SEATTLE, Aug 16, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Horizon Air announced today it will begin daily nonstop jet service between Portland and Billings, and between Boise and Phoenix starting Oct. 27.

The Portland-Billings service will operate year-round, while the Boise-Phoenix service will operate seasonally through April 27, 2003.

"These two new nonstop services underscore our commitment to making flying more convenient for both business and leisure travelers," said Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon's vice president of marketing and planning.

    Scheduled flight times are:
    Portland to Billings
    Flight 2414          Departs 2:40 p.m.       Arrives 5:30 p.m.
    Billings to Portland
    Flight 2415          Departs 1:05 p.m.       Arrives 1:59 p.m.
    Boise to Phoenix
    Flight 2575          Departs 12:25 p.m.      Arrives 2:25 p.m.
    Phoenix to Boise
    Flight 2576          Departs 3:05 p.m.       Arrives 5:05 p.m.
    All times shown are local.

Initially, service between Portland and Billings will operate with the 70-seat Fokker F-28 jet, with plans to replace it with a 70-seat CRJ-700 by early next year. The CRJ-700 is Horizon's newest aircraft and one of the world's quietest commercially operated jets. The CRJ-700 has far less noise and fuel emissions than the limits enforced by even the most environmentally sensitive airports. Horizon is the first airline in North America to operate the CRJ-700. Flights between Boise and Phoenix also will operate with the CRJ-700.

Reservations for the new flights are available now by calling Horizon Air at 1-800/547-9308, booking on the Web at www.horizonair.com or through any travel agent. Phoenix and Tucson vacation package information is also available at the website or by calling Alaska Airlines Vacations at 1-800/468-2248.

Within the past year, Horizon has started new nonstop service in several cities. These include Portland to Denver, Fresno and Tucson; and Boise to Denver, San Diego and Sacramento. Starting Oct. 6, Horizon will offer new nonstop jet service between Seattle and Long Beach, Calif. Founded 20 years ago, Horizon Air has grown to become the nation's eighth-largest regional airline, serving nearly five million passengers last year. Horizon serves cities throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, Colorado, Arizona, British Columbia and Alberta. Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK).

Editors' Note: Horizon Air aircraft photos and company background information are available in the Horizon Air Newsroom located at http://newsroom.horizonair.com.

CONTACT:          Horizon Air
                  Cheryl Temple, 206/431-4672
                  Dan Russo, 206/431-4513
                  http://newsroom.horizonair.com

URL:              http://www.businesswire.com
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.

Copyright (C) 2002 Business Wire.  All rights reserved.