SEATTLE, May 15, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- If you were born in 1932 and are flying on Alaska Airlines today, you're in for an unexpected treat.

To help commemorate its 70th birthday, the airline is giving away free roundtrip tickets to customers flying today who were born in 1932 -- the same year Alaska took flight with a lone, three-passenger Stinson aircraft.

"I know it's usually more customary to receive presents on your birthday, but we wanted to celebrate the occasion by surprising a few of our customers who were born the same year we were," said Bill Ayer, the carrier's president and CEO.

Flight attendants will make the announcement on all flights scheduled to depart on May 15, 2002, between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Passengers who were born in 1932 will be given a coupon redeemable for one free roundtrip between any two cities served by Alaska Airlines. Certain restrictions apply.

Alaska Airlines was launched as McGee Airways in 1932, providing service between Anchorage and Bristol Bay, Alaska. Today, Alaska operates 102 Boeing aircraft, serves 45 cities in three countries, offers more than 500 flights each day, and employs more than 11,000 people.

Among other notable happenings in 1932:

-- Franklin D. Roosevelt pledges a "New Deal" if elected president.

-- Scientists split the atom for the first time.

-- Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

-- Polaroid film was born.

-- The first episode of Buck Rogers airs on CBS radio.

-- Tarzan's Johnny Weissmuller and child star Shirley Temple make their film debuts.

Alaska Airlines was recently voted "World's Best Domestic Airline" by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine. Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 80 cities in the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Mexico. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

CONTACT: Alaska Airlines Jack Evans, 206/433-3134 Jack Walsh, 206/901-8753