Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Launch Mileage Program for Hurricane Relief

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air today invited their Mileage Plan members to donate frequent flier miles to the American Red Cross for use in disaster relief efforts. For every 5,000 miles donated to a special American Red Cross mileage account, Alaska Air Group and Bank of America will each donate an additional 1,000 miles.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those affected by Hurricane Katrina," said Bill Ayer, Alaska Air Group’s chairman and chief executive officer. "The humanitarian assistance required in response to this devastating event is enormous, and we appreciate the contributions of our Mileage Plan members and employees, as well as our partner, Bank of America, as we all work to support the ongoing relief efforts."

To donate miles, members may e-mail red.cross@alaskaair.com with their Mileage Plan number, full name and the number of miles they wish to donate. Members may also call the Mileage Plan at 1-800-654-5669. Miles may be donated in any amount of 500 miles or more. Contributions will be matched through Dec. 31, 2005.

During the Labor Day weekend, Alaska Airlines employee volunteers evacuated more than 250 hurricane victims from New Orleans to Austin, Texas. Alaska flew two round-trip flights between the cities as part of Operation Air Care, coordinated by the Air Transport Association.

Alaska Air Group also announced last week a series of financial contributions to the American Red Cross, including an initial donation of $25,000 and the commitment to match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar for up to an additional $25,000.

Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com/ .

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines