SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2003--Horizon Air said today the airline will begin jet service to Santa Barbara with two daily nonstops from Seattle and one daily nonstop from Portland starting July 1, 2003. Horizon will be the first airline to offer nonstop service from Santa Barbara to the Pacific Northwest.

Currently, Seattle is the fourth highest market flown to from Santa Barbara and the only one in the airport's top six destinations without nonstop service, according to airport officials. Portland is the 13th highest travel market from Santa Barbara.

"It's hard to believe that until now there hasn't been an easier way to get from Seattle or Portland to Santa Barbara," said Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon's vice president of marketing and planning. "These new nonstops will make it much more convenient for our customers from throughout the Northwest, western Canada and the state of Alaska to travel to Santa Barbara."

"The new service is offered by a quality regional airline with a superior national reputation," said Karen Ramsdell, Santa Barbara airport director. "The nonstop service will provide significant economic advantages for our region."

Horizon will operate its 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft on the routes. The CRJ-700 is among the quietest commercially operated jet aircraft, with far less noise and fuel emissions than the limits enforced by even the most environmentally sensitive airports.

Horizon is offering introductory fares from Seattle and Portland to Santa Barbara as low as $89 each way when tickets are purchased by April 10, and double Mileage Plan frequent flier miles on flights taken between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2003. Tickets are available on the Web at www.horizonair.com, by calling Horizon Air at 1-800/547-9308, or through travel agents.

Founded 21 years ago, Horizon Air has grown to become the nation's eighth-largest regional airline, serving nearly 5 million passengers last year. Horizon serves 45 cities throughout California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia and Alberta. Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve more than 80 cities throughout the West and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK).

For more news and information, visit the Horizon Air Newsroom on the Web at http://newsroom.horizonair.com.

From Seattle to Santa Barbara
Flight 2447  Departs 8:00 a.m.   Arrives 10:20 a.m.
Flight 2451  Departs 12:30 p.m.  Arrives 3:59 p.m. (stops in Portland)
Flight 2453  Departs 7:40 p.m.   Arrives 9:59 p.m.

From Santa Barbara to Seattle
Flight 2440  Departs 6:00 a.m.   Arrives 8:20 a.m.
Flight 2452  Departs 10:50 a.m.  Arrives 2:18 p.m. (stops in Portland)
Flight 2454  Departs 4:50 p.m.   Arrives 7:10 p.m.

From Portland to Santa Barbara
Flight 2451  Departs 1:55 p.m.   Arrives 3:59 p.m. (originates in
                                                   Seattle)

From Santa Barbara to Portland
Flight 2452  Departs 10:50 a.m.  Arrives 12:55 p.m. (continues to
                                                    Seattle)

    CONTACT: Horizon Air, Seattle Cheryl Temple, 206/431-4672

    SOURCE: Horizon Air