Video Feed: Alaska Airlines Steps up Efforts to Sanitize Aircraft Cabins in Response to Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Outbreak

  TO: News producers and editors

  VIDEO FEED: Alaska Airlines steps up efforts to sanitize aircraft cabins
  in response to influenza A (H1N1) virus outbreak

  FORMAT: B-roll and sound bites

  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  Video is available via FTP:
  http://ftp.wongdoody.com/Login
  Username: alaskaairlines
  Password: nofexpected

  STORY SUMMARY: Alaska Airlines has stepped up efforts to sanitize its
  aircraft cabins in response to swine flu. In addition to removing all
  pillows and blankets from its fleet of 114 planes, Alaska is conducting
  comprehensive interior surface cleaning of all aircraft during overnight
  maintenance using a disinfectant and sanitizer with "virucidal" (virus-
  killing) performance against multiple types of flu.

  The cleaner, registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, provides
  a lasting microbial barrier to prevent recontamination of surfaces.
  Surfaces receiving special attention include walls, windows and shades,
  seat belts and buckles, armrests, tray tables, seat backs, passenger air
  vents, overhead bin doors and handles, and galleys and lavatories.
  Aircraft arriving from Mexico are also receiving an additional, thorough
  interior surface cleaning before boarding for the next flight begins.

  Alaska's fleet uses air conditioning systems with HEPA filters that remove
  99.7 percent of airborne particulates, reducing the potential for the
  spread of bacterial and viral organisms through cabin air. These filters
  are checked and changed according to a regular maintenance schedule to
  ensure optimal performance. Cabin air is refreshed through these systems
  more than 30 times an hour.

  In 2008 Alaska Airlines received J.D. Power and Associates' highest rating
  (five stars) for the cleanliness and comfort of its aircraft interiors:
  http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airline-ratings/traditional-network
  . Alaska was the only domestic network carrier to earn this distinction.

  SOUNDBITES:
  Rod Grimes, manager of fleet service performance, Alaska Airlines

  B-ROLL INCLUDES:
  --  Removal of all pillows and blankets from the aircraft
  --  Aircraft interior cleaning
  --  Alaska Airlines airplane exteriors


  COMPANY INFORMATION:

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group , together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Traditional Network Carriers (tie)" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

  FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR HARD COPY, PLEASE CALL:
  Alaska Airlines Corporate Communications at 206-392-5101


  Contact: Bobbie Egan
           (206) 392-5101

  /PRNewswire -- May 1/

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SOURCE: Alaska Airlines