Alaska Airlines Inaugurates New Flights to Steamboat Springs, Colo.

SEATTLE, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines will begin new seasonal service between Seattle and Steamboat Springs/Hayden, Colo., this winter. The twice-weekly flights will operate from Dec. 18, 2013, through March 29, 2014.

"This will be Alaska Airlines' first Colorado ski destination, giving our customers in the Pacific Northwest the first-ever nonstop service to world-class skiing in the Western Colorado Rockies," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "Steamboat is a family-friendly resort famous worldwide for its authentic western atmosphere and champagne powder snow."

To celebrate the new service, Alaska Airlines is offering introductory fares starting from $119* each way. Tickets must be purchased by July 26 for travel from Dec. 18, 2013, through March 29, 2014. Tickets are available for purchase today at www.alaskaair.com or by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 800-392-0228).

"Powder-hounds now have convenient flight options across the Alaska Airlines network to let their adventurous spirit unlock Steamboat's distinctive ski and snowboard experience, unmatched guest service, Champagne Powder^® and genuine mountain town lifestyle," said Rob Perlman, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp.'s senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Steamboat Springs, which has hosted World Cup alpine skiing competitions, encompasses 165 trails, 3,668 vertical feet and nearly 3,000 uncrowded skiable acres with six peaks filled with groomed runs and meadows, as well as four terrain parks.

SkyWest Airlines will operate the new flights for Alaska Airlines using a 70-seat CRJ-700 regional jet. Customers on flights operated by SkyWest can enjoy free soft drinks and Starbucks coffee, A la Cart planeside baggage service, and complimentary Northwest wine and microbrews for passengers 21 years and older.

Note to media: High-definition b-roll of Alaska Airlines aircraft in operation is available for download at http://youtu.be/EYd7DKdqeSs. Photos are also available in the carrier's online image gallery at http://splash.alaskasworld.com/newsroom/ASNews/photos.asp.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction Study^SM for six consecutive years from 2008 to 2013. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

* General terms and conditions: The sale fare requires a 21-day advance purchase and is available for travel Wednesdays and Saturdays only. All travel must be completed by March 29, 2014. Fares include all taxes and fees including the September 11 Security Fee. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days. No travel allowed on the blackout dates of Dec. 21 and Dec. 28, 2013. A ticket purchased at an Alaska Airlines airport location or through a reservation call center will cost $15 more per person than the advertised fare. Tickets are nonrefundable. A $20 baggage fee will apply for each of the first three checked bags. Visit www.alaskaair.com or call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR for complete fare rules, including information about blackout days and other fare sale terms and conditions.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines