Alaska Airlines Announces $2.5 Million Gift to Build Aerospace Education Center at The Museum of Flight

SEATTLE, April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines announced today it is making a $2.5 million gift to The Museum of Flight to create the Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center.

The Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center, to be located in the Museum's T.A. Wilson Great Gallery, will be a resource center where teachers, parents, and students will be able to explore the many K-12 education programs offered at the Museum. Designed to create pathways to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers among young people, the Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center will feature state-of-the-art technology resources such as online career planning software, 3-D printers and flight simulators, as well as specially trained staff to serve as "education concierges" to help visitors register for programs, apply for financial assistance, and discover mentorship opportunities.

"Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I saw firsthand the imagination and innovation involved in building new airplanes and flying millions of people through the skies every day," CEO Brad Tilden said. "I'm particularly proud that Alaska Airlines is partnering with The Museum of Flight to continue to spark that imagination in future generations of pilots, engineers and innovators, and others who keep the aerospace and aviation industries marching forward."

"This is yet another important step in our vision to be the foremost educational air and space museum in the world," said Museum of Flight President and CEO Doug King. "It will serve as the educational hub of the institution and an invaluable resource for students and parents alike."

Construction on the Alaska Airlines Aerospace Education Center will begin in September, with completion expected in early 2015.

About The Museum of Flight
The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant air- and spacecraft, the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co., and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 100,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older, $15 for active military, $10 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Cafe is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org

About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines