SEATTLE, Oct 4, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- When Horizon Air's new CRJ-700 jet takes off on the airline's inaugural flight to Long Beach, Calif., Sunday morning Oct. 6, many on board will be on vacation, with plans to tour the Queen Mary, visit the Long Beach Aquarium, and enjoy nearby Disneyland Resort.

Most will be taking advantage of Horizon's introductory fares that start as low as $214 roundtrip, including all taxes.

But it is a new pricing structure that removes the traditional Friday or Saturday night stay requirement from all their regular fares to Long Beach -- including the most deeply discounted rates -- that Horizon hopes will attract business travelers to the new service as well. And unlike some other airlines that have clamped down on their restrictions on non-refundable fares, holders of non-refundable tickets on Horizon and Alaska Airlines can standby for another flight the same day without charge or travel another time for only a $50 fee and any applicable change in fare.

"We're making business and leisure travel to Long Beach as convenient and easy as possible," said Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon's vice president of marketing and planning. "Along with our sister company Alaska Airlines, we offer the most flights to the widest variety of Southern California destinations."

"We're obviously very pleased to have service from Sea-Tac to Long Beach," said Gina Marie Lindsey, managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle. " Every time Horizon adds service to another city, the economies of both that city and our own region are enhanced."

Horizon will be the only airline offering nonstop service from Seattle to Long Beach.

Horizon will operate three daily nonstop flights using new state-of-the-art, 70-passenger, CRJ-700 regional jets. Horizon is the first airline in North America to operate the CRJ-700, one of the world's quietest commercially operated jet aircraft. The CRJ-700 has far less noise and fuel emissions than allowed by even the most environmentally sensitive airports.

    Horizon Hosts Big Brothers, Sisters on the Inaugural Flight

Horizon will host a group of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their "Littles" on the inaugural flight to Long Beach. They will spend the day touring the Queen Mary and soaking in the Shark Lagoon at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

"We're delighted to host our special guests for their trip to Long Beach. For many of the children this will be their first flight," said Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon's vice president of marketing and planning.

Founded 21 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).

Big Brothers Big Sisters of King and Pierce Counties partners with actively involved community members to match caring adults with children who will benefit from one-to-one mentoring programs.

    CRJ-700 photo: http://alaskasworld.com/NewsRoom/QXNews/photos.asp

CONTACT:          Horizon Air
                  Cheryl Temple, 206/431-4672
                  Dan Russo, 206/431-4513
                  or
                  Big Brothers Big Sisters:
                  Juergen Kneifel, 206/763-9060, ext. 224

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