SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2003--Alaska Airlines has been named airline technology leader of the year by Air Transport World magazine.

"Although it may not be among the largest in terms of revenue or traffic, Alaska Airlines is a giant when it comes to the introduction of new technology both on and off the airplane," according to the February 2003 issue of Air Transport World.

The magazine cited the following technological "firsts" by Alaska:

• First carrier to use a head-up guidance system or "fogbuster" to take off and land in Category III weather conditions in 1989;

• First North American carrier to sell tickets via the Internet in 1995;

• First carrier to operate a commercial flight using satellite-based navigation in 1996;

• First carrier to check passengers in via the Internet in 1999;

• First carrier to check passengers in via cell phones and PDAs in 2001.

The magazine also cited the debut of Alaska's "Airport of the Future" concept in Anchorage in 2002, which dispenses with the traditional ticket counter in favor of a series of islands with automated check-in kiosks and baggage collection points.

Lastly, editors noted Alaska's efforts to develop similar satellite-based Required Navigational Performance (RNP) approaches into San Francisco and Reagan National in Washington, D.C.

"It's a bit humbling to be singled out as the industry's technology leader," said Bill Ayer, Alaska's president and CEO. "However, it's also incredibly gratifying when I reflect on the tremendous investment in time and energy our employees have lent to these efforts over the years. This recognition truly belongs to them."

The Airline Technology Leadership Award will be formally presented to Alaska Airlines on February 12 in Washington, D.C., at Air Transport World's Gala Awards Dinner at the Capital Hilton.

Air Transport World is the leading monthly magazine serving the airline and commercial aircraft manufacturing industries. The magazine began its annual awards program in 1974 to recognize excellence in the airline and commercial aerospace industries. Air Transport World is published by Ohio-based Penton Media (NYSE:PME), a diversified, global business-to-business media company.

Alaska Airlines, the nation's ninth-largest carrier, serves 51 airports in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico with a fleet of 102 Boeing 737 and MD-80 aircraft.

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