SEATTLE, Feb 13, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air customers now can purchase tickets online for itineraries that include travel on American Airlines.

The change is made possible by the introduction of a new interline electronic ticketing agreement. Previously, itineraries that included travel on Alaska and American or their affiliates Horizon Air and American Eagle required a paper ticket, which could not be purchased online.

Beginning today, tickets for itineraries that include travel on both carriers or their affiliates are available for purchase online at alaskaair.com, horizonair.com and aa.com. The agreement marks the first of many interline electronic ticketing agreements Alaska plans to introduce with its airline partners this year.

Also, customers who purchase tickets at the ticket counter or from either carrier's telephone reservations centers automatically will be issued electronic tickets.

The agreement also allows passengers to receive electronic tickets for itineraries that include up to 16 flight segments.

Electronic ticketing for itineraries that include travel on Alaska and American will be available Feb. 19 at most travel agencies.

Passengers who receive their ticket directly from Alaska or Horizon may also check in and print their boarding passes for the Alaska and Horizon flight segments at the airlines' Instant Travel Machine self-check-in kiosks.

American Airlines is the world's largest carrier. American, in concert with American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional carriers, serve more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories with approximately 4,400 daily flights.

The nation's ninth-largest carrier, Alaska Airlines was just named 2003 Technology Leader of the Year by Air Transport World magazine. Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Mexico. 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.

CONTACT:          Alaska Airlines, Seattle
                  Jack Walsh, 206/901-8753

(c) 2003 Business Wire. All reproduction, other than for an individual user`s reference, is prohibited without prior written permission.