Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Offer Summer Travel Tips

With the Memorial Day holiday comes the beginning of the summer travel season. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air offer the following tips for stress-free travel. More information is available in the "Know Before You Go" section of the airlines’ Web sites — http://alaskaair.com/ and http://horizonair.com/.

  -- Be aware of new fees. In order to align with the rest of the industry
     and in response to increasing costs, Horizon and Alaska recently
     changed their fee structure. Starting today, the charge for an
     overweight bag (more than 50 pounds) will increase to $50, the charge
     for transporting pets in the cabin increases to $100 one-way, the
     charge for booking a reservation at the ticket counter or through
     reservations increases to $15, and the unaccompanied minor fee will be
     $75 for one-way nonstop or connecting flights. Additionally, beginning
     July 1, Alaska and Horizon will begin charging $25 for a second and
     $100 for a third checked bag. First class and Gold-level Alaska
     Airlines Mileage Plan members, and customers flying to or from Mexico
     City may check two bags free of charge, and customers on flights within
     the state of Alaska may check three bags free of charge, before excess
     fees apply. Passengers can pay for additional bags with a credit card
     at the airport through Alaska and Horizon check-in kiosks or at the
     ticket counter.

  -- Be prepared for security procedures. The Transportation Security
     Administration (TSA) has specific rules for carrying liquids and gels
     in carry-on luggage, in addition to procedures related to electronics.
     Become familiar with all their procedures, as well as prohibited items,
     by checking the TSA Web site, http://www.tsa.gov/.

  -- Be aware of passport requirements for international travel. Passengers
     traveling between the United States, Canada and Mexico are required to
     have a passport. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of
     State Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/.

  -- Know when to arrive at the airport and gate. Passengers should arrive
     at the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure and three
     hours before an international flight. Travelers should contact
     individual airports for specific recommended arrival times. Alaska and
     Horizon customers must be at the gate at least 30 minutes before a
     domestic departure and 40 minutes before an international flight. These
     guidelines apply to all airports, regardless of size.

  -- Allow extra time to get to the airport. Parking lots may be full during
     peak travel periods. Alaska and Horizon encourage passengers to take
     alternative transportation to the airport or park at a nearby satellite
     parking lot.

  -- Check in online. Alaska and Horizon passengers can check in online up
     to 24 hours before a domestic or international flight at
     http://alaskaair.com/ or http://horizonair.com/. International passengers
     can enter passport information online. Passengers who check in online
     should leave ample time to check any luggage at the airport. Alaska
     Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the first
     time they check in online.

  -- Use a check-in kiosk. Alaska and Horizon provide more than 400
     convenient check-in kiosks at airports and many off-site locations.
     Kiosks allow passengers to check in for flights, print boarding passes,
     pay to check additional pieces of luggage, and change seat assignments.
     Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the
     first time they check in at a kiosk.

  -- Know the carry-on and checked luggage limits. Federal rules allow each
     customer to carry only one standard-sized carry-on bag and one personal
     item, such as a purse or laptop computer. Baggage fees will apply to
     items beyond the carry-on limits. Detailed information is available at
     http://alaskaair.com/ and http://horizonair.com/.

  -- Keep valuables in your carry-on luggage. Passengers should carry
     prescription medication, passports, cash, jewelry, business papers,
     laptops, cameras and other valuables in their carry-on luggage to keep
     control of these items.

  -- Properly label luggage. Passengers should provide their name, address,
     phone number, destination phone number and e-mail address on a label
     inside and outside each piece of luggage.

  -- Know the rules for large or unusual items. Passengers with excess
     luggage, pets or oversized items, such as golf clubs, should check
     airline policies ahead of time.

  -- Take the express security line. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold
     members and passengers with no carry-on items can use express lines at
     security checkpoints in Anchorage, Alaska; Portland, Ore.; Seattle; and
     Spokane, Wash. Express lines also are available for Horizon Shuttle
     passengers flying between Seattle or Portland and Spokane.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air together serve 93 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit http://alaskaair.com/. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at http://alaskaair.com/newsroom.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: maria.koenig@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines