SEATTLE, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported December operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines (Alaska) and Horizon Air (Horizon). ALASKA AIRLINES Alaska reported an increase in load factor to 83.6 percent in December 2009, compared to 80.7 percent in December 2008, on a 5.0 percent increase in available seat miles (ASMs) compared to the prior-year period. Alaska also reported that 84.0 percent of its flights arrived on time in December 2009, a 25.6-point increase compared to the 58.4 percent reported in December 2008. December 2008's results were negatively impacted by severe winter storms in the Pacific Northwest during the last two weeks of the month. The following tables show the operational results for December 2009 and for the full year 2009, compared to the prior-year periods: December Year-to-Date -------- ------------ 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ Revenue passenger miles RPMs (000,000) 1,612 1,483 8.7% 18,362 18,712 (1.9)% Available seat miles ASMs (000,000) 1,928 1,837 5.0% 23,144 24,218 (4.4)% Passenger load factor 83.6% 80.7% 2.9pts 79.3% 77.3% 2.0pts Revenue passengers (000) 1,318 1,278 3.2% 15,561 16,809 (7.4)% On-time arrivals as reported to U.S. DOT 84.0% 58.4% 25.6pts 82.9% 78.3% 4.6pts ---- ---- ------- ---- ---- ------ HORIZON AIR Horizon reported an increase in load factor to 75.9 percent in December 2009, compared to 72.8 percent in December 2008. Horizon reported that 80.7 percent of its flights arrived on time in December 2009, a 27.1-point increase compared to the 53.6 percent reported in December 2008. Like Alaska, December 2008's results were impacted by severe weather in the Pacific Northwest. The following tables show the operational results for December 2009 and for the full year 2009, compared to the prior-year periods: December Year-to-Date -------- ------------ 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------ RPMs (000,000) 211 183 15.1% 2,408 2,635 (8.6)% ASMs (000,000) 278 251 10.5% 3,292 3,617 (9.0)% Passenger load factor 75.9% 72.8% 3.1pts 73.1% 72.9% 0.2pts Revenue passengers (000) 594 532 11.6% 6,759 7,390 (8.5)% On-time arrivals 80.7% 53.6% 27.1pts 86.1% 83.1% 3.0pts ---- ---- ------- ---- ---- ------ Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), 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" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 and 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom. DATASOURCE: Alaska Air Group, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, +1-206-392-5134, or Investor/analyst, Shannon Alberts, Managing Director of Investor Relations, +1-206-392-5218, both of Alaska Air Group

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