Alaska Airlines Vacations Uncorks New Walla Walla Wine Country Travel Packages

Alaska Airlines Vacations, in partnership with Tourism Walla Walla, Wash., today announced the availability of complete vacation packages to the Walla Walla wine country. Located at the base of the scenic Blue Mountains in eastern Washington, the Walla Walla Valley is an emerging producer of world-class wine and culinary offerings, and has attracted a growing number of visitors.

The Alaska Airlines Vacations Walla Walla travel packages start at $299 per person. Packages include roundtrip airfare from anywhere Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air fly and two nights’ accommodation at Walla Walla’s historic Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center. The package also provides the option of selecting, at an additional cost, a half- or full-day wine tour of the local, award-winning Walla Walla Valley wineries from Blue Stocking Tours and car rental from Budget Rent A Car.

"We are excited about Alaska Airlines’ new vacation packages because they give visitors from near and far an even easier way to enjoy a getaway to the Walla Walla Valley’s acclaimed wine region," said Michael Davidson president and CEO of Tourism Walla Walla. "Now guests can conveniently visit Walla Walla’s wineries any time of year as a last-minute getaway or well planned-out vacation."

"Walla Walla is already a popular destination, and as the valley continues to be recognized for its world-class wines, we anticipate the demand for our tours will continue to grow," said Bradley Walker, Alaska Airlines’ director of leisure marketing. "Alaska Airlines Vacations packages will make Walla Walla wine country getaways convenient and affordable for visitors from throughout the West Coast and beyond."

Nonstop service between Seattle and Walla Walla is provided by Horizon Air. Customers visiting from other Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air destinations will change planes in Seattle, connecting to the one-hour Horizon flight to Walla Walla.

Walla Walla vacation packages, including airfare and hotel accommodations based on double occupancy, start at $299 per person from Seattle or Portland, Ore.; $393 from San Francisco; and $449 from Los Angeles. Half-day ground tours, which are offered at an additional cost, include visits to between four and six wineries and full-day tours include visits to between six and eight wineries.

Alaska Airlines Vacations’ Walla Walla packages are available for purchase at alaskaair.com or by calling Alaska Airlines Vacations at (800) 468-2248.

* Airfare prices listed do not include (based on round-trip travel) airport passenger facility charges of up to $18 (amount depends on itinerary), federal segment tax of $3.30 per segment (takeoff and landing) on itinerary, and a U.S. security fee of $2.50 per enplanement.

* Airfare restrictions apply. Seats are limited and introductory fares may not be available on all flights or on all days. Tickets are nonrefundable but can be changed for a $50 change fee and any applicable changes in fare. All fares and taxes are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply depending on individual fare rules. See alaskaair.com for complete fare rules.

* Vacation package restrictions apply in addition to those listed above. Price is based on off-peak travel and prices will vary by date, blackout dates apply. All prices and rules are subject to change without notice and subject to availability. All terms and conditions of Alaska Airlines Vacations apply.

About Tourism Walla Walla: More than 70 wineries are in production in the Walla Walla Valley, on more than 1,100 acres of land recognized as the third Washington state American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Walla Walla Valley is a four-season destination. It offers beautiful landscapes, historic architecture, unique dining experiences, fine wines, rich arts and an abundance of outdoor activities. Spring and fall festivals, summer road rallies and rodeos, winter skiing and snowmobiling lure visitors all year long. Walla Walla offers history, art, music and theatrical performances, wineries and the great outdoors. For more information about visiting Walla Walla, call (800) 586-2193 or visit www.tww.travel.

About Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air: Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 89 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.

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

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines