Alaska Airlines Introduces ‘Spirit Of Alaska’ Aircraft

  Plane celebrates 50 years of statehood on inaugural tour across Alaska


  WHAT:       Alaska Airlines will unveil its specially painted "Spirit of
              Alaska" aircraft in honor of the state's 50th anniversary. The
              Boeing 737-400 livery, designed by Sitka high school student
              Hannah Hamberg, depicts a musher, sled dog and other iconic
              symbols of the state, and was chosen from among thousands of
              entries in the state of Alaska's "Paint the Plane" contest.

  WHO:        16-year-old artist Hannah Hamberg, Alaska Airlines Senior Vice
              President of Alaska Bill MacKay, State Representative Peggy
              Wilson and representatives from the Alaska Statehood
              Celebration Commission.

  WHEN:       9 a.m., Thursday, April 9, in Sitka
              12:30 p.m., Thursday, April 9, in Anchorage

  TIMELINE:   8:30 a.m.   Members of the news media meet Alaska Airlines
                          representatives at the Alaska Airlines ticket
                          counter
              8:45 a.m.   Crowd gathers at the outdoor gate between the
                          passenger terminal and Harris Air to await the
                          aircraft's arrival
              9 a.m.      Aircraft arrives in Sitka
              9:30 a.m.   Interviews with artist Hannah Hamberg, State
                          Representative Peggy Wilson, and Alaska Airlines
                          representatives
              9:45 a.m.   Media with access badges will be escorted to the
                          ramp to photograph the aircraft
              10:50 a.m.  Aircraft departs for Anchorage

              12 p.m.     Members of the news media meet Alaska Airlines
                          representatives at the Alaska Airlines ticket
                          counter
              12:15 p.m.  Crowd gathers at Gate C-0 to await the aircraft's
                          arrival in Anchorage
              12:30 p.m.  Aircraft arrives in Anchorage
              1:00 p.m.   Interviews with artist Hannah Hamberg, Alaska
                          Statehood Celebration Commission members and
                          Alaska Airlines representatives
              1:15 p.m.   Media with access badges will be escorted to the
                          ramp to photograph the aircraft

  RSVP:       Susan Bramstedt, director of public affairs, Alaska Airlines,
              (907) 266-7230. Media must show credentials and will be
              escorted while in the terminal.

  Media contact:
  Bobbie Egan                -or-      Susan Bramstedt
  Media Relations Manager              Director of Public Affairs
  (206) 392-5134                       (907) 266-7230
  /PRNewswire -- April 8/

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SOURCE: Alaska Airlines