SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2002--Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) today launched daily nonstop service between Seattle and Miami International Airport.

As the only nonstop flight between the two cities, the new service shaves nearly two hours travel time off flights offered by competitors. Alaska operates the daily flight with new 120-seat, Next Generation Boeing 737-700s.

In Miami, Mayor Alex Penelas will join airport and Alaska Airlines officials in a ribbon cutting ceremony before the first departure from Miami this evening.

"With a nonstop between Seattle and Miami and easy connections from Alaska, Canada and across the Pacific Northwest, Alaska truly connects the far corners of the continent," said Gregg Saretsky, the carrier's executive vice president of marketing and planning. "Many more customers can now enjoy the service that has made Alaska the dominant West Coast carrier."

To celebrate the launch of the new service, Alaska Airlines is offering Double Mileage Plan miles through Jan. 31 on all flights between Seattle and Miami.

Mileage Plan, Alaska's frequent flyer program, has 10 airline partners for earning mileage and redeeming award travel, including American Airlines, Continental and Northwest -- more than any other frequent flyer program. Members have access to destinations throughout the world.

Customers who are not Mileage Plan members may enroll online at alaskaair.com and receive 500 bonus miles.

The eastbound flight, Flight 16, departs Seattle at 8:25 a.m. and arrives in Miami at 4:55 p.m. Westbound, Flight 17 departs Miami at 5:45 p.m. and arrives in Seattle at 9:27 p.m.

Double Miles are valid on qualifying paid flights operated by Alaska Airlines and credited to an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. Double Miles apply to actual miles flown and do not count toward elite level status. The promotion is subject to change without notice, and all terms and conditions of the Mileage Plan program apply.

Alaska Airlines, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, is the ninth largest commercial air carrier in the United States. The carrier was recently ranked No. 1 in the annual Airline Quality Ratings compiled by the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Wichita State University. And readers of Travel+Leisure magazine recently named Alaska the "World's Best Domestic Airline."

For reservations, go to www.alaskaair.com or call Alaska's toll-free reservations line at 1-800/ALASKAAIR (1-800/252-7522). For more news and information visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

--30--CJG/se*

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