2004.

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 third quarter 2005 results will be simulcast via the Internet at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time on Oct. 20, 2005. 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 may contain 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: changes in our operating costs including fuel, which can be volatile; the competitive environment and other trends in our industry; our ability to meet our cost reduction goals; labor disputes; economic conditions; our reliance on automated systems; increases in government fees and taxes; actual or threatened terrorist attacks; global instability and potential U.S. military actions or activities; insurance costs; changes in laws and regulations; liability and other claims asserted against us; operational disruptions; compliance with financial covenants; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; third-party vendors and partners; our significant indebtedness; downgrades of our credit ratings and the availability of financing. For a discussion of these and other risk factors, see Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004, on Form 10-K. 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 report to conform them to actual results.

                          ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.

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

                                      Three Months          Nine Months
                                   Ended September 30   Ended September 30

                                     2005      2004       2005      2004
   Operating Revenues:
   Passenger                       $777.4    $706.0   $2,061.9  $1,896.7
   Freight and mail                  26.1      25.5       71.3      68.3
   Other - net                       42.2      36.7      111.5     102.5
   Total Operating Revenues         845.7     768.2    2,244.7   2,067.5

   Operating Expenses:
   Wages and benefits               221.5     248.9      693.5     737.1
   Contracted services               30.8      19.7       96.2      79.1
   Aircraft fuel                    204.1     148.4      526.0     384.8
   Aircraft maintenance              55.2      37.0      174.6     137.9
   Aircraft rent                     46.9      46.7      140.0     141.5
   Food and beverage service         13.5      14.3       37.1      39.5
   Other selling
    expenses and commissions         44.3      37.5      119.5     111.5
   Depreciation and amortization     36.3      35.7      105.8     105.8
   Landing fees and other rentals    52.4      49.3      156.5     138.5
   Other                             51.9      46.4      156.4     147.0
   Restructuring charges             (1.4)     27.5       20.7      27.5
   Impairment of aircraft
    and related spare parts          --        --         --        39.6
   Total Operating Expenses         755.5     711.4    2,226.3   2,089.8
   Operating Income (Loss)           90.2      56.8       18.4     (22.3)

   Nonoperating Income (Expense):
   Interest income                    8.6       7.9       21.6      18.6
   Interest expense                 (16.1)    (13.6)     (45.5)    (38.9)
   Interest capitalized               2.8       0.5        4.9       1.1
   Fuel hedging gains                62.9      66.9      198.6      93.3
   Other - net                       (1.6)      0.7       (4.5)      0.5
                                     56.6      62.4      175.1      74.6
   Income before income tax
    and accounting change           146.8     119.2      193.5      52.3
   Income tax expense                56.6      45.2       76.0      22.7
   Income before accounting change  $90.2     $74.0     $117.5     $29.6
   Cumulative effect of
    accounting change, net of tax      --        --      (90.4)       --
   Net Income                       $90.2     $74.0      $27.1     $29.6
   Basic Earnings Per Share:
     Income before
      accounting change              $3.28     $2.75      $4.31    $1.10
     Cumulative effect
      of accounting change              NA        NA      (3.32)      NA
     Net Income Per Share            $3.28     $2.75      $0.99    $1.10
   Diluted Earnings Per Share:
     Income before
      accounting change              $2.71     $2.29      $3.62    $0.98
     Cumulative effect
      of accounting change              NA        NA      (2.69)      NA
     Net Income Per Share            $2.71     $2.29      $0.93    $0.98
   Shares Used for Computation:
   Basic                            27.502    26.862     27.274   26.820
   Diluted                          33.857    32.631     33.523   32.691


                          Alaska Air Group, Inc.

            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

                                             September 30,   December 31,
   (In Millions)                                      2005           2004

   Cash and marketable securities                     $746           $874

   Total current assets                             $1,308         $1,242
   Property and equipment-net                        1,959          1,908
   Other assets                                        243            185
   Total assets                                     $3,510         $3,335

   Current liabilities                              $1,102           $957
   Long-term debt and capital lease obligations        970            990
   Other liabilities and credits                       738            723
   Shareholders' equity                                700            665
   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity       $3,510         $3,335


        Alaska Airlines Financial and Statistical Data

                              Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                 September 30,           September 30,

  Financial Data                              %                        %
   (in millions):            2005    2004  Change   2005     2004   Change

   Operating Revenues:
   Passenger                $624.1  $576.6   8.2 $1,656.6  $1,545.8   7.2
   Freight and mail           25.2    24.5   2.9     68.4      65.3   4.7
   Other - net                40.0    31.7  26.2    103.9      90.6  14.7
   Total Operating Revenues  689.3   632.8   8.9  1,828.9   1,701.7   7.5

   Operating Expenses:
   Wages and benefits        174.5   207.3 (15.8)   556.2     611.8  (9.1)
   Contracted services        27.6    17.8  55.1     87.0      70.3  23.8
   Aircraft fuel             176.6   130.2  35.6    455.7     336.4  35.5
   Aircraft maintenance       43.2    27.1  59.4    143.5     111.3  28.9
   Aircraft rent              29.5    28.1   5.0     87.2      85.5   2.0
   Food and beverage service  12.8    13.7  (6.6)    35.2      37.9  (7.1)
   Other selling
    expenses and commissions  34.0    35.9  (5.3)    97.9     101.1  (3.2)
   Depreciation
    and amortization          31.9    32.0  (0.3)    92.9      95.2  (2.4)
   Landing fees
    and other rentals         40.4    37.6   7.4    121.5     106.1  14.5
   Other                      39.8    34.6  15.0    119.7     110.4   8.4
   Restructuring charges      (1.4)   27.5    NM     20.7      27.5    NM
   Impairment of aircraft
    and related spare parts     --      --    NM       --      36.8    NM
   Total Operating Expenses  608.9   591.8   2.9  1,817.5   1,730.3   5.0

   Operating Income (Loss)    80.4    41.0    NM     11.4     (28.6)   NM

   Interest income             9.2     8.4           23.1      20.0
   Interest expense          (13.0)  (11.6)         (36.9)    (33.1)
   Interest capitalized        2.6     0.4            4.5       0.7
   Fuel hedging gains         54.8    58.8          172.1      82.1
   Other - net                (1.0)    0.9           (3.7)      0.8
                              52.6    56.9          159.1      70.5

   Income Before Income Tax
    and Accounting Change   $133.0   $97.9    NM   $170.5     $41.9    NM


   Operating Statistics:
   Revenue passengers (000)  4,632   4,589    0.9  12,715    12,296   3.4
   RPMs (000,000)            4,598   4,571    0.6  12,812    12,255   4.5
   ASMs (000,000)            5,822   6,012   (3.2) 16,735    16,825  (0.5)

   Passenger load factor     79.0%   76.0%  3.0pts  76.6%     72.8% 3.8pts
   Yield per passenger mile
    (in cents)               13.57   12.62    7.5   12.93     12.61   2.5
   Operating revenue per ASM
    (in cents)               11.84   10.53   12.4   10.93     10.11   8.1
   Operating expenses
    per ASM (a) (in cents)   10.46    9.84    6.1   10.86     10.28   5.6

   Operating expense per
    ASM excluding fuel,
    navigation fee recovery,
    restructuring and
    impairment charges (a)
    (in cents)                7.53    7.35    2.4    8.04      7.95   1.2

   Raw fuel cost
    per gallon (a)           $1.99   $1.40   42.2   $1.78     $1.30  37.2

   GAAP fuel cost
    per gallon (a)           $1.95   $1.36   43.4   $1.74     $1.26  38.3

   Economic fuel
   cost per gallon (a)       $1.56   $1.27   23.0   $1.46     $1.21  20.8

   Fuel gallons (000,000)     90.4    95.8  (5.6)   260.8     267.6  (2.5)

   Average number
    of employees             8,961  10,201 (12.2)   9,108    10,147 (10.2)

   Aircraft utilization
    (blk hrs/day)             10.9    11.8  (7.6)    10.8      11.1  (2.7)

   Operating fleet
    at period-end              110     107   2.8      110       107   2.8


  NM = Not Meaningful

  (a) See Note A.


   Horizon Air Financial and Statistical Data

                              Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                 September 30,           September 30,

  Financial Data                              %                        %
   (in millions):            2005    2004  Change   2005     2004  Change

  Operating Revenues:
  Passenger                 $151.2  $134.5  12.4   $405.8   $360.4  12.6
  Freight and mail             1.0     1.0   0.0      2.9      3.0  (3.3)
  Other - net                  1.5     3.8 (60.5)     6.8     10.9 (37.6)
  Total Operating Revenues   153.7   139.3  10.3    415.5    374.3  11.0

  Operating Expenses:
  Wages and benefits          45.3    39.7  14.1    131.6    122.1   7.8
  Contracted services          6.1     5.0  22.0     17.7     15.4  14.9
  Aircraft fuel               27.5    18.2  51.1     70.3     48.4  45.2
  Aircraft maintenance        11.9     9.9  20.2     31.1     26.6  16.9
  Aircraft rent               17.5    18.6  (5.9)    52.8     56.0  (5.7)
  Food and beverage service    0.7     0.6  16.7      1.9      1.6  18.8
  Other selling
   expenses and commissions    8.1     6.7  20.9     22.1     19.9  11.1
  Depreciation
   and amortization            4.1     3.4  20.6     12.0      9.7  23.7
  Landing fees and
   other rentals              12.2    11.0  10.9     35.7     31.2  14.4
  Other                       10.1     9.4   7.4     31.0     31.2  (0.6)
  Impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts      --      --    NM       --      2.8    NM
  Total Operating Expenses   143.5   122.5  17.1    406.2    364.9  11.3

  Operating Income            10.2    16.8    NM      9.3      9.4    NM

  Interest income              0.3     0.3            1.0      0.9
  Interest expense            (1.6)   (0.9)          (4.3)    (3.2)
  Interest capitalized         0.2     0.1            0.4      0.4
  Fuel hedging gains           8.1     8.1           26.5     11.2
  Other - net                  0.1      --            0.1       --
                               7.1     7.6           23.7      9.3

  Income Before Income
   Tax and Accounting Change $17.3   $24.4    NM    $33.0    $18.7    NM

  Operating Statistics:
  Revenue passengers (000)   1,755   1,641   6.9    4,868    4,362  11.6
  RPMs (000,000)               683     601  13.6    1,843    1,586  16.2
  ASMs (000,000)               911     830   9.8    2,542    2,314   9.9
  Passenger load factor      75.0%   72.4%  2.6pts  72.5%    68.5% 4.0pts
  Yield per passenger mile
   (in cents)                22.14   22.38  (1.1)   22.02    22.73  (3.1)
  Operating revenue per ASM
   (in cents)                16.87   16.78   0.5    16.35    16.18   1.0
  Operating expenses
   per ASM (a) (in cents)    15.75   14.76   6.7    15.98    15.77   1.3
  Operating expense per ASM
   excluding fuel and
   impairment charges (a)
   (in cents)                12.73   12.57   1.3    13.21    13.56  (2.6)
  Raw fuel
   cost per gallon (a)       $2.04   $1.44  42.0    $1.85    $1.34  38.3
  GAAP fuel
   cost per gallon (a)       $2.00   $1.40  43.1    $1.82    $1.30  40.0
  Economic fuel
   cost per gallon (a)       $1.62   $1.31  23.7    $1.54    $1.26  22.3
  Fuel gallons (000,000)      13.7    13.0   5.4     38.6     37.2   3.8
  Average number
   of employees              3,508   3,439   2.0    3,428    3,399   0.9
  Aircraft utilization
   (blk hrs/day)               9.0     8.7   3.4      8.6      8.3   3.6
  Operating fleet
   at period-end                65      65   0.0       65       65   0.0

  NM = Not Meaningful

  (a) See Note A.

  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 recovery, 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    Nine Months Ended
                                    September 30,         September 30

  Unit cost reconciliations:       2005       2004      2005       2004
  Operating expenses              $608.9     $591.8   $1,817.5   $1,730.3
  ASMs (000,000)                   5,822      6,012     16,735     16,825
  Operating expenses per ASM
   (in cents)                      10.46       9.84      10.86      10.28

  Operating expenses              $608.9     $591.8   $1,817.5   $1,730.3
  Less: aircraft fuel             (176.6)    (130.2)    (455.7)    (336.4)
  Less: restructuring charges        1.4      (27.5)     (20.7)     (27.5)
  Add: navigation fee recovery       4.7        7.7        4.7        7.7
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts            --         --         --      (36.8)
  Operating expenses excluding
   fuel, navigation fee recovery,
   restructuring and
   impairment charges             $438.4     $441.8   $1,345.8   $1,337.3
  ASMs (000,000)                   5,822      6,012   16,735.0     16,825
  Operating expenses per ASM
   excluding fuel, navigation
   fee recovery, restructuring
   and impairment charges
   (in cents)                       7.53       7.35       8.04       7.95

  Reconciliation from GAAP income before taxes and accounting change:
  Income before taxes and
   accounting change, excluding
   mark-to-market hedging gains,
   navigation fee recovery,
   restructuring and
   impairment charges             $106.0      $64.1      $85.3      $24.8
  Add: mark-to-market hedging
   gains included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                 19.9       50.3      100.2       70.4
  Less: restructuring charges        1.4      (27.5)     (20.7)     (27.5)
  Add: navigation fee recovery
   and related interest received     5.7       11.0        5.7       11.0
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts            --         --         --      (36.8)
  GAAP income before taxes
   and accounting change
   as reported                    $133.0      $97.9     $170.5      $41.9

  Aircraft fuel reconciliations:
                                      Three Months Ended September 30
                                         2005                  2004
                                  (000s)    Cost/Gal   (000s)   Cost/Gal
  Fuel expense before hedge
   activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)        $179.5      $1.99     $133.7      $1.40
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense         (2.9)    ($0.04)      (3.5)     (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense               $176.6      $1.95     $130.2      $1.36
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                (34.9)    ($0.39)      (8.5)     (0.09)
  Economic fuel expense           $141.7      $1.56     $121.7      $1.27
  Fuel gallons (000,000)            90.4                  95.8

  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)                       $19.9                 $50.3


                                       Nine Months Ended September 30
                                         2005                  2004
                                  (000s)    Cost/Gal   (000s)   Cost/Gal
  Fuel expense before hedge
   activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)        $465.2      $1.78     $347.4      $1.30
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense         (9.5)     (0.04)     (11.0)     (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense               $455.7      $1.74     $336.4      $1.26
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                (71.9)     (0.28)     (11.7)     (0.05)
  Economic fuel expense           $383.8      $1.46     $324.7      $1.21
  Fuel gallons (000,000)           260.8      267.6

  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)                      $100.2                 $70.4



   Horizon Air Industries, Inc.
    ($ in millions)              Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                    September 30,         September 30,

  Unit cost reconciliations:        2005       2004      2005       2004

  Operating expenses              $143.5     $122.5    $406.2     $364.9
  ASMs (000,000)                     911        830     2,542      2,314
  Operating expenses per ASM
   (in cents)                      15.75      14.76     15.98      15.77

  Operating expenses              $143.5     $122.5    $406.2     $364.9
  Less: aircraft fuel              (27.5)     (18.2)    (70.3)     (48.4)
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts            --         --        --       (2.8)
  Operating expenses excluding
   fuel and impairment charge     $116.0     $104.3    $335.9     $313.7
  ASMs (000,000)                     911        830     2,542      2,314
  Operating expenses per ASM
   excluding fuel and
   impairment charge
   (in cents)                      12.73      12.57     13.21      13.56

  Reconciliation from GAAP income before taxes and accounting change:
  Income before taxes and accounting
   change, excluding impairment
   charge and mark-to-market
   hedging gains                   $14.4      $17.5     $17.4      $11.9
  Add: mark-to-market hedging
   gains included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                  2.9        6.9      15.6        9.6
  Less: impairment of aircraft
   and related spare parts            --         --        --       (2.8)
  GAAP income before taxes and
   accounting change as reported   $17.3      $24.4     $33.0      $18.7

  Aircraft fuel reconciliations:
                                      Three Months Ended September 30,

                                         2005                  2004
                                   (000s)    Cost/Gal    (000s)   Cost/Gal

  Fuel expense before
   hedge activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)         $28.0      $2.04     $18.7      $1.44
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense         (0.5)     (0.04)     (0.5)     (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense                $27.5      $2.00     $18.2      $1.40
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                 (5.2)     (0.38)     (1.2)     (0.09)
  Economic fuel expense            $22.3      $1.62     $17.0      $1.31
  Fuel gallons (000,000)            13.7                 13.0

  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)                 $2.9                 $6.9


                                      Nine Months Ended September 30,

                                         2005                  2004
                                   (000s)    Cost/Gal    (000s)   Cost/Gal

  Fuel expense before
   hedge activities ("raw" or
   "into-plane" fuel cost)         $71.6      $1.85     $49.9      $1.34
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in fuel expense         (1.3)     (0.03)     (1.5)     (0.04)
  GAAP fuel expense                $70.3      $1.82     $48.4      $1.30
  Less: gains on settled hedges
   included in nonoperating
   income (expense)                (10.9)     (0.28)     (1.6)     (0.04)
  Economic fuel expense            $59.4      $1.54     $46.8      $1.26
  Fuel gallons (000,000)            38.6                 37.2

  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)                $15.6                 $9.6


   Air Group Net Income and EPS Reconciliation:

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

                                      Three Months Ended September 30,
                                         2005                  2004
                                  Dollars  Diluted EPS  Dollars Diluted EPS
  Net income and diluted
   EPS excluding
   mark-to-market hedging gains,
   navigation fee recovery,
   restructuring and
   impairment charges              $71.5      $2.16      $50.7      $1.58
  Mark-to-market hedging gains,
   net of tax                       14.2       0.42       32.8       1.01
  Navigation fee recovery,
   net of tax                        3.6       0.11        6.3       0.19
  Restructuring charges, net of tax  0.9       0.02      (15.8)     (0.49)
  Reported GAAP amounts            $90.2      $2.71      $74.0      $2.29

                                       Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                         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 recovery,
   restructuring and
   impairment charges              $54.4      $1.74      $19.5      $0.68
  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change, net of tax   (90.4)     (2.69)        --         --
  Mark-to-market hedging
   gains, net of tax                72.4       2.16       45.9       1.40
  Navigation fee recovery,
   net of tax                        3.6       0.11        6.3       0.19
  Restructuring charges,
   net of tax                      (12.9)     (0.39)     (15.8)     (0.48)
  Impairment charges, net of tax      --         --      (26.3)     (0.81)
  Reported GAAP amounts            $27.1      $0.93      $29.6      $0.98


   Air Group EPS Calculations:

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

                                     Three Months          Nine Months
                                  Ended September 30,  Ended September 30,
                                   2005       2004      2005       2004

  Basic Earnings Per Share:
  Income before accounting change  $90.2      $74.0     $117.5      $29.6
  Weighted average
   shares outstanding             27.502     26.862     27.274     26.820
    Income per share
     before accounting change      $3.28      $2.75      $4.31      $1.10

  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change, net of tax      NA         NA     $(90.4)        NA
  Weighted average shares outstanding NA         NA     27.274         NA
    Per share cumulative effect
     of accounting change             NA         NA     $(3.32)        NA

  Net income                       $90.2      $74.0      $27.1      $29.6
  Weighted average
   shares outstanding             27.502     26.862     27.274     26.820
    Net income per share           $3.28      $2.75      $0.99      $1.10


  Diluted Earnings Per Share:
  Income before accounting change  $90.2      $74.0     $117.5      $29.6
  Interest on convertible
   notes, net of tax                 1.5        1.0        4.0        2.6
  Income before
   accounting change for
   diluted calculation             $91.7      $75.0     $121.5      $32.2
  Weighted average
   shares outstanding             33.857     32.631     33.523     32.691
    Income per share before
     accounting change             $2.71      $2.29      $3.62      $0.98

  Cumulative effect of
   accounting change, net of tax      NA         NA     $(90.4)        NA
  Weighted average shares outstanding NA         NA     33.523         NA
    Per share cumulative effect
     of accounting change             NA         NA     $(2.69)        NA

  Net income                       $90.2      $74.0      $27.1      $29.6
  Interest on convertible
   notes, net of tax                 1.5        1.0        4.0        2.6
  Net income for
   diluted calculation             $91.7      $75.0      $31.1      $32.2
  Weighted average
   shares outstanding             33.857     32.631     33.523     32.691
    Net income per share           $2.71      $2.29      $0.93      $0.98


  Forecasted Financial Measures

During our quarterly earnings conference call, we expect to discuss forward-looking forecasted unit cost information for 2005. 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
         _______________________________ __________________________________

                                                                 Forecast
                                                                       of
                                                                    total
                                        Forecast of                 oper-
                           Fore-              total          Fore-  ating
                            cast          operating    Fore-  cast   cost
                              of    Fore-  cost per     cast    of    per
                Forecast    fuel     cast    avail-  of cost  fuel avail-
             of cost per    cost       of      able      per  cost   able
               available     per restruc-      seat   avail-   per   seat
              seat mile,  avail-   turing     mile,     able avail-  mile,
         excluding fuel,    able  charges        as     seat  able as re-
              navigation    seat      per  reported    mile,  seat ported
            fee recovery    mile   avail-      on a  exclud-  mile   on a
                     and   (See      able      GAAP      ing  (See   GAAP
           restructuring   Note      seat     basis     fuel  Note  basis
                 charges      1)     mile   (cents)  (cents)    1) (cents)

  Fourth quarter
   2005              7.8     3.1      --     10.9     13.8    3.2   17.0

  Full year
   2005              8.0     2.8     0.1     10.9     13.4    2.9   16.3

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 Airlines

CONTACT: Brad Tilden, +1-206-392-5362, or Amanda Tobin, +1-206-392-5134,
both of Alaska Airlines