SEATTLE, May 15, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Airlines announced today that it plans to return to Long Beach on September 9 with three daily nonstop flights from Seattle.

To kick off the new service, Alaska is offering a low introductory fare of $79 each way between Seattle and Long Beach for travel September 9 through September 30.

Alaska plans to operate the route using 138-seat McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.

Alaska Airlines President & CEO Bill Ayer said the new service is a homecoming in a way. "We're looking forward to coming back to Long Beach," Ayer said. "After all, Jet America, which merged with Alaska in 1987, was born in Long Beach."

With morning, midday and evening departures, the new service will allow business travelers to return conveniently on the same business day. Flight times between Seattle and Long Beach are:

     SEATTLE TO LONG BEACH               LONG BEACH TO SEATTLE
           Depart         Arrive                Depart       Arrive
Flight #   Seattle      Long Beach  Flight #  Long Beach     Seattle
  526.....9:49 a.m. ....12:25 p.m.    525......7:30 a.m. ...10:16 a.m.
  528.....2 p.m. ........4:40 p.m.    527......1 p.m. .......3:44 p.m.
  536.....6 p.m. ........8:35 p.m.    533......5:15 p.m. ....7:55 p.m.

Alaska is returning to Long Beach after a seven-year hiatus. Prior to that, Alaska served the airport for 13 years. With the addition of Long Beach, Alaska will serve seven airports in Southern California. Currently, the carrier serves Burbank, Los Angeles, Ontario, Orange County, Palm Springs and San Diego.

The special $79 Seattle-Long Beach introductory fare requires a 14-day advance purchase and a one-night minimum stay. Tickets must be purchased by May 31. Price does not include airport passenger-facility charges of up to $18 (amount depends on itinerary); federal segment tax of $3 per takeoff and landing; and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement, up to $10. Tickets are changeable for a $50 change fee, plus any applicable changes in fare. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or on all days.

In addition to being voted the "World's Best Domestic Airline" by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine, Alaska was recently ranked No. 1 in the Airline Quality Ratings compiled by Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 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, Seattle Jack Evans, 206/433-3134 Jack Walsh, 206/901-8753