SEATTLE, Dec. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) today reported November operational results for its subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, and on a combined basis. Detailed information is provided below.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska reported a 7.8 percent increase in traffic on a 4.8 percent increase in capacity compared to November 2010. This resulted in a 2.5-point increase in load factor to a November record 86.4 percent. Alaska also reported 84.8 percent of its flights arrived on time in November, compared to the 82.5 percent reported in November 2010. 

The following table shows Alaska's operational results for November 2011 and year-to-date, compared to the prior-year periods:

Horizon Air

Horizon reported a 15.3 percent decline in traffic on an 18.8 percent decline in capacity compared to November 2010. This resulted in a 3.3-point increase in load factor to a November record of 79.3 percent. Horizon also reported a November record 88.9 percent of its flights arrived on time, compared to the 70.9 percent reported in November 2010. The significant decline in capacity and traffic for Horizon from 2010 is due primarily to the completion of Horizon's transition out of the CRJ-700 fleet and a corresponding reduction in the size of the carrier's operating fleet from 54 aircraft at Nov. 31, 2010, to 48 aircraft at Nov. 31, 2011. This transition was completed in June of 2011. 

The following table shows Horizon's operational results for November 2011 and year-to-date, compared to the prior-year periods:

Air Group (including flights operated by third parties)

On a combined basis, Air Group reported a 7.4 percent increase in traffic on a 4.0 percent increase in capacity compared to November 2010. This resulted in a 2.6-point increase in load factor to 85.6 percent. These statistics include flights operated by Alaska and Horizon, and those under capacity purchase arrangements with SkyWest and a small third-party carrier in the state of Alaska.

The following table shows the operational results for November 2011 and year-to-date, compared to the prior-year periods:

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 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, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Air Group Inc.

media, Bobbie Egan, Media Relations Manager, +1-206-392-5101, or investor/analyst contact, Chris Berry, Managing Director of Investor Relations, +1-206-392-5260