Apolo Ohno Takes to the Skies In His Quest for Gold

Alaska Airlines’ specially-themed aircraft invites travelers to ‘Follow Apolo’

  WHEN:      7:30 a.m. Pacific time, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

  WHERE:     Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Gate C-9
             17801 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98158

  WHAT:      Alaska Airlines and Apolo Ohno will unveil a specially-themed
             Boeing 737-800 in support of Apolo Ohno's quest for gold in the
             2010 Vancouver Games. The unique design features a giant image
             of the Seattle-native on the aircraft's fuselage and invites
             travelers to "Follow Apolo" as he competes to become the most
             decorated speed skater in U.S. history.

  TIMELINE:  7:30 a.m.    News media meet Alaska Airlines representatives at
                          Alaska's check-in area for security clearance
             8 a.m.       Media escorted to gate for plane-side setup
             8:15 a.m.    Follow Apolo aircraft approaches Gate C-9
             8:25 a.m.    Ohno exits aircraft
             8:40 a.m.    Media escorted inside to Gate C-9 for remarks from
                          Ohno and Alaska Airlines executives
             9 a.m.       Ohno, local youth speed skaters and Alaska
                          Airlines representatives available for interviews
             9:30 a.m.    Passengers board plane for Flight 460 to
                          Los Angeles
             10 a.m.      Follow Apolo jet departs for debut flight
             1:15 p.m.    Follow Apolo jet, Flight 703, departs Los Angeles
                          For Vancouver, B.C.
             4:20 p.m.    Follow Apolo jet lands in Vancouver

  WHO:       The following representatives will be available for media
             interviews in Seattle:
             -- Apolo Ohno, five-time Olympic medalist
             -- Local Northwest Pattison's Team Extreme youth inline speed
                skaters
             -- Bill Ayer, Alaska's chairman and CEO
             -- Brad Tilden, Alaska's president

  RSVP:      To arrange access, members of the media planning to cover the
             event should contact Bobbie Egan at (206) 392-5134 by noon
             Monday, Nov. 16. Media will be requested to show identification
             for security clearance and gate access.

  Contact:   Bobbie Egan
             (206) 392-5134

  /PRNewswire -- Nov. 16/

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SOURCE: Alaska Airlines